ESPN

Bruce

  (3:04 PM)

Hi.. great to be here with the season so close now. Been out to a few camps (USC and UCLA) thus far and am making a swing through the Texas schools later this month. Ready to take your questions and talk some CF.

Tyler Parker (Shelbyville,TN)

Is Notre Dame really a national title contender?

Bruce

  (3:06 PM)

Let's talk about them deserving to be in the top 25 first. Last year, in YEar Four of the Weis regime, they weren't even among the top 50 teams in the country. You will probably hear lots of bold predictions, but let's not get too carried away just yet.

Steve (Las Vegas)

I'm rooting for local product DeMarco Murray this season, I'm not hearing the Heisman Hype I thought I would be...where did the fans go? Am I crazy to think he has a shot?

Bruce

  (3:07 PM)

He's a very good all around back, but he's got to stay healthy.. Been too nicked up the past year plus and he's playing behind a line with four new starters.. plus I don't think he'll get enough carries. Oh yeah and his QB is going to get much of the hype.

Ollie the Magic Bum (Venice Beach,CA)

Can Oregon or Cal finally win the Pac-10?

Bruce

  (3:09 PM)

I think Oregon has a better shot than Cal since they have more stable QB situation right now.. Both get USC at home, which is a huge plus. Still leaning towards USC, especially after observing Barkley's development.

Corky Main (Bristol,CT)

Who will be the surprise team in the Big Ten?

Bruce

  (3:10 PM)

I think Illinois is a good dark horse. They have an experienced QB in Juice Williams and great receivers. I kinda like Iowa too although not sure if they'd qualify as a surprise team.

"Frosty the Snowboarder" (Redmond,WA)

Is Nebraska ready to compete for the Big 12 title?

Bruce

  (3:11 PM)

Not just yet.. I do like the new QB and with Helu they should be a solid running team. They also have a great anchor for the D in Suh, but not sure there is enough firepower and speed to hang with UT, OU and OSU. I think the North comes down to them and KU this year.

Will (Speedwell, TN) [via mobile]

How do you think Lane Kiffin will do at UT? and Do you think Tennessee could get a commitment from Tyler Bray? You're the best columnist in NCAA FB

Bruce

  (3:13 PM)

Thanks Will.. I think Kiffin is going to get a lot of talent in there. Doubt he wins more than 14 games combined in his first two seasons though because in 2010 they'll have to rebuild the O-line completely. My hunch is they get Bray. His stock is rising fast and even though he told me he loves the new staff at SD State, I think the lure of playing at a BCS conference school will be too much. Also could see them still battling for Barry Brunetti (against WVU).

Dan (DC)

How does the Darren Evans injury affect your thoughts on the VT/Bama game and for the Hokies chances this season?

Bruce

  (3:14 PM)

It hurts, but I still lean to them to win the ACC. Watch out for TF David Wilson. He's dynamite.

Joseph (Atlanta)

Is Oklahoma State the most underrated team?

Bruce

  (3:15 PM)

Not any more.. people have been hyping them all off season. Teams like OSU and Ole Miss have gotten trendy so much the past few months, you wonder if they slide from underrated to overrated?

Finny (ATL, GA)

Top 5 people that we dont know about now but we will know about at the end of the year. Thanks! Great job you do

Bruce

  (3:17 PM)

Colin Kaepernick the QB at Nevada; Jarred Fayson, Illini WR; Donta' Hightower, Bama OLB; Chris Walker, DE, Tenn; James Cleveland a WR at Houston.. Some of those guys are already out there a bit.. Also keep an eye on Miss State DT Pernell McPhee.

Tom (Ann Arbor, MI)

What do you think of Terrel Pryor running a 4.3 40? That can't be real, right?

Bruce

  (3:19 PM)

Most 40 times are sketchy. They're usually handtimed. Some are on ridiculous fast surfaces. In track they talk about wind aided and how much affect that has. We never hear that with 40 times. He's fast. The thing I'd take into accuont was if he's the fastest guy on the team, he's very fast.

Mike (Akron)

Bruce!!! Glad to see you chatting again. Its been a very very long summer. I am just curious, what offensive players at Ohio State (not named Pryor) should we keep a close eye on? Will they have a better passing game than last year? How about the running game? Thanks Bruce!!

Bruce

  (3:20 PM)

If Jamaal Berry can keep his act together, I think he'll give OSU a good spark. He's explosive. Some schools had taken him off their recruiting boards, but if Tressel can have a big impact on him, I think it'll really pay off.

