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Ivan Maisel

  (2:06 PM)

Hi, everyone. Sorry I'm late.

Eric (Santa Monica)

Hi Ivan, With OU already having 3 losses, Is the Pac 10 better than the Big 12 or WAY better than the Big 12?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:07 PM)

At least better. Pac-10 could make a good case against the SEC this year. Let me put it this way. The Pac-10 honks who have been emailing me to that effect have made a good case.

Gary (Cincinnati)

I know the Cincinnati/Iowa/TCU/Boise State BCS ranking debate is in overdrive right now, but quite honestly, I don't think that any of the above teams would beat any of Florida/Texas/Alabama triumverate right now, making the entire point moot. Your thoughts?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:08 PM)

Yes, Gary, it's easy to think that, and the BCS backers would agree. But playing the game is the point of the whole thing. Boise State couldn't beat Oklahoma in 2006, as we all knew.

Ryan (SLC)

Do you think the PAC 10 will ever expand and if they do what teams would they invite to join

Ivan Maisel

  (2:10 PM)

The Pac-10 made a run at Texas and Texas AandM in the mid-1990s and got shot down. I think the presidents out there don't want to take two teams just to get to 12. They want two universities that they would be proud to be associated with. I think they're going to stand pat for awhile.

Eric (IA)

Granted I like my team under the radar and not getting ranked too high, but isn't Iowa being ranked 8 by humans a bit of a slap in the face seeing as they are number 1 by the computers?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:11 PM)

I don't understand it. Iowa has beaten Arizona, Penn State and Wisconsin, all by double-digits. The early stumbles against Northern Iowa and Arkansas State are being held against the Hawkeyes. At some point, though, I think you have to consider what have you done for me lately. Lately, Iowa has been pretty good.

Chris (Athens)

Favorite stadium in the SEC east and why? got to love tenn, uga or fl obviously, altho sc would get an honorable mention

Ivan Maisel

  (2:12 PM)

Georgia is my favorite. Best press box. You ask a sportswriter that question, the answer may involve the press box.

Steve (Live Oak, FL)

Why do you think Christian Ponder was snubbed as a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award? Locker hasn't exactly helped his team win yet he made it with sub par numbers to boot!

Ivan Maisel

  (2:13 PM)

I think Florida State has been such a disappointment that no one bothered to realize it's the defense that has taken the Seminoles down.

Chad (Las Vegas)

USC is like my 3 year year old. Makes the same mistakes and doesn't learn from them. I know when he grows up he will learn. Will USC ever learn? It has been 5 years of them losing to NOBODY teams yet the media still rewards them based on potential.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:14 PM)

I had a former coach tell me yesterday that he think USC will win the national championship this season because they have the best players. I'm thinking, they refuse to play a 60-minute game. I'm not getting on that bandwagon, and I picked them to play in the BCS Championship Game before the season. By the way, Chad, what is your 3-year-old's 40 time?

B-COAK (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)

Who will provide a tougher defensive challenge for Oregon? shutting down the passing threats of Williams/Johnson, or shutting down the rushing game of McKnight/Bradford?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:15 PM)

I want to see what they do with Williams and Johnson because corner is where the Ducks have been hit hardest by injuries.

Randy (Tennessee)

Why did no one in the press ask Saban why he threw twice at the end of the first half of the Tenn game? They couldn't stop the wild elephant yet it seemed more important to get Julio a touchdown than for the TEAM to score.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:16 PM)

He was asked in the postgame, and he was asked by Tracy Wolfson going into the locker room. From what I read, Saban didn't like the calls, either, but he sounded as if he was trying to defend OC Jim McElwain.

Kevin (Gadsden AL)

Do you think Texas is overated based on their sos?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

I think Texas is overrated not only because of their strength of schedule but because of the way they have played. Not until the Missouri game did we see the Longhorns we expected to see all season. Todd McShay thinks they relaxed after the Oklahoma game. Could be right.

