ESPN

Ivan Maisel

  (2:01 PM)

Hey, everyone. We are all SEC fans this week. That's a really good doubleheader. Here we go:

Matt (Boston)

Ivan, should Tebow pay against LSU if he is less than 100%? How do you think Brantley would do against the Tigers?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:03 PM)

One thing I've been impressed with in recent years is that doctors make the decisions. At every school, too. If Tebow is cleared, you have to assume that means cleared to be hit. What I wonder about is how effective he will be if continues not to participate in all aspects of practice. I think Brantley will be Brantley. What we don't know is where the Gator running game will come from, especially in short-yardage, made-for-Tebow situations.

Chad (Las Vegas)

Les Miles said he preffers Tebow to play. Is this because IF Tebow does play he knows his running ability won't be 100 percent and that he is not as good of a passer as Brantley?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:03 PM)

Every coach prefers the known to the unknown. Either that or Miles is playing possum. But I think he'd rather know what he is preparing for.

bill (cincinnati)

does a undefeated bearcats team have a chance to play for a national championship, or are the politics of the bcs stacked against them?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:05 PM)

I think Cincinnati has a good shot of playing for the national champonship if the Bearcats go undefeated. If you're in the top 10 this early, you got a chance. Winning at USF would help, and I think that win at Oregon State will look better as the season progresses, because Oregon State always improves as the season goes on.

Greg (Orlando)

Ivan, you said, "Bowden deserves to make the decision to coach or not on his own terms," but at what cost? Bowden has public ally stated that he wants to be the all time wins leader. Isn't that proof enough that he is not retiring for all the wrong reasons? I have never heard JoPa say that. And at least JoPa still gives the illusion that he is coaching. Bowden looks like a big booster who donates so much that they let him on the sideline. At some point, just like most kids will have to do with their fathers, it's time to remove their major decision making ability.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:07 PM)

I just don't think what-have-you-done-for-me-lately applies to Bobby Bowden. You talk about him as if he's dribbling oatmeal down his shirt. He's not. And there's no guarantee that what happens next will be any better. There are a lot of reasons that I would be reluctant to see Bobby Bowden stop coaching.

Stu (Orange Park, FL)

Hey Ivan, Is there a Podcast today?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:08 PM)

Beano Cook and I podcasted today. It is up and awaiting your IPod.

Dan (Minneapolis, MN)

Ivan - How do you see the rest of the season shaping up for the Big Ten leading, Iowa Hawkeyes? Could they run the table despite their tough back-to-back road games @ Wisconsin and @ Mich. State?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:09 PM)

They could, yes. I don't like how they play to the level of their competition but that's been a trait of Kirk Ferentz's teams for a number of years. I think Iowa beats Michigan on Saturday and we move from there.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Nebraska - Missouri prediction?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:10 PM)

How do you figure the rain? I hera it's going to pour. I would think that would favor the Huskers and Roy Helu. I lean toward the Huskers. Missouri just hasn't played anyone good enough for me to feel confident in my judgment.

James (Atlanta)

Miami makes it thru their first four games 3-1 with a loss in the rain at one of the toughest places to play. You rank them 17th. If that doesn't speak volumes to the need for a playoff in CFB, I don't know what does.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:11 PM)

I've heard from people who think the Canes are overrated and some who think they're underrated. In other words, maybe I'm right. Maybe I'm not. But the great thing about polls is that they let you vote again every week.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Ivan, I'm a huge fan of your podcast, especially when Gene and Beano are on! Are you on the "Toby Gerhart for Heisman" bandwagon?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:12 PM)

I think Gerhart, the Stanford senior tailback, should be on anyone's Heisman short list. Winning Saturday at Oregon State is a huge step, though. That's a tough place to play.

JOSH (LOS ANGELES)

Ivan. USC's loses with Barkley out and gets a pass. OU loses to 2 quality teams by 1 point without their Heisman QB, and the best TE in the country. Most teams would struggle without their top 3 players on offense if you include Broyles injury

Ivan Maisel

  (2:14 PM)

Extenuating circumstances can explain away one loss. People tend to quit listening if there are two losses. I agree with you, though. Once Ryan Broyles got hurt Saturday night at Miami, it was as if Landry Jones took the snap and had nowhere to throw it.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Correct me if I'm wrong but when it rains, don't both teams have to play in it? I'm sorry but it bugs me when I get the, 'well the weather was bad,' argument about a team winning or losing.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:15 PM)

It comes down to style of play. It stands to reason that a running team would be better suited for a downpour than a passing team. That's why I said that regarding the weather making me lean toward Nebraska.

Chad (NYC)

Ivan, love your work. Any chance Clausen wins the heisman trophy?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:16 PM)

Ask me after the USC game next week. He's got to play well on that big of a stage to remain in the discussion.

Allen (Orlando)

Ivan, you reasoning to James is nothing more than a copout. You ranked Penn St, ND, Auburn all ahead of Miami and they scheduled garbage to start the season. YOu are part of the problem, not the solution. You should reward those who play harder schedules than those who play Temple and Akron. If you don't, CFB's first month will look more and more like the NFL preseason. What's wrong with you?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:17 PM)

Well, to start with, I don't take polls in the first week of October as seriously as you do.

