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Pat Forde

  (2:00 PM)

Once again back is the incredibleChat animalThe uncannable4D(Apologies to Chuck D for that)Let's roll!

Ryan (NYC)

Reading the Dash and I am not an Iowa fan, but i truly dont understand bias towards other conferences and the love for the SEC.....Who has FL or Bama beaten? NOBODY......they both beat LSU who the writers keep claiming are good, but who has LSU beaten to deserve their high ranking? NOBODY SEC = OVERRATED

Pat Forde

  (2:01 PM)

Ryan: So, is this your way of saying nobody is any good? Because one thing I don't like are fans who take shots at everyone -- somebody has to be ranked #1, right? And

Charlie Weis (The Hot Seat)

Pat, it is simple why I don't get fired while Ty did. It is all about putting people in seats and in front of TVs. They will keep showing up as long as I give them hope and entertainment. My recruiting rankings give them hope, and my offenses keep them entertained. Ty didn't give people a reason to have hope with his crappy recruiting rankings, and NBC says defensive football is bad for ratings.

Pat Forde

  (2:02 PM)

Charlie: I'm pretty sure Notre Dame Stadium was sold out under Willingham. And I'm going to guess the NBC ratings then are no worse -- and perhaps better -- than they are now.

milton (illinois)

pat...n.d/pitt who wins and why?

Pat Forde

  (2:03 PM)

Milton: I've got to go with Pitt. Hot team that can run the ball, while Notre Dame didn't even really try to run vs. Navy. Bill Stull might be the most improved player in the country since he was just useless in the Sun Bowl last year.

Scott (Fort Worth, TX)

Pat, any chance you make it out to the game this weekend? The buzz on campus has never been like this before since I can remember.

Pat Forde

  (2:04 PM)

Scott: Unfortunately, I did not draw that assignment -- but someone from ESPN.com will be there, I know that. I will be at West Virginia-Cincinnati Friday night and Iowa-Ohio State Saturday.

Mike (Anaheim)

Pat, please explain your love affair with Boise. 98% of the people outside of Idaho dont understand it.

Pat Forde

  (2:05 PM)

Mike: Boise is 9-0 and one of the six best teams in America, but human and computer acclamation. It dominated the likely Pac-10 representative to the Rose Bowl. It has had one game decided by single digits. What's not to like?

Greg (Champaign, IL)

Do you think that if the NCAA adopted a plus-one format that it would satisfy enough unhappy fans?

Pat Forde

  (2:06 PM)

Greg: Plus-one would certainly help. And this year is looking like a really good year to have it -- though, of course, then the argument would be about who gets the fourth spot. Ideally, we'd have 8 to 16 teams in a playoff, but we all know that's Fantasy Island.

Michael (Louisville)

Pat, do you believe that it is within the realm of possibility that Steve Kragthorpe could keep his job at Louisville?

Pat Forde

  (2:07 PM)

Michael: No. Barring a season-ending three-game winning streak, I expect Kragthorpe to be gone at season's end. Even a three-game winning streak might not do enough.

Dave (NJ)

Is the Big East finally earning respect? Every year they have to defend themselves while the ACC and Big Ten get free passes for being mediocre. There's 4 Big East teams (out of 8) in the top 25 BCS with another knocking on the door. Isn't that enough already!

Pat Forde

  (2:09 PM)

Dave: Big East definitely deserves respect. Been a great season for that league, and once again it has scheduled itself expertly to capitalize at season's end. All three top teams play each other down the stretch. Nik Carparelli of the Big East office does an excellent job scheduling league games.

Sylvain (Calgary)

Hey Pat, It's been awhile. I'm going to ask you the same question as last year. Should Weis be fired is brian kelly the best and most likely candidate? Second question how scared should america be should he take over their offense with their personel?

Pat Forde

  (2:10 PM)

Sylvain: Welcome back. If Weis gets fired, I do think Brian Kelly would be the best and most likely candidate. And if you gave him Clausen, Floyd and Tate, plus TE Rudolph? Look out.

Frank (Nashville)

This weeks sign of the apocolypse: Jonathan Crompton for Heisman!

Pat Forde

  (2:10 PM)

Frank: Chillax. He's done a great job resuscitating his season -- but nobody is giving him the Heisman.

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

Hats off to the Mad Hatter for not blowing his top off, but should he have thrown his hat into the ring with the other SEC coaches about the missed call?

Pat Forde

  (2:12 PM)

Jake: I take it you're referring to the Peterson non-interception -- honestly, I have no idea how that goes to replay review and isn't called an INT. So yes, I'd say The Hat had reason to riot -- but apparently he doesn't want to get fined. I respect that.

