ESPN

Ally (Athens, Georgia)

Besides a divine miracle, what will it take for the Dawgs to upset the Gators Saturday at the Cocktail Party?

Pat Forde

  (2:01 PM)

Hey folks, welcome to the Tuesday chat, already plenty of questions so let's roll starting with this one from Ally. If Florida continues to muddle around offensively like it has, Georgia will at least be in the game. As for winning it: Dawgs need to avoid defensive breakdowns and hope that AJ Green is better than an excellent Florida secondary -- and that Joe Cox has time to find him. I think Florida wins by two TDs.

Pat Forde

  (2:02 PM)

FYI: Just sent in to the ESPN.com desk that Minnesota WR Adam Decker is done for the rest of the regular season with a left foot injury. May be facing surgery.

Scott (Fort Worth, TX)

Hey Pat, great Forde-Yard Dash today. Is there a legitimate chance for TCU to make it to the title game this year?

Pat Forde

  (2:04 PM)

Scott: I believe TCU needs some losses ahead of it from one of the SEC teams, Texas and probably Iowa. Other than Utah, the rest of TCU's games will only hurt SOS.

Danny (Dallas)

Does Washington State have a chance against ND in the Alamodome?

Pat Forde

  (2:04 PM)

Danny: No. Washington State is terrible.

Adam (Iowa)

Iowa has yet another RB out due to injury, this time freshman rushing leader, Adam Robinson. How will this effect Iowa?

Pat Forde

  (2:05 PM)

Adam: That's a major blow, especially after losing Jewel Hampton preseason. Hawkeyes have handled adversity very well this season, but that's a tough one with Ohio State still ahead.

Jason (Salem, OR)

I just dont' get it . . . how can USC be considered the most legitimate 1 loss team for the NC if they beat Oregon but Oregon isn't being discussed in the same regard if they are to win this coming weekend!?

Pat Forde

  (2:06 PM)

Jason: Oregon will get its love if it wins Saturday. But consider the following: Boise didn't just beat Oregon to start the season, Boise owned Oregon. And Boise is unbeaten. So anywhere Oregon goes in the polls, Boise should go ahead of the Ducks. Secondly: USC has won three road games over currently ranked (BCS Top 25) teams -- Ohio State, Cal and ND. Nobody else can say that, or come lose to saying that.

Ricky (Atlanta)

JTrue or False...immy Clausen should be atop the Heisman list. He has been the most consistant QB week in and week out, has more 4th Q comebacks than anyone in the country, has a 16-2 TD/INT ratio and of his 2 INTS, one was right through Armando Allen hands and the other was a Hail Mary at the end of half. No player has produced more consistantly even though his best WR has been over a month.

Pat Forde

  (2:08 PM)

Ricky: Nobody should be atop the Heisman list at this point. But since someone has to be ... I have Kellen Moore 1st and Clausen 2nd. But seriously, I have never put less thought into my October Heisman list than right now, because it's a total crapshoot.

Greg (Champaign, IL)

Where do I send my money to get a VandalMania T-Shirt?

Pat Forde

  (2:08 PM)

Greg: Me. They only cost $1,000. Send the check and you might eventually get a shirt out of it.

Mike W (Chicago)

What are your thoughts on Univ of Cincinnati? Can they run the table against 2 top 25 teams, do they have a shot at the BCS title game, and why did they drop 3 spots after a convincing win?

Pat Forde

  (2:10 PM)

Mike: Love what Cincinnati has done this year. Brian Kelly national COY front-runner in my opinion. And I believe the Bearcats can run the table -- but unless some teams in front of them lose, they won't play for the national title I don't believe. I was surprised to see Cincy drop three spots after winning by 31 in a league game with a backup quarterback ... but that's the BCS for you.

mason (fort worth, tx)

Long time Dasher, first time asker. Pat, how can you rank boise st over tcu when my horned frogs boast the head to head bowl win a year ago, a more impressive conference schedule, and the willingness to go into the acc, big 12, and pac 10 and bring home wins in the last three years? Also, how about the football mecca with a combined 20-1 record among ranked teams (the real UT, tcu, houston)

Pat Forde

  (2:12 PM)

Mason: That was the toughest call on my ballot, whether to put TCU or Boise at No. 6. Very close between them. But I'm not putting any stock in last year's bowl game or home wins over the last three years. I'm going on this season, and while both teams have been very impressive I put more stock in Boise dominating Oregon than any of TCU's wins to date.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Pat, why no love from anyone for Kellen Moore for the Heisman?

