ESPN

Ted Miller

  (2:59 PM)

Greetings. Welome to our chat. Fire away.

Ω (Duckland)

Probability there is a major pac-12 upset this week? (WSU over Stanford or Cal over Oregon?)

Ted Miller

  (3:00 PM)

Always possible but I'm not picking either of those. Oregon & Stanford aren't the sorts of teams that yield big upsets.

Not a Happy Beaver (Corvallis)

4 games into the season and I am not buying the excuses of we need to put our players into better positions to make plays on defense! Majority are veteran players and we still can't tackle and are always out of position?? What happened in the off-season..? The offense is hurt and still scores points, even though we have no run game...zilch, nada, obsolete, goose egg...I think it is harder to rush for nothing than it is to gain POSITIVE yards.... Pac-12 teams are just salivating when they see us on their schedule...Talk about 1 dimensional team..Stop Mannion & Cooks = Win...Losing hope fast...There I feel better...thanks for listening.

Ted Miller

  (3:03 PM)

Injuries have been an issue, but so has underperformance. And I think the coaches are downplaying challenges at DT but that's forcing them to try things they don't want to. Poor tackling is poor tackling. It seems like a real issue in terms of not being physical in practice. Of course, this was one of the pac-12's best defenses just a year ago. I admit to being a bit surprised by things, particularly the struggles in the secondary.

Swoop (SL, UT)

Ted... Everyone has been talking about how great Hundley and UCLA's offense is. Even though I don't deny their offense is good, this year they've played the 108th, 113th and 125th ranked defenses when it comes to total defense. Still, Travis Wilson has accounted for 7 more yards of total offense than Hundley. Two questions... 1. Will there be more than 100 points scored in SLC next week? And, 2. When does Travis Wilson start entering the conversation as an elite QB???

Ted Miller

  (3:05 PM)

Wilson will get credit for winning conference games. There's no reason to believe he won't eventually do that, though the Utes might be challenged by their tougher conference schedule this year. As for Hundley, it's not just media folks. It's what NFL scouts are saying. As for 100 points, I'd rate the over-under much closer to 75. These are two pretty good defenses.

MB96 (Bellevue)

If Sankey has huge games the next two weeks will he start to get any Heisman love?

Ted Miller

  (3:06 PM)

I'd think so... of course, not sure that Price, if he keeps up his present efficient pace, shouldn't get some too.

JohnV8r (El Dorado Hills, CA)

Average ranking of the defenses UW has played against: 93rdAverage ranking of the defenses Arizona has played: 52nd if you include NAU (FCS) or 68th if you only look at FBS opponents.That puts the defenses UW played in the bottom 25% of the NCAA and the defenses Arizona played in the middle to upper third quartile of the NCAA depending on how you want to account for NAU. Record of UW?s competition: 6-4 Record of Arizona?s competition: 6-5Isn't it time to admit UW and Arizona's schedules have been equally soft?

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

Wow... Not one team Arizona's played would be within 14 points of Boise State or Illinois. Don't try to fog things up with disingenuous stats.

Big Swede (Juneau, AK)

How much longer do you think Breske remains a DC, especially if the Cougar defense continues to be its strongest unit?

Ted Miller

  (3:09 PM)

Perhaps he gets some traction as a candidate to be a head coach, but if WSU pays him well he won't be as motivated to leave. He has done an outstanding job thus far this season. Lots of folks went, "Who?" when he was hired.

Cody Kessler (Los Angeles, CA)

Hi Ted. FYI, my hand is fine, thanks for the concern.Which will have a bigger effect on my performance against ASU - Coach Kiffin's playcalling and game planning, or my offensive line, which is near the bottom nationally in TFL and sacks allowed?

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

I think they are related. I can't figure out why the Trojans O-line has been so lacking the past two years. Lots of these guys were highly rated recruits. They look legit in their uniforms. Is it a case of poor talent evaluation? ASU has plenty of quickness up front, so the Trojans line should be pretty challenged. To me, you move the pocket and let Kessler throw on the run. He's not a traditional pocket passer. So don't make him one.

