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 Thursday, September 21
Call me in October
 
 Are you worried about where your favorite college football team is ranked in the national polls? Are you disgusted because a team your school beat is ranked higher?

You are not alone. Beano Cook agrees.

The ESPN college football analyst told users during his weekly chat that polls are a joke until mid-October when the real teams rise to the top. He also offered his views on the big games of the weekend and said Michigan and Notre Dame are playing for a chance at a bowl game this weekend.

If you missed Beano's Sept. 20 chat, an edited transcript follows:

Beano Cook: How 'bout them Bruins? I picked them to win last week. Welcome to the weekly chat, let's get started.

BamaFanJosh: What happened to the Tide? I think UCLA and Southern Miss. are better than people gave them credit for, but that only explains so much.

Beano Cook: Once they lost to UCLA, they had a bit of a hangover. Southern Mississippi completely controlled game, they have no excuses. Southern Miss is one of those tough games on the road. It was a great win for Southern Miss.

BeastLite_VT: What would you attribute to all the losses from supposed top-ranked programs? Overrated, middle tier programs getting better or just being outplayed?

COOK'S FILE
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.

Beano Cook: You have these upsets in September because many of the preseason magazines are wrong. You are more apt to see upsets in September than November because the teams ranked high at the end of the season have earned it.

But hey, I didn't think Alabama would have two losses or UCLA would be undefeated. The magazines take their ratings from what happens in bowl games.

Mountaineerfan: What's your prediction for the WVU-Miami game Saturday? What do you think of Kenny Dorsey?

Beano Cook: This is another tough road game for Dorsey because the West Virginia crowd will be very loud. But the game is played early afternoon which is much better that playing WVU at night. This is a big game for Miami. They have to win on the road more often in order to get high rankings in the polls.

I like beer: Is Oklahoma for real? Can they beat the Huskers and/or win the South?

Beano Cook: We will find out in November with games against Texas, K-State and Nebraska. If they can win two of those games it will mean they have returned to being a national power. I think they will win one, if not two, of those games. It would be a big surprise if they win all three.

I still believe if Nebraska is going to lose a regular season game, it will be at Oklahoma Oct. 26.

Badger Mike: ND got lucky last week with the special teams play and getting brutally outgained. I still don't think they're going to get by at 9-2. They're going down this week, in fact?

Beano Cook: The last time I looked, touchdowns by special teams counted. This game against Michigan State will decide if ND plays in one the big three bowls. You might be right, Michigan State might win, but that is why they play the games.

Hokie258: Do you think Pittsburgh has a shot at winning the Big East? What would they have to do to beat Virginia Tech? And, do you think this will happen?

Beano Cook: I don't think Pitt has much of a shot to win the Big East. They don't have enough depth, but they do have a great coach in Walt Harris.

One of the amazing stories in college football the past couple of years is that Virginia Tech has become a national power. QB Michael Vick is the best and most exciting player in both college and pro football.

Hawki Tom: After the Michigan loss and a bad Wisconsin showing, who is your pick to win the Big Ten?

Beano Cook: My pick before the season was Wisconsin. Once the season begins, you can't change your pick. So I won't change.

One of the most intriguing games of the weekend is Michigan-Illinois. It is a big game for Illinois and a chance for them to return to a high ranking. It still remains a mystery to me why Illinois doesn't win more often.

10scvols: Do the Vols have a chance to run the table?

Beano Cook: Tennessee has a chance, but it will be difficult because they play in the tough conference. Georgia will not be easy on the road.

Gregg: ND has one of the toughest schedules in the country! All they do is keep showing up week after week When will they get the respect they deserve?

Beano Cook: Notre Dame should play a tough schedule. They have everything going for them -- they get super material, they have their own radio and TV networks. What more respect can you get?

If Notre Dame beats Michigan State, ND will be in one of the big bowl games against either Virginia Tech or Miami.

UTGuy: How will the quarterback situation be handled in Austin now that they have a loss?

Beano Cook: I don't know. I think the decisions being made by the coaching staff is causing the problems. Major Applewhite should have been the starter from the beginning and remained there until he was out played.

The problems have been caused by the coaching staff and not the quarterbacks.

