| | Despite picking Penn State to win the National Championship, ESPN's Beano Cook told users in chat he is not a Nittany Lions lover.
During his weekly "Beano's Beat" chat show, Cook addressed questions about his infatuation with Joe Paterno's gang. He also offered his thoughts on the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Big 12 and weighed in on the Jim Gary-World Series controversy.
An edited transcript from Cook's Oct. 27 chat follows.
| |  | | Cook defended Joe Paterno's troops in chat. |
Beano Cook: It is very difficult to second guess what came out from the BCS announcement on Monday. I
know there are Virginia Tech fans who disagree, but the Hokies do not deserve to be ahead of
Florida State or Penn State. My advice to Virginia Tech is to get into a preseason game next
year against a Big Ten or Big 12 team. That will help strength of schedule. This is a school
which needs to bolster its non-league schedule. Penn State would play 20 games provided 19
of them were at Penn State!
Joshua: After this week, who is tops on your Heisman list?
Beano Cook: Joe Hamilton leads, followed by Ron Dayne, Drew Brees and Shaun Alexander in a tight
bunch.
Rob: 62 days! 62 days, and then your prayers will be answered. Clippers at Nuggets. Who
you pickin'?
Beano Cook:
Nuggets by two.
Dan: What do you think about K-State and the Big 12?
Beano Cook:
The Big 12 is a darn good conference. Kansas State, Texas, Nebraska, Texas A&M,
and Oklahoma coming back, it is a good league. Can Kansas State keep this up? As long as they
have junior colleges, they probably will. I don't think it quite stands up to the SEC. Over a
10-year period, the SEC is the toughest conference. There may be a year here or there where a
conference is tougher.
Go_Vols: Georgia-Florida?
Beano Cook:
I like Florida to win. The Gators, if it wasn't for the missed extra point this year, they would be
anywhere from 1-3 in the rankings. I believe Florida will beat Florida State.
Beano's Dad: Penn State-Illinois? Don't be an Illini basher!
Beano Cook:
Penn State should get by, though remember, the Nittany Lions got just 11 first downs last
week. Illinois has momentum after upsetting Michigan, but it it tough to put it all together two
weeks in a row. Ron Turner has done a great job there. I feel Penn State will make it unbeaten
through its schedule.
Hoya_Paranoia: What do you think about the Jim Gray interview of Pete Rose at the World Series?
Beano Cook:
I'm a Jim Gray fan, though that doesn't mean I agree with every interview. I'm glad to see
management is backing him. What do these critics think Howard Cosell would have asked?
Tamer: Who do you think would win between Penn State and Florida State if they were to play at a
neutral site today?
Beano Cook:
Penn State by 10 points.
Mvpny: Do you know the first documented year numbers were worn by players?
Beano Cook:
1908. That's the very, very best question!
Matt Symons: Interesting thing about the Hokies "weak" schedule. Tell me any team that would want to come
and play in Blacksburg. As far as I know from what Coach Beamer and Jim Weaver, the
Athletic Director, have been saying, Virginia Tech is willing to play anyone as long as they come
to play in Blacksburg also. Either they are too scared to lose or they can't find a nice enough
hotel to stay in. Your thoughts please.
Beano Cook:
It's tough to find Blacksburg, let alone a hotel. They have to do what Florida State did when it
became a national power; it played teams on the road, two for one. In other words, two on the
road and one at home as part of a three-game series. Tech will play a pretty good team in a
bowl game, probably Tennessee.
BucksFan: What sort of advice do you think the great Woody Hayes would give to John Cooper?
Beano Cook:
Retirement isn't that bad. You probably get to dot the "I".
JJ: What number did you wear in 1908?
Beano Cook:
I was the student manager.
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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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Hokie Grill: Penn State plays Akron and Florida plays Western Michigan. It has nothing to do with
out-of-conference games. Clemson and UVA are solid squads! The Hokies suffer because they
have Rutgers and Temple on their schedule
Beano Cook:
That's true, the Big East is the weakest conference in college football. That's why you have to
go out and schedule tougher non-conference games.
Gary: What do you think about the new look Sooners? Is it the "wishbone" offense of the new millennium?
Beano Cook:
Oklahoma is now passing more in one game than they used to in one season. Bobby Stoops
has done a great job in year one there. You have to like the job Josh Heupel has done at QB.
