Moderator

  (3:06 PM)

Here we go!

Beano Cook

  (3:06 PM)

Good afternoon, thank you for joining the weekly chat -- every Wed at 3 ET until the end of NFL season! I never thought the 136th season would arrive, but it gets here Saturday night with VTech and USC at FedEx field.

robby(los angeles, ca)

How big of a difference do you think Mike Williams would make to USC? I hear they have a great group of young WRs, so if he comes back are they just too talented at the skill positions to be beat?

Beano Cook

  (3:10 PM)

On Mike Williams - -they have not made a decision yet, as far as i know, about his playing. Apparently he will miss the VT game -- this is absolutely INSANE! Who's on the committee, the Olympic gymnastics judges? This guy should be playing. USC will miss him, but they are not exactly a team without talent. Of the teams contending for the national title, USC has one big advantage -- no conference championship game. For the record, my prediction -- Oklahoma will beat Georgia for the National Title. Another words, USC will lose a game. Please, no hate mail ... direct all to Lee Corso!

Mike (fwb, florida)

Give me your opinion on this. Florida beats LSU and Georgia again this season. True or False?

Beano Cook

  (3:12 PM)

False. BUT, Florida does get LSU in The Swamp and Georgia in Jacksonville. And MIke, I remember Florida has won 13 of the last 14 -- which I know, seems unreal!

Grant (Lafayette, LA)

Beano, what will it take for LSU to repeat? They have as potent a Defense as last year, and a Quarterback that has more experience comming into this season then Matt Mauck had when he started his season last year. Where is LOVE?

Beano Cook

  (3:13 PM)

Of the teams in the SEC, LSU has the toughest sched -- at Auburn, At florida, AT Georgia. If LSU wins it's division, it will have to play in Atlanta for the title and that could be Georgia. The SEC is so darn tough. It's nearly impossible to finish with a perfect record.

David (FL)

What do you expect out of FSU this season?

Beano Cook

  (3:15 PM)

Well, if FSU beats Miami, Florida State is right in the running for the national title. The loser of that game will be one of the wild cards in the BCS and will probably go to the Fiesta Bowl. That's what I think,

El D (Seattle)

I have some misguided Duck friends that think U of O has a real shot to win the Pac 10 this year. Set them straight for me. And secondarily, what's the current dope on the USC date rape scandal? I hear rumors that it could involve as many as 18 players, with Herschel Dennis of course being the center of attention.

Beano Cook

  (3:16 PM)

El, tell your friends that if USC joins the Big 12, Oregon has a very good chance. Otherwise, tell them not to make plans to go to Pasadena or Miami ... but San Diego is nice in the moth of December ... you can visit the zoo.

Tom(Houston, Tx)

Is there any chance for Texas to finally bring down the sooners?

Beano Cook

  (3:18 PM)

Well, Tom, as we said before, sooner or later, Texas will beat Oklahoma, but until that happens, Brown will have his critics. I believe Benson has a shot to be a strong contender for the Heisman if he could gain 150 yards against Oklahoma. If Texas wins the game, he's in the race!

Tom (Livonia, MI)

Beano, how do you think Michigan will fare in the Big Ten. I don't see them losing any up until the Ohio St game at the end of the season. If they run the tables could a national title possibilty become close?

Beano Cook

  (3:21 PM)

Yes Tom, if Michigan finishes 11-0, of course they have a shot at the title. But they have to go to Notre Dame, and I know I keep saying the Irish will be good, so I won't say it again, but it will be tough. And of course, they have to go to Ohio State. The bottom line is, the Big Ten is not as strong as the SEC, the Big XII and now the ACC.

BayStateHawk (Pittsfield, MA)

Where do you think Iowa's going to end up this year? Can the Hawks go up to Ann Arbor and beat UM? How about a Rose Bowl? I'm hoping '04 is the year because it's not going to get any easier in 2005.

Beano Cook

  (3:22 PM)

Hey, if Iowa goes to Michigan and wins, VERY good chance. Please don't laugh, but Penn State won't be easy at Penn State ... and of course, there's Ohio State. But that game is in Iowa City. I also understand that for the Ohio State game, there will 76 trombones in the stand ... however I don't know if Mr. Hill will be there ...

Tim (State College, PA)

Staying on the topic of the Big Ten, do you see Penn State returning to a bowl game? I predict a 7-4 finish. I am crossing my fingers that this season will be a springboard for a Big Ten title run in '05.

Beano Cook

  (3:24 PM)

Tim, I expect Penn State to win at least 7 games. As usual, the non-conf sched isn't that tough, although B.C. will not be easy on the road. You are lucky Penn STate doesn't have to play Michigan, but they must go to Wisconsin and Ohio State. Does anybody have any tickets for the Iowa-Penn State game?? Let me know!!

