ESPN

Pat Forde

  (2:00 PM)

Howdy and welcome! Thanks for showing. To the questions!

Chazz (New Orleans)

Not been to Kingpin. Are those tap or bottled beers? And, where wll LSU finish? Will USC resurface?

Pat Forde

  (2:00 PM)

Chazz: Tap and bottle, both. Excellent selection. And Hulk Hogan wall hangings. What more do you need?

John (Valparaiso)

What is the biggest obstacle facing Florida the rest of the season?

Pat Forde

  (2:01 PM)

John: Injury and/or complacency. I expect the Gators to be two-touchdown or more favorites in every remaining game. At South Carolina could be ticklish, and you never know what emotional factors could be at play if the season-ender turns out to be Bobby Bowden's last game. But Florida appears to have a straight path to the SEC title game.

A (F)

Will Notre Dame win? I smell an upset coming!!!!

Pat Forde

  (2:03 PM)

AF: I'll say this much: after crunching some numbers last night, USC hasn't seen an offense anywhere near as proficient as Notre Dame's. But we're still talking about ND making up 35 points from last year -- even at home, against a freshman QB, I don't see that happening.

cody (elgin, sc)

Does Spurrier have anything for Saban this week?

Pat Forde

  (2:05 PM)

Cody: Maybe he can get Saban a tee time at Augusta. Other than that, I don't think he has much for 'Bama. South Carolina defense is really stout, but I think Stephen Garcia is in for a long day vs. Tide defense.

Rett (Dallas TX)

Red River Prediction and Score?

Pat Forde

  (2:07 PM)

Texas 24, Oklahoma 20. I'm sure OU's offensive line has improved since I saw it melt down in the season opener ... but I have a hard time believing it's good enough to dominate an excellent Texas defense.

Robin (Indiana)

Why hasn't ESPN done more press coverage on the South Florida vs Cincinnati game? (Both teams are 5-0)

Pat Forde

  (2:08 PM)

Robin: I mentioned the game in my Forde-Yard Dash column today and expect more coverage to come from others on our staff, most notably our fine Big East blogger, Brian Bennett. Stay tuned. Should be a really interesting game.

Brandon (Kearney, NE)

Pat, do you feel Nebraska is now the most under-rated team in the country? Todd McShay seems to think so....

Pat Forde

  (2:10 PM)

Brandon: What does McShay know??? Kidding. Love Todd. I was extremely impressed by the resilience and toughness Nebraska showed last Thursday night. Huskers just kept coming until they got Missouri to crack, then blew it open. I'd have to say Nebraska is the team to beat in the North now, although Kansas seems much more prolific offensively.

Greg (Champaign, IL)

Illinois' next two games are against Indiana and Purdue. Am I crazy to be happy if we win just one of them?

Pat Forde

  (2:11 PM)

Greg: No. I'd say you're sane, rational and saddled with an underachieving and poorly coached team.

Wac (chicago)

Jimmy Clausen's heisman candidacy after this weekend, in your opinion is..... ?

Pat Forde

  (2:13 PM)

Wac: Either a whole lot stronger, or toast. He's been really good, but this is another level of defense he's facing. If USC gets in his face he could have a long day. If ND protects, he's still got some excellent weapons to throw to even without Michael Floyd. I'm not ready to make a call on which way he goes, but I think the Trojans win by 7-10 points.

Jay (Omaha)

Suh? For Heisman? I'd like to think so, but is this realistic?

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Jay: Winning? Probably not realistic. Staying in the argument for now? Why not? If he keeps producing and Nebraska keeps winning, he'll stay in my top five.

Jake (Blacksburg)

Not much talk about Ryan Williams, he has put some numbers up thus far. Your thoughts?

Pat Forde

  (2:15 PM)

Jake: Good point. He's been tremendous. I nearly put him in my top five this week but gave that spot to Suh. We'll definitely keep an eye on him the rest of the way.

goose (urbana)

is dan hawkins the biggest coaching flop in recent history???

