ESPN

Bruce

  (2:47 PM)

Hey.. sorry I was late. Got a little sidetracked and forgot about the new weekly chat time.

Stephanie (Iowa city)

You think that Iowa is going to miss a bowl? I think they can will 3 of their 5 home games...

Bruce

  (2:48 PM)

No, I do think Iowa will be a bowl game. I left them off in a cut-and-paste move early Sunday AM when I sent that file in.

Bruce

  (2:48 PM)

Win or lose this week and I think PSU will beat them, I'll still have Iowa in a bowl game.

jaime ringgold ga [via mobile]

How do you see Florida State finishing the season? Do you think FSU could meet Miami in the ACC championship game and come away with a win?

Bruce

  (2:50 PM)

You had to be impressed with how they performed at BYU last week. I really like what I saw from Christian Ponder. He's been terrific. I like their chances to get to the ACC title game if the young D keeps maturing.

andrew (MTA, NC) [via mobile]

How do see UNC/GaTech playing out following the rough loss for GT and win for UNC?

Bruce

  (2:51 PM)

I picked UNC. I like their big fast front seven to key the win.

Ali (Irvine)

Why is USC running back C.J. Gable, a starter last year, not playing?

Bruce

  (2:52 PM)

The coaches are convinced that McKnight, BRadford and Stefon Johnson are just better backs.. It's odd in that Gable is probably their most complete guy (block, run and catch) but apparently not quite as dynamic as the others.

matt (losangeles, ca)

why are people sleeping on kevin riley?

Bruce

  (2:54 PM)

Because Cal has never lived up to all the hype before much less exceeded it. It'll take a good performance in each of the next two weeks for folks to buy in on Riley and Cal

mike (jax)

what are your thoughts on UGA right now? Can they be a force if that Defense gets its act together

Bruce

  (2:55 PM)

The D has really been disappointing. Even still I feel like there's a big gap between UGA and UF but I do like how the passing game has come on.

Kip (State College)

Is Penn State overrated or are they right where they should be?

Bruce

  (2:55 PM)

Not sure. Hard to get a feel for them when they've opened up against three really suspect teams.

Jeff (Pennsylvania)

Pitt vs North Carolina State..... Any thoughts?

Bruce

  (2:56 PM)

Pitt.

Steve (Las Vegas)

Is Jake Locker in the Heisman race?

Bruce

  (2:56 PM)

Not quite yet, but the buzz is building and if they win at Stanford he may get into the mix.

Kip (State College)

Which atmosphere will be more electric? Penn State's or Virginia Tech's?

Bruce

  (2:57 PM)

As I've said a lot before, I just really love the Va Tech atmosphere.

scott (cincinnati)

Do you think Tony Pike can win the Heisman if Cincinnati goes undefeated?

Bruce

  (2:58 PM)

Not sure.. it really will depend on what happens with McCoy, Tebow and Best.. those guys I think are ahead in line and would need to stumble.

Chris (Edgewood Ky)

Can UK beat Flordia Sat? They beat #1 LSU 3 yrs ago...

Bruce

  (2:59 PM)

I doubt it, but their secondary is very good and maybe they force some turnovers and keep it interesting for awhile.

Travis (Los Angeles)

Bruce, do you think UCLA is the real deal?

Bruce

  (3:00 PM)

They're probably 2 yrs away but they've gotten tougher and faster and the staff they have is outstanding. They've taken big steps.

Taylor (Denton, Texas)

Thoughts on Baylor's QB, Robert Griffin?

Bruce

  (3:01 PM)

Exciting talent. Still pretty raw but he's sharp and super fast.

Wayne (Trumbull, CT)

Thoughts about the Big East? Can UConn surprise once again?

Bruce

  (3:01 PM)

Randy Edsall is a very underrated coach. That win over Baylor was a good W for them.

Mike (NY)

where is Notre dame at right now? Will they ever be elite status again in the NC hunt with charlie?

Bruce

  (3:03 PM)

Honestly, I don't think so. They're better than they were last year but it's year 5 for Weis and they're loaded with 3-year starters and they lost to a Michigan team playing true freshmen QBs. The D is pretty disappointing.

Niko ((Cincinnati,ohio))

Can ohio state run the table and get to a nc title match

Bruce

  (3:04 PM)

No I don't think so. They would need everyone else to have two losses and even then it might not be enough.

Nathaniel (Bristol, VA)

If Virgina Tech can stop Miami's running game, what are their chances of winning? Given no QB has gone over .500 against their talented secondary all year, and Virgil will be back.

Bruce

  (3:05 PM)

It's pressure Harris and stopping the passing game that I think Tech must do. Miami didn't run it well against FSU. It was Harris and the receivers.

