bruce

  (2:05 PM)

Hi-Thanks for stopping by. It's been a totally bizarre few weeks in college football. Let's go.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Bruce, Do you think Alabama can repeat next year?

bruce

  (2:06 PM)

I do. In fact, that topic was the leading question in my mailbag today.

Shawn (DC)

Wow -- has Tennessee fallen that far that no one wants to coach there?

bruce

  (2:08 PM)

The timing is awful and the circumstances are tricky being that the new coach would have to take on half of Kiffin's staff and those contracts... A source told me that if there wasn't the staff issue and UT offered the job to Cutcliff 36 hours ago, he might've taken it.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

I don't Understand why does two players wears the same exact numbers on thier uniforms in College Football?

bruce

  (2:10 PM)

When you have more than 100 players in a program you're going to get some doubles especially for programs that have retired numbers.. the rule is you have to split it by offense and defense.. I recall OU had two great #28s with Adrian Peterson and Antonio Perkins a few yrs ago.

Cory (Boise)

Bruce, do you think boise will beat VT next year and then go on to play in the NCG?

bruce

  (2:12 PM)

Since it's on the East Coast, I'm leaning towards going with Tech, but Boise is always surprising folks. Tough call.

Anthony (Corvallis, OR)

After the bowl season, did the Pac 10 take a hit in terms of respect? 2-5 was rough.

bruce

  (2:13 PM)

I think it did.. Oregon State and Arizona got routed and Oregon lost the big game to Ohio State. The two wins were hardly inspiring with USC over BC and UCLA over Temple.

Scott (West Monroe, LA)

Who do you see La Tech go after as HC? Mike Leach? Gus Malzahn? Major Applewhite?

bruce

  (2:14 PM)

Major Applewhite is an interesting name there. Louisiana guy with a good pedigree and name. He's still very young though. I don't see Leach there. Malzahn sounds most viable to me.

Tim T (Charlotte)

Wouldn't you rather have Skip Holtz over Dooley? USF hired a better coach then UT. How does this happen?

bruce

  (2:16 PM)

Timing is key... BTW, you can get to a BCS bowl easier at USF probably. Yes UT has waaay more history and better facilities but easier to win the Big East than the SEC. And USF sits in a richer recruiting spot.

Kevin (Cardiff by the Sea, CA)

What do you think of the OSU Beavers OOC statement to college football.... TCU, Louisville, Boise State.

bruce

  (2:17 PM)

Impressive.. Good shot for Quizz to make a Heisman run.

john (chicago)

So back to Tenn... What is there best option right now? Take a flyer on dooley or some other unproven and see what happens in 3 years (can't be worse then the last 3 years)

bruce

  (2:17 PM)

Kevin Sumlin really intrigued me. I think he's a rising star.

Steven (Greenville, NC)

Who do you think ECU will hire?

bruce

  (2:19 PM)

Not sure...Two guys I'd heard when I was down at the convention in Orlando were former ECU asst Greg Hudson and Bama OC Jim McElwain.

Connie (TN)

Bruce, having spent time covering Orgeron while he was Ole Miss, what do you think of his tactics in trying to get the UT midtermers to switch USC (by encouraging them not to attend class)?

bruce

  (2:21 PM)

It looks bad. It'd been one thing for a coach to call the parents of his recruits and say, 'I want you hearing this from me first. I'm taking a job at such and such..." and then if the parents or kid asks if they can follow, that's different.

Dwayne (OK)

What ever happened to Bret Venerables and Kevin Wilson? We keep hearing about how there are among the best assistent coaches in the nation, but their names never came up despite all the coaching changes? Have they lost their luster?

bruce

  (2:22 PM)

Maybe a little. Three years ago I would've been surprised if you'd said that by 2010 neither would be a head coach..

Sammy (Columbus)

Why wasn't Boise your way too early #1? If any other top 5 team returned 21 of 22 starters, we'd have bought them tickets to Glendale already (guess that didn't work out for Florida this year though)?

bruce

  (2:23 PM)

I like what Alabama has returning too. More.

Ryan (Tallahassee, FL)

How does the future look for Florida State?

bruce

  (2:24 PM)

Very bright... Jimbo just got his sixth defensive recruit who is ranked in the top 12 nationally at his position. That'll go well with the stud DT and Greg Reid from last yrs class.. Plus Ponder is very good on O.

Zach (Belton, TX)

What do you think of of the new football program at UTSA and with Larry Coker as the Coach

bruce

  (2:25 PM)

Not sure.. He's a nice guy and an honest man.. Haven't had a chance to follow what he's built thus far though.