Pat (Seattle)

Beano, Does Washington have a shot of being a surprise in the PAC. It seems Gilbertson could be instilling a tough love atmosphere (Done James Era) that should produce better hard nose players....something Rick Neu was not able to do/did not choose to do.

Beano Cook

  (3:26 PM)

Well Pat, I was told in the pre-season poll, Wash was picked to finish 7th -- that's hard for me to believe. Wash has to play USC, so we know of one loss. They also must go to ND, that's another loss. I mean, I just can't believe they aren't better than 7th, but the experts are out there and they pick the Huskies that low. ... Plus, Fraiser Crane just moved to San Francisco -- that's a psychological loss !!!

Bill Callahan (Lincoln)

Beano, What's up, my man!!! Will my offense this year at Nebraska be as potent as Frank Solich's last year or do you think that I need to get MY type of players in here before we can expect an improvement? Thanks, BC

Beano Cook

  (3:29 PM)

Look Bill, I'm not that bright, but I'm no fool, I'll play along. Nebraska must go to Oklahoma. It will be tough for Nebraska, but I hear nothing but good reports on the progress made in spring practice, but again, if Nebraska were in the Big 10, they probably could win 7 games, but it's a lot tougher in the Big XII.

mike sd

Will Notre Dame go into the Michigan game a favored.

Beano Cook

  (3:30 PM)

No, Mike, I think Michigan will definitely be favored unless Michigan loses to Miami of Ohio. The early line I saw is Michigan by 9 points.

Sal (New York, NY)

Beano, was Ole Miss all Eli last year or do they have a shot to contend in the SEC West again? They certainly have the schedule to compete, as Auburn and Tennessee come to Oxford and LSU could lose multiple SEC games. Hotty Toddy.

Beano Cook

  (3:34 PM)

Well, you lose a guy like Eli it's like losing a guy like Elway or Marino or Montana. It's not gonna be easy. They also have to play OSU on the road. LSU will be aweful hard to compete with in that division.

Beano Cook

  (3:35 PM)

However, remember this -- You still have The Grove, win or lose.

Jimbo (G'ville, FL)

Beano, who's running attack will be more potent this year...Auburn or Minnesota?

Beano Cook

  (3:37 PM)

To be honest Jimbo, I have no idea. But, I understand both will be very good. Auburn gets to play LSU at Auburn, if they can pull the upset, and the two teams end in a tie for the division, Auburn would win the tie-breaker.

Jay- Mt Pleasant, SC

What do you expect out of South Carolina this year?

Beano Cook

  (3:40 PM)

Oh yeah, Jay, I like South Carolina. Their problem is very simple -- Tennesee, Georgia, Florida. It would be very unusual for SC to beat all three of those teams in the same year. You have a superb coach --despite the Clemson disaster -- but you just don't have as many athletes on the roster. You have Lou Holtz, that's good for at least another extra win a year.

Quentin Seaborn(Auburn, AL)

Beano, what happens to Kansas State this year? Do they reload or rebuild without Ell Roberson and those speedy wideouts?

Beano Cook

  (3:42 PM)

Well, I think K-STate has a very good chance of winning that division. The problem is, if they win, they will probably have to play Okla or TExas for the title. You might lose to Oklahoma the first time, win your division, but have to beat them again! The Oklahoma-Kansas STate game will definitely be one of the better games of the year.

Clinton Dallas TX

Which game are you most looking forward to this year as of right now? Thank you Very much Beano, you r the best, go ND.

Beano Cook

  (3:43 PM)

Yes, I would think it would be LSU at Georgia in October. And of course ... no matter what, I always look forward to Michigan at Ohio State -- no matter what the records are.

Freddie Jax Fl

What are the Gators chances of winning when they travel to Knoxville?

Beano Cook

  (3:45 PM)

Florida has a chance. Sure! It's up to this coaching staff to carry Spurrier's tradition on. Speaking of STeve, i think there is a better chance of the signing of Johnny Carson than of signing Steve Spurrier. If anyone sees Steve, tell him college football misses him.

Lucas (Grand Rapids, MI)

Beano, you are the best. Does Sly Croom invade Tusacaloosa and leave with a victory?

Beano Cook

  (3:48 PM)

Well, he would obviously like to win at Alabama, but I don't know if he will. It's not easy to win at Mississippi State. However, let me say this, in 1950, Tennesse lost only one game -- that was to Mississippi State. Anyway, there are certain schools taht in order to have a good season, they have to catch a few breaks. People forget that overall Jackie Sherril did an oustanding job.

Lucas (Grand Rapids, MI)

Beano, love your chats ever though you don't show the Big XII any love. Would you ever sports the sweater vest on the sidelines?

Beano Cook

  (3:52 PM)

I'm just a hick from Pittsburgh, what's a sweater vest. and I like the Big XII, c'mon. Don't give me that stuff, I just love the SEC ... and the Big Ten, but hey, it's possible to have two lovers. ... See you next Wednesday at 3 o'clock! We'll do it every week! Take care!