| | The road only gets tougher for Michigan State after Saturday's upset of Michigan, says ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook.
The veteran analyst told ESPN.com users in chat that Nick Saban's crew has a tough remaining schedule and a shot at an undefeated season and a national championship may be out of the Spartans' reach. Cook also talked about the Syracuse-Virginia Tech game, offered his opinion on several player's Heisman hopes and reminded fans not to overlook Nebraska.
If you missed Beano's Oct. 13 chat, an edited transcript follows:
| |  | | Saban and the Spartans face Purdue Saturday. |
Beano Cook: Good afternoon. Sad to hear about Wilt Chamberlain.
Michigan State deserves to be in the top
five and the Spartans have a shot at the national title. They must win the next two and beat Penn
State. I feel Michigan State will lose to either Purdue or Wisconsin. It is too tough to play three
straight emotional games.
Dan: Do you think it reflects poorly on Bobby Bowden that he has talked more about hoping the
charges against Peter Warrick get dropped to a misdemeanor so he'll be eligible rather than focusing
on the fact that the kid broke the law?
Beano Cook:
If it is a misdemeanor, it is safe to say that many of us have committed one in college. I don't
think kids should be nailed to the cross if it is a misdemeanor. If it is a felony, then he probably
won't even be back in college.
In this country, we give embezzlers, murderers and rapists a second chance.
Nittany Brian: You said on ESPN last weekend that the Penn State fans should be grateful to Kevin
Thompson for his performance at
quarterback this year. I agree that the venom from PSU fans towards Kevin is a bit excessive, but don't
you agree that the Nittany Lions are much more dangerous with Rashard Casey?
With that defense and Casey's big-play ability, the only
thing that can stop JoePa this year is Kevin Thompson.
Beano Cook: They're probably more dangerous with Casey, but that doesn't mean fans have to take it out on
Thompson. Thompson made the most important play in Penn State football since the first-down
sack of Vinny Testaverde in the Fiesta Bowl. That Thompson pass to Fields vs. Miami was an
incredible play.
Hokies Nat. Champs: How legit are Nebraska's national title/undefeated season hopes? How likely is it for them to falter
somewhere -- Texas, A&M, K-State, Big XII title?
Beano Cook:
Nebraska has a legitimate shot, but it will have to beat Texas and Texas A&M, as well as
Kansas State. The Cornhuskers also need to have Penn State or Florida State lose. I think we
may be looking at Penn State-Nebraska, which is appealing should Florida State lose to
Florida.
Bucks Fan: What do you think about John Coopers' comments at Ohio State on the upcoming Penn State
game? Is this Ohio State team just not very good or do they have a confidence/motivational
problem? Also, can ND beat Tennessee down in Knoxville?
Beano Cook: We'll talk about Notre Dame-Tennessee closer to the game.
John Cooper is trying to find a way to
get his team motivated. Cooper is 4-2 against Paterno, but I don't see Penn State losing this
game.
Matt -L.A.: I'm a die-hard Wolverine fan and want to hear your opinion about the UM-MSU
game last weekend. Where does Michigan's season go from here?
Beano Cook:
They will lose at Penn State, and they should win the rest. Their tough part of the schedule is
over, having played Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue and Syracuse and Notre Dame. Even at 3-3, Notre Dame is not like playing Kent.
Bryan Ford: Marshall is ESPN's Thursday night game. Chad Pennington -- his ratings say that he is No. 2 in
the nation. I went to his high school and I'm still not sure whether or not he could outpass the
likes of Tee Martin, Drew Brees, and Doug Johnson.
Beano Cook:
Pennington is an outstanding quarterback on a very underrated team. The thing people have to
learn about Marshall is it has a very good defense which doesn't get much credit. I see the Herd
beating Toledo.
Natty: What do you think of JoePa's decision to not let the media talk to his players this week?
Beano Cook:
Perfectly OK. He's the head coach. If I am a member of the media in Central or Western
Pennsylvania, I'd be upset. But the media are very docile. They've become cheerleaders as
much as anyone in that area.
Nathan: Where is College GameDay going to be this weekend, and what do you think about the
Alabama-Ole Miss game?
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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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Beano Cook:
Blacksburg, Virginia for Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse. GameDay is the fastest 60 minutes in TV!
Corso will be let loose in Blacksburg! If the people in Virginia thought Ulysses S. Grant caused
problems, wait until they get Corso!
I think Ole Miss has a shot. The Rebels have super
receivers which can surprise you.
Benson: What do you think about USC? Is Paul Hackett to blame? He failed at Pitt and it looks like the
same thing is happening.
