ESPN

bruce

  (4:07 PM)

Hi, thanks for dropping by. Ready to talk some CF.

Reggie (Oakland)

Has a true freshman ever been a Heisman finalist?

bruce

  (4:08 PM)

There have been a few TFs in the top 5. Adrian Peterson finished 2nd. Herschel Walker finished third and I think it's Clint Castleberry who also finished 3rd back in the 40s.

Zach (Washington DC)

Auburn's Onterio McCaleb? Is Auburn's offense and him that good this year?

bruce

  (4:09 PM)

Saw some of him through the recruiting contacts I have. Lots of people like him because he's so explosive and elusive. Kind of a cross between Noel Devine and Dexter McCluster. Great change of pace guy right now I think.. Think that team will be fun to watch.

Chris (State College , PA)

What should we expect from Daryll Clark this year?

bruce

  (4:11 PM)

Great leadership. 2500 yards passing and maybe 400 rushing. Just a rock solid QB. Not sure the talent around him is experienced enough just yet for huge #s, but he's in the Heisman mix, although I feel like Evan Royster might trump him.

chris (alabama)

I dont get it Alabama is ranked number 4 and is said to have the best defense in college football. why dont they get enough credit you dont hear people talking about alabama's chance of the national championship?

bruce

  (4:12 PM)

After that showing Sat vs. VT, I think you'll hear more and more people buying in. Not sure there is a better D around and was really impressed with Greg McElroy and their running game. I guess they got two first place votes in the latest poll and probably will have more coming.

Matt (Athens, Ga)

What is your opionion on the biggest play of the OK State- UGA game. The awful call on R. Jones that led to the put away TD. Not only was the ball tipped so obviously there was a play but he lead with the shoulder and kept the hit under the shoulders. Then UGA's next drive a receiver, King I think, gets lit up after the D-Line bats a ball to the ground and it is no called. What gives?

bruce

  (4:13 PM)

I wrote in my blog on ESPN.com Sunday that I thought it was the worst call of the weekend. He didn't lead with his head or hit him in the head. He made a physical play.

Bryan (Mars, PA)

Safe to say, Mike Floyd is the best sophomore reciever in college football, if not all of college football?

bruce

  (4:15 PM)

I think Michael Floyd is awesome but this I think may go down as the best receiving class in CF history with AJ Green, DeAndre Brown, Julio Jones and a few others.

Bradford (Boise, ID )

Did you see Greg Reid last night against Miami!? He was EVERYWHERE last night - huge game for the true FR. He and McDaniel should be good ones!

bruce

  (4:15 PM)

No, they should be great ones. Wow did Reid look good. FSU needs McDaniel to emerge fast to boost them inside.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Bruce, are you surprised that Oklahoma did not have a back up plan if Bradford got injured or a QB with some in game experience? This Happend to Texas with McCoy a few years ago and Mack Brown new he couuld not allow it to happen again. He gave Chiles opportunities in the first half of big games to run the offense including agains t Oklahoma.

bruce

  (4:17 PM)

It's hard. Aside from Florida and maybe USC, I'm not sure anyone is that well off if they have to go to their back-up. I mean I like Dayne Crist from what I saw back in HS at Elite 11, but there's no substitute for game reps.

james (chicago)

do you think byu should not be ranked so high? yes, they beat ou, but the latter was wo their star qb and te and lost by a measly point.

bruce

  (4:18 PM)

Disagree. I think they should be ranked that high. They were the reason why Bradford didn't finish that game and he played in the first half and that offense didn't have a play longer than 18 yards with him in there. Plus, BYU was without its best RB Harvey Unga who is really good. BYU did something. Most other teams high in the rankings, save for perhaps Bama and Ok St, are just up there because of supposed potential.

Dave ((St. Paul, MN))

How about Jacory Harris? He has to be the best quarterback in the ACC and last night proved that? Also, what about the amount of play-makers on the 'Canes this year (Cooper, Benjamin, Collier, JJ, etc) compared to the last few years? The 'Canes are on their way back to the national scene.

bruce

  (4:21 PM)

Jacory Harris was awesome last night. He is so calm and poised and is really accurate and with good feet. Like their crew of receivers and backs. If their O-line steps up, they could be a top 10 this year. I think due to Harris they might be a year ahead of schedule. Plus that hire of Mark Whipple as OC was a brilliant move for Shannon.