Pat Forde

  (2:15 PM)

Goose: Um, no. I could name 10 coaches who flopped harder in recent years than Hawkins.

goose (urbana)

name 'em. i can't.

Pat Forde

  (2:19 PM)

Greg Robinson, Bill Callahan, Ty Willingham at Washington, Ron Zook at Florida ... and Illinois, Everybody who came after Charley McClendon and before Nick Saban at LSU, Walt Harris at Stanford, Buddy Teevens at Stanford, John Mackovic everywhere ... That's just off the top of my head.

Michael Periatt (Cincinnati)

Who's the best team in Ohio? OSU or Cincinnati? Also, who do you think is the favorite in the Big Ten?

Pat Forde

  (2:20 PM)

Michael: I have Ohio State one spot higher than Cincy right now in my ESPN.com Top 25, based on playing better competition. But I'm open to changing it. As for fave in the Big Ten: I've got the Buckeyes.

Tim (IL)

Does Charlie Weis have to win on Saturday to keep his job?

Pat Forde

  (2:22 PM)

Tim: Probably not -- but he'd better win everything else. And if the Irish get undressed again in this game, he's in trouble.

Adrian (Florida)

Where would you rank USF defense this year? They have been playing excellent defensively but still haven't seen to get any recognition.

Pat Forde

  (2:23 PM)

Adrian: Very good unit, love the defensive ends, Selvie and Pierre. But the level of competition has been underwhelming so far. Bulls haven't seen an offense even remotely as explosive as Cincinnati's.

David (Athens, GA)

Pat, quick question (oh, the irony)... how does Georgia salvage the season?

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

David: Quick question, no quick solution, clearly. Shocked that the UGA defense is in such disarray. The secondary has really struggled, which limits the amount of man coverage you want to leave those guys in, which limits your blitzing ... you know how it goes. Playing a pretty inept Vandy offense this week might be a good elixir for that unit.

Michael (Dublin, OH)

Worst traffic in and out of football stadium areas in the NCAA that you have witnesses? It took me two hours to get out of Indiana's campus one year, FYI.

Pat Forde

  (2:27 PM)

Michael: It's always murder getting to the Cotton Bowl, in part because of the accompanying State Fair traffic (and I will be making that drive Saturday morning, pray for me). Getting to the stadium in Jacksonville for UGA-Florida a few years ago was a fiasco, too.

Happy (Gulf Of Mexico drilling rig)

Hey Pat. How do you like Auburn's chances of reaching the SEC championship game. I believe that they will win the rest of their game up till the Iron Bowl against Alabama and that they could possibly win this one if their defense ever comes around. War Eagle Pat!

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

Happy: I hate to discourage a man on a drilling rig ... but I think the Tigers lose at least one more and possibly two or three before meeting Alabama. I think the league is starting to figure the Tigers out.

Cory (Tulsa, OK) [via mobile]

How do you think the NCAA will handle the suspension of Dez Bryant after he meets with them today?

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Cory: I have no idea -- learned a long time ago not to try and predict the ways of the NCAA. Sounds to me like this is something of a desperation appeal by Bryant to get his eligibility restored, but I don't know the details. Gonna be wait and see.

Lance (PA)

what is your take on the Bobby Bowden situation? has he earned the right to coach (himself further into embarassment) as long as he likes?

Pat Forde

  (2:31 PM)

Lance: I don't think he has, no. I believe he's earned the right to get a hero's send-off -- but not necessarily at a time of his choosing. I believe FSU has the right -- and the need -- to politely escort Bowden into retirement after this season.

stephanie (cincy)

Maybe the NCAA should ask Deion Sanders to stop "mentoring" college football players.

Pat Forde

  (2:32 PM)

Stephanie: Good point.

Dan (Tampa)

Would you consider 11 for 16 for 136 and 17 rushes for 38 yards Heisman stats? I think that if any of the other top contenders put up a game like that, they would lose all consideration

Pat Forde

  (2:33 PM)

Dan: Were the other top contenders coming off a concussion and playing with a conservative gameplan? Against a quality defense? On the road? And has Tebow demonstrated a knack for making the big play at the big moment to an extent that it sometimes makes stats meaningless?

