ESPN

Mark Schlabach

  (2:05 PM)

OK, here we go. Hope everybody had a better weekend than Georgia. Thanks for joining us.

Jeff (Ohio)

Hey Mark,Do you think the SEC or the NCAA will look at the Brandon Spikes video? If they do, do you think they will make a ruling or a suspension?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:05 PM)

I would have to think SEC Commissioner Mike Slive was in contact with Urban Meyer before the one-half suspension was announced. I'd be surprised if the SEC did anything more.

Ron (Pollock Pines)

Ryan Mathews Leads the nation in rushing by a good margin. Someone on ESPN.com said Fresno had the 5th toughest non conference in the country. It might be higher now. After playing the non conference in week 5 he led the nation in rushing. What is going on when he is not even really being considered

Mark Schlabach

  (2:06 PM)

Should be considered for the Heisman based on production. But probably won't be because he plays at Fresno State and not enough voters see his games. That's the truth, as tough as it might sound.

Eric (Illinois)

If Oregon wins out do you think they will pass Boise St?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:07 PM)

I would think so based on schedule strength, but I don't know if it's fair because Oregon lost to Boise State in a head-to-head meeting. I know the Ducks are probably one of the top four teams in the country right now. I know Oregon has gotten better. We learned last year that head-to-head meetings aren't always the bottom line.

Robin (Milford CT)

I'm frustrated with all the comments that "Iowa should've lost to Indiana". The final score wasn't even close. Had those points been scored throughout, or even all in the first quarter, the pundits wouldn't be saying this. The fact that they scored 4 unanswered TDs after being down double digits makes it more impressive. What's your take?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:09 PM)

I give Iowa a ton of credit for continuously finding ways to come back and win games. I am also dumbfounded that Iowa keeps falling behind inferior teams. Indiana was driving and up 24-14. A ball bounced off five guys before Sash picked it off and ran it back. Four wins in which Iowa came from behind in second half. Eventually, it might come back and haunt them. NW, Ohio State and Minnesota will be tough.

Matthew (Chico )

What's the best bowl game Cal can get to if they win out?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:11 PM)

I would think Oregon to the Rose and USC to the Holiday. Would be in line with Arizona and Stanford for the Sun or Emerald depending on what those other teams do the rest of the way.

Michael (Baltimore)

Mark, I see you keep slotting ND to the Gator Bowl. Don't you think the Cotton Bowl, who has the option to take the Irish once every 4 years instead of their SEC pick, would jump at a ND-Oklahoma matchup for their first game in Cowboys Stadium??

Mark Schlabach

  (2:12 PM)

Very good point. I'll check on it this week. Notre Dame still has three tough games. Pitt, U Conn and Stanford won't be pushovers by any stretch of the imagination.

Nathan (Baton Rouge)

What is the best way for the ACC to gain some national respect this year, or is it all ready a lost cause?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:12 PM)

Have Georgia Tech win out and win the Orange Bowl. Georgia Tech beats Georgia. Clemson beats South Carolina. FSU stuns Florida.

Gary (Atlanta)

The "officiating" in the Iowa - Indiana game is what kept Iowa in the game. Today, who is the better team: PSU or Iowa?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:15 PM)

Iowa beat Penn State pretty badly in Happy Valley. Obviously, losing the OL and TB hurt Iowa. But I think Iowa might beat them again.

Steve (Fresno)

Mark, everyone keeps talking about how much Oregon has improved since the Boise State game, and using that as an excuse to jump Boise in the polls. But that doesn't mean Boise has regressed -- surely the Broncos have continued to improve, too? They're dominating teams that they should dominate. Just because Oregon is better now doesn't mean they can automatically beat a team that destroyed them in Week 1. It's a shame so few in the national media see it that way.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:15 PM)

Boise State and TCU continue to impress me more and more each week.

dave (fla)

why do people think bama could beat florida? dont these people remember that this is the same team that beat bama by 11 last yr (remember that percy didnt play and lou murph only had 1 or 2 catches)

Mark Schlabach

  (2:16 PM)

Bama is better at TB and McElroy looked good until the last couple of weeks. That was a close game last year until the fourth quarter. It will be another good game, could go either way at this point. And I'm still not overly impressed with Florida's offense. Scoring 41 on Georgia doesn't mean much this year.