Urban Meyer (Gainesville)

Shane Matthews is getting lonely in 37F. Are you with the Gators or should I tell him he's goin to have company?

Bruce

  (3:21 PM)

I'm picking them to win the title (like pretty much everyone else) so we can start with that.

Marc (Charlotte)

How good can UNC's front 7 be?

Bruce

  (3:22 PM)

Really salty. The LBs might be the fastest trio in the country. Now can Marvin Austin be a dominator and play hard on most every down? I like their young DEs too. This should be a very good team and borderline great in 2010.

Joseph (Atlanta)

Why is everyone picking Texas where is the love for Oklahoma?

Bruce

  (3:23 PM)

For me, I think it's easier to replace a D-line than it is an O-line IF you have to split hairs like this.

Mitch (DC)

Do you think coaches' individual votes should be released in the polls like the AP does?

Bruce

  (3:23 PM)

Definitely.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Bruce, I here good things out of Austin about DE recruit Okafer. If he is as good as they are saying does Texas fill its void on the D line?

Bruce

  (3:24 PM)

Maybe, although keep in mind UT got a very very high percentage of their sacks and pressure just from their front four. Orakpo dominated in the OU game and Kindle can be a similar force I think. The inside guys not so sure yet.

Ken (Scottsdale, AZ)

Hey Bruce, seriously, did you guys really need to cover the Tebow/Spurrier nonsense? I can't think of a more ridiculous sports story in my life that got more coverage by the World Wide Leader...

Bruce

  (3:26 PM)

Probably not to the level it got no... I can think of a few. I'm beyond all the T.O. stuff. Same for As the Favre turns. I was a big fan of his. Now I can't trn the channel fast enough.

Matthew McConaughey (Austin)

Alright, alright, alright. Colt McCoy for the Heisman!

Bruce

  (3:26 PM)

He got my vote last year.

Bobby (Mt. Pleasant, MI)

Think any of the MAC teams will upset the Big Ten? I'm looking at Western Michigan over Michigan or Central Michigan over Michigan State.

Bruce

  (3:27 PM)

I think CMU has a shot. LeFevour is due against one of these big league teams. The D really needs to step up though.

Bruce

  (3:27 PM)

Sean from Pensacola,, Good question but I probably shouldn't answer it here.

Justin (Utah)

What do you think of TCU this year? If they get by Clemson week 3, they can go on a bit of a run. Also, shouldn't boise st. be required to play somebody this year? They need to leave the WAC because outside of Oregon, they don't play anyone. At least Mountain West teams Utah, TCU, BYU, play each other...

Bruce

  (3:29 PM)

Like them a lot. Was impressed in the spring when I visited them. Patterson is a very underrated coach. They're fast. Only concern is they have to replace the middle of the D. And they have to go to BYU for a payback game.

Taylor Colbert (Lexington, NC)

Should Wake be concerned with their defense?

Bruce

  (3:30 PM)

Of course. They lost a lot of playmakers and I think the ACC offenses will be much better now that there are some of those young QBs maturing.

alex (fla)

Do you think Garcia/Spurrier will ever take USC to the SEC championship?

Bruce

  (3:31 PM)

No. Not unless Florida is going to leave the SEC for the ACC or something, which obviously they wouldn't.

Stephen (Knoxville)

If South Carolina has another mediocre year does Spurrier come back?

Bruce

  (3:32 PM)

My hunch is no. I don't see him wanting to keep going 7-5 and being 7th in the league. That has to sting for a guy like that who had won as much as he did.

Dan (Los Angeles)

Best receiver in the nation - Benn or Dez Bryant?

Bruce

  (3:32 PM)

I'll take Dez Bryant.

Jim Tressel (Columbus)

I have a very gifted young person at quarterback. Is he going to make that jump this year and possibly lead us to a national championship and a possible heisman?

Bruce

  (3:33 PM)

Doubt it. I think they lost too many really good players on both sides of the ball.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Are there any Big Ten teams that, in your opinion, can hang with the top SEC and Big XII teams?

Bruce

  (3:34 PM)

No. I think UF, UT and OU would beat either OSU or PEnn State by at least 10 on a neutral field.

Tigerfan101 (SC)

Best running back in the ACC: CJ Spiller or Dwyer

Bruce

  (3:34 PM)

I think Dwyer.

