College Football and Basketball

Eric Prisbell and Marc Carig
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, November 30, 2007 12:00 PM

Eric Prisbell and Adam Kilgore cover college sports for the Washington Post and were online Friday, Nov. 30 at noon ET to take your questions about this weekend's games, BCS rankings, bowl projections, the start of basketball season and more.

A transcript of the chat follows.

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Eric Prisbell: Hello, everyone. Redskins issues obviously overshadow everything this week, but we're going to answer any and all college-related questions during the next hour. Ask anything about college basketball or football. I went to Morgantown this week and am headed back tomorrow and again at some point next week, so if anyone has any favorite place to eat in one of my favorite college towns, chime in. Please.

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Arlington, Va.: Should have known better than to pick UVA to beat VT. Who you got in the VT/BC rematch and why?

Marc Carig: we're in the same boat, brother. i called uva beating tech in my acc bowl projection. oops. i call hokies in the rematch. they've improved during the stretch run. and if it took a two-minute miracle to beat them the first time, it's hard to think that BC could stun them again.

Eric Prisbell: I pretty much agree. I have V-Tech. The hokies controlled the game for 57 minutes and it took a Ryan miracle to beat them. I don't see that happening again.

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Heisman-ville: With no clear, ESPN-endorsed favorite, it's not even obvious who should be invited to the DAC, much less win the statue. Who are your picks to go and win? Are any of the contenders, like Troy Smith last year, the product of a good team, favorable system, and easy schedule rather than actually being the most outstanding player in the country?

Eric Prisbell: I feel confident that these four players will/should be invited:

Tim Tebow

Darren mcFadden

Chase Daniel

Pat White

After that, does Colt Brennan get an invite? maybe.

I'd go Tebow because he's been off the charts, accounting for 51 touchdowns. If Daniel had a big game tomorrow, i may be inclined to go Daniel. He has done nothing to lose the trophy, especially recently. But, in the end, i think tebow will win it.

Marc Carig: I've hesitant to jump on the Tim Tebow hype machine, but it sure is tough to argue with this:

3,132 passing yards, 29 TDs

838 rushing yards, 22

Those stats would be impressive if those were the stats of a nice quarterback/running back combo. But those are Tebow's numbers for the year om his own!

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Storrs, Conn.: RE: Morgantown--I found a pretty good place to eat crow...

Eric Prisbell: nice.

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Detroit, Mich.: Granted it was NC State and we were at home, but MSU looked real good. Seems like Izzo has found the right lineup. Of course, this is all dependent on Suton playing like he did, which is not at all guaranteed.

Eric Prisbell: I agree. I was surprised at the margin in that game. But this is one of Izzo's teams that I like. I got to see them in person some against UCLA. I would be surprised if MSU does not make a fairly deep tourney run, but I still like Indiana as my sleeper Final Four pick -- ok, somewhat of a sleeper -- because of Gordon.

Marc Carig: We could see signs last year that this year's Spartans would be pretty good. Looks like they're showing it now. I tend to like Izzo's teams. They have a certain toughness I appreciate.

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Falls Church, Va.: What do teams do to stay sharp between now and Jan. 1-7 of next year? Do they maintain a regular practice schedule?

Eric Prisbell: That's a good question for Jim Tressel. Ohio State had 51 days off last year and looked like a different team in the Florida rout.

It may vary some from team to team. All teams take some break. There are things called final exams mixed in as well that some students may be inclined to take. Some work on more fundamentals early. You also have to be careful not to overwork your team so it has nothing left come Jan. 7. The layoff is significant, so the approach a coach takes could in fact have a direct effect on the game. Good question.

Marc Carig: Exactly: the only commonality in terms of how to handle that layoff is dealing with the exam break. Other than that, practice schedules leading up to a bowl game vary from coach to coach.

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Falls Church, Va.: Groh wins ACC Coach of the Year, do you think this success can be sustained? I'm skeptical especially considering 5 of their wins were by 2 points or less.