Kim ((Louisville, KY))

Isn't Penn State being penalized in the polls for a weak non-conference? There only loss is to a 6-0 Iowa team and, despite playing Illinois and Eastern Illinois, the Nits have looked far better in the last 2 weeks. Where do you see them finishing in the Big 10?

Pat Forde

  (2:35 PM)

Kim: Yes, Penn State IS being penalized in the polls for a weak non-conference. And it should be. The Nits have showed me nothing this year. Zero. Haven't even beaten a decent team, much less a good one.

buzz (THE MOON)

do you think that someday the heisman trophy will be given to someone SO undeserving, that it will finally just lose all credibility?

Pat Forde

  (2:36 PM)

Buzz: The Heisman survived being awarded to Eric Crouch and Geno Torretta. I think it will continue to endure just fine.

Allyson (Austin, TX)

Why aren't there more running backs in the Heisman running? There are a few good ones out there..roll tide!

Pat Forde

  (2:39 PM)

Allyson: I just don't see any RBs I want to put on my ballot at present. Ryan Williams of VT is very good and I'll keep an eye on him. Ryan Mathews of Fresno State is excellent, but his team is not. Toby Gerhart's run hit a wall last week. In the spread offense era, QBs monopolize the ball and the stats, which pushes RBs further out of the picture.

Jim (Richmond)

Is Al Groh on his way to saving his job at Virginia or will he be out at the end of the season?

Pat Forde

  (2:40 PM)

Jim: Al appears to be well into his annual job-saving drive with two straight victories. But if I'm the UVA AD, I'd say I've seen this movie before and be ready to make a change if the Cavahoos don't make a bowl game.

Keane (Eugene)

Pat, have you heard a louder stadium than autzen? what are the chances a freshman qb comes in on halloween night and doesn't get rattled?

Pat Forde

  (2:41 PM)

Keane: Yes, I have heard louder stadiums. It is loud, no doubt about it ... but not louder than Tiger Stadium, Bryant-Denny, Ohio Stadium, Beaver Stadium and maybe a few others I've been to.

Laura (Va)

STADIUMS LOUDER THAN AUTZEN....VA TECH, LSU, PENN ST

Pat Forde

  (2:42 PM)

Laura: Good call on Lane Stadium as well.

Mark (Knoxville, TN)

Iowa finishes 12-0, big ten champs, winners of road games @ Penn state, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.....where to we play postseason football?

Pat Forde

  (2:43 PM)

Mark: Pasadena. ... But a week earlier than you want to. (Road win at Michigan State? A big deal?)

Joe ((Fresno CA))

Name me another better college story? Hire five coaches in five years, invest in weight room, equipement room, offices, lockerooms, practice facilities and Stadium - Dome. Get rid of 20 plus players for character issues, take APR hit and are bad two years and now - good - What do you think of the University of Idaho Football program?

Pat Forde

  (2:44 PM)

Joe: Read my Forde-Yard Dash column today. Lots of props for Idaho. And I found out this morning that I probably played against the Vandals' coach, Robb Akey, at least once in high school in Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, his team won. But we went further in the playoffs!

Brandon (The football capital of the world)

Do you think if Mark Ingram keeps up the pace from his last few games he might get mentioned more in the Heisman race?

Pat Forde

  (2:45 PM)

Brandon: Yes, I could see that happening.

Dan (Fairfax)

Who's your top defensive player in the ACC, sind you neglected to name any individual players in your Dash today...

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

Dan: That was an oversight by me, my bad. Gotta like Jason Worilds of Virginia Tech, who has spent half the season in the offensive backfield.

Jared (Pittsburgh)

Pat, you are from Colorado Springs?? So am I. Went to and played for Cheyenne Mountain. Yourself??

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

Jared: Air Academy High School. Class of '83.