Andie (Seattle)

If Lane Kiffin doesn't win, will someone give him another shot?

bruce

  (2:26 PM)

I don't know.. He's landed three plum jobs in a very short time.

Erik (Palo Alto, CA)

Bruce what is your assessment of Stanford's high rate of assistant coach turnover this year so far? Is it more related to their success this year or the schools lack of interest in paying the going rate? I think DJ Durkin to Florida hurts the most, definitely someone to keep an eye on

bruce

  (2:27 PM)

Money's always an issue there. Stanford I've heard never wants to throw huge money at football coaches in the face of academics. But I do think that program is rising and coaches want to work there.

Edger (Buffalo, NY)

When will Michigan ever be a Big 10 Contender again?

bruce

  (2:29 PM)

Yes, I think Rodriguez didn't forget how to coach. He elevated WVU to being a legit top 10 program.. He's not an unproven commodity.. The D has to get much better, but I saw him a few days ago and he was very excited about the young talent there.

Jim (Birmingham)

What do you think of Sen. Hatch's comments about Boise St and Alabama going to the White House?

bruce

  (2:29 PM)

I usually try to avoid listening to when politicians start talking about sports.

Clay (Charlotte)

Demps, Rainey, Debose will be healthy, Brantley is going to be a stud....there's still talent in Gainesville. They still stay in the top 25 right, NC contender in a couple years, right?

bruce

  (2:30 PM)

Yeah, I think so. Although so much is uncertain with Urban's future. You don't go through what they went through a few weeks ago for nothing.

Matt (Valdosta, GA)

BruceIs there an ugly history between Kiffin and Chow? I've heard that was not the friendliest of relationships during their time at USC.

bruce

  (2:32 PM)

Yes, it was not good but USC power brokers really want Chow on the staff. Who knows if they were to double his salary, what the answer would be?

David (Atlanta, GA)

What do you think of UGA's Grantham hire?

bruce

  (2:32 PM)

Don't know enough about him. I would've loved the hire of Bud Foster if they could've gotten him.

Travis (Raleigh)

what are your thoughts on Derek Dooley?

bruce

  (2:33 PM)

Always heard he's a very sharp guy.. He's a lawyer and one of the coaches in the SEC I know speaks very, very highly of him, as did former La Tech OL coach Art Kehoe.

John (Myrtle Brach, SC)

Is Terry Bowden 'blackballed' from Div 1 jobs over what happened at Auburn?

bruce

  (2:34 PM)

I don't think so but it was surprising he couldn't get people to return his calls at places I would've thought would jump at the chance to get him in yrs past.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Ruffin McNiell former DB for ECU. Is he a coaching candidate there?

bruce

  (2:35 PM)

He could be. I think the Tech players really liked him and wanted him to be the HC when the job was open.

Troy (Montrose, CA)

Who is your surprise team next season?

bruce

  (2:37 PM)

Hard to say who will be ranked where at this point but I feel like UNC could be fun to watch. I wouldve said maybe So Carolina but that bowl showing didn't exactly inspire confidence.

bruce

  (2:37 PM)

Oh and I like Arkansas a lot.

Jason (Knoxville)

How bout Phillip Fulmer at ECU?

bruce

  (2:38 PM)

He should jump at it if they'd take him. Saw him down in Orlando and while he has a great record from his days at UT, he looks like a very old 60 -- even though he's roughly the same age as Saban and Carroll, he looks 10-15 yrs older than them.

Brian (Nebraska)

Bruce, how do you feel about the Nebraska staff's ability to develope talent on the Defensive side?

bruce

  (2:40 PM)

Am very impressed by it... Three tradition rich programs than I think should be especially happy by recent coaching turnover: FSU, Neb and ND.

Erik (Chicago)

Is this the craziest week of college football ever?

bruce

  (2:40 PM)

I don't know.. tough to top all of the Urban Meyer Florida stuff.

Dustin (Austin)

Werre you suprised muschamp stayed at UT?

bruce

  (2:41 PM)

A little, but I think he knows he's in a great spot.

Robby ((harrisburg))

Is Texas A&M a sleeper team?

bruce

  (2:41 PM)

Only if they can get the D part solved.. I really like Jerrod Johnson and the skill guys there though.

Jay-B (Hollywood, FL)

Do you think Randy Shannon is on the hot seat?

bruce

  (2:42 PM)

Nah, he's improved the program each year and it's been very solid off the field reflecting his no-BS approach. Still, I think UM needs to take another big step in 2010. Next season they won't be able to say they're a young team any more.

Phil (Chicago)

WHat do you expect from Notre Dame in Brian Kelly's first year?

bruce

  (2:44 PM)

They'll play hard. Just not sure that losing the nucleus of the O-line and a 3yr starting QB will be too much to replace.. Huge believer in Mike Floyd though and I was impressed when I've been around Dayne Crist. My guess is 8-4.

