Andrea Adelson

  (4:00 PM)

Who is ready for some non-AQ talk ?

Joe (D.C.)

What are your predictions for the NIU @ Kansas game? Is there anyway Kansas can stop the juggernaut that is the NIU offense? NIU right now is anywhere from a 5-7 point favorite.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:01 PM)

I like NIU. The key of course is to slow down Chandler Harnish. My word what an opener he had! Ever since he took back the starting job, he has played like a man possessed.

Casey (Salt Lake)

I know that you don't have the Blue Aggies going to a bowl game, but after this past weekend's performance, do you think they go 7-5? Also, how about my boy Chuckie Keeton? True freshman showing some serious poise on the field on saturday.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:04 PM)

Gotta give much love to Chuckie Keeton for that performance. I told Schlabach last week that I did not think Utah State would be able to throw much of a scare into Auburn without Diondre Borel. Boy was I wrong!! Taking a quick look at the schedule, it is quite possible to get to 6 or 7 wins. But they have to play with the same type of effort every week. Can they get up for the New Mexico States of the world the way they did for Auburn?

Danny (Hawaii)

Hawaii 34 Colorado 17. Still think the WAC is a 2-team race between Fresno and Nevada? As the non-AQ blogger, I'd expect better from you...you do realize that Hawaii has routinely beat those 2 teams right? Picking Fresno has become lazy and in no way reflects anything that has taken place in the WAC the last 10 years. Come on Andrea.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:05 PM)

I guess you missed it last week when I picked Hawaii to win. You also might want to check my post-spring power rankings.http://espn.go.com/ncf/notebook/_/page/2011 Non-AQ post-spring wrap/non-aq-post-spring-wrap

Brad (Idaho)

I am a Boise State fan, but I still question whether Kellen Moore is that great or just a good QB on a good team in a good system. He doesn't make that many difficult throws. Am I spoiled or aren't there 30-40 QB's in the nation that could do just as well in that system? (P.S. I think the same thing about Tom Brady)

Andrea Adelson

  (4:06 PM)

Brad, Kellen Moore is a special player. Did you see what he did with a brand new starters at receiver on the road? I mean it is one thing to be in a good system. It is another to make all the right reads, get your receivers the ball in the perfect spot and elevate their play. He does not make mistakes and that has nothing to do with the system and everything to do with the way plays quarterback.

Andy (CT)

ANDREA (please notice correct spelling),After its first road win in a long time, can CSU fans start to get excited about 2011?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:08 PM)

Thank you for that! I am not sure a close win at New Mexico is what CSU fans wanted to see, but a win is a win. I have been saying that I think CSU is a bowl team this year, but they are going to have to play better than last week to make it happen. 12 first downs is not going to cut it.

TheMormonHammer (Bakersfield, CA)

What did you think of Jake Heaps's performance against Ole Miss?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:09 PM)

I thought it was average. I am sure he probably wishes he could do a few things better, and he will get another chance this week. Remember, he is a new system so there probably will be a few growing pains.

Chris (San Diego)

How will the MWC come out of the realignment that is about to occur? With they get pouched or will they be able to add a few Big12 schools?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:10 PM)

I think it all depends on whether we end up with four 16-team superconferences. I don't think the MWC will be one of those.

ncchip (carolina)

Does Indiana try to hire Ball State's first year coach?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:10 PM)

What a win for Pete Lembo!

Will (Boston, MA)

"The New Mexico States of the world"... So I guess I shouldn't be too impressed that Ohio beat NMSU even though it was quite a shellacking?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:10 PM)

A win is a win, but New Mexico State is one of the worst teams in college football.

Bearcatvol (Dalton, GA)

It got lost in the shuffle a bit this weekend, but how huge for Ball State to stick it in the noses of IU last weekend? It doesn't get written about much but for those Indiana kids on BSU's roster that is a moment of a lifetime. I guess that South Florida better be on upset alert!

Andrea Adelson

  (4:11 PM)

It was a huge win. So big, it gets 2 comments on the chat today!