Mike (DC)

Who are the front-runners for BCS at large bids at this point?

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Mike: I discussed this quite a bit in the Dash today. SEC loser is a lock for one spot, TCU will get a second. The final two might come down to USC-Iowa-Miami-Boise State. If Boise doesn't get one of those two, I give up.

Mark (Charlotte)

Is it possible this isn't the same old Clemson??? And what about CJ Spiller....wow.

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Mark: Agree with you on Spiller. But yes, it's the same old Clemson. You saw the Maryland score, right?

Kevin (LA)

As a USC fan, I say keep Charlie Weis around. The domers are SO close to being great again.

Pat Forde

  (2:15 PM)

Kevin: I am sure that's what every USC fan is wishing and hoping. Keeping Charlie Weis would be a gift to Troy.

Tom (Lakeview)

Pat, I read somewhere that the SEC title game could end up deciding the Heisman Trophy winner. But isn't the title game technically a post-season game? It shouldn't count, right?

Pat Forde

  (2:15 PM)

Tom: Conference title games occur before the ballots are due, so it will factor into the decision. Ballots generally are due the Tuesday or Wednesday after that final weekend of games.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Pat, I'm a true disciple of the Forde-Yard Dash. If Dion Lewis wasn't a freshman, do you think he would get Heisman consideration?

Pat Forde

  (2:17 PM)

Craig: Appreciate your discipleship. I've heard his name thrown around some for the award -- but, generally speaking, freshmen not named Herschel Walker have a hard time being in the picture. But you never know -- it's still wide open and if he goes off on Cincinnati, maybe???

Perry Fritz (St.Libory,NE)

Why is there NO talk or hype about Nebraska's DT Ndamukong Suh for Heisman he's just as good of player as any of the QB's and Nebraska's Defense is very good and no one is talking about them why?

Pat Forde

  (2:19 PM)

Perry: You're late. There's been a lot of talk and hype about Suh over the past month. But it's hard for a guy from a middling team to win that award -- especially a D-lineman from a middling team.

Jason (Chicago)

Pat, after weeks of bashing Boise in the office, I find out my boss grew up with and remains friends with Kellen Moore's dad. Should I look for a new job or praise Kellen Moore for heisman?

Pat Forde

  (2:20 PM)

Jason: I'd start with praising Kellen Moore -- maybe even buy a jersey online from the BSU bookstore. If you don't feel the tide turning in your favor, start checking the want ads.

Bryan (Ohio)

After losing to Illinois and Purdue the last two weeks, any chance Rich Rod gets canned or will they give him one more year?

Pat Forde

  (2:21 PM)

Bryan: I don't have any unique insight into that situation -- but I do know this: Rod said in July at the Big Ten media day that it would be a major disappointment if Michigan does not make a bowl. Combine that with an ongoing NCAA investigation and it's pretty ugly there right now. My gut says he gets another year, but I'm not basing that on any true knowledge of what Michigan administrators are thinking.

BILL (CINCY )

If kelly sticks with collarus and it looks like he is. should he be considered a heisman canidate with the numbers he is putting up

Pat Forde

  (2:22 PM)

Bill: Hard to give the Heisman to a guy who spent half the season on the bench. Collaros has been amazing, but let's not get carried away.

Steve (Eugene)

How do you have USC five spots ahead of Oregon in your power rankings? I thought head to head mattered.

Pat Forde

  (2:23 PM)

Steve: I screwed that up and would like to have it back. Did my power rankings in a big hurry this weekend while attending my kids' swim meet. Not ideal.

Ben (Buffalo)

PAT I NEED AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION - I've ASKED it FIVE weeks IN a ROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who has been the best team over the past 10 years? Is there a dynasty in college football???????

Pat Forde

  (2:23 PM)

BEN: I DON'T KNOW!!!!!! But I'll say there are only three real candidates: USC, Florida and LSU. Maybe Texas.

Rob (Charleston, SC)

Pat, have you ever had the Racer 5 or Racer X from Bear Republic Brewery?

Pat Forde

  (2:24 PM)

Rob: I have not. But I am willing to try them.

B. Dickinson (Virginia Beach)

Pat, I am stuck in Sports Law, and faced with a complex question: Do I continue to try to pay attention to the professor or read your chat?

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

B: Tell the prof to step it up, or tune him out. This comes with the usual disclaimer: I am not responsible for your grades if you fail.

Jeff (Austin)

If OU fails to make a bowl game this year, how long do we get to gloat to sooners fans? Is an airplane banner reading Karma out of the question?

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

Jeff: Hire the plane and let it fly. But you know what comes around goes around...

