Ivan Maisel

  (3:00 PM)

Hi everyone. We'll be taking your best Bobby Johnson anecdotes for the rest of the hour.

C.J. (NYC)

More often than not, it takes a few steps back before a program can move forward with creating a new culture. Just how bad did Kiffin leave things for Dooley?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:02 PM)

I don't think you can blame Kiffin alone. Vol players have been having problems on Cumberland Ave. for a few years. Dooley has a powerful weapon he can use -- playing time. Expectations are low, and I'm betting the fans will support his efforts to keep the players from embarrassing the university.

Clark (Knoxville)

Ivan, I think what our players did last week at the bar was terrible, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims. How would you discipline these players? What do you think about Dooley's methods so far?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:04 PM)

I'd say that Dooley can't be too strict. He's got a great opportunity to set the tone of his program. The fans will support him. I don't know if zero tolerance is feasible. But I'd scare the players into behaving right.

Bill (NYC)

How are you? Please explain everyone love affair with SEC. Misissipi has done nothing since the 60's, Vandy had done nothing, MSU has done nothing, South Carolina only won with Lou Holtz,and Kentucky has done nothing since Bear Bryant. Last year LSU lost to Penn State, Tennesee lost to UCLA, South Carolina lost to UCONN. Auburn should have lost to freakin NORTHWESTERN! Georgia lost to Oklahoma State. Only a select few play a decent OOC schedule. They have won the NC with great teams particulary last years Bama team but please spare me the tough SEC schedule like it is the Bataan Death March.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:06 PM)

I don't know. I'm a sucker for four straight national championships, stadiums with 90,000 screaming fans, and fan bases that talk about college football 13 months a year.

Dustin Dover (covington,tn)

Do you think if arkansas beats bama they will win the west?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:08 PM)

I'd say yes. The Bama game is in Fayetteville and the LSU game is in Little Rock. They don't play Florida. Road games in Athens and Columbia are no picnic. But I think you're onto something.

Peter (Birmingham)

Who will replace Bobby Johnson at Vandy?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:10 PM)

I've been thinking about that like everyone else. I think Vandy has to go interim -- Robbie Caldwell is a veteran assistant and well-respected throughout the game -- until it's coach-hiring season. The pool is pretty limited right now. I just don't see coordinators at other schools taking that head coaching job on Aug. 1. That leaves who -- retired/fired coaches? It's hard to believe any of them would have the stomach strong enough to endure what Vandy coaches endure.

Dave (NM)

Ivan, what do you think the attitude of teams staying in the Big 12 in 2011 will be toward Nebraska and Colorado. Business as usual? What about the MWC towards Utah who possible wrecked any chance of the MWC gaining a automatic bid?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:13 PM)

I think Nebraska, Colorado and Utah will play all archrivals all season. I covered Boston College's visit to Syracuse in 2004, the Eagles' final Big East season. BC lost, 43-17, and it wasn't that close. Syracuse was so fired up to beat a team that thought the Big East wasn't good enough for it.

John (Dallas)

C'mon Ivan. Oklahoma, Texas, A and M, Tech, Neb all have impressive stadiums. And you know Texas breathes football. Big 12 has been in the last few NCs with possibly a win last year had Colt been healthy - that's a different issue. With the re-emergence of Neb and continued dominance of Texas and Okla. Why isn't Big 12 better than SEC?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:15 PM)

I think on these criteria -- interest, fan base -- the SEC runs 10 or 11 deep. And the SEC's stadiums are bigger and I think more of them are more filled than those in the Big 12. That doesn't mean I think the Big 12 stinks. I think the SEC generates the fastest blood flow.

Mark May (Not Boise)

Why do I think Va Tech is going to beat Boise by more than 2 TD's when vegas has Boise by 2 pts?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:17 PM)

That's an easy prediction to make for a lot of reasons. Virginia Tech probably has better players. The crowd will tilt strongly in the Hokies' direction. And Boise State has every chance to stagger under the weight of increased expectations. On the other hand, the Broncos have given no sign of doing that throughout Chris Petersen's tenure.

Adam (Chicago)

Fictional SEC vs. BT. Who wins ?Ohio State at AlabamaFlorida at NebraskaIowa at LSUGeorgia at Penn StateWisconsin at AuburnTennessee at MichiganMichigan State at South CarolinaArkansas at IllinoisIndiana at KentuckyMississippi State at PurdueNorthwestern at VanderbiltOle Miss at Minnesota

Ivan Maisel

  (3:19 PM)

Bama, Neb, Iowa, Ga, Wisc, Mich, USC, Ark, Kentucky, Purdue, Northwestern, Ole Miss. That comes out even. That was fun!

