ESPN

Pat Forde

  (2:00 PM)

I'm here! Present, accounted for and even punctual. Let's talk football. Or anything else that comes to your collective minds.

Clint (Honolulu)

If Jahvid Best continues to have big games and Tebow and McCoy continue to put up some not so impressive numbers, do you think that Best can upset the quarterbacks for the heisman?

Pat Forde

  (2:01 PM)

Clint: I think Best has a chance. He's off to a tremendous start, and Jeff Tedford has stopped distributing carries with an eyedropper. He's getting the ball more often now, with the corresponding yardage production to go with it. Getting in the end zone five times Saturday certainly helped grab everyone's attention. Two more high-profile games in a row now: at Oregon and hosting USC. Let's see how he does there.

James (Miami)

If Miami beats Va Tech and Oklahoma next week how far up the rankings will you put them? Will it matter if they win convincingly or no?

Pat Forde

  (2:02 PM)

James: Since I already have Miami #1 (see this week's Forde-Yard Dash on this very site), I can't put the Canes any higher. But they'll be a strong

Paul (Detroit, MI)

Hey Pat, dare I say that Michigan is going to be undefeated when Penn State comes to Ann Arbor?

Pat Forde

  (2:03 PM)

Paul: You can say it -- you just might not be right. It's certainly possible, but the back-to-back road games against Michigan State (always tough, regardless of record) and Iowa lead me to believe the Wolverines will have one loss when Penn State arrives Oct. 24.

Matt (Tampa)

Considering Ole Miss' terrible non-conference schedule (Memphis, SE La, UAB, Northern Arizona will they need to finish 13-0 to get a chance to play for the National Championship?

Pat Forde

  (2:05 PM)

Matt: It is a lousy non-conference schedule. However, if Ole Miss has one loss but still wins the SEC (meaning it would theoretically have beaten Florida in the championship game and either Alabama or LSU in the regular season) that could put the Rebels in the argument if they are competing against other one-loss teams for a BCS spot. Depends what the competition looks like at that point. If we ever get to that point.

Mike (Vero Beach, Fl )

Can Jacory keep up what he is doing?

Pat Forde

  (2:07 PM)

Mike: I am really impressed with Jacory Harris so far. Poise, accuracy, mobility, arm strength, leadership skills ... He looks great. However, he is facing a studly defense on the road this week and I expect his overall numbers will take a hit. Then comes Oklahoma, which has a fantastic front seven featuring the best defensive lineman I've seen this year, Gerald McCoy. Let's see how it goes through those two games.

Bob (Canton Oh)

Pat, what is your opinion on the Bucks dropping in the poles twice when they won games especially after shutting out a team that was near the top of every offensive catgegory?

Pat Forde

  (2:09 PM)

Bob: I've rapped Ohio State plenty in recent years but I can't fully understand that, either. I understand that Miami deserved to move past the Buckeyes, but I cannot drop the bottom out on Ohio State based on a three-point loss to USC. I have the Buckeyes 10th right now, I believe, in my ESPN.com power rankings.

Matt (Houston)

As a Texas fan, should I be pleased that the horns got through Tech, or upset that we didn't look like a championship team doing it?

Pat Forde

  (2:10 PM)

Matt: I expected more from the Horns than they showed at home in their first big game and with plenty of motivation from last year. However, what matters most is to simply keep winning -- especially given the fact that Texas already is so high in the polls.

Dan (Atlanta, Ga)

How much criticism should Pete Carroll get for his inability to win the little game?

Pat Forde

  (2:12 PM)

Dan: I think a lot of it falls on his shoulders. This is a pattern that has gone on through four years, which means pretty much a complete roster turnover. The one constant is Carroll. I think he's guilty of not respecting every opponent adequately. That said, his record is still preposterous. And there are valid injury excuses in this game.

Graham (Augusta Ga)

Hey pat how do you think TCU will fare against clemson this weekend in death valley?

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Graham: That will be a fascinating game. I picked TCU to win the Mountain West coming into the year; I like that team and that coach. My only question is how TCU handles Clemson's speed guys, Ford and Spiller. But I'd expect the Frogs to be in the face of Kyle Parker and make life difficult for him.

justin (california)

can ucla make a run at a bcs game this season???

Pat Forde

  (2:15 PM)

Justin: No. Too much to ask in what's shaping up as a good Pac-10. A bowl? Yes. A BCS bowl? No.

