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bruce

  (2:28 PM)

Sorry for being late. I just landed in Memphis and am at a Chick Fil A in Olive Branch. Best fast food franchise going. Am ready to talk some college football.

jerry (atlanta)

do the hogs have a chance against auburn this weekend? also do they have a shot at anymore upsets during the murderers row stretch?

bruce

  (2:29 PM)

They do because PEtrino's such a good offensive coach and they have a potent passing game, but can their D slow down tha Malzahn offense enough? I don't think it will.

brian/ memphis,tn [via mobile]

have u heard rumors of tommy west being fired at memphis? if so, who might be some possible replacements?

bruce

  (2:32 PM)

I'll be surprised if Coach West is still there after this season. Been there almost a decade and seems like lots of people are ready for a change. Losing to Marshall like that at home hurt.. A couple of names maybe former Jets assistant Noel Mazzone, who knows the area well. USC playcaller Jeremy Bates is an intriguing young candidate who knows Tennessee and might be an option. Also keep an eye on Lambuth coach Hugh Freeze. He is close to FedEx boss Fred Smith and coached a powerhouse program in Memphis and is winning big at Lambuth.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Do you get your chk-sandwich with the works or just the pickle?

bruce

  (2:33 PM)

I go chargrilled chicken and a sweet tea.

bruce

  (2:33 PM)

Am going to eat enough fatty foods over the next 72 hours.

Bruce (Atlanta)

Bruce, I think Penn St is playing the Eastern Illinois School for the Blind this week. Yet they are still ranked in the top 15. There are several schools that schedule cream puffs to move up the rankings early in the season. At what point are voters going to penalize teams for these garbage opponents. And reward those (Miami, Vtech, Nebraska) for have two big ones instead of girl parts?

bruce

  (2:35 PM)

Not sure how much pollsters weigh a FCS program over a MAC or Sun Belt team. I do think there should be a distinction but I'm not sure voters see it that way.

Josh (Tampa)

Nebraska, or Missouri and why?

bruce

  (2:35 PM)

Going with Mizzou the home team, with the better (I think) QB.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Bruce, how do you currently gauge Toby Gerhart in the Heisman Trophy race?

bruce

  (2:36 PM)

He's somewhere in the top 12 and can get to NYC with a big game and a win over USC. Still, like Clausen, Pike and a few others, I think they need Colt and Tebow to backslide to have a real shot to win it.

Chris (Washington, D.C.)

Bruce, I just read "Meat Market" on the way to the Tennessee-Auburn game last weekend (3rd row seats at Neyland RULE!) and then the story this week about Tony Fein passing away. It was a really wierd thing for me, since I was reading about Ed Orgeron, then he was coaching for UT and now I read about Tony Fein's passing. Sad story, but an inspriational one at the same time.

bruce

  (2:40 PM)

It felt surreal to me when I saw on Twitter that he passed. I talked to him a handful of times over the recruiting process. He was an emotional guy who had served in Iraq. I was an interesting guy to talk to and explained how he'd left HS as a 200-pound QB and came back from the military as a 245-pound MLB. He was proud of that development...He struggled at times adapting at Ole Miss both on and off the field. I talked to one of his teammates the other night who was saying how tough he thought it was for Tony to reconcile that his plans might not have worked out. Sad. I feel real bad for his family.

bruce

  (2:41 PM)

He's also the originator of that "Landshark" thing the Ole Miss D does with their flat hand atop their helmets whenever they make a play. I'm sure they'd love to honor him this week with a big game vs. Bama.

Joe (Atlanta)

Bruce - Give us your take on the Bowden / FSU saga...

bruce

  (2:43 PM)

Tough situation. I really like Coach Bowden. He's earned the right to go out on his terms, but unlike JoePa, his staff doesn't have good chemistry. You have Jimbo and OL coach Rick Trickett and then the old guard with the defensive guys. Complacency set in. They still have some talent there, but the focus is lacking and I'm not sure how strong the leadership is on the team. Doesn't seem to be very good judging by the up and down nature of their performance.

bruce

  (2:44 PM)

Tough spot for Jimbo because he may seem like the head coach but he's really not quite because he doesn't have HIS staff. I think as soon as he takes over, he cleans house. At that point I think people can start judging him, but not till then. It's not fair.