Matt (Atlanta, GA)

Is Vanderbilt Terry Bowden's opportunity to get back in the big game? They tend to hire successful coaches from the lower-levels and he had a great year at UNA last season. He also has great connections in their natural recruiting habitat (i.e. Birmingham).He's won big in the SEC before with a team with little or no expectations and is great at inspiration/motivation. May be a perfect fit ...He also, like Derek Dooley, has a law degree. The academics at VU would love that.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:20 PM)

Terry may just have the fire in the belly to take that job. He stayed on the outside for so long, wanting to get in, that he would appreciate the opportunity.

Jim (Florida)

I don't want to watch Michigan try to make a bowl game. I want to watch them compete for the Big Ten Championship. Do you see any chance at all that this could happen?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:21 PM)

Yes. Not in 2010, though. The league this season is Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, and then everyone else.

Kevin (Ottawa)

Hi Ivan,What do you think the chances are that TCU and Houston (maybe SMU) join the Big 12 in the next few seasons are? Does it make sense for the Big 12 to become a Texas heavy division?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:21 PM)

I don't think the chances are very good. Those schools don't add anything to the league other than two more mouths to feed.

Dave (NM)

What is the future for the MWC? Can they still get a automatic bid? Do they look to eventually replace Utah by inviting possibly Fresno St., Nevada, UTEP, or Houston?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:23 PM)

As I understand it, the MWC will be able to count Boise State's BCS finishes in its qualification for an automatic bid, so the MWC will be in very good shape.

Patrick (Lexington, VA)

what do you see Johnny Brantley doing this year at UF?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:25 PM)

I haven't heard anyone call him Johnny. But I think he'll do quite well. He's inexperienced but he's not young. There's a huge difference and I think the Gators will benefit from the three seasons he watched Tebow.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:25 PM)

Man, it is raining hard here in Connecticut. Again.

Adam (Chicago)

So you are saying that the Big Ten and SEC are equal??

Ivan Maisel

  (3:26 PM)

No, I'm saying that those 12 matchups came out 6-6.

John (Des Moines)

The Hawks have been up the past couple of years, but over the past 10 or 15 years we've been up and down. With alot of guys graduating after the upcoming season do you see Iowa falling back to the pack in the Big 10 going forward from 2011 and beyond?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:27 PM)

John, let's enjoy the 2010 first. I would suggest that Kirk Ferentz will keep the Hawkeyes in pretty good shape. I think you have one of the best coaches in the country.

mark (boston)

every teams in SEC have won a bowl game last 5 years. I believe it has never happened in the history of NCAA. Why do people believe that SEC is not deep?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:28 PM)

That's a cool stat, especially if it has never happened before. I'm not sure what it proves, through. Most bowl games are on SEC turf, and bowl matchups are so random....

Kevin (Ottawa)

How long will Mike Garrett last as USC AD if the Trojans have a bad season?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:29 PM)

Don't ask me. I can't believe the guy has lasted this long. How he has survived is one of the great mysteries of our time.

Vinnie (ATL)

Why didn't Texas have an hour long ESPN special called The Decision on what conference they were going to play in?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:29 PM)

Jim Gray was busy that night.

Boyd (Nashville) [via mobile]

Ivan, should Vandy consider Mike Leach? Would spark genuine interest and the fiery personality fits well with the SEC

Ivan Maisel

  (3:31 PM)

Leach is an interesting idea. I have no idea whether he would be interested. I like it in the sense that he gets great numbers out of players that other schools overlook. That's a needed recipe at a school like Vandy.

Tyson (Omaha)

With Nebraska on the way back to winning ways with Pelini, how do you see Nebraska slotting in the pecking order of the Big 10 when they move to the conference?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:32 PM)

I think Nebraska will contend sooner rather than later. Some of it depends on the makeup of the two divisions.

Jeffrey (Michigan)

I am a Texas alum and I live in Michigan so I am not some SEC homer, but how can anyone argue the SEC isn't the best? Four national championships in a row. They win face to face in bowl games as well. It's not an argument. "I bet Ohio St could beat Vanderbilt so the Big Ten is better?" Be smart fans living in reality and stop with the league X is just as good as the SEC.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:32 PM)

Yep.

Trevor (Texas)

True or False: Texas wins at least 10 games this year.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:34 PM)

True. The toughest non-conference opponent, UCLA, comes to Austin. If the 'Horns lose to Oklahoma and lose at Nebraska, they are 10-2 going into bowl game.