Jason (Charlottesville)

With Harvey Unga returning and Jake Heaps possibly coming in as QB at BYU, do you think BYU has a rebuilding year or a reloading year next season?

bruce

  (2:44 PM)

reloading.. Heaps is a gamer.

Paul (Tampa)

Bruce, love your books. what is next on the horizon? you have alot of interesting CFB topics to disect.

bruce

  (2:46 PM)

Thanks! Am working on a book with Mike Leach, which is one of the reasons why I'm not in a position to discuss a lot of the questions people have sent in about him right now. Book is slated to come out about a year from now.

Orville (Lubbock, Texas)

You really like Jerrod Johnson? I've seen him only a couple of times but it seems to me that unless he has the Jolly Green Giant on his team, he is an ineffective QB. I've never seen anyone overthrow receivers as much as he does.

bruce

  (2:46 PM)

Ask Will Muschamp about him then.

Jojo (PDX)

Bruce, you usually only answer my mailbag questions, lets try for the chat: How do you see Oregon doing this year nationally? It seems every other year we do well, and last year we went to the Rose.

bruce

  (2:47 PM)

I think Oregon has transitioned from being a really good program to being an outstanding one. I think Chip Kelly was a home run hire for Bellotti years ago. They have two Heisman contenders and recruiting is going better than ever now.

TJ (Buffalo)

Yes or No. If Urban stays in Gainesville for another 5 years (hypothetically), with the talent they are bringing in, do they hoist the crystal ball again during that tenure?

bruce

  (2:48 PM)

If he stays as coach at UF for 5 more yrs, I would say yes they do win another.. UF is cleaning up with stud recruits especially on the DL and secondary.

Jack (Texas)

The problem with Texas A&M is they only get up for in state rivalry games( Tech, Texas) and are enigmatic the other 10 games.

bruce

  (2:49 PM)

Not sure I could argue with you on that.

Matthew (Florida)

How is Florida doing this in recruiting? Is Addazio that good or is Urban really back?

bruce

  (2:50 PM)

They have been able to sell a lot of success in the past three years and Urban is a recruiting machine.

Sam (Houston)

How sick is Florida's recruiting class this year?

bruce

  (2:51 PM)

If you watched either allstar game on TV, you had to be blown away by UF commits.

Tim (PA)

What will it take for the Big Ten to gain back some of it's national respect. This bowl season should help, but is it enough?

bruce

  (2:52 PM)

Beating four top 15 teams in bowl play was a good first step. Penn State winning at Bama would be a great next step.. Gotta keep winning for 2-3 more years.

joey (tx)

What about texas recruiting? All I here is Florida but if we add Jeffcoat and Hicks, are they really that much better than texas?

bruce

  (2:53 PM)

People tend to forget about Texas recruits because Mack Brown tends to lock guys up on their first visit and so they drift off the radar and there isnt drama with them. Both of those two guys look like instant impact recruits.

Lee (SC)

Bruce, what do you expect Arkansas to do this year?

bruce

  (2:54 PM)

With Mallett back I think they have the talent to be a top 10 team.. D needs to step up but I think they'll be one of the top 4 teams in the SEC.

Chris (Charlotte, NC)

Andy Katz wrote an article on the NLI being "reworked" because of the coahcing carousel in college hoops. Any chance the NCAA revists that for football to include maybe say freshman as well?

bruce

  (2:55 PM)

There's been discussion about it but the coaches I've spoken to are very frustrated by how these things tend to go in circles and end up in red tape..

Sam (Houston)

Why do you think the SEC has dominated so much lately? As far as I can see I think a continured dominance!

bruce

  (2:56 PM)

Great facilities.. big budgets and some super coaches.

mike (here)

how doew duke look?

bruce

  (2:57 PM)

They're getting better and better. Cutcliffe's staff has recruited very well and they have a lot of very good young players in the program. They could win 7 or 8 next year. I know they think Thad Lewis will make it in the NFL but the new guy Sean Renfree could be a star for Duke.

Omar (NC)

Dominated? The SEC? they are 2 choking kickers away from going 4-6 in the Bowl season? How is that DOMINATED?

bruce

  (2:57 PM)

I think he means that the SEC has won the last four national titles and done so with three different teams.

Lee (SC)

Is Mallett the early Heisman frontrunner?

bruce

  (2:58 PM)

One of them.

John (NC)

Besides your Boises, TCUs, Utahs, BYUs, who are the next up and rising non-BCS schools?

bruce

  (2:59 PM)

Houston and watch out for Midd Tenn State. MTSU won't crack the BCS but it could win 11 games next year.