Pat Forde

  (2:13 PM)

Craig: Did you just see my post a few minutes ago? I've got Moore #1.

Will (Iowa City)

Brian Kelly is the front runner? I didn't realize Ohio was far enough east to get credit for east coast bias. Kirk Ferentz has passed every test that his team has had this year too. Oh, did I mention that he did that without the top 2 running backs from last year (Greene to Jets, Jewel Hampton to injury). We are winning with a young team on the road in some nasty environments. Compare schedules, it isn't close.

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Will: Did Iowa have more than one returning defensive starter? Cincinnati didn't.

B-COAK (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)

Scenario: you are the coach/AD at a top notch program and your goal is to make it to the BCS champ game. Do you schedule tough OOC games or 4 cupcakes to get that done? (read Alabama/USC or Texas/Florida)

Pat Forde

  (2:16 PM)

B-Coak: Theoretically, at least, Florida did schedule a tough OOC game -- Florida State. Not really the Gators' fault that the Seminoles are average at best this year. But to your point: I much prefer to see teams do it USC's way -- not just one high-profile non-confernce game, but two (Notre Dame) and a NINE-GAME league schedule. USC remains far and away the most ambitious scheduler, which is why it's even in the NCG debate with one loss (and by the way, no starting QB or All-American safety in that game). But cowardly scheduling has been effective.

Tyler T (Stillwater, OK)

What do you think of the Dezless Oklahoma State University Cowboys' chance of an upset against UT this coming Saturday in Stillwater?

Pat Forde

  (2:18 PM)

Tyler: It would be a major accomplishment for OK State to win without Bryant. I know the Cowboys have done well after a number of injuries and other issues at the offensive skill spots, and that's a great compliment to Zac Robinson and Mike Gundy. But this might be the game where that catches up to the Pokes. I will be there -- first game in Stillwater since I was in college.

Dustin (Cal)

Pat, dont you think USC HAS to schedule a tough OOC schedule to make up for their weak conference?

Pat Forde

  (2:19 PM)

Dustin: I don't think the Pac-10 is weak at all this year. UCLA is 0-4 in the league but won at Knoxville, and we've seen Tennessee give Alabama and Florida all it wanted. Oregon is very good. Cal had two terrible weeks (in league play) but has looked good otherwise. Arizona isn't bad. Pac-10 is very solid this year.

bruce (dallas)

Saw this on Burnt Orange Nation - did you see it? Talking about your comments on the Bama-Tennessee gameAlabama led 12-10 but was on the verge of losing everything -- a game it had controlled, a season it had dominated, a national championship it coveted. "A game it had controlled"? Are you referring to the 6 plays the Alabama offense ran in the third quarter? Or was it the 9 minutes of time of possession Alabama had in the second half? Or was it the 84 yards of total offense Alabama produced in the second half? Or was it the 265 yards the Alabama defense gave up Jonathon Crompton? (Jonathon Crompton, for Chrissakes!!) Or was it McElroyâ??s impressive 120 yards passing, an average of 4 yards per attempt. Or was it the fact Alabama could not score a single touchdown in this game? Or was it the fact that Cody had to block another field goal and Lincoln missed another earlier field goal, any of which would have been the difference in the game

Pat Forde

  (2:21 PM)

Bruce: Whole lot of crying going on there. Let me just address one small part of it -- Alabama never trailed and led by two scores with three minutes to play. Alabama controlled the game. Deal with it.

Kirk Ferentz (Iowa City)

Am I the best coach in the big 10?

Pat Forde

  (2:21 PM)

Kirk: This year, for sure. COY all but locked up.

Matt (Chicago, IL)

What do you think of Guenther's decision to extend Zook's contract at Illinois?

Pat Forde

  (2:22 PM)

Matt: I am stunned to hear Ron Guenther say definitively that Ron Zook will be back next year. Then again, he gave Ron Turner about 17 years to prove he was the wrong guy, too.

Patrick (Lake Oswego (Or))

Why do you think the officials have been garnering such heat this year? First the SEC officials and now the Pac-10 in the USC/OSU game. Is this something that can be remedied?