Jc (denver)

Does the SEC champ get an automatic spot in the BCS title game?

Bruce

  (3:06 PM)

No, but if it's an undefeated one it probably does.

Mitchell (GA)

Al Groh is a dead man coaching. What would you think of Tuberville as his replacement?

Bruce

  (3:07 PM)

If they could get Tuberville that'd be a HUUUUUGE upgrade. Even if not, go hire Bud Foster.

Bryan (NY)

How do you see tonights game playing out with Miss/SC?

Bruce

  (3:08 PM)

I'll go with Ole Miss in a close game because I think Snead will handle the Thursday night scene a little better than Garcia.

Larry (Las Vegas, NV)

Bruce. Could this be a year where a 1 loss team from one of the best conferences (Big 12, SEC, etc) get into the National Championship over an undefeated BCS team with a soft schedule and or perceived weak conference (Penn State or Cincy)?

Bruce

  (3:08 PM)

Great question. I think it might be.

Marc (Charlotte)

You really think Bud Foster would go to Va Tech's in-state rival?

Bruce

  (3:09 PM)

Maybe. It's a BCS conference school and it's not like first-time coaches can be overly selective out of loyalty unless Tech PROMISES him to be the HC in waiting for Beamer.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

Can Auburn keep it up and contend for the SEC West this year or at least play spoiler?

Bruce

  (3:10 PM)

I think spoiler. I feel like they're a year away but I really like how their offense has started under Gus Malzahn.

Kip (State College)

Predictions for the PSU Iowa game?

Bruce

  (3:11 PM)

I'm picking PSU to win.

Kelli (Denver)

Who win's on Saturday? Alabama's defense or Arkansas' offense?

Bruce

  (3:13 PM)

I'm going with Alabama. That's a really nasty D.

Bruce

  (3:14 PM)

Sorry, had a phone call..

NIKO ((CINCINNATI OHIO))

WHY DID OHIO STATE DROP IN THE AP AND NOT IN THE COACHES POLL

Bruce

  (3:16 PM)

I have a theory about this: writers in the AP poll are more on alert about being accountable and know that fans, bloggers, etc would call them out for hollow logic (having BYU ahead of FSU or GT ahead of Miami, USC ahead of Washington) whereas coaches aren't dialed in to such feedback so they tend to go with what they just assume is so.

Mike (Stroud, Ok)

Which defense you like the best? Bama or OU?

Bruce

  (3:17 PM)

I'll go with Bama.

Roland (Eugene)

Bruce, was the phone call about a coaching opening at Maryland?

Bruce

  (3:17 PM)

No, it was about a radio interview.

Ed Hochuli (Chat Ref)

Niko, that's a 15 yard penalty for illegal use of the caps lock key. Repeat 1st down.

Alex (Richmond, VA)

If Foster does become the UVA coach can he PLEASE take Stinespring with him?

Bruce

  (3:18 PM)

Ouch!

Tom (Dayton)

Bruce:Are you buying or selling: Cincy is the best team in OH?

Bruce

  (3:20 PM)

Hmmm. Hadn't thought of it quite like that. I feel like if they played on a neutral field I'd be tempted to pick Cincy right now although I could see OSU get pressure on Pike like he hasn't seen before.

Roland (Eugene)

Who you like in the Oregon - Cal game? Seems to me the Ducks need big special teams plays and turnovers to win.

Bruce

  (3:20 PM)

I'm going with Cal. Feel like the Ducks shaky O-line will have problems with Cal's DL.

Patrick (NYC)

How about Bama or Texas Defense?

Bruce

  (3:21 PM)

Bama. I'm not sure Taylor Potts would be able to throw for over 400 yards if he went into Tuscaloosa for his first college road start.

Vinnie (ATL)

Will Juice and the Illini upset the Bucks?

Bruce

  (3:21 PM)

Not this year.

Laura (Va)

Do you feel Va Tech would have a national championship by now if they had somelike Norm Chow heading the offense....imagine a productive offense with Tech's powerhouse defense and special teams every year...

Bruce

  (3:22 PM)

Great question. Maybe so. Chow's track record of developing QBs is unsurpassed.

Bob (DC)

As much as it would hurt the Hokies I would be willing to give up the best DC to get rid of the worst OC!

Bruce

  (3:23 PM)

I don't think that's a trade Hokie fans should want. Foster has been awesome there.

Rob (New Orleans)

Bruce, I know you probably won't post this, but your comment about Ohio State needing everone else to lose 2 games and that still might not be enough is crazy. This sounds like the rest of the jealous fans out there wishing their team could win conference titles and play for and "win" NC games. It's amazing J Tressel wins over 80% of his games, and never loses to "unranked teams, and yet so many critics. Your Thoughts??

