ESPN

Ivan Maisel

  (2:00 PM)

Hi, everyone. Let's go.

Matt (Iowa)

What are the 5 worst things you can say about the Hawkeyes?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:01 PM)

Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky.

Jim (Boise)

Ivan, do you see any reasonable scenario that puts both TCU and BSU in BCS bowls?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:02 PM)

I do. I think if Notre Dame loses, and they're both undefeated, there's a decent chance it will happen.

Jay (Alexandria, VA)

Just saw a tweet from Bruce Feldman saying that Boise St. unsuccessfully tried to get an away game against a elite BCS team for next year. How much with the BSU-Oregon situation hurt the elite non-AQ teams in the next couple seasons? Does it make the antitrust case any stronger?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:04 PM)

I am not a lawyer nor will I play one on the Internet. But I don't see any collusion against Boise State. I see a lot of schools that are wary of playing them. It's a tribute to Boise, but that's a copout to leave it at that. I would think if any top team would play Boise, it would make for good TV on our air.

Fred (Virginia)

Where do you think Oklahoma will go bowling, after 3 losses and a total of 5 points in those losses

Ivan Maisel

  (2:04 PM)

Holiday Bowl? USC-Oklahoma in the Holiday Bowl? That would grab some eyeballs.

Eric (Chicago)

Ivan, I understand that Boise is playing VTech next year...is that home or away?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:05 PM)

I think that game is at FedEx Field, where the Redskins lose.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Ivan, I love the CFB podcast. What game are you covering this week? I'm going to see the Ducks visit your alma mater.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:07 PM)

I'm covering LSU at Bama. I'd love to be on the Farm. I do think Oregon will be ready to play. Chip Kelly strikes me as a coach who won't let his team bask in its glory. Especially this team, after the way it began the season.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:07 PM)

let me stress that I'm not sure when that Boise State-VaTech game is scheduled. I do remember hearing about them playing at FedEx Field when Beano and I discussed neutral-site games a couple of weeks ago. I don't have time to look it up right now.

Craig (St. Paul, MN)

Ricky Stanzi. Guy does nothing but throw interceptions and win. What should we think of him as a QB?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:08 PM)

You can have him in the first half. I'll take him in the second half.

rives c (martinsville, va)

how surprised were you last week when UNC went into vaunted Lane Stadium and beat VT? Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter underated as LB's?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:10 PM)

I have been disappointed in the Tar Heels this year. I thought they would break through. I meant the ceiling but the first half of the season they broke through the floor. That performance last week was what I thought we would get all year. Sturdivant and Carter had a great game. The whole team needs to be more consistent, though.

Loup (DC)

GT finishes with 1 loss to Miami and beats say Clemson in the ACCCG, what BCS bowl do they end up in, playing who?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:11 PM)

As the ACC champ, Georgia Tech would go to the Orange Bowl. Who would they play? That's where it gets interesting.

John (Atlanta)

Is Alabama getting worse?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:12 PM)

Well, they certainly got worse before they had the week off. The offense pretty much ground to a halt. On Saturday, we find out in the off week refreshed them, or if the Tide offense is too one-dimensional to win a championship.

Grant (Chicago)

LSU beats Bama, LSU beats Florida in the SEC championship. Which SEC team, if any, goes to the national title game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:13 PM)

LSU, if any, but I would be surprised if LSU with a loss would leap over both an undefeated Texas and an undefeated Iowa. That's right, Iowa. The computers love the Hawks. And that win over Arizona will continue to look good as long as the 'Cats keep winning.

Darryl (Oakland, CA)

Ivan, since the Pac 10 is clearly the best conference in America, do you see them getting 2 teams into BCS games (Oregon and USC)?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:14 PM)

If USC is 10-2, it will be interesting to see what the Fiesta Bowl would do. Would Trojan fans make that trip?

Jason (Salem, OR)

Why would USC be ranked behind only Florida, Alabama, and Texas last week yet Oregon whips up on USC and they aren't placed as high?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:15 PM)

Oregon has a loss, and an ugly win. USC now has two losses. It's pretty clear they were overrated.

John (Fort Worth)

Ivan- tell everyone who would win a TCU-Boise St. game if it were played this weekend.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:15 PM)

I would take the Horned Frogs. Love that defense.

