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• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Oregon at California

• Is Oregon's offense more exciting than Steve Nash's best Suns teams?

• Would it have mattered if Cal QB Kevin Riley didn't get hurt?

• Vote on those and other questions about Oregon at Cal!

Jonathan (NYC)

Mel, what do you think of LaMichael James' NFL draft prospects if he were to decide to leave early this year? Is he a first-round talent in this year's draft? And If he were to come back to Oregon, what does he need to work on to improve his position?

Mel Kiper

He's a third-year sophomore. Second highest rated running back that is draft eligible behind Ingram. Great quickness and power for his size. His main thing right now is staying healthy so he can prove his durability. He has to show he can be more than a situational performer at the next level. He only has eight receptions this year out of the backfield, so that is something to watch. At the pro level he will need to be more of a factor in the passing game. He will also need to factor into the return game which he hasn't done in college. But he is a big-time talent. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for Georgia at No. 2 Auburn

• Is this too much of a rivalry to be a trap game for Auburn?

• Is it fair for Heisman voters to consider more than Cam Newton's performance?

• Vote on those and other questions about Georgia at Auburn!

Alex (Columbia, SC)

I saw that Auburn almost overtook Oregon in the BCS. Do you see them taking the Number 1 position back?

Brad Edwards

No, I don't. This was a result of TCU's big win jumping them over Oregon in several computers, thus causing the Ducks to weaken in the computer element. Oregon has a much stronger schedule than TCU the rest of the way and should regain that ground in the computers. The only way Oregon falls from No. 1 in the BCS is if it loses a lot of its first-place votes in the polls. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 19 Mississippi State at No. 12 Alabama

• Which team are you more surprised to find at 7-2?

• Has Dan Mullen outcoached Nick Saban this year?

• Vote on those and other questions about Mississippi State at Alabama!

Jamie (Provo, UT)

Do you believe Miss. State will beat Alabama this Saturday?

Ivan Maisel

Yes. I think this will be a real gut check for Alabama. The Tide isn't going to win the national championship. They're playing a team with a lot of emotion after the death of Nick Bell. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 23 South Carolina at No. 22 Florida

• Would Boise State finish ahead of both in SEC East?

• Which coach will have a greater legacy?

• Vote on those and other questions about South Carolina at Florida!

Mike (Pageland, SC)

The Gamecocks travel to Gainesville this weekend to try and win their first SEC East title. How do you like their chances after the beat down from Arkansas last weekend?

Beano Cook

Number one, that game meant nothing. I agree that South Carolina should have played a little better. I am rooting for South Carolina and Steve Spurrier, but I think Florida will win. It would be ironic if Florida and Auburn met for the SEC title! Full transcript

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
• Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
• Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
• More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
• Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson

It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).

• Your Heisman Watch: Which players will challenge Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy?
• Tuesday's Chats: Non-AQ blogger Graham Watson, 1 p.m. ET | Pat Forde, 2 p.m. ET

Stanford has produced more than its fair share of famous alumni, from heads of governments in Japan (Taro Aso), Israel (Ehud Barak), Honduras (Ricardo Maduro), Peru (Alejandro Toledo) and the United States (Herbert Hoover) to our personal favorite, the late wine guy Robert Mondavi. The list of athletic alumni is hardly less impressive, including Tiger Woods and John Elway.

Toby Gerhart? Let's just say he's not quite there yet.

Gerhart is not, in fact, a midfielder with the United States national soccer team. Nor is he a goaltender for the Maple Leafs, a right tackle for the Packers or a reliever for the Twins. But try telling that to the nearly 70 percent of SportsNation that picked one of those options.

With 650 rushing yards through four games, including 334 against Washington and UCLA the last two weeks, Gerhart earned his place on ESPN.com's Heisman Watch. Now all he needs to do is introduce himself to SportsNation.

“

If it weren't for the fact that Toby Gerhart is only 14 miles away from the Pacific ocean, he'd be at the top of the Heisman list.

” -- orangemochafraps

“

I would like to know why this list is mostly offense. I know its pretty and scoring points is cool but defense wins CHAMPIONSHIPS

” -- rolltide_54

SportsNation has begun to doubt Florida. Maybe Tim Tebow's injury has fans rethinking who will survive the SEC schedule. Maybe Alabama has really been that impressive.

Among bloggers on ESPN.com, the Gators received seven votes at No. 1 to the Tide's five. (One rogue blogger who attributes his list to a computer picked Iowa.) Boise State rose in most fans' polls to an average position of 5.2. The Broncos got votes ranging from No. 2 to No. 11.

None of those teams faces a huge challenge this week. Instead, fans are excited about USC-Cal (can it be a rivalry if the Bears never win?), Oklahoma-Miami, LSU-Georgia and Michigan-Michigan State.

Finally, is the Charlie Weis era over? I am Ron Burgandy wants your vote on whether you'd keep him or fire him at Notre Dame.