Eric (Venice, CA)

Hey Bruce, Tell Chris from Bama one word for me why they are not ranked higher: UTAH!

Stephen (Knoxville, TN)

Who will have the better unit Sat. Monte Kiffin's defense or Norm Chow's offense? Do you think that UCLA having a freshman QB in front of the Neyland crowd pushes the game in the Vols favor?

bruce

  (4:22 PM)

I think the world of Norm Chow but 100,000 hostile fans for a freshman QB with an inexperienced O-line doesn't bode well. Curious to see if UT runs the ball half as well as they did in the opener.

bruce

  (4:22 PM)

I think the world of Norm Chow but 100,000 hostile fans for a freshman QB with an inexperienced O-line doesn't bode well. Curious to see if UT runs the ball half as well as they did in the opener.

Jerry (Houston)

I thought they may have pulled off an upset against LSU Saturday, how much of an improvment do you see Washington making over last years pathetic performance?

bruce

  (4:23 PM)

I think the world of Norm Chow but 100,000 hostile fans for a freshman QB with an inexperienced O-line doesn't bode well. Curious to see if UT runs the ball half as well as they did in the opener.

bruce

  (4:23 PM)

I was so impressed by what Sarkisian is doing there. Locker looks like a different QB, Chris Polk ran really hard.. Thought they'd win 4 this year. Now I feel like 6 might be possible.

Steve (PA)

Cincinnati's offense looked very good against Rutgers. Is a good defensive line the key to stopping that kind of spread offense?

bruce

  (4:25 PM)

They did. I think a good DLine is the key to stopping anything. Miami basically killed the run n shoot because their D-line overwhelmed David Klingler in a game. It was nothing fancy. As Mike Leach always says, it's really about the execution.

Mike (Ohio)

Is Cincinnati going to have to deal with a Brian Kelly coaching shift talk?

bruce

  (4:25 PM)

Maybe. He should be a hot commodity. If I'm a Bearcat fan I root for Charlie Weis to win a lot of games.

Adam (Chicago)

What should Wolverine fans take from the performance in Ann Arbor this past weekend?

bruce

  (4:27 PM)

That your team finally has some dangerous weapons and this season, while maybe not the stuff of top 10 teams, will be fun and the future is very bright.... I found myself constantly clicking back to watch them after they blew it open just to see what else those young Wolverines might do.

jack ((albany))

who you got notre dame or michigan?

bruce

  (4:27 PM)

following that up, I think ND is more experienced so I'll say they win like 24-14.

Sutton Neal (Lincoln, NE)

What are your thoughts about KU vs. UTEP this weekend? What's your prediction?

bruce

  (4:28 PM)

Disappointed in how UTEP struggled in the opener. I think KU is very good. Reesing is a star and they're too explosive on offense for UTEP to hang with them.

Bill (Bryn Mawr)

do you think Clausen will be a Heisman candidate by year's end?

bruce

  (4:28 PM)

Ask me after the USC game.

Nick (sarasota,fl)

Is florida the last stop for urban meyer?

bruce

  (4:29 PM)

Hard to say any coach won't move on at some point so I guess that's a shaky no.

arnie (los angeles)

Can you consider the Beavers a sleeper in the pac-10 this year?

bruce

  (4:30 PM)

As long as they have that coaching staff and the Rogers brothers, they're a definite sleeper.

Scott (Nashville)

Who will be the most underestimated teams in the SEC ?

bruce

  (4:31 PM)

Hunch is Arkansas. although I'm intrigued by So Carolina. Still feel like Spurrier wont win more than 7 this year and might move on afterwards, but we'll see. This will be a good game for them.

Justin (Provo)

TcU or clemson

bruce

  (4:31 PM)

TCU

Brett (Gainesville)

I know Jacory is getting all the pub, and rightfully so, but I think people are losing sight of how well Christian Ponder played. If his receiver's make catches, FSU wins. With another year to play, can he be a Heisman candidate one day?

bruce

  (4:32 PM)

Was impressed by him so much. Smart, really good runner. I think he's a rare legit dual-threat QB.

Chase (Hattiesburg, MS)

Bruce, do you think Southern Miss has a legit shot at winning Conference USA this year?

bruce

  (4:32 PM)

Yeah, I think it'll come down to them and Houston.

Glen (Pensacola, Florida)

Turkey or Ham?

bruce

  (4:33 PM)

Love it both. Actually am heading to Quiznos right after this but I think I'm going chicken there.