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

Pat, I think you just saved Ben's life. Seemed pretty urgent

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Jake: Sure did. I hope he's still with us.

don (germany)

Why do the BCS powers that be say an 8 team playoff would be so hard? It seems simple 1vs8, 2vs7 etc.. first round the 3rd week of dec, 2nd round a week later, one week off then the championship... seems like a win for everyone, and it would make things very exciting.

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Don: The BCS powers that be say that everything other than the current system is so hard. Because they're getting rich off the current system. That's all.

William (Austin)

Does Stoops even need to have the slightest worry over his job with anything?

Pat Forde

  (2:27 PM)

William: Um, no.

Adam (Shreveport, La)

Pat, love The Dash. Is it fair to say the SEC gets the respect it does not because of what it's happened to produce this year (which I agree is not stellar) but from what it has over the past two decades?

Pat Forde

  (2:27 PM)

Adam: Hard not to respect the conference that has won the last three national titles, isn't it?

Lance (PA)

Pat, you're an AD at big time program that has struggled recently. To whom do you give their first big break, Al Golden or Robb Akey?

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

Lance: Wow, good question. Obviously, both have worked minor miracles at perennial losers. I guess it would depend whether my school is located in the East (Golden's territory) or the West (Akey's).

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Daryll Clark will probably end his college career with the reputation of never being able to beat a great team. Do you think this is fair or should people consider other factors?

Pat Forde

  (2:29 PM)

JB: I'd have to study the entire body of work, but that doesn't seem fair. He's not the entire offense. But I will say this: Penn State has won a lot of games the past two years without beating many good teams at all. Schedule has been very soft.

Justin (Austin, TX)

Maybe Texas? If we win the title this year, you can't argue our bowl, BCS and overall record? Plus, we would have wins over 2 of those 3 teams you mentioned.

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Justin: Key word there: "if." Florida, LSU and USC already have won two national titles. Texas has one.

Jesse (Texas)

What are the possibilities of both TCu and BSU playing in BCS? Will this only be going through for PR reasons?

Pat Forde

  (2:31 PM)

Jesse: In a right and just system, both would play in the BCS. In a system that rewards tradition and enforces age-old status quo, I'd say Boise is in trouble.

Rich (Evanston, IL)

Pat- Forde-yard Dash and no mention of the SEC officials?

Pat Forde

  (2:33 PM)

Rich: It's become a tired topic. And honestly, I did not watch enough football Saturday to feel like I had a full grasp on what happened in Bama-LSU. However, this morning I did look again at some replays and, yes, the refs had another day of infamy. But really, how many weeks in a row are we going to shout about it?

Zaid (Austin)

Forde, come onn mannnn ive been trying for 45 mins....... is Sergio Kindle a first round lock??...when hes on the field the opposition might as well kiss the baby, cuz its over.... agreed?Hook Em

Pat Forde

  (2:34 PM)

Zaid: I've received 878 questions so far, and I think half is your question over and over and over. You are at least persistent. To answer you: I don't do draft analysis. Ask McShay or Mel Kiper.

Ian (Corvallis)

Why does the Pac-10 continue to get no love? Nobody calls the SEC Florida, Bama and the 10 dwarfs. Yet if there is no clear SEC leader it is because the SEC is so deep. But everyone just says the Pac-10 is weak this year. I mean UW almost beat LSU and UW is 9th in the Pac-10, UCLA beat Tennessee and now they have just 1 Pac-10 win. How can the media continue to ignore the fact$?

Pat Forde

  (2:35 PM)

Ian: I don't know which "everyone" you're referring to, but I've said all season that the Pac-10 was very good.

Patches O'Hoolihan (The Great Beyond)

Between Florida, Alabama, and Texas, who is most likely to lose in the regular season?

Pat Forde

  (2:37 PM)

Patches: I can't see any of them losing, honestly. Florida must play at S. Carolina this week -- but that should be a win. Alabama has the Auburn bowl -- but that should be a win. Texas is in College Station Thanksgiving night -- but I'm not feeling that, either. I think all three are unbeaten heading into December.

Rob (New Castle, Pa.)

If Pitt beats Cincy in the last game why couldn't the big east have 2 bcs participants

Pat Forde

  (2:38 PM)

Rob: It could. Not out of the question. However, would Cincinnati be enough of a ticket/ratings draw to get the nod?

adam (ohio)

Christ Spielman just said on his radio show that Iowa wouldn't get 6 first downs on Saturday. Your thoughts?

Pat Forde

  (2:39 PM)

Adam: He might be right, especially with Stanzi out.