Adam Nettina (Wintergreen, VA)

Are you sold on this new Southern Miss defense, or did the weather have more to do with holding Dykes' Tech offense to 17?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:13 PM)

I think it was a little bit of both. I have been on the record as picking Southern Miss to win the East, based on my belief the D would be better. I was more surprised the Southern Miss offense did not have as many points. But that may have been because of the weather.

Football Fan (USA)

You have BSU at #7???

Andrea Adelson

  (4:14 PM)

I sure do. I thought it was a good win, but you will note that I did not have Georgia ranked in my preseason rankings. So I do not think the win is as big as Virginia Tech last season. Boise State did what it had to do and maintains the same spot as last week.

Ian (Boise)

How much damage was done to Boise State's NCG hopes with TCU's loss to Baylor?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:15 PM)

I don't think much damage was done. Regardless of TCU, Boise State is going to need major help to get into the BCS national title game. The Broncos never control their own destiny, so they need to win out and then hope for lots of other teams to lose.

mike (sacramento)

Not too worried about their run defense, but do you think BYU's secondary can control the Texas wide-outs? I know you said BYU would start 3-1. I assume you considered UT their loss, but do you think if Heaps can have drives that they finish this week, the Cougs have any shot in Austin?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:18 PM)

I am officially picking Texas here. I think back-to-back road games against tough opponents, with Utah looming is a tough assignment for any team. That being said, I certainly think the game is winnable. Texas looked OK last week, and has had major problems trying to run the ball. Plus, Garrett Gilbert isn't exactly lighting the world on fire. So if BYU can get pressure on him, it will help in trying to contain those receivers.

Melissa (Nebraska)

Good call on the TCU/Baylor game. How does this loss effect the rest of the season for them. Can they run the table? I don't see it. Boise looked really good!

Andrea Adelson

  (4:19 PM)

Thanks. I think the Air Force game this week is a critical must win. I know it's hard to say that in Week 2, but TCU cannot afford to go into an 0-2 hole. I predicted a 10-2 season this year, but that might be optimistic if the problems in the secondary aren't fixed. Casey Pachall answered a lot of my concerns but I never thought the defense would go out and play that terribly.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Daggumit Andrea, those Broncos are it again. With no dominant TCU team or NFL QB like Kapernick to face, is this the year Boise plays for the crystal ball?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:21 PM)

I still think playing a new schedule in the MWC is going to provide some challenges. Remember, Boise State has to game plan for an entirely new set of teams. Air Force, TCU and San Diego State are all going to present some challenges. Can't discount Tulsa, either, though that team struggled last week vs. Oklahoma. I am not sure Boise runs the table, but if the Broncos do, then they will need nobody else to be undefeated and then a little bit of help to get into the title game.

Joe Ach (Houston)

If UH and Boise go undefeated can both go to a BCS game?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:21 PM)

Whoever finishes as the top non-AQ gets in automatically. The other would need to get an at-large bid. Not sure if that happens.

Nick (Illinois)

Andrea,You never really answered my question. NIU over Wisconsin?Give me a final score on the NIU vs. Wisconsin game at Soldier Field.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:22 PM)

Let's get to that game next week!

Michael Patin (Houston, Texas)

What are the chances this week that Florida International can upset Louisville?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:23 PM)

I think there is a chance because Louisville looked a bit shaky last week. FIU has a more veteran team and a great playmaker in T.Y. Hilton. But the Cardinals are solid up front defensively and I think that will make the difference in the game.

Chris (Orlando)

FIU really did a number on North Texas last week. Is this just the ineptitude of UNT showing or are the Panthers really starting to come out of their shells. Given their schedule what kind of ceiling do they have?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:24 PM)

I think a little of both. You already saw the Panthers come out of their shells last year. They have a lot of players back, and that is why they were my pick to win the Sun Belt.

Tom (Boston, MA)

Who do you like this weekend: UCF or BC? Props to UCF fans for the Welles tribute.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:25 PM)

Yes big props to that. For those who do not know, a BC lax player died in 9/11 and the UCF fans are asking fans at the stadium to wear red bandanas as a tribute to him. ... I like UCF. BC is really banged up at a bunch of different positions, and the Knights play well at home. I like Godfrey and I like the versatility at running back.