Nate (Madison)

My cousin is a UVA alum and big Cav's fan, so I got a kick out of his reaction when they were upset this weekend. So speaking of UVA, he is hoping Groh is gone after this year and that hopefully they can attract Turner Gill. Do you see either of those things happening?

bruce

  (4:34 PM)

I think it's time for a new start there. Gill would be a good option although I always felt he'd end up back in Texas or at least Big 12 country.. I think they should try and woo Bud Foster.

Jason (The Woodlands, TX)

Bruce,I know this is brought up and argued every year, but I have to ask this because there are 7 teams that are favored in their final games to go undefeated. They are Texas, Florida, USC, Penn State, Boise State, BYU and Ole Miss. I know an undefeated Ole Miss will play undefeated Florida, but that still leaves 6. This looks like a train wreck poised to happen. Even Miami has a shot at going undefeated.

bruce

  (4:35 PM)

It always is.. We gotta let the games play out.

JOHN (MEMPHIS)

Upcoming game Nebraska vs. VT winner?

bruce

  (4:36 PM)

Not sure yet. Nebraska's very good especially on the DL.

Bradford (Boise, ID )

What's your take on the potential BCS Buster (BYU and BSU for now)? And how hard will it be for these programs to keep their Head Coaches and Assistants? Thanks.

bruce

  (4:37 PM)

I've been saying this since before the start of the season that they're both going to BCS bowls.. I don't know enough about the BYU guys, but Boise has two terrific young coordinators in Wilcox and Bryan Harsin who should be on a lot of people's radar. They're great.. and look how young that team is.. 4 seniors on the whole depth chart of 44.. Wow.

Pete (Cupertino, CA)

Biggest surprise of the opening weekend?

bruce

  (4:38 PM)

How sharp Blaine Gabbert was or how poorly Oregon ran the ball against Boise.

Eric (Venice, CA)

Hey Bruce, One thing I have not seen mentioned at all from last weekend is how much stronger and bigger Joe McKnight looked in his 14 carries for 145 yards performance. Do you think he should be on the Heisman watch list now that he is USC "starter"?

bruce

  (4:39 PM)

I actually just talked to McKnight right before this chat started. He's got such a different attitude. If he has a game like he did last week on Sat, I think he will jump into the Heisman race.

Fauntleroy (New Haven)

I say there, if my fellows wearing the blue and gold and our lady's college sure looked good this past weekend. do you suppose their dapper performance can carry over to a victory over the city slickers from out west?

Clay (Oakland, CA)

What's going on with Darrell Scott and Colorado? Why so few touches for one of the most talented guys on the team?

bruce

  (4:41 PM)

Sorry I clicked on a question just as the screen shifted.. I was really surprised at how flat CU looked and I thought Scott would have a big impact and he was a complete non factor.

Jacob (Tupelo, MS)

Ole Miss struggled for 3 1/2 quarters, and now it turns out 14 players have the flu. Is Ole Miss for real, or is the flu an excuse?

bruce

  (4:43 PM)

Not sure. Ole Miss won and that was important because if they can play as they did and still win against a team that went to a bowl last year, they're in good shape. Something did seem weird with Snead though.

Nate (UT)

Boise State will lose at Utah State in November. Gary Andersen is turning that program around quickly.

bruce

  (4:44 PM)

Bold pick. I'm not ready to go there although I was pleased USU kept it relatively close last week after I picked them to not get blown out.

John (Memphis)

Bruce who loses thier first game this weekend Mullen or Chizik?

bruce

  (4:44 PM)

Mullen because they have less weapons.

Todd (Omaha, NE)

Do you feel like the Cornhuskers deserve more national respect then they are getting?

bruce

  (4:45 PM)

Let's let them beat a few top 20 teams and then we'll see. They've been suspect for a few years it takes something significant before people jump back onboard.

Chaz (Post Falls, ID)

Will ND go 5-0 before playing USC?

bruce

  (4:45 PM)

My guess.. yes.

Mike (Yorba Linda)

Hey Bruce, I emailde you this spring about USC's D might be even better than last year despite losing all those guys and you wrote back you weren't sure ... how 'bout now?

bruce

  (4:46 PM)

Not yet. SJState isn't enough of a test. Let's revisit after this game.