Shawn (Indiana)

Could Game Day come to South Bend? Both are 4-1 great rival? Your thoughts?

bruce

  (2:45 PM)

Not sure. The UT-OU game is still big since it's the biggest hurdle for Texas probably till the BCS, whereas ND might not even be ranked.

Russ (Houston)

Bruce- why does my question never get selected?

bruce

  (2:45 PM)

Sorry, which one? Am trying to move fast now

Sebastian (Biloxi, MS)

Bruce, is this the week the real Jevan Snead finally shows up? If so, does Ole Miss pull the upset?

bruce

  (2:46 PM)

If Jevan Snead plays like the guy that people thought he was going to be this season, Ole Miss will win, but I'm not sure he can be that sharp against this defense. But the Rebels will play well on D and I think it'll be close.

Jane (Auburn)

Does Tommy Tuberville coach again? He seems like a great fit for television.

bruce

  (2:47 PM)

If the price is right I think he'll come back to coaching.

Geoff Godley (Lewisvlle, TX)

Jerry Hughes for Heisman. Sounds good right?

bruce

  (2:50 PM)

Mayybe Jerry Hughes for the Outland. Heisman's a tough sell for any defensive player, much less one in the MWC. But he is outstanding. Good guy too. Amazing that he's talking 18 credit hours at the same time, which is impressive.

Archie (Columbus, OH)

Can Tebow still win the Heisman if he misses the LSU game which is the biggest game on the Gators schedule?

bruce

  (2:50 PM)

Yeah, I think so but he'd need to have a huge game vs. UGa.

JC (Denver)

The SEC is like New Years Day this weekend, and the best game will probably be Auburn vs. Arkansas. What should we look for in it?

bruce

  (2:51 PM)

Lots of points.

Andrew (Miami)

Bruce, do the Canes have a legit shot at a Major BCS bowl if they can win out?

bruce

  (2:52 PM)

Yes, they'd be 11-1 and with some nice wins. It'll also help their cause if USF beats Cincy because that would be a big road win. It's crazy that the ACC could get two BCS bowl teams.

Don (Wichita Falls, TX)

does the poor showing by OU, OSU and Texas Tech along with the weak non conference schedule kill the Longhorns chances should they end up with one loss ?

bruce

  (2:54 PM)

It might. It'll depend on who else has 1-loss. I think that'd put them because a 1-loss SEC champ. Behind a 1-loss USC with wins at OSU, Cal, Oregon and ND? Maybe not.

Ledlow (Southaven)

Hey Bruce, just met u, I'm on the iPhone. Hopefully Missouri pulls it off tonite.

bruce

  (2:54 PM)

Small world.

bruce

  (2:55 PM)

Found out I'm in Southhaven, MS not Oliver Branch (home of Allan Walker and Markeith Summers)

Larry (Las Vegas, NV)

Bruce, which 1-loss team has the best shot to get to the BCS NCG if the top teams falter?

bruce

  (2:55 PM)

USC or VT?

Travis (Los Angeles)

Bruce, do you think UCLA can get back on track?

bruce

  (2:56 PM)

Yes, just give Neuheisel more time... He added speed and toughness this season but they're still really inexperienced.

David S. (Raleigh, NC)

Does Jimmy Clausen lead ND past USC on Oct 17th?!post your question or comment

bruce

  (2:57 PM)

He can, but I don't think ND's D is good enough and USC's defense will be by far the best thing Clausen has seen. Most QBs struggle facing pressure, him especially and USC can really get after a QB.

Connor (Florida )

Are you not answering my question about who you think is going to win the UF-LSU game because you picked it in your insider article? I am a poor college student and can't subscribe to it! Can you please answer?

bruce

  (2:57 PM)

Didn't answer it bc I didn't see it. I'm going with UF.

Kevin (Dallas, Tx)

Does Texas Tech beat KState and by how much?

bruce

  (2:58 PM)

Yes, by at least two TDs. Sticks Sheffield brought them a much needed spark.

Lane Kiffin (Knoxville, TN)

Bruce - Is the UGA game a must win for me considering that we still have ALA and USC to play in October?

bruce

  (2:59 PM)

It'd help because you don't want to start 2-6 which is possible but it's year one and no one expected better than 6-6 or 7-5. It's going to take 3-4 years before UT has a shot to be a top 10 caliber program again.

