| | Easy does it Virginia Tech fans, says ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
During his weekly chat with ESPN.com users, Herbstreit admitted the Bowl Championship Series is muddled, but he stressed patience to fans who feel their team is getting robbed in the polls. He also offered up his surprise teams of the year and said one team out West may just have the coach of the year.
If you missed Herbstreit's Nov. 11 chat, check out this edited transcript and find out his reaction to last week's trip to Tennessee.
Andrew: What does Arkansas have to do to beat Tennessee this weekend? I think they have a
shot if they play like they are capable, especially in Fayetteville.
Kirk Herbstreit: Clint Stoerner and the Hogs' offense will have to play mistake-free. The Arkansas defense has
to avoid giving up the big play. The Hogs are tough at home. However, the only way they win
this game is if Tennessee comes in flat. Which, as we have seen this year, is possible.
| |  | | Herbstreit had kind words for Rick Neuheisel and the Washington Huskies. |
Big Orange Rock: Should Tennessee be ranked ahead of Virginia Tech in the BCS?
Kirk Herbstreit:
Everybody in the country needs to realize that the Sugar Bowl is not being played this Saturday.
There are still four weeks of college football to be played. I can understand everybody's
concern about the system, but these were the same concerns we heard a year ago. Let this thing run its course and let's see who is standing at the end.
I still maintain that of all the teams chasing a Sugar Bowl bid, in my opinion, Florida State,
Florida and Virginia Tech all control their own destiny.
Wegotgr8tutors: Did you enjoy your first trip to the Tennessee River in three years?
Kirk Herbstreit:
I was talking to some people when we got back from Knoxville who were curious how the trip
went to Tennessee. I told them, that in the four years I have been doing the show, it was one of
the best trips that we have had. The people were very kind -- University officials bent over
backwards to assist us. Vols fans were exceptional.
In honor of the commercial I did with the cheerleader, the Tennessee cheerleaders made me
reenact the commercial during the game which was also a lot of fun.
Billy: Who do you think is the surprise team of 1999?
Kirk Herbstreit:
It would be easy to point out Virginia Tech or Mississippi State. But if you follow the sport, look at the
returning players and their schedule, it was pretty predictable to see they had a good shot of
sitting undefeated at this point.
I think Kansas State is a big surprise after losing Michael Bishop. I thought they would
have trouble scoring points and they have proven me wrong.
Also, as bad as the Pac-10 has been, let's hear it for Rick Neuheisel and the Washington
Huskies. If the Huskies win their last two games against UCLA and Washington State, they
head back to the Rose Bowl and Rick Neuheisel deserves serious recognition for national
coach of the year.
Charles: Tee Martin, 20-1 as a starter, should he be given more consideration for the Heisman?
Kirk Herbstreit:
Although I agree the award is about winning and team recognition, Tee does not put up enough
individual numbers to merit the hype that goes along with a Heisman campaign. It doesn't mean
he isn't a great QB and that I wouldn't take him as my QB in a second. But for the Heisman,
there has to be a catch.
Go Hokies: Will you put on the Hokie bird mascot head this Saturday?
Kirk Herbstreit:
This chat is with Kirk Herbstreit and not my counterpart and esteemed colleague Dr. Lee Corso.
Lee will put on some type of Hokie outfit. I will reserve my pick for College GameDay on
Saturday in Blacksburg. But it is pretty obvious who I will be picking.
Landon Messal: Forget about who controls their destiny, who is playing the best ball?
Kirk Herbstreit:
Tennessee and don't be fooled by Virginia Tech's last two ball games. They went on the road
and won two games where they didn't play their best.
You could ask me this question on Saturday night and I could give you a different team. That is
why we should let these last four weeks play out before we make our evaluation.
Tennessee is playing dominating football. But what happens if they don't show up at Fayetteville
and win ugly? Do we say Tennessee is not deserving? You can't make judgements week to
week, it is the culmination of the whole season.
JHGoBucks: Is there a light at the end of Ohio State's tunnel? Beano Cook says dotting the "I" would be his greatest honor, what would it mean to you?
Kirk Herbstreit:
If I ever am lucky enough to have that opportunity, I can't even put into words what dotting the
"I" would mean to me. It is one of the few things I agree with Beano about.
There is light at the end of the tunnel but the tunnel is very long. They need to go out and recruit
"Grade A" talent. They are a much slower team on both sides of the ball than they have been in
years and they play with absolutely no heart. Stick with them, Coach Coop will get them back, it
is just a matter of how long it will take.
Matt: Did Nick Saban save his job by at least winning a little more this season?
Kirk Herbstreit:
From the conversations that I have had with people in East Lansing, I don't think his job was
ever in jeopardy. He plays in a very competitive conference where things are cyclical. Granted,
they would like to see more consistency at Michigan State, just like they would at Penn State,
Michigan, Ohio State, etc.
He recruits very well and is a very tough team to beat at home. The only criticism I would have
of his program is handling success better and playing with the same intensity every single week.
Don't forget, if he upsets Penn State at the end of the year, Nick Saban and the Spartans will
have put together one heck of a year.
Duck Fan: What do think of the Oregon Ducks' chances to make it to the Rose Bowl? Can UCLA
beat Washington at home?
Kirk Herbstreit:
First of all, I think Mike Bellotti does a great job at Oregon. I love his approach to the game.
We had them in Week 1 at Michigan State and I was really impressed with the offense when
everyone was healthy. Unfortunately, it has been a tough year in that regard. Because of those
injuries, Oregon now needs help from other teams.
I don't see Washington losing another game and I see them going to the Rose Bowl. But
Oregon is a respected team within the Pac-10 and they will be back to the top of the
conference very soon.
Hook' Em: Will the winner of the Kansas State-Nebraska game win the Big 12 title?
Kirk Herbstreit:
The winner, who I think will be Nebraska, will set up an UNBELIEVABLE rematch between
Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Texas has owned Nebraska
since John Mackovich pulled off the upset. It should be a great showdown and one to
remember... however, Nebraska has to beat an undefeated Kansas State before worrying
about Mack Brown.
John Woods: Both you and coach dismissed Wisconsin in its game with Purdue. Do you now think Wisconsin
is for real?
Kirk Herbstreit:
You are right, both Lee and I thought Purdue would beat Wisconsin playing at home where Joe
Tiller WAS 15-2 as a head coach.
Let me set the record straight, just because Lee or I pick a team to win or lose a game has no
bearing whatsoever on whether a team is for real or not.
I thought Wisconsin was a good team this entire season, as did Lee. But that particular week,
going on the road where Purdue plays very inspired, we both thought the 'Boilers would win.
We were wrong, congratulations. For that you get the prize behind door No. 3.
After that game, I said Ron Dayne would win the Heisman and Wisconsin would go to the
Rose Bowl. If that is not saying that Wisconsin is for real, I apologize.
Sorry to unload on you, but after 12 weeks of "I told you so", you get a little irritable.
On Saturday, the GameDay crew will be in Blacksburg (11 a.m. ET) for the Virginia
Tech-Miami game. The 'Canes are not only looking for a win but to show the world they are
back to form of old. They are also playing for a BCS bowl berth. They should come in to town
ready to play. But will it be enough against one of the best teams in the country at home? We'll
see.
Take care everyone. We'll chat a little longer next week from The Swamp (Florida-Florida
State). | |
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