Dan (Orlando)

Do you still have Southern Miss emerging as the best team in the East? After a lackluster performance last week, I think it might be time to put your apples back in the UCF basket.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:25 PM)

Maybe if they play like that for 6 weeks. But there was terrible weather in that game.

Darren (Walnut Creek, CA)

Hi Andrea. Last week, you took my question/comment where I said Fresno State was going to beat Cal and Derek Carr was going to lead the 'Dogs to the win. You pretty much agreed but said it would be a close game. Well here I am to eat some crow. I was at the game and can't remember a Pat Hill-coached team ever looking so woeful and unprepared. Cal may have won 36-21 but the game wasn't nearly that close. Is there any hope for the 'Dogs this season? We've still got Nebraska, Boise State, Ole Miss, Hawaii, San Diego State, Utah State, etc. still to come.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:27 PM)

Can I share a piece of that crow pie? I was stunned to see such a poor performance in that game. I went on the radio in Fresno earlier this week, and fans are ready to call for an end to the Pat Hill era. If the problems on the offensive line are not addressed, then this could be a long season. I don't see a win this week against Nebraska, and the schedule ahead really is daunting. I want to see the Bulldogs in conference play before I make any judgments on the future of the program.

Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)

Do you think a BCS team could get Chris Petersen to leave Boise St after this season??? Kellen Moore's gone and they have a new AD.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:28 PM)

Interesting you ask that. I was asked the same question earlier this week during a radio interview in Alabama. I always thought it was a lock that he would stay there. But with the AD leaving, the door is opened. He stayed after talking with Stanford last year because he was given assurances about facility upgrades. He needs to see some progress there or he really may end up leaving.

Nate (Boise)

Andrea, on what grounds do you think that Boise would need no one else to be undefeated to get a sniff at the NCG. That makes no sense. Why would a 1 loss team finish ahead of them if Boise runs the table. Sure, if two teams from the Big 12, SEC, Pac-10 or Big-10 finish undefeated, then Boise maybe gets squeezed out. But to suggest that two one loss teams would play for the title while Boise sits and watches as the only undefeated team is just ridiculous. If that happens, I'm never watching another game again

Andrea Adelson

  (4:29 PM)

On what grounds? Because if there are 2 undefeated teams from those conferences, Boise State gets left out. They need lots of one-loss teams to have a chance. And even then -- we have no idea. Because there is a chance a one-loss SEC team could squeeze them out. We just don't know.

kevin (san diego)

If San Diego State can pull the upset over Michigan and take care of business against the teams they should beat does Boise State vs SDSU become the Mountain West game of the year?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:30 PM)

I think SDSU would need to be undefeated for that to happen. I certainly think the Aztecs have a shot to beat Michigan. I think Ronnie Hillman could really have a nice day.

Eric J (Reno)

I have to ask...I know Baylor will use teeth in this fight to keep the Big 12 alivebut in all realism can you see Baylor in the MWC

Andrea Adelson

  (4:31 PM)

Great question. I wish I had an answer to that. A lot of the teams that are going to be left out of the 16-team superconferences are going to be scrambling to find a new home. You can't blame Baylor for a little self-preservation.

Rocky (Fresno,CA)

What is your thoughts on these so called "Superconferences"? that looks like will take shape with the BCS teams? Personally I do not like it, It would further the advantage that those BCS schools would have over Non-AQ schools, in money, and recruiting. If the MWC and even Conference USA are struggling right now, imagine how it would be if there were those super conferences.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:32 PM)

I hate it. A lot of tradition and rivalries are going to be thrown out the window in the name of money. I realize college football is a business, but this is just the next step in the "haves" separating themselves from the "have nots." The uneven playing fields are only going to grow, and we eventually will see a split. There is no other way for the other conferences to stay financially viable if there isn't.

