| | It should be an interesting weekend to see how college football teams respond after losing last weekend, says ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook.
During his weekly chat with users, Cook said he will be keeping a close eye on Tennessee, Miami and Alabama to see how they respond in their next games after getting their first losses of the season. Cook also talked about officiating around the country and stuck by his belief that officials take care of their own.
If you missed Cook's Sept. 22 chat, an edited transcript follows:
Beano Cook: Not as many big games this week. The main one is Michigan-Wisconsin. If the Badgers lose this
one, it could be a long October and November. If Michigan wins, then the Wolverines,
Michigan State and Ohio State will fight it out for the Rose Bowl because Penn State will be in
the BCS title game vs. Florida. A prediction I made last January!
Tombads2311: Do you think this is the year of parity in college
football? It seems there are five or six teams in the top
tier, but can also be beaten.
Beano Cook:
Yes, that's true. We don't have parity in college football like we used to. We have parity among
the top 10 programs in the country now.
IU91: Does Randle El and the Hoosiers have a shot against PSU?
Beano Cook:
If the game is played in shorts, five on a side, and a round ball, yes they have a chance.
Bowdoin Polar Bear: What effect will last week's close game have on Nebraska? Should they be put in the
same category as PSU, FSU, and Florida at this point in time?
Beano Cook:
The big test will come when Nebraska goes to Texas. Each team eventually plays a real tough
road game. The Cornhuskers will not have an easy time at Missouri. Remember, each of the last
two years, the game has been decided by seven points. It took a miracle play in 1997, the ball
off the leg of Nebraska player to get the game into OT.
Russ: Do you think Maryland should be in the top 25 after beating West Virginia 33-0?
Beano Cook:
I'm glad you're not a member of Congress; we have enough people who don't know what they're
doing. See me after the Florida State game. The Terps beat Temple, Western Carolina and now
West Virginia.
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COOK'S FILE
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Cook, who joined ESPN in March 1986, serves as a college football studio commentator and occasional sideline reporter. He also offers college football commentary on ESPN Radio. Cook came to ESPN after four years (1982-85) at ABC Sports as a studio commentator during its College Football Association telecasts. From 1977-82, he worked in public relations for CBS Sports. From 1974-77, he was a sportswriter for the St. Petersburg Times; the director of public relations for the Miami Dolphins; public relations director for the Mutual Radio Network and he also toured with VISTA. He was ABC Sports NCAA press director from 1966-74.
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BigNDFan: What are your thoughts on Bob Davie as a head coach? Is he too inexperienced?
Is he a good fit for Notre Dame? Should we give him time?
Beano Cook:
The pressure for Davie to win next year and to make a big BCS bowl will be tremendous.
Unless he quits, which I doubt, he will be back next year. The present administration won't put
up with 8-3, 7-4 or 6-5 too long.
Michael Hall: How do you think the loss against Cincinnati will affect the Badgers this weekend against Michigan?
Beano Cook:
See me at 5:30 on Saturday. This is Wisconsin's season. They could completely fall apart if they
lose this game. You keep playing those teams year after year like Cincinnati, you are going to
get caught, and that's what happened to the Badgers.
TGrec: How will Tennessee respond?
Beano Cook:
They play Memphis...even Elvis has left the building. He's not going to stick around to see this.
It took four hours for Florida and Tennessee to play. There have been shorter wars and
marriages.
Willuam Hale: What do you think of the matchup between the Hokies and Clemson?
Beano Cook:
Virginia Tech is going to do everything to win big because it feels it has a chance to be in the
BCS game. This is amazing what is going on there, year after year being a good program. The
schedule is favorable.
Tim Ferguson: What ever happened to the idea that some team could have a bad day, still win, but drop?
Beano Cook:
Penn State dropped after the Pittsburgh game, didn't it? It happens more early in the season than
later in the season.