Mike (Oakland)

Did Sonny Dykes make huge hiring error with Andy Buh?M

Ted Miller

  (3:12 PM)

A little early to say that. Injuries and youth have been an issue. Some guys have been underperforming too...

John (Kentucky)

Where are you going to be this week?

Ted Miller

  (3:13 PM)

USC-ASU.

Phillip (A stadium near you)

Ted, any info on when Colorado-Fresno State game will be rescheduled if at all?

Ted Miller

  (3:14 PM)

It's looking dubious, mostly because Fresno State looks like it might be in the MWC championship game. Colorado should look for a FCS foe to fill the void. Help it get to 6 wins.

Jay (El Paso)

Do you see the "home" game for WSU being played in Seattle instead of Pullman helping or hurting them this week? I know it helps them in the pocket for the ticket sales end, but don't you lose out on the true home field advantage that Pullman offers?

Ted Miller

  (3:15 PM)

Jay... if you fill up CenturyLink, it's a great homefield advantage. If it were late November, I'd change my tune because of the chilly weather in Pullman.

Swoop (SL, UT)

I remember when Utah's defense used to blitz all the time and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Last Saturday, against BYU, that defense seemed like it was resurrected... I liked it. Do you think Utah's defensive strategy against BYU is something Utah should make a permanent change?

Ted Miller

  (3:16 PM)

There's a difference in the passing ability of BYU's QB and the rest of the Pac-12. You blitz aggressively in the Pac-12, and QBs will burn you. You've got to mix it up to survive defensively here.

Coach Leach ((Pullman, WA))

What do you think about me putting the first string D-line in to preserve a shut-out at the end of the game against Idaho?

Ted Miller

  (3:17 PM)

I like it. A shut out is special. And making a Petrino angry is a positive good.

Ian D (Portland)

You've toured the football Taj Mahal in Eugene. No doubt heard the Big 10 commissioner ridiculous comments about a football minor league. Laughed at the Duke coach saying no one gets rich off of college football. Except of course for guys like him. Meanwhile Deanthony Thomas, the Heisman trophy candidate and SI cover boy who makes millions for others, is literally riding around campus on a bicycle. Because he can't afford a car. Has this pathetic charade not gone on long enough? The Olympic model, more generous athletic stipends, could be workable scenarios. Anything but the current model. What do you think?

Ted Miller

  (3:18 PM)

If you figure out a way to: 1. Pay all athletes; 2. Negotiate around Title IX. Give me a plan. Title IX prevents revenue from being a part of the scholarship/stipend equation. If you pay football players, you have to pay rowers and softball players.

C-Streezy (Glendale, Azeezy)

What does Wazzu have to do well to win on saturday?

Ted Miller

  (3:19 PM)

Win the turnover battle. Score TDs not field goals in the red zone. Not allow Stanford to consistently face third and short.

Wilbur Wildcat (Wildcat Country)

Hey Ted,What kind of performance does Arizona have to show this weekend to finally get some respect in the PAC?

Ted Miller

  (3:21 PM)

It's not really about "finally"... it's the Pac-12 opener for both teams. The easy answer is win. If the Wildcats beat the No. 16 Huskies, then they will enter the national polls and folks will give plenty of respect for a quality road win. But even a highly competitive performance could suggest that the Wildcats could be a factor in the Pac-12 south. I'm very curious about what we'll see in Seattle.

Corry Ales99 (Phoenix Light Rail)

What is up with the ASU receivers? How could this develop so suddenly? During fall camp and the excursion to Camp Tontozona, drops were nonexistent. Have you ever seen anything like this? What can be done? If drops weren't an issue, Wisconsin wouldn't have been in the game and ASU would have come even closer to an upset against Stanford. Oh ... Sutton will get his first 2 sacks against USC.

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

I actually thought the ASU passing game seemed to catch on a bit in the second half of the Stanford game. It was a questionable position at the beginning of the season with the Sun Devils needing newcomers to grow up quickly. Well, they had the early bumps and bruises. Time to grow up. Jaelen Strong has a chance to be a real player. Seemed to break through against the Cardinal.

