ESPN

bruce

  (4:07 PM)

Greetings from Lubbock. I'm here to talk some college football on Revenge Week.

Jeff (Louisville)

Hi Bruce. Besides USC is there any other Pac-10 team worth taking seriously this year? Pac-10 fans sure complain alot about lack of recognition but I just don't see much there.

bruce

  (4:09 PM)

Maybe Cal. They do have a great running game and they get USC at home. Not ready to jump on the bandwagon yet though. The program has never really lived up to expectations before.

Elton Jones (South Ozone Park,NY)

It is entirely possible that LSU will be 5-0 when they play Florida at home on a Saturday night. Think the Tigers have a chance to win this one and upset Florida?

bruce

  (4:10 PM)

They have a lot of athletes and Jordan Jefferson needs to keep improving. I really like their size and athleticism at receiver. Defensively, they still need to sharpen up. They were plagued by busts last season and were shaky giving up almost 500 yards to Washington in the opener. But I do think they're dangerous and they have a GREAT home field edge.

Christine Santiago (Hollywood,FL)

Do you think South Carolina's talent level is getting where it needs to be to contend in the east soon?

bruce

  (4:11 PM)

Defensively, they have some talent and I like that Stephen Garcia is emerging, but I can't say that the gap betweem them and Florida is exactly narrowing.

Bob (Seattle)

If ND loses to MSU on Saturday, will Charlie Weis get fired? Should he be fired?

bruce

  (4:13 PM)

No, it's still early, but a loss to MSU would mean that he almost definitely would need to win out and beat USC to save his job. This is year 5 of the Weis regime and his team is loaded with experience. I think they're a pretty good team, but for whatever reason he can't win close games there. And that needs to change.

Avery (Houston)

Hi Bruce - BYU and Florida St...will the Seminoles pull of an upset in Provo?

bruce

  (4:13 PM)

It's possible, but I don't see it happening.

Earl (Princeton, WV)

Have you had a chance to see Jarrett Brown play for the Mountaineers yet? If so, what are you early impressions of him.

bruce

  (4:14 PM)

I honestly haven't seen more than a few highlights of him this year, but beating a good ECU team is impressive. He needs to be consistent. He's replacing a great one in PAt White.

Laura ((Va))

Nebraska is walking into the loudest stadium in college football Saturday...thoughts on Va Tech / Neb this weekend...by the way, tix are selling online for over $800

bruce

  (4:16 PM)

I wouldn't go against Tech at Lane. As you said that place is really loud and really intense and I think Foster's D will be ready for the young QB. As I wrote today in my blog, am curious to see how Suh and the Husker D does against the Hokie running game that really got cranked up last week.

Mike (So Cal)

Bruce, this is how I rank the conferences. Pac-10, SEC, MWC, SEC, ACC and Big 10 (tied), Big East. What do you think?

bruce

  (4:17 PM)

Didn't see the Big 12 in your rankings.. check back after this Sat because we'll find out a lot more about the Pac-10. I think they're probably third but if they win those games against ranked teams beating CIncy and Utah, they'd make a case for moving up.

Steve (Denver)

Hey Bruce! I know the competition is too stacked this year, but what are Case Keenum's chances for Hesiman next year?

bruce

  (4:18 PM)

He's off to the right start. He needs to light up Texas Tech next week and get UH into a BCS bowl and then he'll have momentum when Colt, Tebow and others are gone for 2010.

Jonathan (Lewis Center, Ohio)

Will Terrelle Pryor's mechanics ever improve or his quarterback mind, because he seems like a full-time wildcat QB or a pro wide receiver right now?

bruce

  (4:19 PM)

Not sure. Keep in mind he's just a second year soph who wasn't one of those QBs with the high level of on the side QB tutoring like a lot of the young Cali QBs get.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Feldman: Which might be more accurate - Michigan is better than we thought or Notre Dame isn't as good as they were hyped to be?

bruce

  (4:20 PM)

Usually the answer to these kinds of questions is always "both" but I'm not certain of that. I really think it's Michigan is better than we thought.

tim (SLC)

hey Bruce- is boise state overrated? they beat a pretty bad oregon team and other then that nobody.

bruce

  (4:21 PM)

I don't think so. They're a very very well coached team.