Also, it appears to me that the award goes to the coach who had the biggest turnaround from the previous year (ie Grobe last year and now Groh after 5-7 last year). It seems to me in Groh's case that the turnaround had more to do with the schedule (missing BC, Clemson, FSU) than any brilliant coaching by Groh. Brilliant coaching and Groh don't belong in the same sentence.

Marc Carig: Well, let's give Lord Groh [as the great Patrick Stevens of Moonieville has renamed him] some credit. Winning close games I think reflects on good coaching. Winning games despite having less talent than your opponent also shows a measure of good coaching. But, let's not kid ourselves. UVA's schedule this season was conducive to racking up a gaudy record. So, where Lord Groh's boys a total fraud? No. But just a little bit? Absolutely.

Eric Prisbell: Well, I think he definitely deserves the award, especially considering the state of the team after the Wyoming game. The turnaround, boosted by the sked or not, just amazes me. But, yeah, I would not get too optimistic about sustaining this level of success considering how close so many of the victories were. UVA and LSU have lived a charmed life all season.

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Arlington, Va.: WV and Miz in the BCS championship game -- are the TV executives rooting for OKLA and Pitt this weekend so that their ratings will not fall off of a cliff?

Eric Prisbell: Perhaps. But they would be wrong to do so, in my opinion. Should Pitt and OU win, there is a decent chance the title game would match OSU with a two-loss LSU team. Who wants to watch that?

WV and Missouri would be VERY entertaining and refreshing. Both QB's are Heisman hopefuls. Great freshmen on both teams. High-scoring offenses. What more do you want?

Those who do not watch that game would be making a serious mistake.

That said, LSU-Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl would be a heck of an undercard. I can't wait.

Marc Carig: You know what blows my mind? Chase Daniel has been an explosive player the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Pat White keeps showing that he can throw the football pretty well. Who could possibly come up with an argument that says that those two going head-to-head would make for a lousy bowl game?

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Husker fan: Who do you think will end up with the Nebraska job? Personally, I'd like to see Turner Gill get it. Thanks.

Eric Prisbell: Gill deserves it and would be a great fit. Osborne should bring Gill back to Lincoln.

Marc Carig: Dude made Buffalo somewhat respectable! 'Nuff said.

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Denver: As an OSU fan I understand that no one really wants OSU in the championship game, however, if WV wins but it's close and ugly shouldn't OSU pass them in the rankings?

Eric Prisbell: Fair point, but it won't happen. It won't be close and ugly. And, if it is, OSU won't pass them.

WV still has not lost since Sept. 28. OSU's loss was Nov. 10, and that usually ensures missing the national title game in all seasons almost except for this crazy one.

Neither team beat a great team this season, but I see no reason for an idle OSU team to leapfrog WV is the Mountaineers win the game.

Marc Carig: Admit it. As a Buckeyes fan who is sitting there in the proverbial clubhouse, you'd feel like you were stealing a little if OSU made the title game. You and I know they haven't been a great team this year. You and I know that while they've had a nice year, that they probably don't belong in the title game. But, damn, you'd take it, right?

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Final Exams & Bowl Games: Now -that's- funny. How long can it take to study for a Theory of Football final?

Eric Prisbell: Depends who is teaching it

Charlie Weis -- Why a three-win season is not a rebuilding year

Mike Gundy -- How to convert on third down, speaking man to man

Dan Hawkins --- Differences between the Big 12 and intramural flag football

Les Miles --- How to succeed in the SEC, as a Michigan Man

Marc Carig: Heck, let's not forget the additional class sections offered by others around the country, including:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL AS AMERICAN HISTORY

Professor: N. Saban. MWF Noon-1:30 p.m.

NEWSLETTER WRITING AND EDITING

Professor: D. Franchione. TR Noon-1:30 p.m.

THE ART OF FRAUD

Professor: A. Groh. MW Noon-1:30 p.m.

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NYC: What's with the VA-centric talk? IMO, Maryland is the story in terms of DC-area football. Friedgen has done a fine job there, especially recruiting. They have scary-good talent.