Fred (Miami)

Why do you care so much about the Heisman?

bruce

  (2:59 PM)

Because fans like to ask about it.

Ryan (NJ)

What do you forsee for WVU the next few years. Gino Smith the real deal?

bruce

  (3:00 PM)

Not sure. I do think Barry Brunetti is. He's not very tall but he's got some star quality about him.

Kerby (Arlington, VA)

Tell us how the Hokies will fare in 2010.

bruce

  (3:01 PM)

Top 10.. Can't wait to see how they run it with those three TBs. Plus they have good young WRs.

Kevin (NYC)

How do you feel about the beginin og the Kelly Tenure at ND?

bruce

  (3:02 PM)

Impressed. Spent some time with him the other day. He seems to be on top of everything. ND fans should be elated.

brady wilbanks (texas)

how do you think gilbert will do in his first year starting, and how do you think UT will do next year

bruce

  (3:03 PM)

I really liked how he responded in that situation against that D. But UT needs to get better at running the ball. I expect top 10 but probably not top 5 but the Big 12 seems pretty open right now.

BOBBY (NY)

WHO WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL

bruce

  (3:04 PM)

Colts? Hard for me to pick against Peyton Manning.

Jack (NC)

What do you think of Golden Tate from Notre Dame?

bruce

  (3:05 PM)

He got my Biletnikoff vote. Great playmaker. Dynamic. Strong hands. Fearless. Explosive.

geoff g. (lewisville, tx)

With Coach Calhoun and Whittingham declining the UT job, do you think it is because they are looking "big picture" and the Mountain West getting an automatic bid in the near future?

bruce

  (3:06 PM)

Not sure on Calhoun's reasoning but maybe it's as you say.. I think Whittingham knows he's in a good spot and is very comfortable at Utah and can get to a BCS bowl.

adam (ohio)

Hey Bruce. What do you think about Iowa's RB situation with Hampton coming back after last years season-ending injury, along with Robo and Wegher bomb?

bruce

  (3:07 PM)

It's very strong. Losing Bulaga hurts but there is a lot to be excited about for Iowa in 2010.

Nick (Minneapolis)

Did you write anything about the time you spent with Kelly?

bruce

  (3:07 PM)

Yes. Check my blog from Monday.

Chris (Charlotte, NC)

Did you read Jay Paterno's article about coaching. He nailed it didn't he?

bruce

  (3:08 PM)

I think he did although I've heard from some fans who were rubbed the wrong way by it.

Chris (NC)

Will Jevan Snead make it past the scout team?

bruce

  (3:09 PM)

I think so. He's got a good arm and is athletic but he still pretty raw and his confidence took a pounding this year. I expect someone will see him as a worthwhile project.

Richard (Fayetteville,NC)

What do you think about the security of UT AD Mike Hamilton's job?

bruce

  (3:10 PM)

Yikes... it's shaky.. He stuck his neck out for Kiffin and that blew up in his face.

Jack (NC)

How will Louisville do next year with their new coach?

bruce

  (3:10 PM)

Not sure they can win right away but he's making a lot of noise on the recruiting trail.

Evan (BHM)

Why do journalists, yourself included, get behind Jay Paterno's diatribe on the sanctity of coaching while calling for a coaches head when he goes 7-6 with an Independece Bowl bid? Is it about money and success and winning or is it about molding young men? Which do your own opinions represent better?

bruce

  (3:12 PM)

That is a fair point. We want it both ways. I can't recall the last coach who got fired for not graduating a lot of players.

Nick (Austin)

Is Austin the best city in the country? Just wondering as I look out over Congress Ave. up to the Capitol and the UT Tower. Show some bias.

bruce

  (3:13 PM)

Am a huge Austin fan.. Have talked about it to the point where the locals there say to hush because they dont want any more people crowding their turf.

bruce

  (3:13 PM)

three more questions..

David (SC)

Does Jimmy Clausen have a NFL career?

bruce

  (3:13 PM)

Definitely. Accurate arm. Tough kid. Pretty savvy.

Jordan (UT)

Do you think that the BCS system is a fair system?

bruce

  (3:14 PM)

No, it's not on a lot of levels.

Drew (Galveston)

Who are the candidates for the ECU job. Any Chance App State's Moore would be interested?

bruce

  (3:17 PM)

Moore would be an intriguing option. He's been a huge winner on the FCS level and knows that terrain well. We'll see.

bruce

  (3:17 PM)

Thanks for all of the questions. If I didn't get to yours, send it to me via Twitter at BFeldmanESPN.