Joe (NYC)

We always hear about Jones and Green in terms of stud soph wideouts. Why isn't Michael Floyd in that conversation? Is it the fact that he missed the last 3 games? Before that he was easily on par with the other two, and I'll think he'll break out big this year.

Bruce

  (3:35 PM)

I talked him up A LOT last year. Problem is, he wasplaying on a mediocre team. DeAndre Brown might be better than all of them but you hear even less about him.

Tommy Tubberville (AL)

Who is going to hire me?

Bruce

  (3:36 PM)

Maybe if Mike Sherman doesn't get things moving at A

Jonathan (Manhattan)

OK, how many years of decent results in big games and bowls would it take for ESPN to give credit to the Big Ten? Two or three years in a row of almost impossible expectations?

Bruce

  (3:37 PM)

IT has to be good, not "decent" results and I'd say three years. It took 3-4 to get down this far and it won't be erased with just one big year.

Tanner (Waco)

Will the Baylor Bears make a bowl game this year?

Bruce

  (3:39 PM)

Yes, the drought will end this year. Robert Griffin is a great young QB and Briles has surrounded him with some talent. Watch DT Phil Taylor on the D. He'll be a force.

Jeff Jones (Tulsa, Ok)

Top 10 College Quarterbacks of all time, if Bradford plays as well or better as last year would he be in that list if he wins another heisman and a natl championship?

Bruce

  (3:40 PM)

YEah, same with Colt or Tebow. BTW, since you asked, I'm leading the Friday mailbag with this subject.. I had some experts rank the best college QBs of alltime.

Marvin (MI)

Who will be starting QB for Michigan?

Bruce

  (3:40 PM)

Tate Forcier's edge in being in the offense over Denard Robinson has me thinking it's his to lose.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Are you a soccer fan? whats your line on the USA vs Mexico game? Or do you even care?

Bruce

  (3:41 PM)

Nope, not a soccer fan at all.

Charlie Weis (South Bend )

What are my four hardest games?

Bruce

  (3:42 PM)

USC and then there is a HUGE dropoff to Stanford, Mich State and Michigan. That's a really manageable situation for Weis in hotseatland.

Brent (Chicago, IL)

Does ESPN's take on the Big Ten have anything to do with the Big Ten Network? And if the SEC has down results, will the network still promote it very well due to the TV deal?

Bruce

  (3:44 PM)

No it has more to do with the Big Ten losing all of those big games and winning just one bowl game last year. People gloss over this but ESPN still airs a ton of Big Ten games. If OSU is great or Penn State, that would figure to translate into better ratings.

Dan (DC)

You're really gonna leave us hanging? Can you at least let us know what Sean from Pensacola asked...

Bruce

  (3:45 PM)

It wasnt anything too messy, just a recruiting question.

Vito (Orange County)

How is USC looking like this year, are they a legitimate tittle contender?

Bruce

  (3:48 PM)

More impressive than I thought.. Really fast defense. Great O-line. Lots or RBs and a terrific WR in Damian Williams.

Griffin (Homewood, AL)

How does Dan from DC get two questions answered, and I never get any?

Bruce

  (3:48 PM)

Not sure.. Wasn't keeping track.

Mike (Miami)

Is Ole Miss this year's Clemson? (overhyped team that falls flat on its face)

Bruce

  (3:51 PM)

No, Ole Miss has a lot better QB in Snead than what Clemson did.

Eric (Los Angeles)

Do you think the Jahvid Best comparisons to Reggie Bush are justified?

Bruce

  (3:55 PM)

Yes. He's not quite as good of a receiver as Bush and he doesn't have the luxury of a power back like LenDale White to take some heat off him, but I think he's close.

Kelvin (Dayton)

When do you think we'll see a non-BCS conference team win the national title?

Bruce

  (3:56 PM)

Not sure.. it'll probably require two more years of non BCS teams winning BCS bowl games before they even get a hope of being in the BCS title game.

dave (houston)

who would you want under center: terrelle pryor, robert griffin, or colin kaepernick?

Bruce

  (3:57 PM)

It's close. Right now, maybe Kaepernick.

JB (Seaside Park, NJ)

You're picking my Gators, and i like it, but what would be the most entertaining championship game? Who do you wanna see them play, what would be the outcome?

Bruce

  (3:58 PM)

I think lots of people would've liked to have seen USC in the title game because of their bowl record and a frustration of people saying "Well, USC is playing better than anyone at the end of the year..." Plus, in our ESPN Magazine preview issue I have this player's survey where the two runaway leaders in the best coach category are Meyer and Carroll.