Wes (Utah)

Do you think voters actually watch games before they vote? TCU has one of the best defenses in the nation and a very underrated offense. They should get even more respect than what they are getting. YOur thoughts?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:17 PM)

I'd probably put them No. 4 in the country right now, behind Florida, Texas and Bama. They're legit and have played a tougher schedule than Boise State.

Cody (Cali)

I know the playoff will not happen anytime soon. But if the season plays out with 4 undefeated teams from BCS conference and two undefeated non-bcs does this provided some gas on the fire for a playoff system?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:17 PM)

You'd certainly have a good argument for a playoff, but I don't think we'll see one anytime soon. Would love to see Florida-Boise State/Bama-TCU and Iowa and Cincinnati in the first round. But it would have to be eight-team playoff, and which one-loss teams get left out and scream for a 12-team playoff?

Kelli (Denver)

Mark, You are posting questions by the same people with the exact same questions when Chris Low was doing his chat...just giving you a heads up of the repeat (i.e. dave (fla))

Mark Schlabach

  (2:18 PM)

Thanks for the heads up. Guess they jumped into two chats today.

Seth (Miami)

Hey Mark,Im happy Spikes got suspended for an entire first half against Vandy. If he actually did rip that kids eyes out, he might of got a WHOLE game! Is that RB gonna get a suspension for trying to damage Spikes fingers with his eyes? And lastly, which is the most pathetic? The gouging, the punnishment, or Tebow's justification. Here i was thinking Tebow was a good sport and not the "well, we werent doing anything they werent doing" type.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:19 PM)

It was a very chippy game. I was there. But there's no excuse for putting your hands inside another player's face mask. I'll go back and watch the tape and see what else I see. I know Spikes had his helmet ripped off early and it looked like he got hit in the eye. Retaliation isn't good, especially when it's caught on tape. Both sides had some questionable behavior on Saturday.

Mike (cincinnati, oh)

If Cincinnati were to win out, would they have a chance for playing in the BCS National Championship Game? They beat a ranked Oregon State team in Oregon, USF in Tampa, and they still have games against a tough WVU team and Pitt in Pittsburgh.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:20 PM)

Only if Florida or Bama lost before the SEC championship or if Texas lost or if Iowa lost. Can happen, but the Bearcats need some help.

Rob (Colorado)

Mark -- What are some possible bowl match up scenarios for Oregon if they win out and a few teams ahead of them earn a loss? Other than the obvious Iowa-Oregon Rose Bowl, what else should we look out for?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:22 PM)

Unless Oregon somehow got in the BCS title game, and a lot would have to happen for that to happen, they'll be locked into the Rose Bowl against Iowa, Penn State or Ohio State.

Pat (Palo Alto)

Mark, Stanford coming off a bye, Oregon feeling pretty special after dominating SC... trap game at the farm?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:23 PM)

Could be. Stanford will have to slow down Oregon's offense, which nobody has been able to do recently. Ducks will have to tackle Gerhart, which is hard to do.

John (Jersey Shore)

Mark, give us your Top 5 for the Heisman so far.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:23 PM)

1. Mark Ingram 2. Colt McCoy 3. Tim Tebow 4. Case Keenum 5. Jimmy Clausen

Andy (Portland)

Do you think its fair to punish teams for weak non-conference schedules? People rip Texas because they didn't play Utah or Arkansas this year. I think you can only reward teams for good opponents, not detract from them. Schedules are out of the player's hands. Sometimes even the AD. Even if your AD schedules "good" opponents, they may turn out to be a bunch of Notre Dames, big name schools without much substance. Should strength of schedule distinguish teams at the top of the BCS, or potential quality?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:23 PM)

I think you have to look at schedule strength. If that were the case, why wouldn't Boise State be No. 1 or No. 2?

Xavier (Ridgeland,MS)

Do you think Florida is going to dominate the rest of the season and win National Title?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:26 PM)

I think Florida has to continue to improve in the red zone to beat Bama and possibly Texas in the BCS title game.

Robert (florida)

Why is usc still ranked 12 if they got blown out. but the hurricanes lose in overtime and they move all the way down to 18? why is usc still ranked higher then the canes? and if GT loses one more acc gane will the canes win the costal?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:27 PM)

USC always seems to get the benefit of doubt from voters. Wish I would have stuck to my guns in August. Said USC wouldn't finish in the top 10 back in February, and then backed off in my preseason top 25. Guess I was right the first time....Would have to check the tie-breakers on Coastal if it's a three-way tie. Probably still has to do with highest-ranked team in BCS standings.