These are the best college football fan blogs of the week. Click through to comment, disagree and discuss your favorite teams.

Rankings (with No. 1 team): jdebose004 (Florida) | nunyabiz81 (Florida) | awesomewes1 (Florida) | volsandtitansfans101 (Florida) | tjroundup (Florida) | canesinla (Florida) | ADEVARTS (Florida) | cgrant26 (Iowa) | SuperHoodrat (Alabama) | Monkeyduck2008 (Alabama) | jjreynoldsii (Alabama) | C.UngureitJr (Alabama) | theballguy (Alabama)

“

After the beatdown Miami just took, look for more of the same from Oklahoma. Again, the media hype machine took over, and Miami just simply isn't (wasn't) one of the top 10 teams in the country.

” -- JoeRevs300

“

If Jahvid Best has a good game, the Bears send USC south with a loss. If not, the USC defense will feast on Cal quarterback Kevin Riley.

” -- Sportsguru6

“

Both teams are off to good starts in the SEC (2-0) … Mark Richt needs a big win for the UGA program, and I think they get it at home. Another No. 4 ranked SEC team goes down. Georgia 28, LSU 24.

” -- spoofybeme2005

“

Michigan-Michigan State: Michigan. Why: Michigan comes through at the last minute. MSU doesn't.

” -- nunyabiz81

Earlier this week, 65 percent of SportsNation predicted this season's championship game would feature two teams currently ranked in the top five (notable exceptions were voters in Oklahoma, Ohio, Iowa and some astoundingly optimisitc West Virginians).

Two of the most notable potential spoilers, Oklahoma and USC, face tough road tests this weekend at Miami and Cal, respectively, but the week's other big game should clue us in as to whether or not No. 4 LSU is really championship material after a trip to Georgia. SportsNation blogger jdebose004, an LSU alum, doesn't see it.

"I was at LSU for four years. I've loved the program and the players, but since Saban left, his replacement has hurt the program more than most people will admit. While I said Saban gets more from less, Les gets less from more. He has bursts of genius, but any time his ego takes over, he decides to take risks and throw in creativity where none is needed. LSU has enough speed and talent to continue running the pro-style offense it used to run and be productive. They DO NOT belong in the top 5 or top 10 because Miles has annually handcuffed the Tigers to their cage, trying to be the genius behind it when really he's only the problem." -- Read the full post.

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25 | America's Vote
• Vote on big games: Oklahoma at Miami | USC at Cal | LSU at Georgia
• Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
• More chat wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel

• ESPN.com Heisman Watch: Houston's Case Keenum moves solidly into third place.
• Your Heisman Watch: Do you have anyone ahead of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy?
• Tuesday's Chats: Pat Forde, 2 p.m. ET | Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin, 3 p.m. ET

Colt McCoy has thrown five interceptions in four games. Tim Tebow has completed 19 passes against non-FCS opponents. And yet it's not all that easy to argue against the two of them splitting all 15 first-place votes in this week's ESPN.com Heisman Watch.

SportsNation tried to branch out in its rankings last week, giving the Heisman nod to Cal running back Jahvid Best, only to see him go silent in a bad loss at Oregon. Voters also ranked Jacory Harris third a week ago, ahead of McCoy. Miami's quarterback rewarded that faith by floundering at Virginia Tech.

So will this be strictly a two-person race, or is there room for more at the top?

Chaz (Chicago)

Is it possible that Jimmy Clausen is underrated? His numbers are amazing. His performance has been top drawer in every game this year. And he's proving to be one tough competitor playing w/ a tough injury for QBs. Yet, no one is talking about him for the Heisman-- when he should be in the conversation.

Mark Schlabach

He earned a lot of my respect Saturday night by going back into the game with the toe injury and throwing the winning TD. His numbers have been great. He'd probably be in my top five today, but the Irish couldn't lose another game for him to stay there. Full transcript.

“

Mardy Gilyard for heisman, how many diffrent ways does the kid has to score to get some heisman buzz. Do they want him to teleport to the endzone? He is by far the most exciting player to watch since young & bush.

” -- lazarre11

“

Tebow has less than impressive numbers and is a runaway Heisman favorite? The Gators would be dominant with or without him. He is getting far too much credit for the talent around him.

” -- bodhisamaya

In the span of a month, Miami has gone from SportsNation's pick to finish fifth in the ACC to voters' overwhelming favorite to beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg this weekend. To all those gathered in Pittsburgh at the moment (be they world leaders at the G-20 or Pirates front office executives), that's how you orchestrate a recovery.

SportsNation blogger nunyabiz81 warned of a USC stumble in Seattle, so we yield the floor to him again. Only this week, he's squarely on the bandwagon.