Eric Prisbell: I hear ya, but, to be fair, doesn't Maryland have six wins, including one over a D 1-AA team? Not the finest resume.

Marc Carig: Do I smell sarcasm? Or is that just Prisbell... jk

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Chantilly, Va.: Guys: Does Florida look like a likely participant in next year's BCS championship game?

We can discuss the Gator hoopsters' return to the NCAA final in a few weeks.

Eric Prisbell: Yes. I would be surprised if Florida is not the preseason No. 1 team. Tebow could be going for back-to-back Heismans.

Kansas also returns a lot of players.

Marc Carig: Yeah man, good point. Gators have been more competitive this season than I think many believed. Obviously, they were a half-step below this season but with so much coming back [namely Tebow] they're easy to like next season.

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Charleston, W.V.: I have it on good authority that Frank Ahrens is so confident in WVU, he's already reserved his hotel room in New Orleans. Has he jinxed them?

Eric Prisbell: That's funny. No, I don't think Frank has jinxed them at all. Get your rooms and book your flights now. Trust me, they are going fast. I'd be more concerned with that No. 2 ranking, which has been a curse all season.

Marc Carig: Yes, the Mountaineers are going to the title game. For God's sake people, let's just accept it!

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Coaching moves: Edsalls to GT, looks pretty close to getting done. A&M and Ole Miss are locked and loaded.

Arkansas

Nebraska

Duke

Lets hear a few suggestions?

Eric Prisbell: Nebraska -- Gill is a sound choice

Duke -- I would be surprised if the Old Ball Coach really is giving this much thought. Paul Johnson would be a great hire for Duke. Would it be a great job for JOhnson?

Arkansas -- A guy named Houston Nutt at Ole Miss would doa great job. He could get you to the SEC title game one year, field a Heisman finalist and topple the No. 1 team the next. Hog fans, you'd take that right?

Marc Carig: Arkansas

Ed Orgeron, just to complete the circle. That, or somebody who has a penchant for rat ships.

Nebraska

Gill is a solid choice here [straight from the Delorian]. though Pellini would be pretty interesting too.

Duke

Paul Johnson is better than this place. So the favorite right now is the dude at the JiffyLube down the street. Heck, the pay is roughly the same.

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The Xavier Musketeers: Indiana a sleeper Final Four pick? We dominated them and frustrated Gordon all night. Put us on your radar.

Eric Prisbell: Xavier already is on my radar. Xavier is the class of a vastly improved A-10. Xavier still has a core of players back from last season's team, which should have beaten OSU. I really like C.J. Anderson a lot. I don't consider Xavier a mid-major, but I do think Xavier is certainly capable of a Sweet 16 run. no question. The loss to miami (Ohio), there is no shame in that.

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Denver: So LSU is still somehow discussed as a great team. Why? Not only did they lose 2 (and I am guessing 3 after tomorrow) but they went to the wire with at least three other teams. Besides, when is the last time such a "unbelievable" defense has allowed this many points per game?

Maybe Michigan needs to rethink wanting a coach that does this bad with the "most talented" team in the country.

Eric Prisbell: Hey, LSU is undefeated through two overtimes this season.

You raise great points. Maybe people forget that Saban won the national title at LSU. Miles had one of the two most talented teams -- along with USC -- and could not get to the title game. Michigan will be paying a hefty price for Miles, but I think they are going to do it, and it should be settled in the coming days.

Marc Carig: You make a good Denver. LSU has definitely been helped by the hype machine this year. But, they blew out half of their schedule and their only two losses were heartbreakers... that makes for a pretty good 2-loss team to me.

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Washington, D.C.: If the BCS title game matchup is WVU/Mizzou, will the winner be the least-respected "national champion" ever?

WVU has stomped most teams they've played, but they've played only solid teams at best. Best win is over a middle-of-the-road SEC team in Miss St? Please.

Marc Carig: Haha, I love this topic. So, if Mizzou-WV is such a terrible national championship game, what is the alternative? Who should play in the title game? feel free to suggest your matchup [even if they no longer have a realistic chance of making it]

Eric Prisbell: WVU and OSU have not beaten anyone great.