Adam Nettina (Wintergreen, VA)

I am not buying Houstin at this point. Outgained by UCLA? Yikes. They got fortunate with a quick score before the end of the first half. With a bad D, they are just a few mistakes away from 1 or 2 CUSA losses despite that easy schedule...

Andrea Adelson

  (4:32 PM)

Yes. Houston usually loses a game it shouldn't.

Grumbler (Boise, ID)

I think it's far more difficult for the MWC teams to game plan for BSU than the other way around. Granted, each MWC team only has one game with BSU, but they're usually not ready for what BSU brings to the table.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:33 PM)

That is a fair point.

Adam (utah)

Thoughts on Big 12 invites? Will BYU get one? Will they go? Is Big 12 doomed? what do you think will happen and when?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:33 PM)

If you are BYU and have your own TV network and own contract with ESPN ... why would you join a league on the verge of crumbling to pieces?

Mark (Eagle)

As a follow up to Joe's question, if both go unbeaten, do you think we see the powers that be take the cowards way out again in selecting Bowl match-ups like they did in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:34 PM)

I think that all depends on who else is being picked for the games.

Will (Boston, MA)

What BCS bowl is obligated to take on a non-AQ next? Probably a dumb question...

Andrea Adelson

  (4:34 PM)

There are no tie-ins. It all depends on the bowl matchups and what makes the most sense in terms of "fit."

Jim (Austin, TX)

If BYU, Navy, and Boiste St. all finished undefeated, would that finally strike a death blow to the BSC system?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:35 PM)

No. Why would it? The powers that be clearly don't care if there are multiple undefeated non-AQs. Three isn't going to make a bit of difference.

Eric J (Reno)

Tyler Lantrip has been in this situation before. Going into a big stadium for a first game on the road. However, he was a backup. As a fifth year senior, he claims he is poised for this trip to Eugene.Ault is also claiming this is a very talented offensive line. Does Lantrip and Nevada have a chance including their defense? Or does everyone besides Pack fans think this is going to be a blow out?We have two coaches who coached in Stanford and are aware of the noise and excitement in Eugene. Will that be a beneficial facor as well?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:37 PM)

It is tough to ask a first-year starter to go on the road in a very tough place to play and win. I don't think it's going to be a blow out, but I don't think Nevada wins. The opening stretch is absolutely brutal. As for the coaches who have been at Stanford, you can't really prepare your team for the environment. You can describe it and do the whole crowd noise thing at practice, but being there is a totally different deal.

Ryan (Ohio)

Do you see any non-AQ's standing to benefit from this new realignment or will it be detrimental for the most part?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:38 PM)

No way does this benefit the majority of non-AQs.

Blaine (Bakersfield, CA)

What do you make of Fresno State's hideous performance against Cal last week? Pat Hill started no freshmen and 16 players who were either seniors or juniors, yet still says how young the Bulldogs are and that we fans need to put up with their growing pains. Any thoughts on a coach who's been at a WAC program for 15 years without a single outright WAC title and wants to use the excuse that his team is young? Derek Carr may have made his first career start but it's his 3rd year in the program.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:39 PM)

Well, Carr was making his first career start. Doesn't matter how many years you have been in the program, he still is a first-year starter. Hill had concerns about the OL before that game and they obviously came to fruition. That is a huge problem. I know people are getting antsy with him. IF there is not improvement as the games go on, then I really do think he could be on the hot seat there.

Steve (Dallas)

If TCU wins the rest of their games (inclduing a game at Boise) do you think they end up in the top 14 of the BCS rankings and make it to a BCS bowl even with one loss?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:40 PM)

That all depends on whether they get the auto bid as the top non-AQ or would have to rely on an at-large selection. No one-loss non-AQ has ever made it to a BCS game.

William (North Carolina)

What are your thoughts on East Carolina this year? I know the media is extremely pessimistic about their season, but I do believe they have showed some improvement from last season.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:40 PM)

My thoughts are: until they stop giving up 50 points a game, then I am going to be pessimistic.