The fans (Pac-12 Nation)

Ted, what were your votes this week for ESPN's Heisman poll?

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

1. Marcus Mariota, 2. Johhny Manziel; 3. Tajh Boyd4. Jameis Winston; 5. Teddy Bridgwater

John (Pluto)

Hey Ted. Pac-12 blog question. What days do you guys reply to mailbag entries?

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

Kevin does Tuesday AM, I do Friday PM.

Mike (Folsom, CA)

Ted, the LB position still appears to be the weakest level in the Ducks D. One piece of evidence was Virginia's long TD run, something the Ducks haven't given up in years. Which PAC12 team seems best equipped to attack the middle of Oregon's defense?

Ted Miller

  (3:26 PM)

Stanford has the best offensive line, so that would be the obvious answer. I also like the way Washington is running the ball. But my impression is the Ducks are getting pretty solid play at linebacker. They aren't as strong as they were last year at the position, but who was? And the D-line is better and far deeper. I really like what I've seen from the Ducks defense. An elite unit.

Ms Cleo (My Crystal Ball)

Ted, how many 10+ win teams will the Pac-12 end up with? Which, other than Oregon & Stanford, are most likely to be there?

Ted Miller

  (3:28 PM)

UCLA and Washington are 10-win type teams, but they both have really difficult schedules. I'm not sure if we get a third 10-win team.

Eric Beaver (Portland)

This Saturday in Corvallis are we going to see the two best WRs in the country?

Ted Miller

  (3:28 PM)

Two really good ones at least... at this point, they look like the first-team All-Pac-12 WRs over Marqise Lee.

Kyle (Tempe)

Dont lie, living out here has put a little devil fan inside you

Ted Miller

  (3:30 PM)

Not a fan of any team. Promise. About as far as I go is wanting the conference I cover to be in the national picture. I'd feel the same if I covered the SEC or Big Ten. It's funny. Just about every year, some fan group thinks Kevin and I hate them. It used to be UCLA. Now the Bruins are winning, folks seem to like us again. It's not use dictating the stories. It's the teams.

Justin (Denver)

Criticism of David Shaw's coaching of ASU game unwarranted? It seems the game actually will do a great job of reminding the team what Shaw said he wanted them to do at half-time: play full sixty minutes. Stanford isn't going to the National Title game on style-points, they will only get there by winning every game and I think the end of the ASU game made that more likely than a sustained blow-out would have.

Ted Miller

  (3:32 PM)

Not sure if the criticism rose beyond the level of "valid observation." Shaw pulled many starter and the result was 21 unanswered points. It's what happened. So the media asks what happened? And, yes, it certainly was a teachable moment.

MB96 (Bellevue)

Leach has never been known as a defensive coach, but what do you think the cause of the huge improvement on that side of the ball for WSU?

Ted Miller

  (3:33 PM)

Leach is an offensive guy but a head coach always likes good defense. First answer is Breske and good overall coaching. But the Cougars personnel is better than you think. There are a lot of experienced guys on that defense.

CougTrain! (Seattle)

I believe Connor will be the QB this year for WSU but if he is hot and cold through this season will he be able to hold of Bruggman?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

I don't know. If Halliday doesn't find consistency, he probably won't keep his job. But it's a little early to insert unproven guys ahead of him.

Hypotheticals (Discussing them)

If Oregon ends the season with a single loss to someone not named Stanford, would you rate them ahead of an undefeated Ohio State or Clemson?

Ted Miller

  (3:37 PM)

Got to see how the season plays out. More likely to be ahead of unbeaten Ohio State than Clemson because Clemson has beaten UGA and would also have to beat Florida State and South Carolina. That's a tough road. But if the Pac-12 has five or six ranked teams at season's end and the Ducks end up the 12-1 Pac-12 champions, more than a few folks would be asking if they should be in the title game. That said, the general feeling is an unbeaten team from an AQ conference isn't going to get leapfrogged by a 1-loss team, even if that were an SEC team.

Nick Aliotti (The Bat Cave)

Who has more take-ways? Oregon or Cal?

Ted Miller

  (3:38 PM)

Oregon.... Ducks have balance on offense and a great secondary.