Troy (Omaha, NE)

How do you explain Nebraska dropping to 25 in the rankings and VA Tech moving up? Anyone that watched that game minus looking at the score board would say Nebraska beat them. One play does not make you a better team.

Pat Forde

  (2:16 PM)

Troy: One play DOES make you a better team if it's the game-winning play.

Gary (ATL)

Iowa - PSU game: can PSU's new OL and secondary handle Iowa's DL and Stanzi?

Pat Forde

  (2:17 PM)

Gary: Looking forward to seeing that one. I'm impressed with Iowa up front defensively so that will be a difficult matchup for the Nittanies. Penn State hasn't done much to wow me yet -- but a night game in Happy Valley with 107,000 people wearing white? Homefield advantage should be enough to carry the day for Penn State.

Brad (Jasper GA)

What did you take away from the bizarre UGA/ARK game? If UGA can truly keep up the pace offensively, and "hunker down" some on the porous aerial D, do they stand a reasonable chance to dethrone UF in the East?

Pat Forde

  (2:19 PM)

Brad: It was indeed a bizarre game. This Georgia team doesn't look much like most of Mark Richt's good ones. That's a big IF you threw out there in terms of tightening up the pass defense. I'd say Georgia is a long shot to dethrone Florida.

Freddy (Los Angeles)

Should the Big East be even considered a football conference?

Pat Forde

  (2:21 PM)

Bad timing for that question. The Big East is coming off a great weekend. Cincinnati beat Oregon State on the road as an underdog. UConn beat Baylor on the road as an underdog. Syracuse beat Northwestern at home as an underdog. Louisville acquitted itself well against Kentucky. West Virginia was not outmanned at Auburn. This is not the time to bury the Big East.

Vinnie (ATL)

Should FL be on upset alert at Kentucky? Florida has a history of playing close games there.

Pat Forde

  (2:22 PM)

Vinnie: I don't see it. Kentucky hasn't beaten Florida since 1986, and I wouldn't expect that to change in Tim Tebow's senior year.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Pat, How much of McCoy beeing slightly off would you say is due to his lack of running? It sure seems like things open up for him when he is a threat with his feet.

Pat Forde

  (2:24 PM)

That's a good question. McCoy hasn't done much with his feet so far this season -- probably on purpose, because they need to keep him healthy. And teams are probably spying for him scrambling a bit more this season. I think the biggest problems are the ongoing lack of a breakaway RB and not having Quan Cosby still around to throw to.

Jay (Cincinnati, OH)

As a Gator fan, can you all in the media just stop interviewing both Meyer and Kiffin? It would make things so much easier/more pleasant... but I guess it's too much to ask, right?

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

Jay: Hate to say it, but SEC head coaches WILL be interviewed. It's kind of up to them to decide what they're going to say -- and they've decided to say a lot aimed at each other. I suspect that will screech to a halt now, though. In fact, I heard Kiffin made it through his entire weekly news conference today without a shot at Florida. Progress.

Matt (College Park)

Is Ralph Friedgen's time at Maryland coming to an end?

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Matt: I'll say this much, the Terrapins are terrible right now. Routed by Cal -- not a terrible shame, but I still expected a little more than that. Life and death to beat James Madison. And then a come-from-ahead loss to Middle Tennessee at home. That's a lousy start to the season.

Will (Metairie, LA)

Will people start to buy LSU as a legit top 10 team after Washington beat USC? (loved seeing that). The defense is starting to look better week by week, and the offense is will come around soon enough. Your thoughts?

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

Will: I think all of us looked at LSU in a different light after what Washington did against USC. That was a credibility boost for the Tigers. October will tell us everything: Oct. 3 at Georgia, Oct. 10 home against Florida, Oct. 24 home against Auburn. Win two of those and that's a good month. Win three and the Tigers are strongly in the national championship picture.

Seth (Knoxville)

If this chat turns out badly will you claim to have had the swine flu afterwards?

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

Seth: Absolutely. Just read over a few of my answers and (cough), I think I'm feeling a fever coming on (sniff).

Jason (Gainesville)

Why didn't you rank Washington in your power rankings? Any reason you neglected them?

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Jason: That was probably a mistake on my part. Should have had Washington in there. My only concern was that USC really did have major injury issues in that game -- when your starting QB and your best overall player are both out, that's not the same USC team that played Ohio State.