Ken (CA)

Can people stop drinking the kool-aid made by 5th year apprentice Charlie Weis? ND is 3 plays away from being 1-4 instead of 4-1

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

And one play from being 5-0. I love the "one play away" stat. It speaks to how close games are, and to the romance of what might have been. But no one ever considers both sides of "one play away."

Stu (Orange Park, FL)

Hey Ivan, sorry to bother you again but I'm at work like you and don't have an ipod with me. So my question is when will it be posted on ESPN's website? Thanks

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

I'm told it's posted.

Coach Cheeze-It (Cow College, AL)

MY Auburn Tigers have ran through barrage of patsies and an undermanned team with an over-mouthed coach. Do you think my defense can slow down Mallet and Petrino or will we be overrun? How do you see us shaping up in the stacked SEC west?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:20 PM)

I think Auburn has the offense to outscore Arkansas. I don't think either defense can slow down the other one. It's a good thing this game starts at 11:20 local time. It will go on for awhile.

Rick (Tuscaloosa)

Ivan, I constantly hear that Alabama's O-Line is overrated and hasen't faced any competition, and when they do so they will be beaten. Do you have any insight on this or believe its so. How do you see the Ole Miss Bama Game turning out saturday?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:22 PM)

The offense has been much more productive than anyone expected with such an inexperienced line. That's the reason that the line has gotten praise. But you're right. The Ole Miss defensive front will give Alabama fits. The flip side, however, is that the way Jevan Snead has struggled this season, I don't see the Rebels lighting up the scoreboard, either. I think the Tide is too good on both sides of the ball.

Jack (Tempe)

Word has it that replays show S. Johnson did not get the ball in the endzone before his knee was down on SC's first score against the Buckeyes. During the game play was not stopped for a replay review. Wow, now that one failure to review could affect the NC game participants. What do you think of replay?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:22 PM)

It's not perfect but it's better than what we had before we had replay.

Boone (Atlanta)

Is this a chat or a message board? Where are the answers?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:23 PM)

I am hitting the "submit" button when I type an answer. Or at least I'm trying to. I'll keep trying.

Billy (Boston)

Ivan, What are your thoughts on the Hokies and the Eagles this weekend? Noon games at Lane Stadium aren't nearly as tough and Tech seems to come out flat against BC.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

If VT comes out flat against BC, it's in the regular season, not in the ACC Championship Game. BC has won the last three regular-season games. This will be a physical game. I'm not convinced BC quarterback Dave Shinskie will be able to negotiate the Hokie defense. But I'm looking forward to the game.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

I am told the podcast issue is officially fixed. It was available on one part of the page but not the other. Now it's available everywhere.

Rich (NYC)

It isn't you, Ivan. This Q and A problem has been like this since they "upgraded" this chat software.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:27 PM)

Well, if it's a software issue, I can promise you I'm not going to fix it.

Jake (Atlanta)

Who wins on Saturday between UGA and UT? The team with no pass defense or the team with no pass offense?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:28 PM)

I like Georgia because the Dawgs play well in close games, they're more talented than Tennessee, and I'm not sold on Lane Kiffin's Vols.

Natalie (Atlanta)

Hi Ivan,Do you think Florida State beats GA TEch this weekend? Why are they favored by 2?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:29 PM)

Given the turmoil in Tallahassee, and given that the first thing a defense needs to beat Georgia Tech is the discipline that the Seminoles have failed to show, I don't think the Noles win this one.

Kyle (Boston)

Ivan, can you recall a program more snake bitten with injuries over the past few years than Oregon? The trend continues this year with Thurmond III, Glasper, and now possibly Masoli. Can the quackers get some good medical luck for once?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:30 PM)

I understand that Masoli practiced this morning. I always wonder when a team has a lot of injuries whether it's bad luck or something with how they train. It's an impossible question to answer. At the very least, the Ducks have had awful luck in recent years.

Jeremy (Madison, WI)

Which of the unbeaten and untested BCS teams do you like make the most noise in the rest of the season? I would include Kansas, Mizzou, South Florida, Auburn, and Wisconsin in that list.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:31 PM)

USF, Auburn and Kansas. Probably in that order, too. Although, now that I've said that, I would be surprised if the Bulls beat Cincinnati next week. I can't wait for that game (Thursday the 15th).

Ray (The Plains)

With the current "fire and hire" mentality in CFB today, do you think Gus Malzahn has a chance to stay at Auburn for a few more years before being snatched up for a head coaching position?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

No. Not at all.

Dan (Washington, DC)

Alright, three questions in one, can you handle it? (1) Do you think the championship is really going to come down to 2 undefeated teams? (2) Who's your best 1 loss team at this point? (3)

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

1. I think I can handle it.2. Yes. But I think that every year. Wish for it may be more accurate.3. Best one-loss team? Virginia Tech.

