Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:01 PM)

I'm here in Blacksburg, Virginia awaiting our game tonight with Va. Tech and Texas A&M. I don't think I have ever watched the Weather Channel as much in my lifetime as I have in the last 24 hours. Thankfully Isabel has not done too much damage to Blacksburg yet. It's just a steady drizzle and some light wind right now. I'm ready for your questions!

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:02 PM)

They are expecting winds anywhere from 15-30 MPH with a possibility of heavy rain. If that forecast ends up being true I think the wind becomes a bigger factor than the rain. Obvioulsy both teams will have to be able to run the ball in those conditions. Virginia Tech has potentially one of the better running attacks in the country.

Eugene(Md)

What is wrong with Notre Dame please explain?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:05 PM)

Talent. Although ND overachieved last year and played great defense, their offense was anemic. Now this year the potential for those same concerns on offense are pretty glaring. The Irish's only chance to get to 7-8 wins this year is the defense turning in much better efforts than what they did last Saturday. The big thing for ND fans to understand, Tyrone Willingham is a good fit. He will have the Irish competing with the national elite but he needs time. Time to recruit better personnel to fit his system.

Jimmy, Houston, TX

McNeal has struggled with consistency in the past two game, would you blame that more on a new system or inexperience. Also, do you see him having a breakout game on national TV like the Oklahoma game?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:07 PM)

I think his breakout game was last year against Oklahoma. That performance against the Sooners served notice of what he is capable of doing. But your evaluation is right on. I think he has struggled this year because of adapting to the new system and still being a fairly inexperienced QB. Not to mention the loss of two key off. linemen before the season started.

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:08 PM)

This Hokie defense tonight will put a lot of pressure on him and get him to make poor decisions.

Chris Tempe, AZ

I was reading an article in Sports Illustrated On Campus and it talked about several incidents with things being thrown at Corso because of his tendency to pick against the home team. Does it now make you nervous when Corso goes against the home team when you're on campus?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:09 PM)

I don't mean to speak for Lee but I will. He and I don't take into consideration the fans reactions after what pick we are going to make. He and I are very competitive with one another when it comes to our picks. He and I are more aware of what we are doing as opposed to what somebody might be saying or doing behind us.

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:10 PM)

That's not to say he doesn't egging the fans on. I swear in his previous life he had to be a WWE corner man.

Hokie Golfer (Blacksburg, Va)

Kirk, do you see either team throwing more than 10 passes tonight?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:11 PM)

I think it all depends on the weather. If the wind eventually does get up to 20-30 MPH, then teams will obviously wait unti they have the wind at their back. But if it's just raining without the heavy winds, I don't think it will affect the playcalling at all. Right now, there is NO wind.

John Couey (Greenville, MS)

Kirk, I know the BIG game in the SEC is UGA vs. LSU, but throw me a bone here and answer a question about the Gators. Do you see the Gators being able to move the ball on the ground against UT. OR--will the Gators move it more easily through the air? Can the young Gator D slow the UT running game? YOUR PICK? BTW, tell "Disco Corso" not to do any more of the cheesy Hooters radio commercials!!! LOL

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:15 PM)

I think for them to move the ball they will have to do both. I think that is what is so great about this young and exciting Florida offense. They have the potential to run the ball with Cathron and win (by the way, you are welcome, good 'ol Ohio boy). And they have much more skill at receiver this year. I think Chris Leak within the next few weeks will become the starting QB. I think this kid has an unbelievable future. With the young talent surrounding him, if you are going to get the Gators, teams better do it this year because for as much crap as Ron Zook has put up with, you have to love the direction that the Gators are heading. Now with that said, they will have their hands full on both sides of the ball this weekend against a bigger, more experienced Tennessee Volunteer team.

Tony Flint, MI

If ESPN asked you to switch from college footall coverage to the NFL how long would it take you to turn them down?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:15 PM)

1 second. Depends on how long "Hell no!" takes.

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:16 PM)

You know what is sad? There are regions in this country, most esp. the Northeast, that actually thing going to a Jets-Patriots game is a good time. Can you imagine if they ever saw a classic SEC or Big 12 or Big Ten matchup?