Bruce

  (3:25 PM)

I'm not knocking Tressel as a very good coach. But what are the wins on Ohio State's resume that are going to vault the Buckeyes over all of these other teams? Maybe at Penn State, but that's only one. It's not like there's going to be 3-4 Ws over top 20 teams coming, and they lost at home to USC.

Bruce

  (3:25 PM)

And, then there's the whole recent big game BCS bowl losing stretch that will be brewing against them.

Stephen (Knoxville)

Bruce do you belive there are moral victories?

Bruce

  (3:26 PM)

I didn't until the one in Gainesville last week.

Brent (Atlanta)

How does GA fix its defense? Is firing Willie the simple and correct answer?

Bruce

  (3:28 PM)

Not sure. if it's that "simple".. I know Richt and Willie go back to their playing days at UM, but if they keep giving up so many points something will have to be done.

Xander (Philly)

Wouldn't Brian Kelly to the Buckeyes be awesome?

Bruce

  (3:29 PM)

Can't knock Tressel for how he rebuilt that OSU program.. Kelly to ND might be a different story though.

Andy (Atlanta)

Which SEC team has the hardest schedule?

Bruce

  (3:30 PM)

Off the top of my head I feel like it's UGA.

Rob (Omaha, NE)

I know the match up isn't that interesting, but what do you think about Nebraska's 300th sellout this weekend?

Bruce

  (3:32 PM)

I think it's awesome. I worked with Ed Cunningham on a TV show last year and he told the story about playing there with Washington and how gracious that NU crowd was towards the visiting team after the game. It's just impressive how those fans respect football.

Alexandra (Berkeley)

USC vs Cal next week, who ya got?

Bruce

  (3:33 PM)

Not ready to call it. Want to see what happens this weekend.

mark (arkansas)

Bruce/Andy - Arky has the hardest schedule by far: One the Road against: Florida, Bama, LSU, Ole Miss and Auburn

Bradford (Boise, ID)

Bruce, what's up with the Mustain issue at USC? He's getting reps w/ the punters now!?

Bruce

  (3:35 PM)

The million dollar question around here. Clearly Pete Carroll doesn't feel comfortable with Mustain running his football team. It just seems like a bad fit. You wonder if Carroll HAD to go to his third QB, if he'd turn to Mustain or go to Garrett Green.

Laura (Va)

Is there anything cooler in college football than Enter Sandman at Va Tech....been to alot of stadiums and that tops the list !

Bruce

  (3:36 PM)

No, I don't think so. Every fan needs to visit that place once to appreciate it.

Mike (Dallas)

So the latest QB that is better than Vince Young is, according to Pete Carroll, Jake Locker.It's amazing, based on all the college QBs who are now considered "better" than VY, that Texas won the 05 MNC w/ such a spare at QB, don't you think?

Bruce

  (3:37 PM)

VY's the most clutch QB I've ever covered. I wouldn't take any other QB for him for one game.

Nate (Richmond, VA)

If Taylor is allowed to run more and the VT linebackers tackle well, will Tech beat Miami?

Bruce

  (3:39 PM)

They'd have a good shot, although I think it's big for VT to get pressure on Jacory Harris.

Bruce

  (3:39 PM)

Miami also has been dreadful in special teams and that could be a huge edge for Tech.

Rob (Austin)

Which do you think Eric Berry enjoyed more, the hit on Moreno last year or on Tebow last week?

Bruce

  (3:40 PM)

On Moreno. No one wondered if he got the worst of that one.

Jamie (Memphis)

If you had to describe Penn States OOC schedule in one word, what would it be?

Bruce

  (3:41 PM)

Northwesternesque?

J. Heilman (Chicago)

In the Battle of Unbeatens in the Big Ten, who will win in the epic Michigan/Indiana clash?

Bruce

  (3:41 PM)

Michigan.

Grant (AL)

Is the bloom already off the rose for Paul Johnson's throwback offense? I loved watching it last year, reminded me of Pat Dye's better teams, but ugh, it's not impressive since halftime of the Clemson game.

Bruce

  (3:43 PM)

We'll see. Last week was only one game. It would be weird if it was in that like 20 years ago the Run N Shoot was all the rage and then they played at Miami on a Thursday night and got blown out and that was basically the end of that at least in terms of the national curiousity.

Jenny (DC)

Best conference so far?

Bruce

  (3:43 PM)

The SEC although the Pac-10 has been impressive.

Troy (Montrose, CA)

Do you think Tebow can truck Taylor Mays?