Beano Cook:
It's only his second year, so give the guy a chance. USC plays a tough schedule and lost QB
Carson Palmer to an injury early on. Did you lose $2 on the Arizona game? Is that why you're
complaining?
Jersey: Have you had a chance to see Virginia Tech's freshman QB, Michael Vick, play this
year??
Beano Cook:
Yes, he's very good, very quick and capable of throwing the ball. You know, the state of Virginia
turns out more prospects than you would think. I think Vick is from Newport News.
Nit Lion: What do you think of the current trend in college football to enlarge stadiums with luxury
skyboxes and such? Isn't is becoming too much like pro football?
Beano Cook:
Pro football is a business...college football has become a business. Luxury boxes are a part of
it.
Joe: Does Peter Warrick stand a chance of still winning the Heisman?
Beano Cook:
He still has a chance of winning it, but he can't miss any more games after this Saturday. At this
time, I have no firm decision on whether I would vote for him or not. Again, I don't plan to nail
anybody to the cross over a misdemeanor.
Joe--OH: It's sad that coaches of today are hoping to get a star,but turns out to be a criminal. I think the coaches of today
have lowered their standards. Players will only go as far as the coach will allow.
Beano Cook:
That's your opinion. Coaches are under tremendous pressure to win.
InfamousGator: What if Warrick gets charged with a felony?
Beano Cook:
A person charged with a felony, I think Florida State would be very reluctant to take him back
on the team. It won't matter if Warrick plays or not, Florida will beat Florida State.
John from Spokane: If you had to rate the top football programs in the 90's, what order would you put them in?
Nebraska, Florida State,
Tennessee, etc.
Beano Cook: Nebraska first, Florida State two, then Florida third. Spurrier came in in 1990 and look what
he has accomplished.
SteveL: Has Bill Burke of MSU entered into your Heisman consideration?
Beano Cook:
See me in two weeks from today. A 400-yard game vs. Michigan is pretty impressive, but
there are tough games ahead.
Eric: What's the best match up this weekend? Who do you think will win it?
Beano Cook: Michigan State-Purdue may be the best game. Last year's contest was a one-point game and
this could also fall into the close one category. This is my pick of the week, Purdue to beat
Michigan State. I am 3-4 so far this season.
Steveryyz: Does Auburn have a prayer this weekend?
Beano Cook:
Yes, if Florida isn't careful. Tough place to play, and Auburn could have beaten Mississippi
State. Probably should have. Many a good team has gone to Auburn with a great record,
including Florida teams. Ask John Reaves about Florida in 1969.
L-Train: Do you think Corey Moore of Virginia Tech is a Heisman candidate?
Beano Cook:
Great defensive player, but he won't be among the top vote getters for the Heisman.
Preacher: I favor Paterno's decision to try to control the growing media demand on his players. I
wish more college coaches would try to control media access and allow their players to live
in peace. We forget that the players are COLLEGE STUDENTS. What is your opinion.
Beano Cook:
I repeat, college football is a business. Forty years ago, I might have agreed with you, but not
today. I know it would be difficult for a Penn State player majoring in tourism to miss a class.
Irish00: Any thoughts on Notre Dame? Have they finally put it together and is 9-3 too
optimistic?
Beano Cook:
Nice performance vs. Arizona State. I think 9-3 is too optimistic but not totally unrealistic. The
Irish should lose to Tennessee, but are capable of beating all other opponents.
WopGator: Do you think it's harder for a defensive player to get Heisman consideration because
there aren't as many individual stat categories for the defense?
Beano Cook:
Yes, very good point. Look, the defense is important, but the players who do the running,
catching and throwing are the ones who will win it on an individual basis.
Mgoblue: Could Wilt Chamberlain have played nose tackle on field goal blocks back in the 60's? Was he
that good of an athlete?
Beano Cook:
He was a great athlete. My guess would be, perhaps a tight end instead of defensive tackle.
Blocking kicks might have come naturally. He was the first athlete who, when he decided what
college he was going to attend (1955), that every paper in the nation mentioned where he went.
It is so different now. The second one, by the way, was Kareem. Everyone wanted to know
where he was going.
Ram Fan: Thoughts on the Mountain West Conference?
Beano Cook:
BYU and Air Force seem to be the best teams. Exciting games, upsets like UNLV over
Wyoming and New Mexico over San Diego State. Don't count Utah out yet. It's going to be a
great college basketball conference this year, too.