Andrew (Cincinnati)

Cincy - WVU on Friday the 13th.Who you got?

Pat Forde

  (2:39 PM)

Andrew: If it's Friday the 13th, gotta go with the team wearing all black. Bearcats win.

Jake (Boulder)

How much trouble do you see Nevada giving Boise State in a few weeks? They are playing extremely well of late and a win in Boise could net them the WAC title.

Pat Forde

  (2:40 PM)

Jake: I will say that Nevada is certainly playing much better -- more like I expected it to play all season. But I'm still thinking Boise at home will be very tough to beat.

Jared (Chicago)

Is this the year/team/nucleus that moves the Arizona program forward and turns them into a consistent top 25 team? What odds do you give them of winning out and making the Rose Bowl?

Pat Forde

  (2:42 PM)

Jared: Arizona seems like it has turned the corner as a program. Very impressed by Foles so far at QB. I don't know about winning out (still have Oregon and USC left), but Zona has broken through after about a decade of malaise brought on by the horrible hire of John Mackovic.

Matt (Philadelphia)

What kind of a shot do you give Stanford at winning their 2nd straight in the Coliseum?

Pete (NC)

It doesn't hurt that the SEC is put in the NC game due to the fact they will draw more fans and earn the top boys more money...

Pat Forde

  (2:44 PM)

OK folks, suddenly having trouble posting questions. Sorry for the delay, trying to figure it out.

Lance (Fort Worth)

Sir, anyone who watched the Poinsettia Bowl last year would know that TCU man-handled Boise St (despite what the score showed), yet this has barely been mentioned this year. Both teams are pretty much composed of the same personnel this year. Who would you say is the better team?

Ryan (Columbus, OH)

OSU V. IOWA..... Who wins?

Pat Forde

  (2:45 PM)

OSU. Iowa's clock hit midnight, and the Hawkeyes have had too many injuries.

greg (fort worth)

pat, what would you chose given all the power; plus 1, 16 team, 8, 6, keep it.... i think i perfer 4 team, at most 6 team playoff

Pat Forde

  (2:46 PM)

Greg: I'd take 16 because you could include the champions of all 11 conferences, just like the NCAA hoops tourney, plus five at-larges. But I'd settle for eight teams.

George (Royal Oak, MI)

How do you not at least have Ohio State in the discussion for best team of the decade?? 3 National Champ appearances. Is their D-line the best in the country this year?

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

George: It's pretty easy to exclude Ohio State, really. You saw the last two of those three NC games, right?

mitchell (dallas)

colt or tim?

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

Mitchell: Kellen or Case?

Alex (Omaha)

Pat, how about that big 12 north race? Do you think the winner has the slightest chance against Texas?

Pat Forde

  (2:49 PM)

Alex: I think the Big 12 North winner has absolutely no shot and will get dump-trucked yet again.

Kevin (Atlanta)

Say SOMETHING, ANYTHING about GT. I still cant get over the fact that probably 80% of CFB fans probably arent even aware they are a top 10 team- they get ZERO attention.

Pat Forde

  (2:49 PM)

Kevin: Something. Anything. OK, you want more? Paul Johnson is an underrated genius -- and I mean that. Love watching his offense.

Emmanuel (Charleston, SC)

Pat: Do you feel that Bobby Bowden has at least earned the right to retire on his own terms rather than at FSU's discretion?

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

Emmanuel: No, I do not. If Bobby Bowden can't see for himself that his program has slid to an astonishing degree, then someone has to point that out to him while (politely, and with a maximum of gratitude) showing him the door.

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

Best team in Ohio is....?

Pat Forde

  (2:51 PM)

Cincinnati.

Dan (Cascade, Idaho)

so in a perfect world where BSU and TCU both get into the BSC who do you think will be the other team that gets the at large bid. USC, Iowa (if they lose again), or another team?

Pat Forde

  (2:52 PM)

Dan: Today, I'd say USC gets in over Iowa. Or maybe Miami does.

Anthony (Columbia,sc)

What will score of South Carolina vs. Florida be?

Pat Forde

  (2:52 PM)

Anthony: I'm going to guess Florida 24, South Carolina 10.

Phil (Utah)

Score...Utah vs TCU?

Pat Forde

  (2:53 PM)

TCU 28, Utah 17.

Jonathan (Happy Valley, OHIO)

OSU-IOWA score will be . . .

Pat Forde

  (2:53 PM)

Ohio State 20, Iowa 6.

Andrew (Park City, UT)

Thanks for your knowledge of The Spud Bowl!! What will the score be?

Pat Forde

  (2:54 PM)

Boise State 49, Idaho 24.