Gary Hinson: Your thought on the Mississippi State football program?
Beano Cook:
Jackie Sherrill is in his ninth season. In the prior nine seasons before he came, the school won
nine conference games. In his nine seasons there, they have won 33 conference games, along
with a forfeit from Alabama. Sherrill is one of the best coaches in the country. Mississippi State
is doing it with defense. There are tough games ahead at Alabama and Arkansas, as well as
Kentucky on ESPN a week from tomorrow.
Zitro: What are your thoughts about the Longhorns win over Nebraska?
Beano Cook:
Did not totally surprise me. I thought it would be close. If you recall, I picked Nebraska by a
field goal, so this result did not surprise me.
Ronnie Odom: Will Lou Holtz ever win at South Carolina and if he doesn't
win, do you think that will scare off future big name coaches from coming to Columbia?
Beano Cook:
It's not an easy place to win. When South Carolina was in the ACC, it could compete. For the
Gamecocks to win that division, it's tough when Tennessee, Florida and Georgia are there.
TTP: RC Slocum should be fired. Your thoughts?
Beano Cook:
A lot of people say the same thing about you. Don't judge a coach by one or two tough games.
Look at the overall record. Both were on the road and A&M always struggles vs. Texas Tech
and the Sooners are not the same team as the last few years, now on the upswing.
Swamper: What do you think the real reason college football (Div. IA) does not have a playoff
system? You said college football is a business, so is school really a factor.
Beano Cook:
No. Any pretense of academics as the reason for no playoff is ridiculous. At one time maybe,
but not now. The playoff will eventually happen.
Eric: Do you think Notre Dame can get a BCS bid if they beat Tennessee and finish 9-3? Can they
beat Tennessee?
Beano Cook:
They can beat Tennessee, but they won't. I think the Big Ten and SEC will send the at-large
teams to the BCS. Tennessee is a shoo-in if it beats Notre Dame and Florida goes to the SEC
Championship and wins. Notre Dame has no shot at the BCS. Next year is Notre Dame's year.
Pitt10: Does Pitt have a shot versus VT Saturday? I smell upset.
Beano Cook:
You must have a bad nose. It is unlikely to happen, and I feel Virginia Tech will try to pour it
on.
Jay: How come there are so many bowl games now? Music City, Motor City, Mobile, two in
Hawaii, are there really enough good teams to fill them?
Beano Cook:
No, there aren't enough good NFL teams to fill the playoffs, and the same can be said for
hockey and basketball. If people did not go to those games, they would fold, just like the
Bluebonnet Bowl.
MikeM: Who is the last defensive player as good as LaVar Arrington?
Beano Cook:
I don't know. I feel he's one of the three top LBs of the 20th Century.
Brian: Does Florida still have a shot at the National Championship?
Beano Cook:
Outside, and things have to break. Florida has to beat Georgia first, then eventually beat Florida
State. Then Florida needs Penn State and/or Virginia Tech to lose, maybe both.
AZST: Can Virginia upset Florida State at home? If it's a close game, do voters look at how VT
destroyed it's arch rival on the road? Makes you think, doesn't it?
Beano Cook:
Good point about Virginia. That means Florida State will try to do a lot. I feel the Seminoles
will stay ahead of Virginia Tech either way. The only way the Hokies pass either of the top two
is if Florida State or Penn State loses.
Tbads38: Does Marshall deserve better than the Motor City Bowl, which
they are likely to receive? Who knows how good they are
until they play the top teams.
Beano Cook:
There is an agreement with conference affiliation. There may be a year where a team is 6-5
overall and gets them in a bowl. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Micah Johnson: Are there any good teams this year west of the Mississippi?
Beano Cook:
Nebraska, Texas, Kansas State. There are a few.
Joshua: Looks like you are getting what you asked for. The Yanks are up 3-0. Hopefully only one more
game to go.
Beano Cook:
Yes. I am mad that Law and Order isn't on tonight.
Mbynum1: Did Texas lose to N.C. State? Enough said!!! They are not that good. Are they?
Beano Cook:
Upsets happen. Ask Michigan. Ask Michigan State. Ask Florida.
UAALUM: What are Alabama's chances of finishing 9-2?
Beano Cook:
Decent chance. There are still challenges ahead, like Mississippi State plus a trip to Auburn.
