Brad Edwards

  (6:02 PM)

It's nice to be back here chatting with everyone. Thanks for the many questions. There's a lot to talk about, so I'll get right to it.

Jason (Philadelphia)

Is it possible for LSU to pass USC without USC losing a game?

Brad Edwards

  (6:07 PM)

Absolutely! USC is not in nearly as much danger as it was last week with Ohio State on its heels, but getting jumped by LSU is still a possibility. It all comes down to how many computers will rank the Tigers ahead of the Trojans. And if Tennessee loses to Kentucky on Saturday, LSU might be able to maintain its quality-win points for beating Georgia, which would make this scenario much more likely.

Rachel (Los Angeles, CA)

Every week we're told, if so and so loses, USC will get the nod...and every week it is a new so and so! When will USC finally be in the drivers seat?

Brad Edwards

  (6:11 PM)

Sorry, Rachel. I made that mistake myself a few weeks ago, when I thought only Ohio State was a threat to your Trojans. Yesterday, while doing my projection, I thought USC still had about a 90% chance of finishing ahead of LSU, but after looking at the margins within the computers more closely, I'd say it's more like 60%. USC won't be officially in the driver's seat unless LSU loses. For that, you can blame your many opponents that had disappointing seasons.

Raj (Ann Arbor)

What would it take for michigan to be in the national championship?

Brad Edwards

  (6:13 PM)

Michigan clearly needs USC and LSU both to lose. If that happens, the only team I can possibly see finishing ahead of the Wolverines would be Georgia. The Bulldogs would need to beat an 11-1 LSU in the SEC Championship to have a chance.

Juan (baton Rouge)

Is Jayson Blair in charge of the NY times computer poll? What gives with LSU being ranked 9th?

Brad Edwards

  (6:17 PM)

Juan, that seems to be the most popular conspiracy theory out there. I know I'm supposed to be the expert, but I can't make any sense of the NY Times computer. I do know this, however. Arkansas is 15th in those ratings, and the SEC East representative will be top 10, so don't be surprised if the Tigers jump from 9th to 2nd by winning out. Actually, don't be surprised by anything that computer does!

Ian (columbus, ohio)

Is it true that any team finishing in the top 6 BCS and not winning their conference automatically receives a bid to a BCS game?

Brad Edwards

  (6:21 PM)

Top 6 only guarantees a spot in the BCS for a team that doesn't play in a major conference. If the highest ranked non-champion of a BCS conference (such as Ohio State) is in the top four of the Standings, that team automatically receives one of the at-large bids. The Buckeyes are one spot away and would probably get there if USC or LSU loses.

Jason (New Orleans)

Why would LSU lose their quality win points with a Tennessee win?

Brad Edwards

  (6:27 PM)

A Tennessee win more than likely would make Georgia the SEC East representative to the title game. LSU is currently getting a deduction of four-tenths of a point for its Sept. 20 win over the Bulldogs (because UGA is 7th in this week's BCS Standings). But if LSU beats Georgia again, it might knock the Dogs out of the Top 10, which would eliminate the quality-win points.

Jonathan (Baton Rouge)

How do you feel about LSU theoretically being hurt for possibly beating Georgia again?

Brad Edwards

  (6:29 PM)

While we're on the subject, I think the rule is ridiculous. It exists for extreme circumstances that I don't have time to get into, but I'd like to see quality-win points frozen in cases where a rematch occurs in a conference title game.

Kadena AB, Japan

It seems to me that the media doesn't want a PAC-10 team in the national title game. SC has destroyed their competition and has only lost to a very good (althought incosistent) CAL team. Why is it that the media have such a hard time with SC being in the title game... every week it's SC has to have Ohio St lose or LSU lose or Mich lose...it wouldn't suprise me to see the media claim Mich should be in the title game should LSU lose!