Casey (Santa Clarita, CA)

You heard this hear TEXAS has no DEFENSE compared to BAMA and FLORIDA. They will loose the NC!!!! What great defense besides OU have they played against?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:28 PM)

I don't think you've been watching the same Texas D that I've seen. As good as Florida or Bama. And which great SEC defense has Florida or Bama played this year: Georgia? Auburn? Arkansas? LSU and Tennessee are good, but the rest are pretty average.

Tim (Memphis, TN)

What do you think of the job that Kiffin is doing at Tennessee? As a Vol fan I feel like we are moving in the right direction (recruiting, new energy, and the teams mind set).

Mark Schlabach

  (2:29 PM)

Definitely moving in the right direction -- and right past Georgia and South Carolina in the SEC East. A lot of excitement in Knoxville right now. Losing some good players after this year, but he'll recruit well and this year definitely helps in that department.

CLW (H-town)

Everyone continue to hand the SEC the NC just like everyone handed it to USC in 2005

Mark Schlabach

  (2:29 PM)

Texas and Bama in title game....Texas and Florida in title game. Either way, it's a great game.

Lou (Rockville, MD)

Darryl Clark has been conspicuously absent from your precision passers list the last several weeks which is surprising - he's been very sharp since the Iowa game.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:30 PM)

If he's sharp against Ohio State, I'll include him.

Munkus (Alabama)

Is the SEC helped or punished by the SEC championship? Could we have possible seen a BCS championship game of 2 undefeated SEC teams without it?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:31 PM)

I think it can help or hurt a conference. I've seen it happen both ways. No, I think if Texas were to finish unbeaten, the 'Horns would have been in BCS title game against an SEC team.

Brandon (Utah)

Mark, with Utah sitting at #14 in the last BCS standings, would it be possible to see them with one lose going to a BCS game? Of course Boise would have to lose and Utah would have to have beaten TCU, but they are in position are they not?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:32 PM)

If Boise State lost to Nevada and TCU lost to Utah, I guess there's a chance the Utes could move into the top 12 and be guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl game.

Tim (Texas)

Everybody keeps talking about the great defenses everyone plays against in the SEC, but what great offense has Florida or Bama played so far?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:33 PM)

I think SEC offenses might be ahead of defenses in some cases. Arkansas is very good on offense. Mississippi State has moved it on everybody. Auburn offense is very good with Gus Mahlzahn. Georgia's certainly better on offense than defense. LSU offense isn't very good. Ole Miss can be good if it avoids sacks and turnovers.

Weston (Decatur, AL)

Do you think that SEC coaches criticizing the officials fuels the "conspiracy" theory?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:34 PM)

I don't think it's good for the league, which is why Mike Slive put his foot down last week.

Nick (Macon,ga)

If Bama continues to get bad quarterback play is the runnig game good enough to carry the offense.and stay undefeated with that defense

Mark Schlabach

  (2:34 PM)

Potentially. We saw last year, Bama didn't have to have a "great" QB to win. Might need one against Florida, though.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mark do you feel Penn State is good enough to stay in a game with either Florida or Alabama? It seems like this is a year when a good Big Ten team could actually compete with a good SEC team.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:35 PM)

Don't know. I've only seen Penn State play one good team and they lost to Iowa. We'll know more after they play Ohio State Saturday.

JP (Tualatin, OR)

All the talk of the national title drives me nuts when 1-loss teams are thrown out despite playing harder schedules than undefeated teams, BCS league or not. Until we have a playoff can we at least get the BCS to require all teams in BCS bowls to have played at least 2 OOC vs BCS (or top 50 in nation ranked teams using comp rankings over last 3 yrs) with one on the road or neutral site? Bama plays one such game, Ducks played 3. This system would at least give more truth to the season really matters don't you think?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:36 PM)

Shouldn't have lost at Boise State....Probably shouldn't have scheduled road game on blue turf, either. Ducks are a top four team right now.

Dave (NJ)

I knew you couldn't answer tough questions about the ACC

Mark Schlabach

  (2:36 PM)

Which was? League isn't very good.