Younger78 (Cali)

Over/Under for UCLA 7-5?

bruce

  (4:22 PM)

Seven's good, but if I had to pick I'll take the over and give them eight. BTW DT Brian Price is one of the best defensive players in the country and very underrated, esp. for a guy who plays in a huge media market.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

Is it actually losing close games that does Weis in or the fact that his teams don't really beat anyone good?

bruce

  (4:22 PM)

OK, thanks. This is that kind of "Both" question I was just talking about.

Van (Fort Payne, AL)

What do you think Alabama's chances are of going to the SEC championship again this year?

bruce

  (4:23 PM)

They have a pretty good shot. Playing at Ole Miss will be tricky and LSU is dangerous too. Also think Ark and Auburn are on the rise. It is a very good division.

Vince (Dublin)

Is it time to move on from Tressel-ball at Ohio State and move towards an updated offense? Does Tressel allow someone else to call plays (ever)?

bruce

  (4:24 PM)

Good question. I think that's something I'm surprised that wouldn't be considered. I realize Tressel has talked about how he loves that part of the game but is it hampering his program at this point?

Mike (DC)

Do you think Tyrod Taylor will finally live up to his potential as a passer? Before he came to Tech we heard about how good of a passer, as well as a runner, he was. And then this summer we heard about how much he has improved. Do you think he finally shows it this year?

bruce

  (4:25 PM)

I don't know. He still looks really shaky. I'm not sure I'd jump out on that limb.

Alex (Richmond, VA)

What's your take on the success the CAA has had against FBS teams so far?

bruce

  (4:27 PM)

IT's good football. I talked to a coach who would know this about as well as anyone about whether Richmond and JMU would do well in the MAC and he said they'd be very competitive with half the teams in that league.

James (Pcola)

When do you think will Miami have that swagger back

bruce

  (4:29 PM)

It's already coming back. If they can contain Va. Tech, I'd say it'll almost be all the way back. But that's a big IF given Tech has beaten them four straigth and really thumped them in 2008. But it's a very young team with a lot of speed and it seems like they have a leader in Jacory Harris.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Would you pick Penn State over Cal or USC right now?

bruce

  (4:30 PM)

On a neutral field? No. In Happy Valley? Yes to Cal. No to USC. The Trojans ate up PSU's D last year.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

Do you think Sherman will get it turned around at Texas A

bruce

  (4:31 PM)

Honestly, no. I don't think so.

Younger78 (Cali)

If every team played 13 games instead of 12 would that make the BCS system of picking a champion worse or better?

bruce

  (4:32 PM)

A guess... better but the NCAA doesn't want more games.

andrew (little rock)

Hogs or the Dawgs this wknd? I think Mallett will have a big game and lead the Hogs to a good win.

bruce

  (4:33 PM)

Am tempted to pick the Hogs. UGA has had two very tough games to start.. Hard for a team battling injuries like that to sustain pace for three weeks in a row.

tim (mesa, az)

do you think the MWC is better than the Big East or Big Ten?

bruce

  (4:34 PM)

Yes and Maybe on the Big Ten.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

I appreciate the honest answer. What will it take to get the Aggies going again? They certainly have the desire and the money to compete. Thanks.

bruce

  (4:34 PM)

Maybe Tommy Tuberville or Kevin Sumlin.

Mitch (Dallas)

Why is it that some people get multiple questions posted and answered while other never get answered?Does Texas have the defense to win it all this year?

bruce

  (4:36 PM)

Maybe. Let's see how much the secondary has matured and whether Lamarr Houston and Kindle can get the pass rush heated up. They're my pick to get to the title game

Rett (Dallas, TX)

Hey Bruce, Do you think TTU can come into DKR and come out with a win?

bruce

  (4:38 PM)

Well, how do I say this diplomatically from the heart of the Tech football offices, um, well I'm picking UT to play for the BCS title.