Adam (Birmingham, AL)

You can be honest, Bryant Denny in Tuscaloosa best stadium in country?

Pat Forde

  (2:55 PM)

Adam: No. But thanks for the permission to be honest. I like Sanford Stadium more at Georgia.

Andrew (Cincinnati)

Pat I didn't realize you were a score predicting machine. Is Miss Cleo helping you out?

Pat Forde

  (2:55 PM)

Andrew: No. But she might do a better job.

Matt (Houston)

Pat, it sounds like you're pretty down on McCoy as a Heisman candidate. Can he do enough in the next 4 games to win your vote? Over the last three, he has completed 75-of-94 passes (79.8%) for 910 yards (303.3 ypg) and six TDs (2 INT) -- a 177.9 pass efficiency rating. Excluding sacks, he's also rushed for 93 yards on 23 carries (4.0 ypc). Is this too little too late?

Pat Forde

  (2:56 PM)

Matt: I am definitely not down on McCoy as a Heisman candidate. Heck, I voted for him last year and will strongly consider him down to the wire. But right now, you can make a case for about 7-8 guys. Or no case at all.

Erik (MN)

Pretty harsh write up in the Dash on the Hawks. How is a team considered fraudulent when they've had a rash of injuries and yet managed to start the season 9-1? Also before Stanzi left to injury the Hawks were up 10-0. Furthermore you stated that their wins have come against suspect teams, but then you just handed out a ton of respect to the PAC-10. AZ has a good shot to win the Pac-10 and Iowa beat them as well as road wins vs. PSU and Wisky-all 3 of those team are in the BCS top 25. If Iowa wins this weekend, I'm demanding an open apology to Hawkey Nation in next week's Dash.

Pat Forde

  (2:57 PM)

Erik: Iowa was fraudulent in terms of being a national title contender. The Hawkeyes have had a great season -- but I listened to 1,000 Iowa fans tell me why the Hawkeyes should be playing for the national title game -- then they lost to Northwestern. End of debate. End of lobbying.

Frank (Tucson)

Pat, impressed with what Navy has been able to do this year at all?

Pat Forde

  (2:57 PM)

Frank: Hugely impressed, and have been since nearly beating Ohio State.

Dahz (Michigan)

Pat, Notre Dame Stadium is the mecca of College Football. It's like Fenway, or Wrigley -- am I right?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Dahz: I'd agree with that.

Big T (State College)

What are the chances that Stanford beat USC at the Coliseum again?

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Big T: I'm certainly not counting Stanford out. I gave the Cardinal as the upset special last week on First Take and they made me look good. Trying to decide whether I can pull the trigger and pick them again. I kind of think not -- but I expect it to be close and competitive.

Billy Berue (Bushwood CC)

best team in pennsylvania is..................

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Pitt.

Janine Lindemulder (San Fernando, CA)

Best team in Texas is...?

Pat Forde

  (3:00 PM)

Probably Texas ... but I can't wait to see how TCU performs this week.

Rick (Chicago)

Why do people think Notre Dame Stadium is so great when it's an exact replica of Michigan Stadium (minus 20,000+ seats)? Take a look sometime.

Pat Forde

  (3:00 PM)

Rick: Campus, student section ... there's more to the ND experience than just the stadium dimensions and layout.

Ben (Iowa)

I believe that your beliefs toward Iowa are based on it's fans not because of the team. Looking at the Iowa team and coaching staff not the fan's, how would you honestly rate this years season? Kirk Ferentz and his staff and the university would be the last to complain about rankings and respect.

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

Ben: Fair comment. Iowa has had a tremendous, overachieving season and Ferentz is my choice for Big Ten COY at this point.

Shane (Athens)

What do you do in athens at the end of the season to rectify our situation?

Pat Forde

  (3:02 PM)

Shane: Gotta be some staff changes at the coordinator level and probably elsewhere -- but not at the top. Richt has more than earned another season, at least.

Calvin (little rock)

hey pat who's the sec coach of the year?

Pat Forde

  (3:03 PM)

Calvin: I'm leaning toward Nick Saban right now -- lost two All-American offensive linemen, a multi-year starting QB, leading rusher ... and the team has gotten better. That's pretty good work.

Ben (Buffalo)

BEFORE YOU LEAVE, please call the NC, winner, and score!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat Forde

  (3:04 PM)

Ben: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We don't know who's in it yet! I try to keep my questions focused on the here and now as opposed to speculating two months down the road to a matchup we don't know yet.

Pat Forde

  (3:04 PM)

But thanks to everyone for the questions today. Nearly 1,600. Great turnout. Sorry to those I did not get to. See you all next week. Same time, same channel.