EasternNoHow: Is Joe Paterno a better coach than Paul Bryant?

Beano Cook: That is like asking me who is the better president -- Abe Lincoln or Thomas Jefferson. You can make a case for both.

In my opinion, the five best coaches of the 20th century are (in order): 1. Knute Rockne
2. Frank Leahy
3. Bear Bryant
4. Pop Warner
5. Joe Paterno

Those are my opinions, that doesn't mean they're right.

BigE: Do you think Mike Dubose is history at Alabama after this year? Your thoughts on this weekend's game with Arkansas?

Beano Cook: The season isn't over for Alabama. They were saying the same thing at this time last year. Wait for the season to get over. If he has a decent season, he deserves to be back.

Wait until the end of the chat for my prediction on this game.

Bowdoin Polar Bear: Do you agree with the way Steve Spurrier has handled the quarterback situation they have in Florida?

Beano Cook: I never disagree with Steve Spurrier on anything. How can you argue with his decisions? It's like disagreeing the Abe Lincoln's decisions.

Barrysaynbye: Paterno doesn't even belong in the top 5. What about Osborne or even Devaney?

Beano Cook: As I said, they are MY five selections. They may not be right, only God knows who is right. But they are only opinions.

Ken: What does Illinois have to do to defeat Michigan this weekend?

Beano Cook: Michigan has better material than Illinois, but if Illinois can run for 150 yards or more, the Illini will win. Illinois has the home crowd and that will be a big advantage. This is a huge game for Illinois who have seen lots of rocky times lately.

TigerFan: Auburn looks like they may be putting together a special season.What do you think their chances are to end up in the SEC championship game?

Beano Cook: Auburn is one of the surprises of the year. They have come up with a running attack. They have a very good chance to be in the title game -- there is no doubt about that.

Eric: I don't know why people made so much fun of the Pac-10 last year. They really weren't that bad, they just couldn't get things to roll their way. I think that what we're seeing this year is a sign of things to come.

Beano Cook: Last year, I was not critical of the Pac-10, they were just having a down year. Every conference has a down year. Washington has a chance to play for the national title.

RCPinFL: What is your impression of the SEC officiating controversy after protests of two calls in recent games including Florida - Tennessee that could have decided the outcome?

Beano Cook: Tennessee fans are taking for granted that if Florida didn't score a touchdown that Florida would have missed the field goal or they could have won in overtime. They were tough calls, what else can I say.

Florida doesn't necessarily lose that game if they don't score that touchdown.

Nole Fan: What do you think the chances of the 'Noles getting past Miami in Miami?

Beano Cook: Before the season started, I thought Miami would beat Florida State. You can't change your prediction.

GoIrish: Is Clemson really that good? I think Virginia is going to upset them this weekend. Dantzler is not Michael Vick, as some would like to think.

Beano Cook: We will find out. Clemson should beat Virginia. I don't think they will beat Florida State. In conference play, Florida State just doesn't lose, especially at home.

Bean Eggs N Ham: If you were John Cooper, what would you do to stop all these Buckeye penalties? They have something like 35 in three games!

Beano Cook: I haven't seen them play. I would assume he is doing everything to stop them. I would suggest repetitions in practice, but to be honest, I don't have an answer to that.

Harry: How about the job Lou Holtz as done down at South Carolina? Do you think they have a shot at a bowl game?

Beano Cook: Who would have thought that SC would be 3-0? If they beat Mississippi State this weekend, they have a shot. But it will be tough to get seven wins if they don't win Saturday. They have Kentucky and Vandy and those are possible wins. It is unlikely they will beat Tennessee and Florida. Clemson will also be tough because that is on the road.

So I think to get a bowl bid, they have to win Saturday. And if they do, the goal posts will come down. I said last year to SC fans to be patient. Lou would turn this around.

Auburn_fan: What team has surprised you the most this year?

Beano Cook: Auburn and South Carolina. UCLA doesn't surprise me because I know they get athletes.

I AM CANE: What do you think of Butch Davis as a head coach? Can he lead Miami back to the dominance of past Miami teams?

Beano Cook: It will be very difficult to do what they did in the past -- four national championships in ten years. They have to win on the road, and this coaching staff has been able to do that. That is what it takes to be a national power.