"Everyone's in love with the U right now (except Florida State fans). We're ready to give the Heisman to Jacory Harris (except Cal fans). … I think this is no contest. VT got lucky against Nebraska last weekend because of defense and Tyrod Taylor coming up big when VT needed him most. But, short of Harris going down, I don't see how they can win this. VT's defense might make this game more boring than it should be for two -- maybe three -- quarters, but I don't believe Miami's O can be stopped … nor do I see VT having enough offense to get past the U's D." -- read the full post.

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25 | America's Vote
• Vote on big games: California at Oregon | Miami at Virginia Tech | Iowa at Penn State
• Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
• More chat wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel

You can't blame fans like OleMIssOurYear for getting their hopes up. It's happened to us all (as has a game like the loss at South Carolina).

Next up for bubble popping? Maybe Miami. Maybe TCU. Maybe Cal. Maybe Houston.

Fans blogged their predictions for these and other games this week. Check out the voices and reactions of fans from across the country.

Week 4 predictions: awesomewes1 | uclabruin094 | Sportsguru6 | nunyabiz81 | spoofybeme2005 | jjreynoldsii | schubaka23 | utfan089 | tjroundup | SeAGoBLin15 | JoeRevs300 | D1Fortune

Rankings: sundevil22820 (No. 1 Florida) | canesinla (No. 1 Florida) | ADEVARTS (No. 1 Florida) | pnthrsfn1012 (No. 1 Florida) | randomdude21 (No. 1 Florida) | Slaton_20 (No. 1 Florida) | CheezusCrust (No. 1 Miami) | jjreynoldsii (No. 1 Alabama) | pigtailedtigerpiccolo (Overrated teams)

“

This year, it's all different. Darryll Clark is a totally different quarterback and Penn State's defense is more ready than ever before. Ricky Stanzi will have do it all by himself. Penn State 25, Iowa 12.

” -- tjroundup

“

The Frogs are an exceptional red zone team, both offensively and defensively, so you can expect Clemson's rushing TD drought to continue. ... The Frogs' balanced attack and athletic defense will get it done in the second half. TCU 31-20.

” -- bassmannash

“

This is tough. It's in Blacksburg, but I'm not sold on Tyrod Taylor. Can Miami continue this magical start? I say no. Virginia Tech 20-13.

” -- spoofybeme2005

“

Texas Tech-Houston: Texas Tech. Why: Houston strikes me as a similar 'BCS-buster' type as teams like BYU, Ball State and East Carolina have been the past couple years.

” -- nunyabiz81

“

Jahvid Best has at least two TDs and those will be the difference when Cal comes out of Eugene with a win. If Oregon had LeGarrette Blount this would be a closer game. Cal 35, Oregon 21.

” -- awesomewes1

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd tweet only when they're in the "SportsNation" TV starting lineup.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Which state is the king of college football?
Florida has the top-ranked college football team. Texas is No. 2. The California Golden Bears lead the Pac-10 charge at No. 6.

Which team will win Sunday?
The Redskins have trouble finding the end zone and the "off" button for social media. The Lions' last win came in the leather-helmet era.

How much will Michael Vick contribute Sunday?
Andy Reid is hedging about who will be the No. 2 quarterback. Eagles fans are just hoping for a better showing, regardless of whether Vick plays.

Which is a worse way to be tackled?
Is it worse when a defender grabs a facemask to tackle a ball carrier or when a defender grabs the ball carrier's hair to pull him down?

Do New York's fans and media have unrealistic expectations?
The Yankees clinched a playoff spot Tuesday night, but the papers the next day talked about Joe Girardi's future instead of taking a day to celebrate.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

Carrying Minnesota didn't help Walter Mondale much (add that reference to the Herschel Walker post, throw in some Cure and you've got yourself a retro day in SportsNation), but carrying in Minnesota may prove to be the launching pad for Jahvid Best's Heisman run.

Combined with USC's loss at Washington, which presumably puts Cal in the Pac-10 driver's seat, Best earned a lot of eyeballs with five touchdowns and 131 rushing yards on the road against the Golden Gophers.

And once again, under the guise of a reality check, a look at how SportsNation's Heisman top five looked at this point in the season two years ago.

1. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
2. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
4. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
5. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

• ESPN.com Heisman Watch: Best picks up six first-place votes to climb to No. 2.
• Your Heisman Watch: Do you have anyone ahead of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy?
• Tuesday's Chats: Pat Forde, 2 p.m. ET | Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin, 3 p.m. ET

“

Take Tebow out of the top 5. I don't care who replaces him, but Tebow doesn't deserve it yet. What a boring, not impressive in any way performance against a lame Tenn. team.

” -- callitirishdominance

“

JAKE LOCKER. MOST YARDS IN THE PAC 10 AGAINST 2 TOP 10 TEAMS IN THE NATION. JAKE LOCKER NEEDS TO BE IN THE HUNT AT LEAST. VOTE JAKE LOCKER!!!!!!!!!

” -- fastdawgr