Missouri beat Kansas and the Illinois team that beat OSU.

You have a point, but i think it depends on how it all plays out. And I'm done predicting anything during this crazy season.

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Rockville, Md.: I can't believe I'm even asking this question, but here it is - How big of an impact do you think Dave Neal's return will have for the Terps, and will he take away playing time from the youngsters, especially Burney and Gregory?

Eric Prisbell: I can't believe I am writing this --- Dave Neal's return sometime in December will help Maryland a lot. They need his experience. They need his steady play. A lot of the freshmen make mistakes now. Neal does not tend to make many mistakes. He had played his best right before getting hurt against Hampton. It may take some time away from those guys, but Maryland will be better for it.

Marc Carig: The question really is how long he'll be out. The other day Gary said it would be at least two weeks until they would know if Neal could even begin the process of coming back. He didn't say this, but I got the feeling that Williams wasn't too optimistic.

But, I agree with Eric. There are a bunch of players on this team that still haven't defined their roles. So to have a guy you can turn to who has carved out that role because he has a little bit of experience is huge.

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Charleston, W.V.: Eating in Morgantown, one man's opinion:

Wings: Crockett's Lodge

Mexican: La Casa

Sandwiches: Boston Beanery

Eric Prisbell: Thank you. Morgantown is one of my favorites. I enjoy the passion of Mountaineer fans. I am thinking about renting an apartment in Morgantown.

Marc Carig: Yeah, Morgantown is a pretty awesome place Hey, isn't the Maryland-West Virginia game up there next fall? Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Nevermind.

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201 Kent St., Blacksburg: Posting early as our caravan is heading to Jax-ville; your take on tomorrow's game? VT has tightened up its game on all fronts since the earlier meltdown against BC. My prognostapooch, Moon Pie, a black and tan coon dog says Hokies 30, Iggles 16. Is Kilgore on the road or just sleeping one off from the dart pub?

Eric Prisbell: guessing where Kilgore is at the moment is always difficult. He could be on the beach. He could be at a fast food restaurant. He could be in a saloon. he could be interviewing a FSU booster in his living room. He could be in front of his laptop in his hotel. Okay, maybe that is a bit crazy --- he probably isn't in front of his laptop in a hotel.

Marc Carig: Doesn't that sound like a great game? Where's Kilgore, kind of like Where's Waldo, except in our version we'd have a drunken sportswriter! I'm going with your dog's prediction. I agree with you about the Hokies being better than they were. It will show.

PS: Kilgore at "the saloon"? Prisbell, are you watching Bonanza while doing htis chat?

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Beacon, N.Y.: Is there any way that West Virginia beats Pitt by less then 40? I think that this is the time when No. 2 steps up and demolishes their opposition.

Eric Prisbell: Less than 40, but not much less.

WVU is playing for all the No. 2 teams that flopped this year!!!

Marc Carig: You know, this year they should rename it the Backyard Beat Down. West Virginia wins. Big.

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Illinois: Assuming WVU will be in the championship game, who do you think they would match up better against? Missouri or Ohio State?

Eric Prisbell: Good question. I can tell you that after talking to WVU players this week, more than a few said they want OSU. I'd be concerned about Missouri's potent offense. I think WVU has speed to exploit OSU in some areas.

Marc Carig: Ohio State would be the better matchup, no doubt. Buckeyes O is a lot of things, but it's not scary, which means a decent matchup for the always in question WVU defense.

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College Park, Md.: Hey guys, hope you can answer a question that drives me insane. Why does the Maryland basketball team fail year in and year out to get quality nonconference games? I'm not talking about tournaments in Hawaii and Kansas City, but actual home-and-homes with teams like Marquette or Arizona or Villanova or someone decent that the fans can see. As an undergrad, I dread going to see Morgan State and American every year. And then when the team falls flat on their face when ACC conference play starts, the coaches pretend to act surprised that the team's Charmin-soft nonconference schedule made them totally unprepared for the tougher competition.