Miami is like the Russian army -- tough at home, but not very good on the road.

Davis had to prove himself. I think he is good, but to be outstanding he has to win on the road.

Paul: What about the Oregon-UCLA game? I say Oregon wins. UCLA hasn't played on the road and I think they will be exhausted physically and mentally after the Michigan game. What's your take?

Beano Cook: That is good insight. UCLA has played two emotional games and it will be very difficult for them to be emotionally high against Oregon.

I have no idea who will win this game. UCLA is a slight underdog, so it is not a sure thing.

Beano Is God: Would you rather play at Notre Dame or at Michigan. Why?

Beano Cook: I have no preference.

OUForbig12: If Oklahoma was playing Nebraska in Lincoln, would you still think OU could win?

Beano Cook: No.

All I am saying is that if Nebraska is going to lose a game this season, it will be at Oklahoma because it is at home. That doesn't mean Oklahoma is the better team.

I also thought Notre Dame had a chance against the Huskers because they were at home as well.

HokieNutz: After three weeks, what's your top 5?

Beano Cook: FSU
Nebraska
Florida
Washington
UCLA

Go Canes: D you still believe Miami is the worst sports town in America?

Beano Cook: I think it is terrible, but I don't know if it is the worst. It's top three and I don't know the other two.

The fans don't support the Hurricanes like they should and when the Dolphins have a losing season, the fans turn on them as well. Those fans have no loyalty.

Buckeye By Birth: With the way Penn State has played, what is your take on this weekend's Buckeye-Lions contest in Columbus?

Beano Cook: Ohio State is at home and Penn State has looked horrible. Everything points to Ohio State. Paterno's Big Ten record against OSU and Michigan is 6-8. So it looks like Ohio State will win.

Shocker: It's a rebuilding year in Knoxville, but do you think Phil Fulmer's job would be in jeopardy if they had a subpar season, say 7-4?

Beano Cook: No. Coach Fulmer has no worries about keeping his job for a number of years. In case you forgot, he won the national title two years ago.

FedExUW: Which game will be Wisconsin's toughest in the Big Ten this year -- Michigan, Purdue, Michigan St?

Beano Cook: At Michigan will be the toughest. Wisconsin's record at Ann Arbor is unimpressive. Although Wisconsin is undefeated, they have been disappointing so far this season. But it's good to know the team has enough shoes for the entire century.

Kbnotredame3499: How good do you think Michigan is? I thought they were really good, but now I don't know?

Beano Cook: Everybody went overboard after games against Bowl Green and Rice. That is no way to judge a team. Michigan has more players than Rice has students.

The fact that Michigan lost to UCLA was no disgrace. We'll find out more about Michigan this weekend. If they win this game, the winner of the Michigan-Wisconsin game will probably win the Big Ten.

rtd: Do you think the Pac-10 will come down to UCLA and Washington? They play each other in mid-November.

Beano Cook: Yes.

I like Washington in that game because of the home field.

Good sport: What is your opinion on all of these players popping off to the media, i.e. Florida?

Beano Cook: I can't believe it. The trash talk continues to amaze me. But remember, I am approaching 70 years old so I might be out of touch with today's generation. When I think of trash, I think of garbage. But, come to think of it, most of this garbage is trash. 40 years ago, coaches wouldn't put up with any of this.

Mredgate: Why the horrible decline at PSU?

Beano Cook: They are having one of those years like UCLA had last year. But the season isn't over yet.

LittleMissPeggy: What do you think of polls? I think it is a shame that Texas is ranked above Notre Dame.

Beano Cook: I agree.

Notre Dame should be ranked above Texas. For me, I don't pay much attention to the polls until we get into November. After the five weekends in September we have a better idea, but the real good teams want to be in the top 10 in the middle of October if you want to play in a BCS bowl game.

FootballGuy: What do you think of Illinois' Ron Turner? Do you think that he is a legit football coach, or do the Illini need something more?

Beano Cook: He has done a good job there so far. He is beginning to turn it around. You can win at Illinois, but this is a huge game this Saturday.

That's it for today.

The weekly prediction: Arkansas 24, Alabama 21

See you next week at the same time. Thanks

 


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