C. One (Spur, Texas)

Mark--How bout some love for Jerrod Johnson? He has some of the best offensive stats in the nation and has arguably been the best QB in the Big 12 this year.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:38 PM)

Better than Colt McCoy? Don't think so. He threw three picks vs. Kansas State, but has otherwise been pretty good.

Phil Knight (Beaverton, OR)

Do you think the current Oregon team can beat the current Boise State team?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:38 PM)

I think it would be a great matchup.

Lee (Columbus, OH)

How about this thought? There are no great teams this year. It seems you could take 1-15, shake them in a hat and come away with a different winner each game. I don't buy that any team would take 9 out of 10 games against another in the top 15.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:39 PM)

Agree, but I also think the top three are better than the other 12.

Ben (Carrollton)

Why don't we hear more about Josh Nesbitt when talking about national awards? Eric Crouch won a Heisman not too many years ago, yet Josh Nesbitt barely gets recognition within his own conference.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:39 PM)

It's hard for a QB who completes one pass or six passes a game to get much notoriety. But the guy is a beast and has been carrying Tech on his back.

Robin (Indiana)

How can you say any team that has one loss is better than a BCS team that is undefeated? Cincy, Iowa, Boise State and TCU are all undefeated and to be undefeated at this time of the season should be given more preference.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:40 PM)

No, it depends on who you beat to get undefeated, too.

milton (illinois)

illinois beat michigan bad sign for michigan or good sign for the illini?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:40 PM)

Good sign for Illinois that they haven't quit under Zook. And a really, really bad sign for Michigan that things haven't gotten much better.

Mike C. (Portland, Or.)

So you really think that Florida and Alabama are that much better than Oregon right now? I can see why you would think Texas is, they look outstanding right now. But what has Florida and Alabama done that is as impressive as what Oreogn did on Saturday?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:41 PM)

I don't know. I think Oregon is good. What would Florida or Bama do against USC's defense. I think Vanderbilt might put up 28 on the Trojans right now.

Jim Crozier (Boise, Idaho)

Mark: Please post this. Boise State beat Oregon early in the season last year at Autzen. They did it this year in Boise. Last year, as Oregon got on a roll later in the season we heard people saying that the Boise win earlier was a fluke. This year we're seeing the same. There is NO evidence that BSU's TWO wins against Oregon the last two years are flukes. NONE.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:41 PM)

Didn't Oregon play its fourth-string QB last year? No excuses this year, though.

Mike (Chicago)

"it depends on who you beat"....then why is Iowa getting no love? They have the hardest schedule by far! Also your boy Colin Cowherd needs to relax on the Iowa hate....

Mark Schlabach

  (2:45 PM)

With all due respect, Iowa hasn't played the hardest schedule by far. Arizona, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State. You can't include Iowa State and Michigan and Indiana as tough games. Bama's schedule has been as tough or more difficult. Cincinnati has played a tough schedule.

Ray (The Plains)

I hear a lot about Mark Ingram. He's a great back, but where is the love for Ben Tate? He is currently second in the Nation in rushing yards and has been the best player for Auburn all year.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:46 PM)

Tate has been very good. Ingram has been better, though, and is even more valuable out of the 'Wildcat.'

Darren (Baton Rouge, LA)

Mark: What is your prediction of the LSU vs. Alabama game on Saturday.?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:47 PM)

I'll go with Bama at home. Extra week to prepare, and Tigers are probably too one-dimensional on offense vs. that defense. Probably very similar to what happened against Florida.

Justin (Odessa, TX)

Colt will do throw for 3 and run for 2 TDs in College Station, and do the Heisman pose in front of the Aggies. I said it first!!

Mark Schlabach

  (2:48 PM)

Thanksgiving Day night in College Station. Better be careful.

Nick (Australia)

What are Golden Tate's chances to win the Heisman? Does Clausen being on his team hurt him? Vice Versa, will Tate steal votes from Clausen?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:48 PM)

He'll be an All-American, but he won't win the Heisman Trophy.

jason (athens,ga)

FIRE MARK RICHT!!!!

Mark Schlabach

  (2:50 PM)

Come on, get a clue. It's ridiculous. Three SEC championships after Georgia went 20 years without one. I think the guy is entitled to have a bad year after losing Stafford and Moreno. Do changes need to be made? Probably. But you don't fire a guy who put you back on the map.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:50 PM)

Gotta run. Hope everybody has a great week.