Jake (Iowa)

Ivan, from your podcast after the bowl season you predicted Iowa vs Boise St in the 2011 NCG. Sticking to that, or have you swayed off to a different matchup?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:35 PM)

If I said it, I'll stick with it, as long as I remember I said it, which isn't always the case. I do remember saying that, so we're good...

Chris (Atlanta)

Would the Navy coach be a good fit at Vandy?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:37 PM)

Yes, for the same reasons I just stated for Leach. But I'm guessing that Vandy would have a difficult time prying Ken Niumatalolo (typed that from memory, thank you very much) out of Annapolis. Once you coach academy players, you don't have a lot of patience to coach knuckleheads.

Dustin Dover (covington,tn)

Who in your opinion are the best 3 quarterbacks in the nation?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:38 PM)

Kellen Moore, Jake Locker and Andrew Luck.

scott (plano,tx)

do you think nebraska's 2010 slogan of come early, wear red, beat TX is a little overboard? how do you see the game playing out on Oct. 16th as of today knowing things will change??

Ivan Maisel

  (3:39 PM)

I thought it was great for the marketing dept. and really dumb for the football team to start poking Texas with a sharp stick in July.

Andrew (Nashville)

I'm tired of hearing how Bobby J. is a class act. A class act does not quit on his team 2 weeks before the season starts. Ricky Williams got killed by the media when he retired at the beginning of training camp. How is this any different?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:40 PM)

I see two differences. One, Johnson has eight seasons of class acts in the bank. Two, I'd rather he quit a month before the season because he doesn't have it in him than see him go 2-10 out of some sense of duty when he knows he doesn't have it in him.

Ken (CA)

Is there any game you are more interested in seeing this year than Florida at Alabama? I can't think of any, except maybe a rematch in Atlanta

Ivan Maisel

  (3:41 PM)

Nebraska-Texas. Same things at stake as Florida-Bama, plus the conference intrigue.

Treven (Baltimore)

Do you think John Brantley can be a good enough QB to help Florida win this season

Ivan Maisel

  (3:42 PM)

Absolutely, especially because the guys behind him played high school ball last year.

Chris (New York)

what are your expectations for cincy this year with zac collaros at quarterback?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:43 PM)

I think he and hte Bearcats will do very well. Butch Jones' system isn't all that different from what Brian Kelly ran. Collaros showed last season that he's got the leadership and the skills to win.

Mike (Birmingham)

More hatred this year: Texas-Nebraska or the Iron Bowl?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:44 PM)

I'd say Texas-Nebraska, although I had to think about it. Texas doesn't hate Neb the way that Neb hates Texas. But given last season, and this offseason, that's going to be a crazy week.

Emilie :) (NYC)

How would you compare the Ingram-Richardson backfield at Alabama to the Evans-Williams backfield at Va Tech?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:46 PM)

A great question, and surely only someone who is a seasoned journalist or a huge Hokie fan would ask it. Va Tech's backfield is deeper. But I'd take Ingram and Richardson because neither of them is coming off an ACL injury.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

What is your favorite NFL team if you Follow the NFL?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:47 PM)

I grew up in Alabama, where we got a steady diet of New Orleans Saints' telecasts in the '70s. If that doesn't cure you of interest in the NFL, nothing will. To tell you the truth, I travel on Sundays, and when I get home I have a lot of work to do, so I don't watch NFL games until January.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Please tell me that the addition of Nebraska does not affect the NON-conference Big Ten games in 2011.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:48 PM)

I assume it might because fitting Nebraska into all those schedules may not be so seamless.

Patrick (Lexington, VA)

is it super annoying to you if i keep sending the same question, or do they rotate out of the stack?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:49 PM)

No, it's pretty much annoying. But I'm used to it.

Scott (Denver)

Do you think Tennessee will beat Oregon this year?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:49 PM)

Yes. But not in football.

Andrew (Nashville (via Mobile, AL))

is the ceiling for the new South Alabama football program more live Southern Miss or more like UAB?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:50 PM)

From what I hear when I go home, they want to get on USM's level and then see what happens. The enthusiasm and interest has been greater than anyone thought. But the Jaguars need to build a stadium on campus to make big strides.

toby (pittsburgh)

with the loss of masoli for oregon where do you see them at the end of the year?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:51 PM)

I don't think the Ducks will lose as much as it appears. Costa had won the job in 2008 before he blew out a knee. Chip Kelly is a great quarterback coach. There are a lot of players who know how to win.

Jeff (Baton Rouge, LA)

Is Arkansas going to go the way of last years Ole Miss team (big expectations, but disappointing results)?

Ivan Maisel

  (3:52 PM)

The defense has got to come through. We should know pretty early in the season.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:52 PM)

Thanks, everyone. Talk to you again soon.