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

Patrick: Good question. A couple of theories: 1. Multiple camera angles, faster replays and high-def have made it easier to pick apart every call. I don't think the calls are any worse now than 10 years ago, but we can sure see them better now. 2. Fans and coaches have become expert complainers on every missed call. They become a message-board revolution, email campaigns are launched, video is sent everywhere. Outrage has become way too handy. 3. All that said, the refs still need to do a better job.

Toby (Eugene)

How do you say Bosie dominated oregon? it was a 19-8 game and oregon's defense kept them in it the whole game, Yea it wasnt' the high scoring game everyone thought it would be. But if that is your argument, then most of florda's SEC games could be ruled embarassing but yinz still keep them in the top 3

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

Toby: I watched the game. Boise dominated Oregon.

Jason (Lehi, UT)

Please settle a debate: Sean Taylor or Taylor Mays?

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Jason: As of right now, Sean Taylor. Not close. Need to see Taylor Mays step it up as a pass defender.

Dave (Austin)

Surprised that Texas Tech coach Leach's "fat girlfriends" comments haven't garnered more attention? I guess its not slander if it's the truth?

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

Dave: I meant to work that into The Dash and got in the writing tunnel and forgot about it. Leach is fabulously entertaining but says some stupid stuff, too. That would qualify as dumb to me. Plus, he has a habit of ripping his team after losses when I think it might behoove him to step up and take the heat sometimes.

C. One (Spur, Texas)

Pat, which is the real Texas AandM: the one that got blown out by Kansas State or the one that blew out Texas Tech? Also, thoughts on Jerrod Johnson and Von Miller?

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

C. One: I have no idea which is the real TAMU. Please let me know if/when you figure it out. Bizarre series of games between those three teams.

Jeff (Indiana)

Which is the most annyoing song in College Football for the other team? I have to think that USC's Tribute to Troy, FSU's War Chant, LSU's Guex Tigers, and Michigan's Let's Go Blue are all contenders.

Pat Forde

  (2:29 PM)

Jeff: I'd rank it this way: 1. USC's endless tribute. 2. Rocky Top. 3. FSU war chant. Nobody else is even in contention.

Mike Stoops (Tucson)

Pat, who is having the better season this year, me or my bro in Norman.

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Mike: I think you know the answer to that. Bragging rights to you right now.

Walt (Pcola)

What's it going to take to get CJ Spiller some heisman consideration?

Pat Forde

  (2:31 PM)

Walt: Don't lose to Maryland, that's the first thing. Spiller is a great talent, but he's on a mediocre, unpredictable team in a subpar league.

Officials (SEC)

I agreed I make bad calls on occasion, but this constant whining and crying about the ref's made us lose the game is to much. What happen to complaining about what mistakes our team did wrong instead of focusing on the refs. Isn't it Tennessee's fault that they let Cody block a FG in the same GAP with the same low kick. Correct me if I'm wrong, and a closer FG than previous block FG.

Pat Forde

  (2:32 PM)

Officials: Amen. Tired of all the complaining. Sports fans have become incessant finger pointers -- I think taking their lead from politics.

North Puzzlwit (ATX)

Earl Thomas for the Thorpe Award...your thoughts?

Pat Forde

  (2:33 PM)

North: Love Earl Thomas. Playmaker of a DB. He should be in the mix, but a lot of competition -- gonna be hard to beat Eric Berry of Tennessee.

Kip (State College, PA)

Who wins tonight on Interactive Tuesday? Memphis or East Carolina

Pat Forde

  (2:34 PM)

Kip: I like East Carolina to win and interactively dominate. Memphis is bad and Tommy West is a short-timer.

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

Forde, of your semi-great 8, which is most likely to suffer the great fall you also mentioned?

Pat Forde

  (2:36 PM)

Jake: I think Iowa can lose to Ohio State Nov. 14 -- but not sure the Hawkeyes can lose twice, given the rest of the sked. Bama could lose to LSU, but more than one loss? Again, I don't know. I can't predict a great fall right now.

The Hokie Shuffle (Blacksburgh, VA)

Pat Forde---hey, can you give us a score for how badly we beat UNC Thursday?

Pat Forde

  (2:36 PM)

Hokie: If you play the UNC that showed up in the second half last week, 100-0. If you play the UNC that showed up in the first half, much closer game. But still a Va Tech victory.