On another note, will the BCS conference teams please get off their high horse? Give someone like Southern Illinois or another high-mid-major team a game! If not a home-and-home, then at least a neutral site.

Eric Prisbell: Well, Saturday will be a good day for you. Ohio State plays at Butler. Indiana plays at Southern Illinois, i believe. I can't wait for both. I really like Butler this season.

maryland's non-conference schedule is not soft when it includes UCLA. But there is no reason to make it any tougher. If Maryland does what it should do in the non-conference and wins 9 ACC games, that should be enough for a tourney berth. Missouri should be a tourney team. Illinois may not be. VCU could be a tourney team. Hampton should be. Holy Cross could be. Playing at Charlotte is a dangerous game.

Marc Carig: Well said. OOC schedule is a pretty tough balancing act especially for an ACC school that will see nothing but tough competition the last two months of the year. Terps don't play a ton of big names, but there's certainly enough to avoid being called "soft."

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Going Bowling!: So, where do you see the local schools going bowling this year?

Obviously, if VT wins tomorrow they will go to the Orange Bowl. If VT loses, will they get a BCS At Large, or are they looking at the Gator Bowl?

Where do you see UVA going? Gator Bowl or Chick-Fil-A? Is a 9-3 UVA a better pick over 9-3 Clemson for an ACC bowl?

And what about Maryland? Will they get to play on the blue field in Boise?

Eric Prisbell: Marc can answer better.

I say V-Tech would not get a BCS at-large.

I see UVA in the Gator.

I see Terps in the Bay Area. Not a bad place to go.

Marc Carig: Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech

- Yes, they will beat BC in the rematch.

Gator Bowl: Virginia

- Because this game is sick of taking the title game loser, the 'Hoos would be the best logical choice.

Emerald Bowl: San Francisco

- Just book it. The Terps have, literally. The only way the Terps play in Boise is if Georgia Tech can convince another bowl to take them, which is a long shot.

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Silver Spring, Md.: I am in favor of a playoff for college football, but a big problem with the format is getting the fans to travel to two to three games. The first round can be regional and easily traveled, but the semi's and championship will require heavy and expensive traveling. Ticket prices are another issue. I know the fans and coaches favor a playoff, but can you really see fans paying $5,000 or more for the last two weeks to watch the games? Go Buckeyes.

Eric Prisbell:$5,000 or more, no, i don't think they will pay that.

I do think the excitement generated by a three-round, eight-team playoff would bring the fans to the games, somehow, someway.

Marc Carig: I hate playoff talk because the reality is that the bowl system will never die. That makes me sad, too.

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Good lord!: Is Drexel not very good, or did Mason have a game for the ages last night?

Marc Carig: I didn't see the game [choosing instead on playing my dynasty challenge in NCAA Foootball 08]. But when I saw that score, I swore it had to be a typo.

Eric Prisbell: The margin of victory really surprised me. The win over K-State was no fluke for Mason. I think Mason is the favorite in the CAA over VCU and could again be a surprise in the NCAAs, though I'm not putting them in San Antonio just yet!

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Fairfax, Va.: Did you hear Boston College only sold 5,000 tickets to the ACCCG? Abominable. They should be ashamed of themselves. They got two gift wins at VT and Clemson, and their fans think they can wait to go to the Orange Bowl. BC people, Boise is your norm. It's your second home. Don't expect to do anything better than that once Matt Ryan leaves. If you were real fans, you'd step up and go to Jax. Instead, we'll see Lane Stadium South tomorrow down there. 55-13, VT.

Eric Prisbell: Stop giving Boise a bad name. Great, great city. Period.

Marc Carig: Yeah, that's the story with BC. Nobody cares. To further illustrate this point, look what one selection committee member at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl wrote about the Eagles on his bowl selection blog [a pretty good idea actually]:

Boston College - Obviously, Boston College is thinking Orange Bowl. We spent more time talking about B.C this week than any other team, but probably not for the reason you think. Let me say this first: We really like this team on the field and Ryan is a great quarterback. Period. But, in all honesty, our committee is leery of the Eagles and we're not convinced their fans will support this team on a bowl trip to Atlanta - particularly after having to travel to Jacksonville for the ACC Championship Game. No one doubts that B.C will provide a great team for our game, but the Chick-fil-A Bowl has a long tradition of sold-out stadiums and an atmosphere that is as loud as any stadium in the country and we're not sure a pro sports town like Boston can support their team at that level. We're hoping the Eagles' fan base will make a statement on behalf of their program and give us a reason to be high on them.