Bostonian: What's the odds of Stanford making the Rose Bowl with a losing record? It could happen.
Beano Cook:
It's unlikely that will happen. If Stanford beats Washington this week, the Cardinal is clearly the
team to beat. Should be an interesting matchup. Good win over USC last week for Tyrone
Willingham.
JR in Texas: Should the NCAA consider imposing penalties on student that commit crimes?
Beano Cook:
No. Let our legal system do its job. It's screwed up as it is, but let them handle that.
Thomas: I come here every week and you never answer any of my questions. What do you think of Georgia
Tech?
Beano Cook:
See, I am answering your question. Persistence pays off. Georgia Tech gave Florida State a
scare. Remember, Tech still has to go to Virginia and that won't be easy.
Ron Cherry: I like college football's overtime format much better than the NFL's. Do you ever think that the
NFL will follow suit with a similar format?
Beano Cook:
I prefer the NFL's. That's why some people like oranges better than apples.
Cardinal 1: It seems to me that rankings are based too much on wins/losses and too little on strength of schedule.
Take for example Marshall. They are ranked highly but don't play anyone. Yet had they played
a Notre Dame type schedule, they could very well have a worse record than the Irish. What do
you think?
Beano Cook:
What do you think rankings should be based on? The performance of the bands at half time?
Michigan and Ohio State would have their bands in the BCS Sugar Bowl.
Beano Jr.: Who do you think is the better DE, Corey Moore or
Courtney Brown?
Beano Cook:
I'd take them both on my team.
HokieNutz: I think if you had come to Blacksburg for the 62-0 win with the GameDay crew, you
wouldn't belittle VA Tech anymore. What makes you so sure Penn State is better?
Beano Cook:
I am not belittling Virginia Tech. I just feel they don't deserve to be ahead of Florida State or
Penn State. I belittle politicians, not college football teams.
DanCook: You obviously have never heard Tennessee's band play!
Beano Cook:
I have. It is still Michigan-Ohio State. By the way, I'd still love to dot the "I"!
Bowdoin Polar Bear: Why doesn't anyone bring up the fact that Florida State should not be ranked No. 1? Did
you see the Clemson game? Take away their history the past decade or so and they would not
be ranked No. 1 this year. They are simply not that good. Do you agree with me?
Beano Cook:
They're good. If they played Penn State, I believe they would lose. Winning on the road is
never easy. Ask Napoleon.
Barry: Is college football going to a Super Division? That's more or less what it has become now.
Beano Cook: Yes, it is. The same teams are going to dominate. Virginia Tech is an exception, though they
may turn into a perennial power.
Eddie: Arrington should stay for his
senior year. He needs to mature. Any guesses?
Beano Cook:
I feel Arrington will go pro and be a top five pick. Ask Mel Kiper in Friday's chat.
HokieFan: Are you a Penn State alumnus. Everyone gets sick and tired of hearing you fall in love
with them all over again every Wednesday. Nearly every game for them, except the first couple,
have been EXTREMELY close, and their defense isn't even top ranked. Their offense... well,
let's not go there. Get off the bandwagon!
Beano Cook:
No, I am not a Penn State alumnus. It's amazing to think just because you have an opinion on a
team, people think you went there. If I wanted to major in Parks and Recreation or Tourism, I
might have gone to Penn State.
Sid Vicious: What's your drink of choice?
Beano Cook:
Hemlock after receiving a lot of these questions.
Einstein: Do you think ESPN should send its GameDay crew to Palo Alto when Stanford clinches its first
Rose Bowl in 29 years at the Big Game in three weeks?
Beano Cook:
Possibility, though there are a lot of good games that week. But my guess is the crew will be at
Florida-Florida State. A little bigger game, don't you think?
Buzz: Why don't they let you anchor SportsCenter -- you're much better looking than Dan Patrick?
Beano Cook:
SportsCenter does very well without me. See, looks aren't everything.
Steve: What's happening to my Wolverines? This is getting embarrassing?
Beano Cook:
Michigan will get into a bowl game and probably finish the regular season beating Ohio State.
You won the national championship two years ago; how greedy do you want to be?
Closing thought: I'm above .500 now with three straight winning weeks. My pick this week is
Missouri 27, Texas Tech 20. Have a good week, see you next week.
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