Brad Edwards

  (6:35 PM)

I understand all the theories of bias against the West Coast, and I think there is some legitimacy to them, but this is clearly not a case of it. The human element of this BCS formula has USC ranked second to Oklahoma. Unless you think the Trojans should be ranked ahead of the Sooners, you'll have to place the blame on the computers in this instance. On a side note, thanks for serving our country. I'm glad you still have time to follow college football. Take care!

Rob (Pittsburgh)

If Pittsburgh beats Miami and West Virginia beats Temple, they will be co-champions of the Big East. Under that scenario, do you think Pittsburgh will finish far enough ahead of West Virginia in the final BCS standings to get the Big East's BCS nod, notwithstanding the fact that West Virginia beat Pittsburgh?

Brad Edwards

  (6:39 PM)

You might not see the teams listed in the BCS Standings this week, but Pittsburgh is currently 25th, and I have WVU projected at 29th or 30th. If the season ended today, the Mountaineers would be ranked within five BCS spots and get the nod based on the head-to-head result between the teams. The season, however, does not end today, and I think a Pittsburgh win over Miami would increase the gap to more than five spots since the Mountaineers play Temple. It's not a mathematical certainty, but I feel strongly that the winner of Miami-Pittsburgh will get the Big East's bid to the BCS.

Jim (Omaha, NE)

Do you think Tennessee has a chance at an at-large BCS berth? It seems like all the talk is about Texas & Ohio St. Any chance for the Vols?

Brad Edwards

  (6:43 PM)

Jim, one of the things that could work against the Vols is that they already played a game at Miami this year. Accurate or not, the theory is that many fans wouldn't want to go back for a second time in two months, so the Orange Bowl probably isn't in the cards for the Vols. Tennessee's best chance might be for an at-large spot in the Rose Bowl, but that would probably require Florida or Ole Miss to win the SEC.

Henry (LA, CA)

I personally don't agree with the SOS factor in regards to USC and LSU...how can USC be so ahead of LSU when their big wins came against an over-rated Auburn and WSU. At least I see LSU beating Georgia, Ole Miss, and that same Auburn team but after they had reeled off 5 straight wins. To me, LSU seems like they have SOS and they still have the SEC title game!

Brad Edwards

  (6:47 PM)

I see your point, but schedule strength is also taking into account LSU's games against 1-11 Louisiana-Monroe and I-AA Western Illinois. If LSU reaches the SEC Championship Game, the Tigers will likely finish with a better SOS number than the Trojans, and that would be accurate.

Jim (LA)

How close are the margins in the computer polls between USC and LSU? Can you see 5 of the polls putting LSU on top of USC?

Brad Edwards

  (6:54 PM)

This discussion is for the real hardcore BCS followers. LSU is already ahead of USC in both Massey and Anderson & Hester. In my estimation, they will also jump them in Sagarin, and I believe Billingsley and Colley are also distinct possibilities. If LSU is able to preserve its .4 quality-win bonus, five computers is all it will take to get the Tigers over USC. If LSU loses that bonus, they will need at least 6 computers, if not 7. Right now, though, I don't see a computer in which USC seems to be untouchable.

Brian (B'field)

About schedule strength... Is it really fair to consider all games played. Teams play different numbers of games for different reasons, wouldn't it be easier to compare the top 10 teams on the schedule. Give teams the option of playing a "pre-season" game or not punish it for teams backing out or having poor years.

Brad Edwards

  (7:02 PM)

I'm not sure what the best system would be for ranking all the teams in Division I-A from top to bottom, but I would like to find a way to throw out all games played against the ones ranked beyond 75 and judge teams solely on what they do against the "good" opponents on their schedule. I don't care if a team played three or five games versus bad teams; your strength should be judged by your performance against quality competition.

Rob (Oxford, OH)

Love your work, but do my RedHawks stand a chance at cracking the BCS armor, or are we stuck with a trip north to Meechigan in the Motor City Bowl?