Blue Raider Nation (Murfreesboro, TN)

Biggest suprise Non-AQ win?Most important Non-AQ win?My vote (suprise win)is Sacramento State beating what has been a pretty good Oregon State program.My vote (most important) Houston over UCLA, I know lots of folks might say BSU. Watching the game, that is a very bad Georgia team.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:42 PM)

No love for Richmond or Ball State? I was most shocked with Oregon State losing, but that is an FCS team. The non-AQs on here are just on the FBS level. So I am going with Ball State. What a win for Pete Lembo. I did not anticipate that at all. Most important was Boise State. Why was the Houston game important? Boise State needed that win to stay in the Top 5 and in the hunt for a BCS game.

Ryan (Ohio)

Did ECU and Tulsa schedule too aggressively this year? I think it might cost them trips to bowl games despite being superior to most of the other C-USA teams.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:43 PM)

Neither one of them scheduled lightly, that is for sure. I still think Tulsa is a bowl team but I do not have ECU going to a bowl game.

BobbyBlast (Chicago)

Considering the realignment that's happening, what Non-AQ teams will be moving to another conference? TCU going to the Big East seems silly, but of course they want an AQ. What other Non-AQ teams do you see moving to AQ conferences?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:44 PM)

A lot of people are asking whether the Big 12 is going to pick up some of the C-USA teams. The problem there is this. The Big 12 might not exist. If Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State leave for the Pac-12, the Big East is going to be waiting to gobble up Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri or somebody else. So that leaves what exactly?

Danny (New York)

Andrea, I agree that BSU's win against Va Tech last year was bigger than beating Georgia this year because Va Tech was better than Georgia, but I think this win might actually go farther in legitimizing the Broncos. Every year we hear the same argument 5 weeks into the season about how "this is a different team than Boise beat in week one," but not only did BSU win, they made it look easy, which is different than their wins against ranked AQ teams in the past. A lot of people thought Boise had a shot to win, but I think most people were shocked by how dominant they were. There are still those that make the same old tired arguments, but it does seem like there are more commentators who are coming around and realizing that BSU is actually a good team. Any thoughts?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:46 PM)

I think you bring up a very excellent point, Danny. I thought Boise would win, as you all know, but was also surprised with the relative ease of it. I always thought Boise would be a polarizing team that would never get its due credit, but somehow a win over a marginal SEC team has made some (not all!) change their opinions. I am actually stunned that Chris Low has Boise ranked so much higher than me. He has come around them, for one. I am not sure about everybody else in America. But I do think the Broncos impressed so many people with the way they won.

Rocky (Fresno,CA)

I agree with Blaine, I am sick of Pat Hill losing to games against Nevada and Hawaii...But like you said in the radio, that even if we were to get rid of Hill, then there is no way we can find another quality HC. What changes do you think needs to be done to get Fresno St to that level of playing and WINNING "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime">?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:49 PM)

Well they can get a quality HC, but it will not be a big name guy. Everybody has to be realistic about the financial constraints on the athletic department and what Fresno State can pay a new head coach. Remember, Pat Hill took a pay cut. So Fresno State is not handing out $1 million contracts to coaches. The scheduling portion is really difficult, and I think that has ended up hurting the program. I am not saying they should back down from that mantra, but perhaps a more manageable nonconference schedule would help.

Justin (Boise)

Andrea,In a perfect world what do you think should be done to the BCS to make it work effectively, fairly, and accurately. The current system is obviously broken and your answer will more than likely get scrutinized very hard by Non-AQ fan base if you say the BCS is fine the way it is.Best Regards,-Justin

Andrea Adelson

  (4:50 PM)

Well I have always been in favor of a playoff. I hate how most of the teams are eliminated from national championship consideration in Week 1. Heck, if we are not going to get a playoff, I would start with a plus one! That way in most every year, you will not leave out an undefeated team in its quest to win a title.