Jeff: Shaun Alexander from Alabama has single handily carried the Tide to each and every victory it has
had this year. Do you think he should get serious consideration for the Heisman?
Beano Cook:
He's a darkhorse for the Heisman Trophy. He has a shot, even though he hasn't been
mentioned a lot. A lot will depend on his performance vs. Tennessee. It would also help to put
up good numbers against Mississippi since that is a TV game.
PiR8Fan: Who should be considered for this year's Coach of the Year?
Beano Cook:
Nick Saban of Michigan State, June Jones of Hawaii and Jackie Sherrill of Mississippi State
would be the top candidates.
Tim: Who do you like in the World Series and who to win?
Beano Cook:
First place, the team that wins the first game, I want a sweep. Get the silly series over. I'm
saying Red Sox-Mets. My MVP will be the player who makes the last out.
Mr. Bruce: What are the sharpest uniforms in college ball? Seriously!
Beano Cook:
Anyone but BYU or Oregon. I don't care for those.
HokieDawg: How badly do you think Va Tech will make Syracuse pay? It is Homecoming after all.
Beano Cook:
Back to the uniform question. Thinking about it, I have to give a straight answer, so Army's
dark uniforms.
As for Virginia Tech, I do think the Hokies will win. Syracuse was fortunate to
win last year's game. Perhaps this is a payback.
IU Hoosier: What do you think about Antwaan Randle El's year and the IU program? Do you feel that Cam
Cameron has what it takes to take IU to the next level?
Beano Cook:
Great athlete, valuable player. Indiana has it tough playing in the Big Ten. The best way to go to
the next level? Move the school to Florida. It would be difficult to imagine Coach Knight in
Naples in January!
WopGator: Do you have a favorite college football player of all time? Who do you think was the
best player at any time?
Beano Cook:
Well, Nile Kinnick of Iowa, Mike Ditka of Pittsburgh and Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame.
Rick: Do you think a team with one loss this year will have a
shot at the national championship in college football?
Beano Cook:
Yes, Florida has a shot. Tennessee is not out of it yet. Let me repeat for the 20,000th time...the
last time three teams finished 1-2-3 and were unbeaten was 1965. When Michigan State,
Arkansas and Nebraska finished the regular season with perfect records. Alabama, which had
a loss and a tie, still won one of the national titles. There are only eight unbeatens left in Division
I-A football and over a month left in the regular season.
Plus Michigan plays Penn State, so one unbeaten will definitely lose.
Major Fan: Amen on the series, Beano! Now, what is your take on Major Applewhite? I know he is no
Joe Hamilton, but he brought us back from 17-0 vs. Oklahoma and has the most passing
yards in the nation?
Beano Cook:
Applewhite has had a good season, making me wonder if Chris Simms is questioning his
decision.
Ben: Who wins if they played, Miami vs. Notre Dame?
Beano Cook:
On a neutral field, I would pick Miami. It would be an interesting game, but Notre Dame won't
play Miami so we will never find out.
Nittany Lion Fan: What are PSU's chances of going undefeated? Who do you think they might lose to besides
Michigan State?
Beano Cook:
Since I picked them to win the national title, I think their chances are pretty good. The game at
Purdue may be the toughest test down the road.
K-State Kid: Why are teams like Georgia Tech, Florida, and Tennessee ahead of K-State in the polls
yet they all have a loss? Wouldn't KSU probably fall out of the top 10 if they lose a game which
would probably be against Nebraska in Lincoln?
Beano Cook:
Good question. I don't have a great answer for it. However, Tennessee lost at Florida, by just
two points. Kansas State probably should be rated higher. Ask Chris Fowler; he votes in one
poll.
Sam: What is your prediction for the score in the Penn State-Ohio State game? Will Ohio State keep
it close? I can only see that happening if the Nittany Lions make mistakes on both sides of the
ball.
Beano Cook:
Penn State 42, Ohio State 15.
Reda: What do you think of Doug Johnson as a Heisman contender? Do you think he can
make it in the NFL?
Beano Cook:
I don't think he'll be in the Heisman mix. As for the NFL, ask Mel Kiper on Friday.
Ron: Who is this year's most outstanding defensive player?
Beano Cook:
LaVar Arrington, followed by Corey Moore.
Dana-UT: What is the deal with the Pac-10 this year? This has got to be one of their worst ever. Any
ideas on what the problem is?
Beano Cook:
They should send the best JUCO team to the Rose Bowl instead of the top Pac-10 team.
Thanks for the questions. I'm looking forward to watching the Nuggets in an exhibition game;
notice I don't say preseason game! See you here next week.
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