Mike (LA)

USC has its share of bad losses - no argument. You fail to realize that the other contenders do too, you just don't remember them because they're given a pass. Florida's loss to Mississippi last year was worse than USC's loss to Oregon St, yet Florida was given a free pass to play Choke-lahoma. Same could be said for LSU the year before. Fact is there have been very few undefeated NC's so the argument that "USC needs to learn its lesson" falls on its face.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:19 PM)

I thought the Florida and USC losses last season weren't all that different. Florida lost at home - not good. USC slept through the first half -- not good. Florida played tougher teams down the stretch.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Why is it that USC with a loss to Washington is still mentioned as a possible BCS title game finalist but Penn State with a loss to a solid Iowa team is done? Big Ten bias kicking in here, Mr. Maisel?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:21 PM)

I think the computers are closer to being accurate about the Trojans than the poll voters. That said, if USC wins at Oregon, that's pretty strong. Penn State's strength of schedule has done them no favors. At least the Nittany Lions play at Alabama next year.

woodduck (Bend Oregon)

Love your podcasts. .....Not to say there is a conspiracy here, but to your eye, do you see dominant teams getting favorable flags? ( FL, AL) Kind of like when Jordan never got called for traveling.When you are at Autzen on saurday , note that Coach Carroll can basically be on the field the entire game. - no flag

Ivan Maisel

  (2:22 PM)

Carroll does run out on the field, doesn't he? I'm not a big believer in conspiracies. I think the whole notion that the SEC officials would conspire in favor of Florida and Alabama is silly.

Teddy (Myrtle Beach, SC)

Everyone is calling this season a bust cause all the "powerhouse" teams have lost or struggle But I love the fact that TCU, Boise, and Cincy are all in the hunt do you think that makes football more exciting or less?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:23 PM)

I agree with you.

Roddy (San Fran)

Better judge of a team's ability is not the quality of the team you lost to, but rather the quality of the teams you have beaten.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:24 PM)

well, it depends. Oklahoma has lost by one to BYU, by one to Miami, by three to Texas. I think the Sooners are pretty good, better than pretty good, so I'm willing to rank them higher than most.

Robin (Indiana)

Is Brian Kelly going to be coach of the year?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:24 PM)

He'd get my vote as of today. But the season isn't done.

Alex (Ann Arbor)

Ivan, you have a real Anti-USC flair to your responses today, you even agree with a Duck fan who thinks he won't get the benefit of officating in Autzen....they've been getting favors from officials in that stadium since Bush Sr was in office

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

Mike, I'm anti-USC because I don't think they should be ranked No. 4? We have a different definition of anti-USC. I don't recall saying anything about anyone getting the benefit of officiating in Autzen. But you keep reading between those lines.

Greg (IA)

Pete Carroll talked about whether we should send the best teams or most deserving teams to the BCS championship - i.e. USC with one loss may not be the most deserving team but is probably the best team. Who do you think should go to the BCS championship, the two best teams or the two most deserving teams?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:28 PM)

Put that way, I'd say two best. But I'd judge on a case-by-case basis.

Weston (SC)

do you think Clemson could win the ACC Championship (against GT) since they were able make a comeback in the regular season game? then possibly get to the Orange bowl and win?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:28 PM)

I think that but I think anything could happen in the ACC. Anything DOES happen in the ACC.

Billy (Fl)

Do you answer these in order of when the were submitted or just the ones you feel like? Just curious what gets and answer and what doesn't

Ivan Maisel

  (2:29 PM)

So far we've had exactly 400 questions submitted. I pick the ones I like.

Zach (San Diego, CA)

I think what Greg is saying is most people believe USC is better than Iowa...yet Iowa if they go undefeated would be more deserving having not lost and played a difficult schedule.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:31 PM)

In that case, I would take Iowa. I think the results speak for themselves. We all think USC is very good. But the Trojans haven't met that expectation on Saturdays.

Tyler (Bowling Green)

What is up Ivan my main man? So tell me how good is Freddie Barnes?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

I think he has more long catches than any receiver in the nation. That counts for something. It's a good season for Barnes to get recognition. Dez Bryant is gone. Eric Decker is hurt. Julio Jones is struggling. Barnes is stepping into that void well.

Jeff (Los Angeles, CA)

Ivan, what are your thoughts on how Florida has played this year? I thought they would be cruising along, with perhaps a tough game against LSU by this point. Instead, it seems like they have underwhelmed against largely a poor schedule. Is this just a case of a lull against the weaker competition or is this Gator team just not as good as some of us thought entering the year.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

I think Florida isn't what we thought they would be. The offense just doesn't look right. I don't know whether it's the loss of Dan Mullen, Tebow's concussion, the lack of a downfield threat, all of the above. Something's not right.

John (Los Angeles, CA)

So do you think USC fixes its defensive problems in the passing game or does Oregon explot it again and get the win? Also, do you think Bates and Caroll trust Barkeley enough to throw the ball downfield like in the previous 2 games?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:36 PM)

Not the question I clicked on, but I'll answer it! I assume Barkley will throw downfield. USC did a good job of stopping Dennis Dixon two years ago in Autzen. The Ducks won with defense. I'll be curious to see how the Trojans stop tight end Ed Dickson. He had a big game against them as a sophomore.