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Columbia, Mo.: M-I-Z...!

Eric Prisbell:...And all the Missouri journalism grads come out of the woodwork this week.

Marc Carig: hahaha. that is all.

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DMV: ACC B-Ball: How about them Dukies? Looking good huh? UNC looks a little shaky out there at times with out Lawson. Maryland does not look promising to me. Clemson and GT could be serious sleepers in the ACC or the Tourney come March. What do you guys think?

Eric Prisbell: Well, I'm down on the whole ACC aside from UNC. Sure, Duke has a chance to make a tourney run, but I would not put the Blue Devils in the same group with UNC, Memphis, UCLA or Kansas.

Kyle Singler is legit, no surprise there. I've watched Taylor King since he was a 9th-grader at ABCD Camp and there is no question he is a tremendous outside shooter. i still worry about Duke when they face a team with a significant inside presence, but Duke is far better than it was last season.

I like NC State third, followed by Clemson. I still have a tough time buying into Clemson a year after the historic collapse. I think maryland and Virginia will battle it out for the last tourney berth.

Maryland has not played well, but that was a significant win the other night against an Illinois team that may not make the tournament. Maryland likely will need a 9-7 record in ACC play to make the tourney. They should get it.

I'm down on GT after losing the two freshmen from last season.

Miami is my ACC sleeper. Why the Carolina voters picked Miami for last is beyond me.

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Washington: It kills me to see West Virginia and Ohio State, two teams from weak conferences with no conference championship games, potentially playing for the national championship. If either of them played in the SEC would they even be good enough to play in the conference championship?

Eric Prisbell: probably not. That's why it is better for conferences not to have conference title games, because it is so hard to get through the regular season and then win another game to even be in position to play in the national title game.

Marc Carig: Really, when was the last time the two perceived best teams in the country actually played one another in the national title game??? Folks, welcome to the nonsensical world of major college football.

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Arlington, Va.: The most important game of the day tomorrow is the first one -- Army/Navy! Will the Middies take home, once again, the Commander in Chief trophy? And can we have predictions on the also-rans: Sooners-Tigers, Vols-Tigers, Hokies-Eagles? I'm truly looking forward to the two rematches!

Eric Prisbell: I like:

Navy

Missouri because of the OU injuries

LSU

Hokies

Marc Carig: exactly my picks, too. But I would take Missouri with no qualifications.

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Hoya Nation: Nice win for Hoyas this week against Old Dominion. What do you know about Alabama?

Eric Prisbell: Bama is almost a one-man team at times with Hendrix averaging 23 ppg. Much of the hope for the season was gone after Steele decided not to play this year. Guard Rico Pickett I like a lot and have seen a lot on the AAU circuit. I don't think G-town has anything to worry about and you should start getting pumped up for the Memphis game.

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Terps Fans, Gaithersburg: Eric:

What's your opinion of the Terps' freshman players? We've been pretty impressed so far and think the team could be real contenders next year or the year after. Your thoughts?

Eric Prisbell: Braxton dupree is really starting to emerge, which is great for gary. I actually thought one or two freshmen would emerge a little sooner. I think Bowie will make an impact this season. Walker has shown good shot blocking potential. I think Cliff tucker will be an impact player down the road. i think Maryland has a good chance to be a better team next season than they will be this season because of all the freshmen. But i would still be somewhat surprised if they don't make the tournament this season. As far as "real contenders," maybe in two years if Vasquez is still around by then. Thanks for the question.

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Marc Carig: That's all folks! See you at the BB&T?

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Eric Prisbell: Thanks everyone. See you all soon after we know who is in the title game.

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