Michael (GA)

Do you think this past weeks performace will wake up the Crimson Tide? And do you think they can finish the season undefeated?

Pat Forde

  (2:38 PM)

Michael: Nick Saban said after the game that his team badly needed this bye week. Said they were mentally fried after Ole Miss, South Carolina and then Tennessee in succession. So I'd expect them to put the bye week to good use and come back playing better. I believe Bama will be 12-0 going to ATL.

Shane (Pittburgh)

Your thoughts on Pitt?

Pat Forde

  (2:39 PM)

Shane: Pitt is having a great year. Bill Stull has proved a lot, Dion Lewis has been a great freshman, the defense has been very solid. Wannstedt is close to back-to-back successful seasons and establishing the program near the top of the league. Can't wait for the Pitt-UC and Pitt-WVU games. Big East set up for a very interesting last month.

Alonzo (Hardy, IL)

Are we certain that Terrence Cody actually blocked that last punt against Tennessee the other night? It looked to me like a DB diving in from the wing blocked it, but everyone keeps giving Cody credit, and he was blubbering like a fat walrus right after it happened. I was/am annoyed.

Pat Forde

  (2:40 PM)

Alonzo: The walrus got the block. I watched the replay about 8 times to make sure I got the whole thing correct for my column.

Go Vols (Knoxville)

Do you think that a penalty should have been called on Cody taking his helmet off at the end of the play and Tenn should have had another opportunity

Pat Forde

  (2:41 PM)

Vols: No. That would have changed the game on a technicality that had nothing to do with the outcome of that play.

Alex (Richmond, VA)

So the ACC is a subpar league? With all of the questions each conference has at the top and the bottom how can you name 4 conferences definitively stronger than the ACC? It seems like the conference ranking should be 1. SEC 2. Everyone else

Pat Forde

  (2:41 PM)

Alex: I'd take the SEC and Pac-10 for sure over the ACC, and possibly the other three in the Big Six as well.

jjjtiger (Baton Rouge)

Pat, everyone talks about who in the top 8 has a chancr to move to the top 2. If LSU can win out, they will have beaten Ala., Ole Miss, split with Fla. In that case their only lose will be to the #1 ranked team in the nation. What chance would they have of moving to #1 or #2?

Pat Forde

  (2:42 PM)

JJJ: LSU definitely still has a chance at it. But the Tigers have to win a lot of big games to make that happen.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Hey Pat, "HOW 'BOUT THEM NITTANY LIONS!" Seriously can you see them winning out along with Notre Dame and the two matching up in the Fiesta Bowl? That's a dream come true for any BCS game not for the National Championship, right?

Pat Forde

  (2:44 PM)

JB: Nits finally did something to impress me last week, dominating Michigan in the Big House. I'd honestly hate to see a Penn State-ND Fiesta Bowl because I don't believe ND is worthy of a BCS bid -- but we both know that if the Irish are eligible (top 14 I think it is in the BCS standings) they will be selected.

Jason W (Iowa City)

Georgia Tech could easily win out. If they finish 11-1 and things get messy up top, do they have an good argument for being in the big game??

Pat Forde

  (2:46 PM)

Jason: Tech at 11-1 -- let's make it 12-1, assuming a win in the always riveting ACC title game -- would at least be able to create an argument if most of the other top teams drop a game. But I'd have to think if it came down to a squabble of one-loss teams, USC would be ahead of Ga Tech. If USC finished with one loss. If Oregon finished with one loss, Boise State trumps both of the Ducks and the Jackets.

Grant (Chicago)

At the end of the season, does a one loss USC team really top an undefeated Iowa team?

Pat Forde

  (2:47 PM)

Grant: I don't know, lot of football to be played before then. They will have had two common opponents: Arizona and Ohio State. Have to see how both fare in those matchups.

Don (Michigan)

What does the NCAA have against the University of Michigan, or is it Rich Rod either way I think the NCAA is once again playing politics.

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

Don: I don't think there are any politics involved at all. NCAA was alerted to some potential violations and is investigating. That's the sum and substance of the situation as I see it.

Bob (DC)

What's with the unnecessary shots at the ACC (i.e. always riveting ACC title game)?

Pat Forde

  (2:49 PM)

Bob: Can you name me a good ACC title game? Haven't even been able to sell tickets to the thing in years.