Lee (Dallas)

Hi Ivan, i'm scratching my head trying to figure out how Cinci jumped from 8 to 5 in the BCS by beating Syracuse?? Don't quite understand that.. Any insight?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:16 PM)

Thank you for thinking I could explain the BCS. Anyone have a quantum physics question?

Trent (SLC UT)

It is the opener for Boise and VT next year at Fedex. I believe it is the 2nd weekend.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:17 PM)

thanks, Trent.

Grant (Chicago)

Do you really agree with Darryl that the Pac-10 is best in the country?!?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

Given the way the SEC falls off after Tennessee, yes, I think I do.

Hawkeye Nation (Iowa City)

Seems you're the only ESPN guy giving Iowa any love. Come to Iowa City, let us buy you a beer!!!

Ivan Maisel

  (2:19 PM)

If I could get a room at the Coral City Marriott on a game weekend, I'd take you up on that! Seriously, if the Hawks are 11-0 going into Minnesota, I may be there. I won't be in Columbus next week, though.

Craig (St. Paul, MN)

Quantum physics question: Does the "God Particle" more precisely known as the Higgs Boson actually exist?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:20 PM)

Higgs "God Particle" Bosun played tailback for LSU in the '30s.

Craig (Dublin)

How long before Paul Johnson wins a National Championship at Georgia Tech? Is there better Xs and Os coach in college football?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:21 PM)

I'd love to see Paul Johnson and Chip Kelly face each other. In a game or a clinic.

Luke (Tuscaloosa, AL)

What are your thoughts on Spikes only being suspended for 1 half of a game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:21 PM)

I thought he got off easy. Should have been a game.

Laura (Chicago)

How long will Michigan be patient with Rodriguez?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:23 PM)

It's a very young team. They are better than they were last year. Let's see how much they improve next year.

Matt (Hoover)

Say Alabama loses to LSU, then LSU loses one or both of their remaining SEC games and then Alabama beats Florida in the SECCG. Does Alabama go to the NC?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:24 PM)

There's a chance but you can't answer it in a vacuum. You have to know what everyone else has done.

Tim (Alexandria, VA)

Who are the top 5 coaches this year?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:24 PM)

Chip Kelly, Brian Kelly, Gary Patterson, Al Golden and Kirk Ferentz.

Matt (Orlando)

Do you think it matters that Ealey say he shouldn't be suspended? Isn't the Spikes blown a little out of proportion by the Media?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:25 PM)

I don't think what Ealey said matters. If a player shoves another player and gets an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and the guy who got shoved laughs it off, it doesn't matter. The shover still committed a foul. And yes, the media blew it out of proportion. Hello, that's what we do.

joe (chicago)

will you be at the ND/Stanford game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

If the Irish are playing for a BCS bid, I may be there.

Chris (Athens, Greece)

What do you think about the Vols winning out? If so which bowl would they likely go to?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:27 PM)

Vols at 8-4? If Fla/Bama are in the BCS, then LSU probably goes to the Cotton and Tenn to the Citrus, right?

Mike (San Diego)

Are you all for more chaos in the BCS or do you want the current system to work itself out?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:28 PM)

The chaos is great fun, and I've noticed that since the advent of the 12-game season it usually works itself out.

Tim (ATL)

piggy-backing on Matt from Hoover's question - which of these teams would still (likely) get jumped by a 1-loss SEC champ even if they remain unbeaten: Iowa, Cincinnati, TCU, Boise St. Thanks!

Ivan Maisel

  (2:29 PM)

It depends on when the loss occurred. But I'd say a one-loss SEC team would finish third or fourth.

Jake (Iowa City )

If Florida, Alabama or Texas would have had a game like Iowa did on Saturday everybody on ESPN would be saying it was a "gutsy" win and it showed a lot of poise. But apparently if you do it 8 times in one season you're "lucky". What are your thoughts on Iowa not receiving any love? And am I just going to hear the same old "big ten is weak" argument?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:31 PM)

"everybody on ESPN" covers a lot of ground. Contrary to what you may think, we don't get a memo on Saturday morning telling us what the company opinion is. I said "lucky" at the top because someone asked me what's the worst thing I could say about Iowa. The Hawks aren't receiving as much love as you would like because they areon't blowing anyone out. I don't think it has anything to do with the Big Ten.

tim (phoenix)

Hi Ivan can you give a opinion on who will win Ala-Lsu game and why

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

I think Bama will win because it has a better defense and is coming off a week of rest. And the game is in Tuscaloosa.