Russell (Chicago)

I'm currently doing a big ten stadium tour. Whats your favorite inside the Big Ten and at what stadium is most worth catching a game outside the big ten.

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

Russell: I'd have to say in terms of architecture and media seating, Ohio State. In terms of fan atmosphere, Penn State. As for outside the Big Ten -- half the SEC. And Notre Dame.

Mats (Minnesota)

Assuming Texas has one loss by the end of the season, who among Texas, Va Tech, USC, Iowa, Ohio State, et al plays the SEC champ in Pasadena?

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

Mats: If Texas loses, it's either USC or Virginia Tech. If they both win out.

Neil (Houston)

Are you not ready to put Vontaze Burfict on your list of defenders you would pay to see? The kid is a freak and he will be on the list at some point. That is one great ASU Defense.

Pat Forde

  (2:51 PM)

Neil: Burfict is a stud -- but he's also played five collegiate games. Not ready to bronze him just yet.

Pat's English Teacher (Disappointment-land)

Didn't you go farther, not further? Come on, you're a professional writer.

Pat Forde

  (2:52 PM)

Teach: Yes, you go farther. It's a chat. I'm going as quickly as possible, but I'll try to shape it up and get a B at least.

Robert (Houston,TX)

Jordan Shipley WR Texas leads the nation in receptions and receiving yards. His all-purpose yardage is avg. 177/game. What will it take for him to receive Heisman consideration?

Pat Forde

  (2:54 PM)

Robert: It would help if he weren't splitting pub with his quarterback, for starters. Shipley has had a dynamite year and I'm looking forward to seeing him in person Saturday. But despite all the big stats against Colorado, he also had a drop that turned into an interception.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Forde: Is it just me or is Terrelle Pryor not really developing as a college player? Sure the Buckeyes are winning but thus far his role in that seems minimal at best.

Pat Forde

  (2:55 PM)

JB: Pryor is still just a great athlete, not a great quarterback. Definitely needs a lot more work to refine his game.

Matt (Columbia, SC)

ALABAMA VS SOUTH CAROLINA?

Pat Forde

  (2:56 PM)

ALABAMA

Chad (Topeka, KS)

Any thoughts on Todd Reesing for a Heisman dark horse?

Pat Forde

  (2:57 PM)

Chad: Reesing is super impressive -- makes a lot of plays for a midget (by QB standards). Very savvy, never rattled. Just needs to keep producing as the schedule gets more difficult.

Rob (Omaha, NE)

1-loss Texas vs 1-loss VaTech and you're taking Tech. Obviously the bulk of their resumes are yet to be built, but what on VaTech's presumptive resumse puts them over the top with you?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Rob: Better non-conference schedule. Alabama neutral field, Nebraska at home. Texas plays nobody non-conference.

Carlos (Houston, TX)

any long short Heisman for Case Keenum?

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Carlos: That loss to UTEP killed his chances, most likely. In a team game, you need team success -- and if you're at Houston, you need out-of-the-ordinary team success to get noticed.

boise idaho [via mobile]

how far will Boise State go, and what's your bowl perdiction if they win out?

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Boise: Broncos will be 13-0, guaranteed. (Thirteen reg-season games.) They'll make a BCS game -- just not sure which one. And next year, I might start them in my preseason top five.

Kevin (Sacramento ca) [via mobile]

Will the Yellow Jackets upset the Hokies in Atlanta this weekend?

Pat Forde

  (3:00 PM)

Kevin: I'm going to say no. Don't like that Yellow Jacket defense much.

Jason (Raytown, Missouri)

Best OSU this year? Ohio State, Oregon State, Oklahoma State?

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

Jason: Ohio State. By a pretty wide margin.

Tristan (Cincinnati)

if the bearcats go undefeated does tony pike when the heisman?

Pat Forde

  (3:02 PM)

Tristan: He'll probably be in NYC if that happens. Can't say whether he'd be the winner, would depend how he plays.

Pat Forde

  (3:02 PM)

OK folks, a record 1,734 questions. Thanks for showing, and showing loud. Talk to you again next week!