Jacob (Tupelo, MS)

Thanks for not answering my question...

bruce

  (4:47 PM)

I tried. Michael Jordan plays some great games with the flu.. how's that for an even worse nonanswer. Sorry Jacob I'm trying.

Brandon (Salt Lake City)

Is there a chance of more then 1 MWC team going to a BCS bowl game? Why?

bruce

  (4:48 PM)

No, one would be it.

Blaine (Arkansas)

How do you think Arkansas will do this year?

bruce

  (4:48 PM)

Very good. Good offensive coaches, lots of young skill talent and an intriguing QB with a rocket for an arm.

David (A2)

When we beat ND, do we carck the top 25?

bruce

  (4:50 PM)

Good question, I'd say yeah, probably so.

Josh (Tampa)

Roy Helu, Big 12 leading rusher at the end of the season?

bruce

  (4:50 PM)

I like his odds.

Justin (slc)

BYU will go to BCS game true or false

bruce

  (4:50 PM)

True.

Mike (New Orleans, LA)

Any chance Vanderbilt sneaks into Tiger Stadium and gets a win over a jetlagged LSU team that might be looking ahead?

bruce

  (4:51 PM)

I doubt it. I really liked what I saw from Jordan Jefferson and they have GREAT wrs.

bruce

  (4:51 PM)

Taylor, I didn't see your question. post it again

Jon (Pearl city)

BCS or playoff?

bruce

  (4:52 PM)

I'd like to see an 8 team playoff IF they could figure out how to manage it. but it won't happen.

Adam (DC)

Why is everyone bashing VT, at least we went out and played someone....what are your thoughts on VT still winning the ACC?

bruce

  (4:53 PM)

They have a good shot..huge game will be coming up to see what happens against Miami.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Turner Gill to Colorado next season? Big Red Nation might be up in arms.

bruce

  (4:54 PM)

That might make some sense although lots of coaches might scramble to get in on that if it comes open.

George (San Antonio)

How disappointed were you with the performance by Illinois? I know you were high on them this year.

bruce

  (4:55 PM)

Very. Losing Rejus Benn early hurt them but still Juice should've generated more points than they did. They kept shooting themselves in the foot and couldn't handle Gabbert. Impressive win for Mizzou and a nice start for new OC Dave Yost.

Chance (Pocatello,ID)

BYU runs the table and Mountain West finishes with three or four teams in the top 25. And no BCS school goes unbeaten. Could BYU be in the national title picture?

bruce

  (4:56 PM)

I do think that's possible. Their resume would match up well with other top teams I believe.

Dan (Cuse)

What did you think of Paulus this weekend? How will Cuse end up?

bruce

  (4:57 PM)

He kept things interesting. For a guy who hadn't played in 5 years he's got great pocket presence. Still think they'll be lucky to win more than 4 but they're at least fun to watch.

bruce

  (4:58 PM)

two more questions

Randy (New York)

Who will win the big 12 south and possibly go on to the NC. OK State or Texas?

bruce

  (4:58 PM)

I'll say Texas.

Pete (Cupertino, CA)

What's the story line if Michigan beats Notre Dame this Saturday? Notre Dame is over-rated or Michigan is resurgent?

bruce

  (5:01 PM)

Good question. The copout answer is both, but I think it'd be more about where ND goes from here. So many 3-year starters and lots of people on the bandwagon now and you'd lose to a team of true freshmen, it wouldn't play well for Weis.

Mike (Union City, CA)

Thoughts on Cal and the best running back in college football...Jahvid Best?

bruce

  (5:05 PM)

I think he's the best RB in the country and he's #3 on my Heisman ballot right now.

zach (fairport ny)

Hey Bruce huge fan of yours. Who is the best backup qb in the country?

bruce

  (5:07 PM)

thanks, Zach. I'll take John Brantley.

Blaine G. (Missouri)

Regretting your failure to pick Missouri for a bowl game? You probably still think Oklahoma is going to a BCS game too, right?

bruce

  (5:08 PM)

Um, yeah... No, but I think OK State and Texas will.

Jones (Columbus)

What will it take for Ohio State to beat USC this weekend?

bruce

  (5:09 PM)

Force turnovers. Pressure Barkley and for Pryor to hit some big passing plays.

bruce

  (5:10 PM)

Thanks for all your questions. If I didn't get them to them, please send them into my blog inbox on ESPN.com.. Enjoy the games.