JL (Marshall, Virginia)

Ivan: I've been on a campaign to name this year's national champion, no matter who it is, as the weakest and least dominant in recent memory. Do you agree?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:37 PM)

Can't call the race at the halfway pole. You have to assume someone will get hot in the second half of the season. I'll say this, whether the eventual champion is any good or not won't matter. They'll still sell the t-shirts and buy the rings.

John (AL)

Just finished "The Maisel Report" a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed it. Has anything happened over the past season and a half that would make you want to adjust some of you overrated

Ivan Maisel

  (2:39 PM)

Thanks! Gee, you wouldn't have Nick Saban in mind, would you? I wrote that after the 2007 season and stipulated that Saban would win championships. But at that moment, Saban ranked 17th in win-loss percentage with the biggest salary in college football. For that alone, I thought he deserved to be on the overrated list. Since then, of course, he's won 19 straight regular-season games. I stand corrected.

Nicholas (Eagle, Idaho)

Please tell me that Boise State won't get passed by a 1 loss oregon team at the end of the season. We OWNED them on the blue this year.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:40 PM)

Yes you did, and I don't think the Ducks will pass you.

Ryan (Las Cruces)

What coach is currently on the hottest seat of all the Division 1 FBS schools?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:41 PM)

I'd say Steve Kragthorpe at Louisville, although Mike Locksley hasn't done himself any favors at UNM, has he?

J (Milwaukee)

The only way Tebow wins the Heisman this year is if the same guys who gave Obama the Nobel peace prize vote for the Heisman as well. How is he possibly still in the "race"?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:42 PM)

I feel reasonably sure that there are only six Swedes among the Harris Poll voters.

Ryan (Ames)

Is Paul Rhoads the COY in the big 12? What about the country?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

I think he's the coach of the year in the Big 12 to this point. That they have won five games is amazing. You always wonder in a case like this: is it Rhoads? Did Chizik recruit that well? How many games would Chizik have won this season? But Rhoads deserves a lot of credit. Nationally, I'd lean Brian Kelly at this point.

DJ (Phila)

Ivan--enjoy your work and your objectivity (despite the allegations du jour of bias, today being USC). Your thoughts on Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen. If he has the same 2nd half of the season against some fair competition (Pitt, UConn, etc.), does he have a shot at the Heisman and does he come back next year? Thanks for your comments.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:44 PM)

I think Clausen is a finalist, and I think he's gone to the NFL.

Matt (San Francisco, CA)

Are anonymous polls/voting good for the BCS? Shouldn't there be some accountability when the polls can be easily skewed?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:45 PM)

Yes! The coaches' vote should be made public every week. That the BCS allows them to hide any part of their vote is laughable.

Tim (New Zealand)

Do you think there's a chance of more conference realignment given the Big East's supposed weakness with depth? Is there a chance the MWC makes a play for Boise St, or even three teams (Fresno State, Hawaii, Boise St), if things don't pan out for the non-AQ conferences in the BCS?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:47 PM)

For a minute there, I thought you were going to put in a plug for the University of Auckland. That's an interesting hypothesis. It makes sense for the MWC to go to 12 if they think they could make money with a playoff game. But the two leagues split apart a few years back and I don't know the politics out there well enough to know if there are hard feelings on either side.

Blake (Eugene)

Ivan - even been to Eugene for a game? I grew up here and went to Notre Dame, but never felt that ND Stadium came close to offering the intensity of Autzen. How would you rank it with stadiums you've been to?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:49 PM)

First game I ever covered at Autzen was the win over Washington in 1988. Grown men crying, hugging. That was an emotional scene. I've enjoyed going there ever since. I love going there.

Chad (Las Vegas)

Adding the U of Auckland to the NCAA would be almost equal to the NFL adding a team in London.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:50 PM)

I have a hard time believing London would support an NFL team.

Barry (Dallas)

Ivan...I realize that money is behind the reasoning for the BCS. But, isn't there a boat load more money if they implemented a playoff that ended in the college super bowl?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:51 PM)

There is a boatload of money. One of the issues, perhaps the biggest, is who would control it. The commissioners like the system the way it is because they control the money. People who say, "The NCAA should do this such-and-such..." don't understand that the NCAA's members are also members of the conferences that control the BCS.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:52 PM)

thanks everyone.