Troy (Tacoma)

Heavy rain and wind forecasted up here on Saturday. Surely a team from Tucson won't be able to handle that, right? Add even more points to home-field advantage of New Husky Stadium?

Ted Miller

  (3:39 PM)

Perhaps... but the Wildcats are a run-based team. Rain wouldn't be a disaster for them.

Jorge (Tempe)

If ASU can beat an unranked USC and an unranked ND (assuming Oklahoma takes care of business), where do you see them being ranked?

Ted Miller

  (3:40 PM)

They'd still get credit for quality wins. A win over USC probably gets them back in the top-25. A win over Notre Dame and they'd likely inch into the teens.

CougFan88 (Giddyville)

Would Arizona be 3-0 if it played Uw's schedule?

Ted Miller

  (3:41 PM)

Maybe. But it didn't. Arizona played teams that every Pac-12 team would be 3-0 against. Impossible to get a measure of the Wildcats before this weekend.

Dirk (Los Angeles, CA)

Is part of the NCAA sanctions against USC a clause that says that every future investigation against any other team for worse infractions must be resolved in a way that further infuriates USC fans?

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

Yes.

Kiel (Redding)

After Anthony Barr's monstrous hit on one of the New Mexico St. QBs, one of the announcers calling the game presumed that Barr was leading with his head and he would have to sit out the first half of UCLA's Pac-12 opener against Utah. But after watching the slow replay, it was as clean of a hit as you can put on a guy, and Barr did not lead with his head. My question is, can the booth of officials review to see if a player did in fact lead with his head before he gets ejected?

Ted Miller

  (3:43 PM)

It's a weird deal: The penalty doesn't get reviewed but the ejection does.

Cougs (Palouse)

Will Auburn loss look that bad at the end of the year? They seem to be a much improved team.

Ted Miller

  (3:44 PM)

Even if Auburn is only mediocre in the SEC, that was a pretty good effort on the road for the Cougs. A few calls here and there and things might have been different. It seems like that loss helped bolster confidence. Certainly much better than the effort at BYU to open 2012.

TE (LA)

Is Goff this good, or is it just the Dykes system?

Ted Miller

  (3:44 PM)

His numbers are off the charts because of Dykes system, but my impression is he is a QB on the NFL track.

Mitch (Tempe)

Ted, how concerning are Will Sutton's numbers through three games? Has that off season weight gain slowed him down?

Ted Miller

  (3:47 PM)

It's too early to make a blanket proclamation. I saw him win some battles vs. Wisconsin/Stanford. And lose a couple. My early impression is the weight might not be a positive. He's not making as many plays, period. He was mostly double-teamed last year, too. Still, let's give it a few more games. The biggest thing to watch is the Sun Devils defense as a whole. if it puts up good numbers with Sutton not making a lot of plays, he might deserve credit for being a big distraction.

Catch it if you can (Palouse)

Do you want to catch a pass across the middle if Deone Bucannon is in the secondary?

Ted Miller

  (3:47 PM)

No. He can bring it.

Jeff (Portland)

Have you even seen Alabama play this season? They look terrible, imo. When are you going to rank Oregon #1 in your poll?

Ted Miller

  (3:49 PM)

I review my poll on a weekly basis and try to be objective and fair. I'm looking for that marquee win against a quality foe. Both Alabama and Clemson have one.

Craig (SLC)

Be the Devil's Advocate for a minute. What are Oregon's weaknesses and how will they lose a game this season?

Ted Miller

  (3:50 PM)

Not many weaknesses, but an obvious one is kicker. The Ducks don't want to leave it to him with a game on the line.

Cougar Brian (Lynchburg)

I think the Cougar O-line is the key to a victory on Saturday (second key is an interceptionless Connor Halliday)... agree or disagree?

Ted Miller

  (3:52 PM)

I'd lead with turnovers, but containing the best front seven in the Pac-12 is priority one against Stanford. Leach's offense is all about getting the ball away quickly. Halliday needs to do that without sacrificing accuracy.

Rob (Phoenix)

I'm heading to SLC for Utah vs UCLA next Thursday, will I see you at the Pie?