Brad Edwards

  (7:06 PM)

With a MAC championship, I think Miami (OH) could finish in the BCS top 12, which would make them eligible to be chosen. But because of the lopsided loss to Iowa, I don't think the public outcry to include them would be nearly what it was for TCU. I'm also getting mixed signals as to whether Miami would go to Motor City or GMAC, but if you go to Ford Field, please get me a souvenir.

Mark (Ann Arbor, MI)

How do you feel about there being a 2 or 4 team playoff after the bowls to crown the national champ

Brad Edwards

  (7:09 PM)

I love the idea! Personally, I'm in favor of four teams after the bowls, but I think two would be a great start. I just want to be sure that the two best teams in the country are given a chance to win it on the field, and I don't think that can consistently happen if only two teams are chosen. The best two teams are not always the highest-ranked two teams in the BCS.

Dan - San Jose

With TCU losing last week, the question remains: What will the future of the BCS bring? Will there be a complete overhaul? Will a non-BCS Conference team have to "stack" their non-Conference schedule (a'la Fresno State) and win them all to even be considered? I would put Boise State against any team in the nation, except perhaps Oklahoma , but they get no attention.

Brad Edwards

  (7:14 PM)

There are numerous things that could happen to the BCS after the current contract, and I honestly don't know what direction they are leaning, but I'm sure access for non-BCS teams will be improved. The unfortunate thing for schools such as Boise State is that it's not easy for them to schedule top-notch opposition. Most big-name teams would rather take a safer non-conference opponent. And as things stand right now with the BCS, it's tough to get anywhere without schedule strength. Boise State's schedule rank is 108, by the way.

john (Atlanta, GA)

Do you think Georgia has the best chance to represent the SEC East if the three teams finish without a loss? Doesn't Florida need to jump Tennessee in the BCS?

Brad Edwards

  (7:19 PM)

If all three teams win on Saturday, there's a remote chance that Florida could jump Tennessee in the BCS Standings and knock Georgia out of the title game. More than likely, that would require Tennessee to play a tight game with Kentucky and fall to 8th in the AP poll, and Miami would also have to lose to Pittsburgh, allowing Florida to reach No. 9 in both polls. If those things don't happen, Georgia will probably have the chance to defend its SEC title.

Matt (Norman, OK)

Do you think Oklahoma could lose the Big XII championship and still head to the Sugar Bowl?

Brad Edwards

  (7:24 PM)

I can't remember if I already answered this, but it's a big story, so I'll hit it again in case I didn't before. In my opinion, Oklahoma is a lock for the Nokia Sugar Bowl -- win or lose against K-State. A loss would drop the Sooners no further than third in the polls, and they would easily make up the point on whichever team was second in the polls. Make your reservations for New Orleans.

tony new castle Delaware

Do you really think the Lakers can beat the Bulls 72-9 record?

Brad Edwards

  (7:26 PM)

No

chris Decatur GA

As a Georgia fan, can I go ahead and make reservations for Miami/Orange Bowl or Pasadena/ROse Bowl???

Brad Edwards

  (7:30 PM)

Beyond the storyline of Mark Richt facing his alma mater (the Miami Hurricanes), I don't see any great at-large possibilities for the Bulldogs. More than likely, they will need to win the SEC for a BCS bid, and that would probably put them in the Rose Bowl.

Brad Edwards

  (7:30 PM)

Last question coming up...

Robert Alvarez LA,CA

As a USC fan should I make plans for New Orleans/Sugar Bowl or just try and get some tickets for the Rose Bowl?

Brad Edwards

  (7:34 PM)

Robert, I think you should hold out hope but stop short of making reservations. The odds are still in USC's favor, even though these last few weeks probably have most Trojans fans feeling desperate. I do know this much. My man Sean Salisbury will blow a fuse or two if your team gets jumped by LSU. I think you can certainly relate.

Brad Edwards

  (7:41 PM)

Thanks everyone for more great questions. Have a good rest of the week!