Rick (Fort Collins)

Pat, I think this season could turn out to be one of the craziest seasons I have seen! I hope all six teams go undefeated. Isn't this great

Pat Forde

  (2:49 PM)

Rick: As a BCS hater, I am always rooting for chaos. And we could have a lot of chaos if there are half a dozen unbeaten teams out there.

VcHoo (Virginia Beach, Va)

What does the future in Charlottesville look like?

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

VcHoo: It would look like a new coach in charge if I were the AD. But I'm not.

Jason Joshi (State College, PA)

Pat, I'm in study hall again and am faced with the same dilemma: Chat with Forde or do homework?

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

Jason: You have chosen well yet again.

mike (chicago)

Tell me why Penn State, Virginia Tech or any other two loss team would be more deserving of Notre Dame in the BCS this year. In past years I would agree, but Notre Dame's schedule is actually pretty good. Most likely ND would have played 9 to 10 teams that go to bowl games. Most of the top ten can't say the same and Penn State certainly can't.

Pat Forde

  (2:52 PM)

Mike: What is Notre Dame's best win? Four points over BC? Three points over Purdue? Seven points over Washington? Three points over Michigan State? The best thing you can say about ND is that it almost beat USC. Which pretty well sums up Charlie Weis' five-year tenure, for that matter. Two nearly wons vs. the Trojans.

jay (eugene oregon home of the ducks)

well who wins usc or oregon

Pat Forde

  (2:54 PM)

Jay: I'm going with the Trojans. I know Oregon has improved a ton since early September, but I still see the Ducks having a hard time running up and down the field on USC.

Brian (Pioneer Valley)

Most impressive individual single-game performance so far this year?

Pat Forde

  (2:55 PM)

Brian: I honestly have no idea. And really, that's part of the problem with this year's Heisman race -- I haven't seen anyone just dominate a really big game and leave you convinced you've seen the best player in the nation in action. Seen a lot of good performances, not yet anything I'd call great.

Jeff (Orange Co.)

Does this week turn out to be separation saturday?

Pat Forde

  (2:57 PM)

Jeff: I hope so, because I've been waiting for some clarity at the top, but I really don't see it. Outside of a handful of big games -- Eugene, Stillwater, Jacksonville -- there isn't a lot on the schedule that really enthralls me.

Andy (Vancouver)

How many submissions do you get every minute?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Andy: I don't know, but we're over 1,100 questions so far this chat.

Kyle (South Bend)

How about Golden Tate's 244 yards receiving and 31 rushing yards and a TD against Washington?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Kyle: That was strong.

Chris (Austin)

Texas - OSUFinal score?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Chris: Texas 27, OSU 21. Just a guess.

Tyler (LA)

Why is LSU still ranked below USC, even with all the circumstances?

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Tyler: All of which circumstances? I don't see any compelling reason to vote LSU ahead of USC.

Mike (CA)

Thoughts on Barkley performance so far?

Pat Forde

  (3:00 PM)

Mike: Tremendous. Never seen a freshman with his grasp of the game, really. He's so good in pressure situations. I watched the final drive vs. Oregon State, when if USC gives the ball back the Beavers have a chance to win, and he made 2-3 great throws when he had to. Very impressive young guy.

Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green)

I think you forgot my 22/278/3 performance. Take that Golden Tate!

Pat Forde

  (3:00 PM)

Freddie: That was strong, too.

chris (connecticut)

Do you think Tim Tebow still has a legitimate chance to win the heisman? If not, who would be a forerunner? Mark Ingram had a bad game too....

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

Chris: Of course Tebow still has a chance to win. To me, the whole thing is wide open over the next five weeks. He's definitely in the mix.

brandon (virginia)

if Florida and Bama are the only teams to run the table, should the national championship be a re-match of the conference championship?

Pat Forde

  (3:04 PM)

Brandon: No. I'm not big on rematch games in the NC. The SEC championship game is like a national semifinal. Winner moves on, loser goes to another swell BCS bowl, and everyone deals with it and should understand that going in. I'd rather see someone else get a crack at the SEC champ in that instance. Brad Edwards made a good analogy: if you reach the Final Four and have two No. 1 seeds in one semi and a 5 vs a 7 in the other, the loser of the No. 1 semi doesn't get a rematch in the final.

Pat Forde

  (3:04 PM)

OK folks, that's a wrap. Nearly 1,300 questions, good work. Thanks for dropping by, see you again next week!