Loup (DC)

"But I'd say a one-loss SEC team would finish third or fourth." Do you not see a serious problem with this? Especially considering the Bearcats and Hawkeyes are in "BCS Conferences"? Frankly, no team has impressed me more than the Bearcats this year.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

I do see a problem with it. I think Cincinnati deserves to be taken seriously. But he didn't ask what me where I would rank teams.

Mike (Baltimore)

PSU vs. OSU -- who do you like and why?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

I like Penn State, better defense, at home.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Ivan, how come you're never a guest on Paul Finebaum's show being a native Alabaman?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:34 PM)

I've been on Paul's show a lot, just not this year. I don't know why. My phone number hasn't changed.

Pat (DC)

the Boise St vs Va Tech at FedEx Field is October 2nd, not the 2nd weekend of the seson. http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/FedExField_to_Host_Virginia_Tech_Boise_State_In_2010_43945.jsp

Brett (Dallas)

I personally dont like the idea of TCU and Boise St playing a BCS game against each other. It doesnt prove anything, and TCU won this matchup last year. What are your thoughts on a non-AQ school and which bowls/opponents you would like to see them play against?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:37 PM)

I doubt that they would be in the same BCS bowl. I don't think they could fill up one of those stadiums. I'd like to see TCU play in the Fiesta Bowl against anyone, or against Ga Tech and that offense in the Orange. Boise? How about a rematch vs. Oregon in the Rose Bowl, which could happen if Iowa makes the championship game.

josh (kansas)

ivan, do you think its fair to have USC ranked at no. 12, given the beatdown they received in eugene, and the earlier loss to washington? i mean, LSU is sitting at 9 with one loss to no 1 florida and beat the washington team USC lost to. do they get too much respect?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:38 PM)

I was surprised the Trojans only fell to No. 12. But once you get to No. 13 or No. 14, it's hard to find teams you think are better than USC.

Nathan Spencer (Boston)

If the Ducks keep smoking people and finish third and out of the title game, would that be "working itself out"? Because in my opinion, both Tx and BSU have easy schedules the rest of the way.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:39 PM)

Well, the problem with letting it work out is that you can create all kind of doomsday scenarios while you're waiting. But if you let it work out, that means you have to be patient until they play all 12 games. Which is no fun at all.

Zach (Raleigh, NC)

Thoughts on Christian Ponder being excluded from the Davey O'Brien Semi-Finalist list?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:40 PM)

It's a mistake. And I say that as one voter who left him out.

Lou (Rockville, MD)

Ivan, you always seem such a college football purist - so I'm surprised you'd be for a Boise - Oregon rematch. If you're going to have bowl games as glorified exhibitions may as well as have some newer matchups.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:41 PM)

There have been a few bowl rematches through the years. It wouldn't necessarily be fair to Boise State, but it would be fun to see.

Steve (Dallas, TX)

Hello Ivan, big fan. What potential bowl game would you rather see: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl or USC vs. Oklahoma in the Holiday Bowl?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:42 PM)

I'd be happy with either one. I bet the Sooners would rather play in Dallas for the recruiting benefit.

John (Tuscaloosa)

Is Mark Ingram really a contender for the Heisman?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:42 PM)

Isn't everyone this year?

Josh (Lincoln, NE)

Here's a mind-blowing thought. Don't lose a game and expect to get in over teams that haven't, Oregon fans.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

Touche.

Tim (ATL)

wouldn't it be better to see an SEC team trek out to Pasadena for the rose bowl if iowa is in the championship game??

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

It would be better but if an non-AQ team qualifies for a BCS game, and if the Big Ten or Pac-10 puts a team in the BCS Championship Game, then the non-AQ team gets the Rose Bowl invite.

Josh (Salt Lake City)

Ivan: Who's the last defensive player to win the Heisman? Has there been one?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:44 PM)

Charles Woodson of Michigan in 1997.

Allen (Columbus)

Doug Marrone has instilled some pride back in the Cuse... any thoughts on when they start contending in the Big East again?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:45 PM)

2011. I think Marrone is going to make it happen up there.

Shawn (Gaithersburg, MD)

Ivan, are you brave enough to pick Pitt to win the Big East over Cincy?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:45 PM)

No, I am not that brave.

Jason (Nashville)

Is McClain or Ingram the best player on Alabama?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:46 PM)

McClain.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:46 PM)

That's it, everyone. Thanks. Talk to you next week.