Bruce

  (3:45 PM)

Doubt it, Taylor Mays is 230. Not 200. Although on a football field anything can happen. Last year I saw Rey Maualuaga get trucked at practice by a freshman RB (Brod Green).

Oliver (Kansas)

Southern Miss versus Kansas? I think the Golden Eagles will get them.

Bruce

  (3:46 PM)

That'd be my big upset of the weekend.

Austin (ATX)

Sergio Kindle's hit on TTech QB Potts legal or not?

Bruce

  (3:47 PM)

I thought it was fine but then after seeing the slow motion replay 4-5 times, it appeared to be illegal.

Gregg (NYC)

Texas's out of conference isn't any better than PSU's and not only that, if they beat OU and OSU they will have beaten teams that lost to BYU and Houston. You are a very biased "reporter"?

Bruce

  (3:50 PM)

Texas didn't play any FCS program and at least they scheduled one road game in their non conference. UT's is soft but it's not as bad.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Since there was a mixup with the original start time, when are you calling it a chat?

Bruce

  (3:50 PM)

4 ET?

Bruce

  (3:50 PM)

Waiting for a callback from an editor before going on a run.

Clark (Knoxville)

Bruce, will Phillip Fulmer be coaching again in 2010, and if so, where?

Bruce

  (3:52 PM)

Not sure.. Hard to find a place that would want a 60-year old guy who has spent all his career in one place. Also, it sounded like he wouldn't just take any job and it's not like if ND comes open, he'd fit there. Would UVA want him?

Beau (State College)

How far will Your RUN be?? 5 miles? 10 miles?

Bruce

  (3:52 PM)

I'll be lucky if I go 3 miles.

corbett (des moines)

Bruce, give us the low down on LSU... Are they building slowly but solidly or do you see a repeat of 8-5 like in 2008?

Bruce

  (3:53 PM)

I'll go with slowly and solidly and will be like 10-3 or so.

Alex (Littleton, CO)

Who has the best chance to be a BCS buster?

Bruce

  (3:54 PM)

TCU, then Boise or Houston.

Jeff (Atlanta)

Describing PSU's OOC schedule as Northwesternique, how would you describe Florida's. wimpynique?

Bruce

  (3:55 PM)

Florida still plays Florida State. The Noles are waay more talented than any of those teams that we've discussed (UT, PSU, NW).

Bradford (Boise, ID)

Bruce, my Mitch Mustain question got posted.. but not answered. What's up with that issue at SC and is he really getting reps with the punters!? Thanks.

Bruce

  (3:56 PM)

Yes, he was/is. I was out there at practice Wed and he boomed a few 60 yarders but also a few 35 yarders and had one blocked.

Rob (VA)

Rain this weekend in blacksburg, help of hurt VT against Miami?

Bruce

  (3:57 PM)

Miami depends more on the pass than VT so I think it's good for the Hokies.

Todd (Pittsburgh, PA)

Bruce, how can you give VT the edge over PSU? Have you ever seen Zombie Nation at a white-out live?

Bruce

  (3:58 PM)

Been to both for night games and just was more impressed by VT.

Rob (PA)

Did you just say Florida State is way more talented than Texas and Penn State?

Bruce

  (4:00 PM)

No, I said FSU is more talented of a non conference opponent (on UF's schedule) than any team on the non conf schedules of UT, PSU and NW.

Bruce

  (4:00 PM)

3 more questions...

Pritchard (TN)

Is there a funnier CFB blogger than Orson Spencer Swindle Hall at EDSBS? My sources say no.

Bruce

  (4:01 PM)

He is outstanding. Really smart guy. Glad he's on the CF beat.

JoePA (PA)

You better be fair to our boys because it's obvious our fans are the only ones keeping your blog afloat.

Bruce

  (4:03 PM)

Thanks! I appreciate that and you made me laugh out loud. And JoePa, as YOU know, we do have a lot of Penn State products working at ESPN.

Houston (Oxford, MS)

What makes Barkley better than Mustain?

Bruce

  (4:04 PM)

For one, it really seems like teammates and coaches believe in Barkley so much, and that's huge for a QB. Beyond that Barkley has the best arm USC has had since Carson Palmer.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Better to play a weak OOC and play in a BCS bowl game or a tough one and to play in the whogivesadarn.com Bowl?

Bruce

  (4:06 PM)

If I'm a diehard fan of a team, I'm taking the former...plus, you're Penn State and you're going to sell out regardless so it can work out both ways assuming you don't lose something by not being tested as much.

Bruce

  (4:09 PM)

Gotta run guys. Thanks for all the questions. If you are on Twitter, follow me at BfeldmanESPN.