Ted Miller

  (3:53 PM)

I need to stay away from there. Watching my figure. If I'm in Salt Lake, I'd likely be at the Red Iguana on Friday. Mole!

Gowazzu02 (Eastside)

More disappointing series finale, Dexter or the Sopranos?

Ted Miller

  (3:54 PM)

Dexter was really, really dark to me. I'm the only one who liked the ending to both the Sopranos and The Wire.

Cody (Nine Mile Falls)

80 percent chance of rain in Seattle for Saturday. Cougs chance of beating a physical run first Stanford?

Ted Miller

  (3:55 PM)

I'd think rain in this case favors Stanford. But rain is only an issue if it's pouring. That's not typically how it rains in seattle.

Chip Kelly (I hate losing)

I miss you Ted. The NFL is hard.......Andy Reid didn't set me up for success like Belloti did......can I come back to college?

Ted Miller

  (3:55 PM)

Yes... we'd welcome you with open arms. So might Pat Haden.

Nick Saban (Tuscaloosa)

Do you think Alabama made a poor choice backing out of a home-and-home with Sparty? How is the rest of the country going to take us seriously if we never leave the South?

Ted Miller

  (3:56 PM)

The positive take-away from that is it suggests the SEC is going to adopt a nine-game conference schedule.

One Game (Pac-12)

If I can only watch one game this weekend, what is it?

Ted Miller

  (3:56 PM)

Arizona at Washington.

Bill (Denver)

Can't see how Breaking Bad is going to wind down with just one more episode.

Ted Miller

  (3:57 PM)

I just started watching... it's actually fun to know a little bit about how things go while watching the first season.

David (PDX)

What the best thing the Beavers can do to stop Paul Richardson on Saturday?

Ted Miller

  (3:58 PM)

Bracket coverage. Pressure Connor Wood. Force the Buffs to go elsewhere.

Myles Jack (Westwood)

Watch out. I'm gonna be a household name sooner than later.

Ted Miller

  (3:59 PM)

Everything I'm hearing says that too... you and Shaq Thompson are future All-American LBs.

JT (Germany)

Who does ASU worry most about this weekend...Kiffin, Lee, or Breslin?

Ted Miller

  (3:59 PM)

Breslin... Kiffin will cover Lee.

Jeff (Portland)

Fair enough. But then just what marquee PAC-12 team is Oregon going to have to win to convince you?

Ted Miller

  (4:00 PM)

If Washington is undefeated on Oct. 12 that would be a start. That would include win over Stanford. UCLA also. Plenty of opportunity on the Ducks schedule.

Future Man (January 25th, 2014)

TED! I have to tell you football news from the future before I have to go back! Graham is in Texas! Kelly is at USC! Things are all wibbly wobbly! Also, buy stock in deodorant manufacturers. Can't say why

Ted Miller

  (4:01 PM)

Ha! I'm contacting my broker now.

sean mannion (prothro practice field) [via mobile]

Doesn't the lack of a running game make my numbers even more impressive. I've only been sacked 4 times all year

Ted Miller

  (4:02 PM)

Yep. And the lack of interceptions even moreso. The battle for second-team All-Pac-12 QB is going to be fierce.

Kramer (Eugene)

Stanford's defense looked fantastic against ASU last week. Do you think they have what it takes to slow down Mariota and the Ducks?

Ted Miller

  (4:03 PM)

It did last year. The Cardinal is very physical up front and much more athletic in the secondary than in past years. CB Alex Carter might be an All-Pac-12 pick. It will be interesting to see if both teams get to Nov. 7 unscathed.

Toby (Duck nation)

I'm not sure I think DAT Is used properly as an every down back. wouldn't it be more beneficial to use DAT like they did last year and have tyner as the every down back?

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

Maybe. But Helfrich and Frost seem to be doing pretty well with the ole scoreboard so far.

JD (Irvine)

Did I miss the chat?

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

Yes.

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

Yes.

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

Yes.

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

Yes.

Ted Miller

  (4:05 PM)

OK gang... time for me to head on. Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.