D. Schwab (Raleigh, NC)

Is MICHAEL FLOYD a better receiver than Julio and AJ?!

Pat Forde

  (2:32 PM)

Schwab: I really like Floyd. Really, really like him. I think he'd had a better start to the season than both those other two guys. But now he's out with a collarbone fracture, and durability is part of the game. ...

Ali Ahmed (Islamabad, Pakistan)

Do you honestly feel we(UCLA) are a lock to lose to Stanford? I love how we're playing the role of underdog. Keep it up Pat, thanks!

Pat Forde

  (2:33 PM)

Ali: No, not a lock to lose to Stanford at all. Think it's a tossup game that goes the Cardinal's way based on homefield more than anything else. I went back and forth before making that call.

Mitch (Seattle, WA)

I realize the Big East isn't in the same class as the SEC or Big 12 (or even the Big 10), but if Cincy were to go undefeated do they have a shot at the BCS title game?

Pat Forde

  (2:34 PM)

Mitch: I think Cincinnati will be a fascinating case as long as the Bearcats keep winning. I expect Cincy to be unbeaten through October, and then it could get interesting. Going to see them play Saturday and looking forward to it.

James (Kansas City)

Shakespeare's or Booches?

Pat Forde

  (2:35 PM)

James: Both! Burgers at the counter for lunch at Booches, pizza and beer for dinner at Shakespeare's. (Missouri campus talk here.)

Fosty (Portsmouth)

Do you think Brady Hoke realized what he was in for at SDSU?

Pat Forde

  (2:36 PM)

Frosty: I think he realized what he had coming back at Ball State -- nothing. The Cardinals are winless. And all things considered, you rather live in San Diego or Muncie?

Phil (Chicago)

Why don't they just award the Heisman Trophy before the season starts? The fact that most people still have Tebow and McCoy in their top 3 when they have done nothing this year shows it is a popularity contest based on reputation? Jimmy Clausen has outperformed both considerably and is barely ever mentioned?

Pat Forde

  (2:38 PM)

Phil: Can I completely disagree? Not to take anything away from Clausen, who has played very well. But if you watched Tennessee-Florida you had to be hugely impressed by what Tebow did. I don't care what his numbers were; he won the game against a great defense. If Clausen can maintain his production without Michael Floyd -- and Notre Dame can beat some good teams, if you can find some on the schedule -- then we'll talk.

Eric (Trondheim, Norway)

What do you think of the Big 12 so far this year? Weaker or stronger than last year?

Pat Forde

  (2:39 PM)

Eric: I'm going to say weaker. Bad loss for Oklahoma to BYU. Bad loss for Oklahoma State at home to Houston. Bad loss for Baylor at home to UConn. Texas has just been "eh" so far. And the North is still the North.

Alex (Philadlephia)

Pat where are you going to be this weekend, if you make it up to state college you should check out zeno's for a great selection of beverages/

Pat Forde

  (2:40 PM)

Alex: I am attempting an Ohio doubleheader. Fresno-Cincinnati at noon, then Boise-Bowling Green at 7 p.m. Get to see two undefeated teams in one day. If any cops are reading this, please don't pull me over on I-75 driving north across Ohio Saturday afternoon. Gonna be tight between games.

Matt (Nashville)

How can I get a question answered? Do I shamelessly plug the Forde Yard Dash as the best read of every week during football season?

Pat Forde

  (2:41 PM)

Matt: That's a start. Now what's your question?

bill (auburn)

Pat, who's a better turn-around story so far, Michigan or Auburn?

Pat Forde

  (2:42 PM)

Bill: Both good. Michigan slightly better so far. Got a marquee win, playing a true freshman QB and coach coming off a rather miserable August.

matt (blacksburg va)

Is it legal to bring darts to lane stadium so I can pop the huge heads of the Miami fans when we pull the upset?

Pat Forde

  (2:44 PM)

Matt: Darts are not recommended. And for the record, I'm picking the Hurricanes -- in a close one. Just not impressed by the Va Tech offense at all.

Pat Forde

  (2:44 PM)

Matt: Darts are not recommended. And for the record, I'm picking the Hurricanes -- in a close one. Just not impressed by the Va Tech offense at all.

Andrew (Columbus)

I noticed that you are not a fan of Notre Dame's "weak" schedule, but is it really any different than teams in the major conferences?