Heather (Dallas, Tx)

Bruce, why are you in Lubbock first off? Second, why is it that there always seems to be clock issues in the BIG House...(Penn State a couple years ago, and Notre Dame last weekend)? Seems kind of fishy to me...

bruce

  (4:39 PM)

Am in Lubbock for some reporting for an ESPN Insider story that will run leading up to the UT-OU game. I'll be heading to Austin on Friday... good question on that. Don't know. I feel like every stadium has a few ghosts like that.

Van (Fort Payne, AL)

I appreciate the answer about Alabama what do you think of there quartback?

bruce

  (4:40 PM)

I like him more than I thought I would at this stage. He throws a good deep ball and is tough. If he's consistent, they're a top 5 team thanks to such a great D and a strong ground game.

Mike (Los Angeles, CA)

Bruce, what do you think about UCLA thus far? We're a young team (especially on offense) and still lack overall depth but do you see this team becoming a viable threat in the Pac 10 maybe next year?

bruce

  (4:41 PM)

I like the direction they're headed in. UCLA is recruiting well and they have great coaches.

Dan (Los Angeles)

Twitter follow up - What in the world prompted Cap'n Leach to bring up 'Chelsea Lately'?

bruce

  (4:42 PM)

Honestly, I have no idea. A few minutes later, he was talking about Howard Stern and then the Michael Jordan of 1800s Mountain Men.

tim (mesa, az)

byu goes undefeated... national championship game??

bruce

  (4:43 PM)

It's possible. Likely? Not sure. Possible? Definitely.

bruce

  (4:44 PM)

Sorry for the typos today, btw.. working on a different keyboard.

Jason (Chicago)

How good is Michael Floyd? Does he get less love for more production than his classmates (AJ Green, J. Jones) because of all the SEC talk?

bruce

  (4:44 PM)

He's phenomenal.. Right there with Green, Jones and DeAndre Brown. He's got some Larry Fitzgerald in him. It's a GREAT WR class.

John (memphis)

With Tennessee's recent recruiting success, do you think they will be back to competing with their rivals in three years?

bruce

  (4:46 PM)

Yeah, probably but the big key is for a QB to emerge, and maybe that guy is Tyler Bray, but I don't see him shining there till prob. 2011.

Steve (Denver)

Big game this weekend for the Beavers and Bearcats, what do you see as the outcome in this game?

bruce

  (4:47 PM)

It's such an underrated match up.. Not ready to pick that one just yet. Tempted to go w Cincy, but not sure yet.

Nick (Chapel Hill, NC)

At this point, who are the top 5 defenses in the country in your opinion?

bruce

  (4:48 PM)

Right now I'd start with Alabama and then maybe look at TCU, UF and after that I'm not sure yet.

Eric (Chapel Hill, NC)

Bruce, UNC dropped 5 spots in the AP poll after gritting out a fairly ugly win against UConn. Isn't dropping a ranked team 5 spots after pulling out a win on the road against a BCS team without several starters a bit of a slap in the face?

bruce

  (4:49 PM)

Good question... I'd say not in the first month of the season because at this point the rankings should be very fluid. You're looking at teams based on performance not some conclusion pollsters tried to draw over the summer, so to be beholden to that stuff I think is a mistake.

Jim (tennessee)

who was better in college. ed reed or eric berry? so far anyways

bruce

  (4:51 PM)

I preface this by saying I'm a huge Ed Reed guy (full disclosure: he did the forward of my first book).. Berry was better in his first two seasons than Ed was in his first two years at UM. Reed made huge strides by the end of his career and has become such a unique playmaker. He's set the bar high for Berry.

Mike (Dallas, Texas)

Top 5 Stadiums you've been to on game day!

bruce

  (4:52 PM)

VT, LSU, ND,, Neb and. . . Autzen is very underrated so I'll stick that in there.

Xander (Philly)

Who would be the Heisman trophy frontrunner if ESPN didn't require you to pick Tebow?

bruce

  (4:53 PM)

FWIW, I really did vote McCoy #1 on my official ballot last year and had him #1 going into this season.

Ryan (Springfield Va.)

Bruce, do you think UVA coach Al Groh will be fired after this season? because he lost two games very early this season and they have not looked good in those games.

bruce

  (4:54 PM)

Yes, I think this will be it for him. Nine years is a long time.