Rob (Omaha, NE)

Don't you think it's kind of crazy that the Florida-LSU game is already getting hype when the Nebraska-Missouri game (on ESPN tomorrow at 8) hasn't received any media coverage at all?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

So much for ESPN hyping only what it televises. I promise you if Nebraska and Missouri were 1 vs. 4, it would be getting all the hype.

whit (iowa city, iowa)

Ivan, I think the Big ten has great teams but no outstanding quaterbacks in fact this may be the worst collection of QBs I've ever seen, your comments?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:34 PM)

That's a little strong but you're right. It's hard to pick an All-Big-Ten qb at this point. Clark has been a disappointment.

Chris (Austin, Texas)

Do people now really believe the Big East is worst than the Mountain West? Colorado State went out and lost to Idaho. The bottom 6 teams in that conference stink!

Ivan Maisel

  (2:35 PM)

It was trendy to think that before the season. Now, not so much. But no one thought Cincinnati and USF would start out the way that they have.

RML (Atlanta)

So much has been talked about Tebow/no Tebow but the factors affecting the outcome of the UF-LSU game are more than one person. Who do you think wins even if Tebow does not play? LSU on both sides of the ball appears more hollow that previously considered. What about the Gator-D vs. LSU's offense and Special Teams? UF has a strong win record if they block a punt during a game. I think the Gator D can hold LSU to under 17 points. Even if Brantly starts, he is going to be asked to manage the game--not force it.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:36 PM)

Very good points. Florida is the better team. The Gator defense is very, very good. I'm not convinced that Jordan Jefferson will be able to beat the Florida secondary. The Gators have an edge in special teams, too.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Speaking of injuries. It makes you wonder what the TE's are doing at Texas, I think they lost 4 to injurie at the start of the year.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:37 PM)

For the second year in a row.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Ivan, how did you view the Miami vs Oklahoma game? Is Miami real good or is the Oklahoma D not what we expected? Also is it possible for Oklahoma to finish the Kanssas game with a loosing record?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:38 PM)

The Oklahoma D gave up only two of the three touchdowns. The Oklahoma D got no help from the Oklahoma O. And yet the Sooners still only lost by a point. I think both teams are very good. If the Sooners get healthy, they will be better than very good.

Robert (Indy)

Ivan a win is still a win right? If I studied in school I could have been rich. 4-1 is 4-1.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:39 PM)

Good point, and exactly what I mean when it comes to "one play away." It's like golf. It ain't how, it's how many.

Aaron (Bismarck, ND)

I know this question gets beaten to death but yes or no, will we ever see a playoff in major college football?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:39 PM)

I always tell people that when I began covering this beat in 1987, I found an AP story from 1967 predicting that a playoff was just a few years away.

Lou (Rockville, MD)

Why has Clark "been a disappointment? He forced a bit too much vs. Iowa, but otherwise has been an effective game manager despite not really hasn't gotten help from his line. Pretty par for the course for a PSU QB, not disappointing as you say.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:40 PM)

That's fair, although as you say, he made some late-game decision against the Hawkeyes that a senior quarterback shouldn't make.

Geoff (Lewisville, TX)

When did the Heisman Award become the Davey O'Brien Award?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:41 PM)

When teams quit running the ball.

Matt (Louisiana)

I keep hearing a lot of people saying that the AJ Green penalty caused Georgia the game against LSU. But Holliday ran the ball to the Georgia 43 from the LSU 15. Thats not just a penalty. Thats a good kickoff return and then a bad formation on the kick.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:41 PM)

And the way that Charles Scott burst through the line, I think he would have covered the other 15 yards.

Otto (CA)

They don't need a playoff. Why not just play the Orange, Rose, Sugar and Fiesta Bowl with the top 8 teams by BCS Ranking? Then after those four games, whoever the top two are in the BCS rankings play in the BCS title.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

Because the bowls have no interest in being quarterfinal games, and the conferences have no interest in making the bowls mad. Tradition still counts for a lot here.

Daren Van Aulen (Panama City, FL)

Ivan, you have long been a Bowden fan and as an alumni, thank you for that. I can not believe how quickly some folks want to turn on the man responsible for where this university is today - not just from a sports perspective but from a program perspective. I can almost guarantee you that the success of the football program HE built has directly led to funding a new medical school, new track facilities, new tennis facilities, new acreage for intramural facilities, new administrative buildings, and the list goes on and on. As far as I am concerned, the university should be renamed Bobby Bowden University - YES, he has given that much. I think it is time the "fans" and other alumni do the right thing, turn toward him as he walks out of the tunnel this weekend against GT, and bow and applaud in reverence. We WILL not see anything like him or JoPa ever again.........very sad.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:45 PM)

I agree. As I pointed out yesterday in Three-Point Stance, Paterno had four losing seasons in five years. No one panicked -- although a lot of people complained -- and since then, Paterno has won two Big Ten titles and won 80 percent of his games.

Pete (Colorado)

MWC is 6-4 vs. the WAC with 2 wins over Utah State. Idaho has beaten two MWC teams! Not much difference. MWC does NOT deserve an automatic BCS bid.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:46 PM)

I'm just not sure we have to make that decision today. Thanks everyone. Talk to you next week.