Nate (Boise)

Do you think the 50-2 record that Kellen Moore and the Boise State seniors will have put up (assuming they can go 12-0) will factor into the decisions of some voter's when figuring out who to rank 1, 2, and 3. Say something fluky happens and we get a relative unknown program from an AQ conference that runs the table (like Cincinnati a few years back). Does that school really get a chance at the Championship when Boise has put together 3 undefeated regular seasons in 4 years? If Oklahoma wins out, fine. Same thing with LSU or Auburn or Florida State, who all have more difficult schedules and are ranked ahead or just behind Boise. But, other teams that are not even starting out ranked....seems pretty unfair if you ask me that the 50-2 record just gets tossed out the window.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:51 PM)

Why should past seasons impact this one? I understand what you are saying, but Boise State should be judged on the merits of this season against the merits of the other teams that are undefeated.

Jeff (South Jersey)

Hi Andrea, Steve Addazio's Temple Owls gave Villanova a proper beatdown to start the season in what has been a close game the past two years under (now Miami HC) Al Golden. Can we say that, at the very least, Addazio appears to have the Owls headed in the right direction? Do you still Temple losing at home to Penn State next Saturday?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:51 PM)

Well there is no drop off, right? I was impressed with the ease in which Temple won the game. But I want to see a full body of work, starting with FBS teams. And yes, I think Penn State wins.

Pat (Philadelphia)

Andrea, Temple put a nice pounding (42-7) on Villanova at the Linc on Thursday night in front of a vastly pro-Temple crowd of 33K. Can we end the argument over who the top BCS candidate in Philly is?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:54 PM)

Well Nova has the advantage because of Big East affiliation in other sports. But I don't think the Big East wants either of them right now.

TF (Boise)

Andrea if you say why should past performance impact this season, then how do we know that the SEC is the toughest schedule each year? Because we're looking at the past. Can't have it both ways.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:55 PM)

Past results are not affected when the computers tabulate strength of schedule for the BCS rankings.

Jordan (Dallas)

Although SMU did get stomped by a very good A&M team, i feel confident that the ponies will win some major games this year including possibly UCF at home as well as the battle for the iron skillet. Thoughts?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:56 PM)

That was a very disappointing performance for SMU. I expected the Mustangs to be much more competitive than they were, most especially Kyle Padron. UCF handled SMU pretty well in the C-USA championship game and have the better team. But the TCU game could be interesting because of the problems the Horned Frogs have in the secondary. If SMU can get its passing game going consistenly, TCU could be in major trouble.

Gregg (Los Altos, CA)

Do you think Boise State is one of the most fun teams to watch in the country? I sure do and I'm not even a Broncos fan, but I love watching them play and I like their style. If I have the choice between a Boise State game and say, an SEC or Big 12 game, I'm watching the Broncos.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:57 PM)

Here here!

Murphy (East Lansing)

Some unsubstantiated speculation that Texas may go independent and join some coalition of sorts with Notre Dame and BYU. Thoughts?

Andrea Adelson

  (4:58 PM)

Where would Texas' other sports play? Texas needs to be in an AQ conference because of its other sports. It won't get a deal like ND has with the Big East, and it won't put its other sports in a lower conference.

Nate (Boise)

Andrea, isn't it a bit too early to say that Georgia is marginal? Just because you didn't have them ranked in your preseason top-25 doesn't mean they are marginal. Most people predicted (and are still predicting) a bounce back season of 9-3 or 8-4 and a run at the SEC East title.

Andrea Adelson

  (4:58 PM)

That's most people. Not me. Did you see that team out there?

BobbyBlast (Chicago)

Andrea, all those teams you mentioned are already AQ. Are there teams in the MWC, MAC, WAC, or even the SunBelt you see moving to AQ?

Andrea Adelson

  (5:02 PM)

OK, OK. I misread the question. I think a lot of it depends on what happens on the East coast with the Big East and ACC. I am not sure which of the non-AQs has the upper hand in trying to get into an AQ conference. A lot of it depends on the Big 12 to me. I mean SMU and Houston, for example, are not really fits for the Big East and ACC. Geography might be thrown out the window, but clearly the non-AQs have to put themselves in position to get an open spot.

Andrea Adelson

  (5:02 PM)

All right, thanks for joining me today. Enjoy the games and see you here again next week!