Rod (Laurel Hill, Florida)

What do you think Florida State will do this year, and their chances on making a title run?

Bruce

  (3:59 PM)

I like that the O-line finally is solid. Not sure there is enough weapons on offense for them to be better than 9-3 though.

Tyler (Pennsylvania)

With a good year by Penn State and Daryll Clark do you believe Daryll has a legitimate shot at the Heisman?

Bruce

  (4:00 PM)

Think he's a long shot. My hunch is that Evan Royster might be a closer call, since PSU has to break in new WRs.

Roland (Pasadena)

Will you be in Berkeley with Gameday for USC v. Cal on 10/3???

Bruce

  (4:01 PM)

Not sure yet. Maybe.

Josh (Lincoln, ne)

Do you think Nebraska will ever get a quarterback that can perform on the same level as their past ones?

Bruce

  (4:02 PM)

You can't rule it out, but my hunch is maybe not for a long time.

Wes (Boise)

3 more seasons, Kellen's senior year at Boise State, with him racking up the numbers like he did last year and giving us that sucess and maybe going to the MWC, do u think Heisman chance?

Bruce

  (4:03 PM)

Maybe, but I think it'll be tough because for as productive as he is, people would dismiss him as a system kinda guy. Might be different if he was Matt Stafford's size with that arm. Not 6-0, 180.

Ray Ray ((Miami,FL))

Everybody sees Miami Hurricanes as a non-contender team. But I see them doing big thing, upseting teams and even being ranked by the end of the year. Do you think they can end up playing for the ACC???

Bruce

  (4:04 PM)

I think they have a legit shot. They have a ton of team speed, and I like QB JAcory HArris. Not sold on the O-line though, but we'll see. Guys inside the program who were there when UM was the best in the country think these young guys remind them of the makings of that 2001 powerhouse.

JB (Seaside Park, NJ)

was my question good enough to see, but not answer?what would be the most entertaining championship game? Who do you wanna see them play, what would be the outcome?

Bruce

  (4:05 PM)

OK, I thought I did answer that with UF-USC. Since I'm picking UF to win it all I'd lean to them.

Justin (God's Country (AL))

Where will Saban coach next?

Bruce

  (4:07 PM)

No idea.. Didn't know he was leaving Bama? Not sure how many other places would have the money to pay him what he would probably require to leave.

Quinton (Michigan)

Will U of M have a bid for the Big Ten Championship this year?

Bruce

  (4:07 PM)

No, but I'll say they will in 2010.

Joshua (Huntsville)

Do you think the Big East would get more respect if there were more teams in the conference? If so, what teams could improve that conference?

Bruce

  (4:09 PM)

Teams they probably couldn't get to join the league. They'd need to get Penn State and Va Tech. Not going to happen.

Hector (California)

Can you please answer my question Bruce. Who has a better chance to win the heisman. Tim Tebow or Sam Bradford?

Bruce

  (4:10 PM)

Probably Tebow. He's the QB of the preseason #1, but it's a toss up.

dan (earth)

what does oregon need to do to land top recruits? disappointments last couple years with pryor and brown seriously considering but not committing to oregon.

Bruce

  (4:11 PM)

Just keep winning. The brand of Oregon football has really taken off in the past 10 years. Gotta remember going far across the country isn't for everyone. Also beating USC wouldn't hurt since there is a national perception that the Pac-10 is USC and everyone else.

Chad (Las Vegas)

Will ESPN be doing the marathon this year to open up the CFB season????

Bruce

  (4:12 PM)

Good question. Don't know the answer to that.

Mike (South Florida)

Bruce, we appreciate the overtime! What does Notre Dame have to do to earn respect this year? It seems if they win 10 or 11 games, its because the schedule was too easy.

Bruce

  (4:12 PM)

Win at least 10 games this year and make sure one of them is USC. Or else people will say that they just beat a bunch of unranked teams.

Hector (California)

Bruce do you believe this will be the breakout year for jr. running back Ryan Mathews out of Fresno St.?

Bruce

  (4:14 PM)

Could be. HEard he's in the best shape of his life now and really matured. Also think FSU has great leadership on that D. Some really solid guys over there. Was very impressed in my dealings with a few of their vets.

Bruce

  (4:15 PM)

Thanks for all the questions. Gotta run to do a radio interview. Come check out the Insider CF blog.