Andy Dalton (Fort Worth, TX)

Am I the best quarterback in the country nobody knows?

bruce

  (3:01 PM)

Good QB on a very good team. Underrated QBs off the top of my head: you, Todd Reesing, Greg McElroy, Colin Kaepernick.. Pike's not underrated any more I guess.

Rob Akey (Moscow)

Do I stay at Idaho after this great year? Or do I see if I can go back to coach the cougs and turn their program back around?

bruce

  (3:01 PM)

Good question. Idaho is one of the better stories out there this season.

Jeff (Destin)

Can you explain why the NCAA is fighting tooth and nail to keep the documents relating to its sanctions of FSU closed to the media?

bruce

  (3:02 PM)

I really can't.

Matt (Seattle)

Do you think the Huskies make a bowl game this year?

bruce

  (3:03 PM)

I don't think they will. I think they top out at 5 wins. I just don't see four more on the rest of the schedule. Sark doesn't have the horses there yet aside from a good QB a good RB (Polk) and one very good DL (TeoNesheim)

Steve (Paris, France)

Why does Bowden deserve to go out on his own terms? How many people get to do that in their jobs (even those who were at or near the top during part of their careers)? Why is he special?

bruce

  (3:05 PM)

Because he built that program and helped elevate that school as well. He brought in millions and millions to FSU. Now Bobby really benefited too, but I think it's a delicate situation to balance. Similar for JoePa because of all they have meant to their communities.

Darren (Yardle, PA)

Connecticut/Pitt thoughts?

bruce

  (3:05 PM)

Going with the Panthers and their ferocious D-line.

Doug (Nebraska)

Why all the Nebraska Hate!!! Is it just because NU dominated the 90s? Why NO NU love.......

bruce

  (3:06 PM)

It's not "hate" I'm just going with Mizzou at home. I have Neb in my top 25 even though they haven't beaten anyone outside of the Sun Belt conf. I like Bo Pelini and think he's got them on track.

Geoff (Texas)

Any chance University of Houston can make the BCS?

bruce

  (3:07 PM)

Not any more.

Chris (Abilene, TX)

With the absences of Dez Bryant, what kind of chance do you think Texas AandM has of upsetting OSU?

bruce

  (3:08 PM)

I almost picked AandM for the upset. I like Von Miller and their ability to get after the QB but OSU is very good up front and like 5th in the country in sacks allowed. I like their experience to handle a rough week w/ all of the Dez stuff.

Ben (Mobile AL)

Don't you think it has gotten to the point that Bowden is destorying all the good he did for so many years with the way he is ending his time at Florida State?

bruce

  (3:09 PM)

He's trampling on a little of it, but he won two national titles and had a historic 14 or 15-year run of ridiculous proportions. His legacy is safe I think. Years from now people will mostly remember the good not the down final 3-4 yrs.

Ralph Hall (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Bruce, I thought it would be fun to give you my picks for upsets this weekend and see what you think. So here they are:LSA over FloridaFlorida Stae over Georgia TechMichigan over IowaBoston College over VT

Chris (Fullerton, CA)

Should UNLV keep football?

bruce

  (3:10 PM)

Yes, what other school can tout former players as diverse as Kenny Mayne and Suge Knight?

bruce

  (3:11 PM)

3 more questions..gotta go give a speech.

Rob (Charleston, SC)

What's your favorite college town and why?

bruce

  (3:12 PM)

If Austin qualifies I love that. Also a big fan of Chapel Hill and Athens. Great food. Fun party town. Good energy and there's a charm to all of them

Matt (Houston)

Is Mack Brown still mad about the 2001 Big 12 Championship game? Should we expect 70-3 at DKR this weekend?

bruce

  (3:12 PM)

I wonder if Mack has the capacity to get made. I doubt it.

jonn (anderson)

do you see charlie weis staying another year at ND

bruce

  (3:13 PM)

Only if he beats USC this time. I mean he'd stay if he wins the rest at 10-2 but I think it's hard for people there to be fired up without him winning any big games at this point.

bruce

  (3:14 PM)

Thanks for all of the questions. Enjoy the games. And if you have a question reach out to me via Twitter at bfeldmanespn.