Rolltd4: How will Alabama respond against Arkansas after all the turmoil this week in Tuscaloosa?
Beano Cook:
The bigger problem is how Alabama lost to Louisiana Tech, with little time remaining and three
defenders around the guy who caught the TD pass. That was a devastating loss and remember,
Alabama has to go to Florida next week. Mike DuBose is definitely on the hot seat. DuBose
and Gerry DiNardo are probably No. 1 and No. 1-A for being on the hot seat nationally.
TB: Is Terry Bowden waiting it out to replace his dad at FSU, or will he be on the sidelines sooner?
Beano Cook:
I'll tell you this -- this isn't England. His dad will coach at least four more years. If Terry Bowden
is willing to wait for four more years, he has more patience than Prince Charles.
Craig: What's your take on the Florida-Kentucky game?
Beano Cook:
Kentucky may have the psychological edge at home, but Florida has the better talent and Steve
Spurrier. The Gators have beaten the 'Cats without much problem, so they rate the edge.
Badger: Is Miami on its way to becoming a dominant team like they have been in the not so recent past?
Beano Cook:
Yes, they are on the way. I was impressed with them against Penn State, but Paterno's team, as
usual, made the big play.
Matt: Michigan State! Talk about Michigan State!
Beano Cook:
OK, I will. This weekend's game against Illinois is intriguing. Michigan State won an important
non-league game on the road vs. Notre Dame. The Spartans get Michigan and Ohio State at
home. Then again, it also gets Purdue and Wisconsin on the road...tough schedule. The Big Ten
plus one looks mighty strong. Bill Burke is a good leader at QB and I like those receivers.
Chip: Why don't we use a system of national referees then we won't have the complaint of
league referees taking care of their own teams? Such complaints have been lodged against
Tennessee last year and Michigan this year (both against Syracuse).
Beano Cook:
That's not going to happen. Again, if you would just use neutral officials, it would serve the same
purpose. One advantage of your idea or plan is you can make an official work a different team
each week so there isn't familiarity. I give you credit. By the way, does anyone know which
conference the official who made the non-call at the end of the Michigan-Syracuse game?
ScriptOhio: C'mon. You're never going to dot the 'I' in the REAL Script O if you don't answer my questions.
Football in the state of Arizona: are they kidding?
Beano Cook:
The New Mexico State score (35-7 over Arizona State) was one of the biggest surprises of the
season. The only thing I know about New Mexico is it is between Arizona and Texas. Dick
Tomey's team is one of the nation's biggest disappointments, but as I said previously, playing in
the opener at Penn State was a roll of the dice.
Laszlo: PSU 28, FSU 17 -- Sugar Bowl 2000. Possible?
Beano Cook:
It's possible. If Florida State beats Florida, the Seminoles will go. I think Florida will win
because the game is in Gainesville. It is very likely the winner will go to the BCS title game. I
think Florida State deserves to be No. 1 until beaten.
Go Blue: The Michigan-Syracuse game was a split Big East/Big Ten crew. I don't know about the last
play of the game, but the safety was called by a Big East official. By the way, that last play was
not interference.
Beano Cook:
One of the last plays, there was interference in the end zone. It was on the last drive. The safety
was clearly the right call. Nobody is arguing if that was a safety or not.
Jim: What's your take on BYU this year? Do you think they could go undefeated and if they do,
would they have a chance to actually shake up the BCS and make it into a big bowl game?
Beano Cook:
The schedule is favorable. This weekend's game vs. Virginia is an interesting game. The school
of Thomas Jefferson goes to Provo. Feterik is off to a fast start.
John: With Auburn's surprising blow out of LSU, can they be a surprise contender in the SEC West?
Beano Cook:
The Tigers have been a surprise so far, but the SEC West is wide open. It's too early to tell,
though it appears Auburn is better than people thought.
Scooter: What do you think about Iowa State? I know that they have not made the turnaround that they
need to yet, but they look to be on the right track.