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

Andrew: We'll have to see how it all shakes out. ND's schedule looks better now than it did at the beginning of the year. Right now, according to Sagarin, the Irish have five opponents in the top 30 -- that's not terrible. But we'll see if they all stay there. I'm predicting they won't.

Chris (Phoenix)

Forde, how can "pretender" Devils go down to Georgia and come out from between the hedges with a W?Also, would that W solidy the Pac-10 as the 2nd best conference in the nation? Wins @ Ohio State, Tennessee, Minny, and Georgia can't be taken lightly.

Pat Forde

  (2:49 PM)

Chris: ASU goes in completely untested, having played two patsies. I don't think that's a good formula for success in this game.

Rob (New Orleans)

Pat, I just don't feel Ole Miss is a top 5 team, yet. I think they go in to SC Thursday and get clipped. Your thoughts....

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

Rob: I agree, not a top-five team so far based on performance. Not a top-ten team, either. But I still like Ole Miss to win Thursday night in a frog-strangler.

allyson (austin, tx)

Oh come on, you have answered on question about Bama? How do you think their looking?

Pat Forde

  (2:52 PM)

Allyson: Bama looks great. Defense could finally get a test this weekend from Arkansas, but I expect an undefeated Tide rolling into Oxford Oct. 10 for a massive SEC weekend (Florida at LSU same day).

Jim (Chicago,IL)

What do you run the forty in? What was your best time ever?

Pat Forde

  (2:52 PM)

Jim: Think I ran 4.7 or 4.65 in high school. Which was approximately 100 years ago.

Matt (Staunton, VA)

How long does Al Groh have at Virginia?

Pat Forde

  (2:53 PM)

Matt: Set your watches for one hour postgame on Nov. 28.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

OK, Pat...serious question...what are the odds PSU runs the table?

Pat Forde

  (2:55 PM)

J.B.: Cowardly schedule sets up ridiculously well for the Nits. Iowa and Ohio State come to State College, no threats in the non-conference. Maybe they're tested at Michigan and scant possibility at Illinois Oct. 3 or Michigan State to end the year. But I think the Nits have a solid chance of being 12-0 and relatively unimpressive.

Lance (Tupelo, MS)

Please tell me that if Boise State goes undefeated they won't play for a national championship. Please.

Pat Forde

  (2:55 PM)

Lance: The schedule doesn't warrant it. But if everyone else falls apart, it's not completely impossible.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Points scored or Passes thrown, which is going to be greater for the Texas Tech vs Houston game?

Pat Forde

  (2:56 PM)

Blake: Tons of both. I'll take passes thrown. Biggest game Houston has played in eons ... since the Bill Yeoman days?

Josh (Pittsburgh)

Why do you think that Louisville will beat Pitt?

Pat Forde

  (2:57 PM)

Josh: That's another flyer pick. Just don't think Pitt is great, and that's a second straight road game against a team that looked better than expected last week against Kentucky. I figure the Big East teams take turns knocking each other off, with the exception of Cincinnati.

Jay (Cincinnati, OH)

Who's your dark horse to play for the national championship?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Jay: They play in Nippert Stadium.

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

Masoli gonna pull his stuff together in time to upset cal?

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Jake: Good question. If he doesn't, the Ducks won't win and might not come close. Bears have owned Oregon of late, winning three straight.

Andrew (St. Petersburg)

Seriously though Pat, Florida State, how far can they go and how far will they go... ACC Championship game?

Pat Forde

  (3:00 PM)

Andrew: Noles can go a long way -- yes, to the ACC title game. Will they? I don't know. Talk about a hard team to figure out week-to-week. Not sure how well-coached they are at this point.

Lodi (Doha, Qatar)

Houston or Tech? Come on, its the 3rd time I've submitted

Pat Forde

  (3:00 PM)

Houston.

JP (Portland, OR)

Best debut coach this year so far? Worst rookie coaching hire so far? Sarkisian at UW is my pick just ahead of Chizak of Auburn but its early as you say. Your thoughts?

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

JP: Yes, Sark wins by a neck over Chizik so far. As far as worst? Been ugly for Mike Locksley so far at New Mexico -- but then again, it's New Mexico. You should expect ugly.

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

OK folks, that's a wrap. A massive 1,501 questions -- even more than last week. Good job! Sorry for all those I dind't get to, come back against next Tuesday.