Larry (Arvada CO)

So by no response... means there is a policy at ESPN to ensure Florida and Tebow are treated only in the best light and not held to the same standards as any other school....

bruce

  (4:57 PM)

No, there's no policy or agenda. We've written in the blog about the # of arrests in recent years there and other less than glowing things about UF. BUT when a team has won two of the past three national titles and has a player who has geniunely done some amazingly positive things off the field, you can't ignore them.

bruce

  (4:58 PM)

Kenneth..ask me that question again, but not in an obnoxious tone and I'll answer it... hard to get to all of the questions bc things move fast here.

Pete (Cupertino, CA)

Bruce, what was the over-under on Michigan before the season started? How about now?

bruce

  (4:58 PM)

I honestly don't know.. if I had to guess I'd say it was prob like 5.5 and now it's probably 8.

Tony (Oklahoma)

Who would you rather have Tebow or when he was at Texas Vince Young. Cause I think VY is the greatest duel QB to ever play not tebow

bruce

  (4:59 PM)

For one game, I'd take Young over any other college QB.

Tony (Oklahoma)

Kansas State in the 90's played a non conference schedule like Florida does and was knocked for it. How come Florida gets away with playing push overs year after year

bruce

  (5:00 PM)

I don't think UF's was like that. They still play FSU and last year they scheduled Miami... it wasn't Jeremy Foley's fault that UM and FSU backslid.

Aaron (Manhattan, ks)

With a good showing and win against Arizona this weekend do you think Iowa will get back on the national radar and be considered a threat in the BIG 10 race?

bruce

  (5:01 PM)

Maybe although scraping by against an FCS program really stings. It may take a 5-0 kinda start. Keep in mind Zona was preseason picked to finish 8th in the Pac-10.

mike randle (chicago )

i must have been banned becuase none of my post made it and it was clearly the best

bruce

  (5:02 PM)

Nope, not banned.

Mike (Yorba Linda)

Bruce, give us your Top 5 at this point of the season, pls?

bruce

  (5:03 PM)

UF, UT, Bama, USC, BYU in that order.

mike randle (chicago )

well did you read any of the stuff i posted

bruce

  (5:03 PM)

Not sure.. like I said this stuff comes in so fast. I've had buddies send stuff in and I miss it.

Andrew (LA)

You would take young over Michael Vick? No way, not never. I'll take Vick head to head against VY anyday

bruce

  (5:04 PM)

To me, VY was Mr. Clutch in college football.

JJD (Seattle)

Is this Saturday Jake Locker's coming out party as far as nation-wide goes, or do you think most casual football fas know how talented he is. (Though honestly I think national fans might have a better grasp than local fans do.)

bruce

  (5:05 PM)

I actually think his performance against LSU in the opener was that party.

bruce

  (5:05 PM)

three more questions...

mike randle (chicago )

well just anwser me this one question was byu a fluke or do u see them when i big bcs bowl game

bruce

  (5:06 PM)

OK, I see them in a big BCS bowl. They were the ones who knocked Bradford out of that game and even when he was in there, OU didn't have a play over 18 yards in the game.. plus they also were without their top RB Harvey Unga.

Travis (St Paul)

with the success Forcier has been having so far do you see Devin Gardner opening up his recruiting again?

bruce

  (5:07 PM)

Who knows? It's not like Gardner didn't know they had two touted QBs coming in. BTW, Gardner came across as a very mature solid kid at Elite 11. I wonder what kind of rotation or tricks they could play with him in the mix in a year or two.

Zach (Washington DC)

Who is your suprise team in the SEC this year?

bruce

  (5:08 PM)

Arkansas..

Chuck (Fredericksburg VA)

WVU or Auburn this weekend? If it's WVU will that get them back into the polls? How high? I'm going to keep posting until you see this. Geez man it's a chance to plug your an ESPN game!

bruce

  (5:09 PM)

I suspect the winner of this game crashing the top 25 because Auburn has been impressive in its first two and both teams appear solid. How high? I'd guess probably not above 22 unless there's a ton of losses but there are a few head to heads that will cause some movement.

bruce

  (5:10 PM)

Thanks for all of your questions.. if I didn't get to them, please send them to me via the Insider blog and I'll get to them there. Enjoy the games!