Beano Cook:
3-0 is 3-0. Kansas State is a little tougher.
Just a thought here. I am getting tired of coaches whining about pressure. If they make
$500,000 a year and then if they don't want to feel pressure, they should go work at Wendy's.
Ask people if they prefer mustard or ketchup.
Davis: What about Texas A&M?
Beano Cook: Very talented team. Let's see what happens against some of the tougher opponents down the
line.
VMI John: I think Phil Fulmer would enjoy working at Wendy's.
Beano Cook:
He won't be working there soon, but a couple of coaches might be soon.
D-Train: Any thoughts on the University of Washington-Colorado game? What role will the bad blood
between the coaches have?
Beano Cook:
You make it sound like Aaron Burr vs. Alexander Hamilton. It's not that bad ... yet. This is a
must win for Washington. The mystery to me is how Air Force keeps winning while Army and
Navy struggle. Is The Pentagon sending more money to Colorado Springs?
Navion: If you answer this I will buy your Clipper tickets !!!! Did you see those bogus clipping and
facemask penalties against PSU in the Miami game? No, they didn't make it on fourth and two. Still
think Big Ten officials take care of their own?
Beano Cook:
Overall, yes. If you don't believe me, ask Notre Dame. I switched from the Clippers to the
Nuggets this year. Those Clippers are now a powerhouse!
Its Easy: If you could get your pick of any seat - lifetime tickets - to any program in the country, what one
would you pick?
Beano Cook:
Ohio State.
Wisconsin Fan: What current coaches do you see behind a Wendy's counter a year from now?
Beano Cook:
Ask Dave Thomas.
Hawg: Do you think Dubose will last through the season?
Beano Cook:
Probably. If you're looking for a replacement, consider a coach who wins at schools where it
isn't easy to win at. Bob Devaney was at Wyoming before Nebraska, Ara Parseghian at
Northwestern before Notre Dame and Johnny Majors at Iowa State before Pittsburgh. All three
went on to win national titles.
Fighting Duck: Here is my 2000 Wendy's Management Team:
Jerry DiNardo
Mike Price
Bob Davie
Mike DuBose
Beano Cook (Mgr Trainee!)
What about the Fighting Ducks against USC?
Beano Cook:
Toughest game of the week to pick. By the way, I am 2-2 for the season; sorry I lost last week.
I am picking Wisconsin over Michigan this week.
Sean Childers: Who do you like out of the unbeaten teams so far -- Florida, Penn State, Florida State?
Beano Cook:
There are 29 of them. I am sticking to Penn State-Florida for the national championship.
Barry Alvarez: You seem confused sometimes, Beano. Wisconsin didn't play the Cincinnati Bengals last week,
they played the University of Cincinnati. I thought you followed college sports closer than that.
Beano Cook:
The Bengals would have lost.
The Hoggfather: Come on Beano..Talk about my HOGS. I'll give you one of those cool HOG hats.
Beano Cook:
Good, send it to me. This is a big game on the road for Arkansas. The luster is a little bit off
after Alabama's loss. Arkansas-Florida for the SEC Championship would be a very good game.
I know fans are also waiting for the Tennessee game. Clint Stoerner is underrated compared to
others nationally.
Hawg: Why aren't you on the faculty of Bristol U? You're more accomplished as a student
of the game than Berman.
Beano Cook:
Berman is the dean of the NFL. I don't know who half the backup QBs are on half of these
teams. Berman does. My SATs weren't high enough.
Mikeydrun: What do you think of Marshall going to No. 21 in the AP poll? Are they that good? I don't think
they have proven themself yet.
Beano Cook:
Facing Temple this week won't prove much either. By the way, Temple has scored! Chad
Pennington is an outstanding prospect. Marshall's win over Clemson is more meaningful given
the way the Tigers beat Virginia.
Thanks for your questions, see you same time next week unless
I'm dead.
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