Mike (Ann Arbor)

Kirk, I have this strange feeling that an upest is brewing in Oregon this weekend...are you sharing the feeling of my sixth sense?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:21 PM)

There are two POTENTIAL "major" upsets out there this week. Oregon at home as a BIG underdog is one to keep an eye on, I agree. As bad as the Ducks looked a year ago, they seem to have put it together so far this year. The homefield advantage of Autzen Stadium has to be an equalizer because Michigan has more speed and depth than Oregon. If the Ducks can keep the crowd in the game for 4 quarters, they have a legitimate shot. The other one to watch is ESPN's PrimeTime Saturday night game .. Boston College always seems to battle Miami. I think it's the style of the two teams and the toughness of BC in the trenches. With Miami's OL still ailing, BC playing at home at night on national TV will have a defense flying around looking to stop Frank Gore and once again challenge Brock Berlin to see if the light has gone off for him the way many people have determined after his performance in the second half against Florida. Whether BC wins or not, I'm still contemplating that prediction for Saturday. But I think they have a better shot than most people think.

Ben, Lincoln, NE

Kirk, in an earlier chat you claimed that not a single blackshirt from the Nebraska defense could start for OU. Now that the NU defense is #1 in the country (not OU's) along with the outstanding play of LB/DE Demorrio Williams, LB Barrett Ruud, and CB Fabian Washington are you ready to eat your words?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:24 PM)

Demorrio Williams and Barrett Ruud both are quality players, but please don't pretend to think because Nebraska has played great defense against Penn St., Utah State and Oklahoma St. that you are ready to call it a season. Don't get me wrong, I was the one that said Bo Pellini was going to turn around the Blackshirt defense and because they are playing so well, it has more to do with his scheme than great individual players, which is even more of a tribute to what they have accomplished. I expect Nebraska with this new package (where they actually play some zone defense, imagine that!) to continue to play solid all year long. Could you imagine if Pellini ever had great athletes, what he could do with that defense?

Tim, Cleveland, OH

Were you ever paid as much as any of the Auburn players allegedly were?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:25 PM)

No, I wasn't good enough.

stephane Tallahassee Florida

Hey Kirk, how do you think Florida State will respond to last weeks scare and are they still seen as an elite force?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:28 PM)

First of all, if you follow Ga. Tech you knew their defense could keep them in that game. Rather than people giving the Yellowjackets credit this week for a hell of an effort on defense, they have been ridiculing Florida State and asking a lot of questions as to what is wrong with the Noles. I think because FSU had to find a way to win a game late I think it will help them down the road as far as finding another reason to believe in each other. Especially their QB Chris Rix whose gritty determined effort helped the Noles in those last two scoring drives. I think FSU will throw for over 300 yards this week and the Cro Thorpe-P.K. Sam and Company will put up some huge numbers this weekend against Colorado.

haverhill, MA

I understand why Frank Beamer has played Marcus Vick in the first game to allow Marcus to get some experience, but do you feel the Virginia Tech team can ultimately be successful and return to the Sugar Bowl to play for the national championship using this rotating 2 quarterback system, or do you feel that Beamer needs to stick with Randall for the entire game?

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:30 PM)

Virginia Tech will get to New Orleans this year with Randall as the QB. Marcus Vick will continue to get experience but this will not become a platooning situation. When you are completing 73 percent of your passes with 0 turnovers, you don't have to worry about who is the starting QB. Marcus will be a great player but right now it's Randall's time. I think the coaches agree.

WhereIsTheLove (San Diego, CA)

I am so tired of seeing you guys go to the same stadiums, for the same games, with the same fans. The best game this weekend is Oregon Michigan, and you guys are stuck in the south. Come on man, are you guys having budget problems? Or is Corso too scared to make another trip out west? Who makes the decisions around there? You know that the Oregon fans would have been 10,000 strong, even for a 7am west coast show.

Kirk Herbstreit

  (3:34 PM)

First of all, I will never apologize to go to LSU, Georgia when both teams are ranked in the Top 10. With all due respect to my Oregon Duck brethern, the game of the week is in Baton Rouge but you are preachin' to the choir as far as going to check out the Pac 10. I'm already lobbying for Oct. 4 when USC travels to Tempe to take on the Sun Devils. The rain has picked up .. expect a sloppy track. Two Top 25 teams on national TV is a great way to start off the weekend. GameDay this weekend is in Baton Rouge at 10:30 a.m. ET. As much as I brag about the SEC crowd, I'm expecting an absolute zoo down at Baton Rouge. I know we are in Tigerland but I expect to see the Georgia Bulldogs represented as well! Thanks for the questions.. talk to you again next Thursday.