| | Sticking to his usual routine during his weekly chat, college football analyst Beano Cook went against the masses and picked the Washington Huskies to beat Oregon in one of the weekend's biggest games.
Despite being ranked No. 6 in the country, the Huskies are underdogs to the homestanding Ducks, who are riding a 17-game home win streak. Cook explained why he likes the Huskies. He also talked about several coaches on the hot seat and praised the work of Northwestern coach Randy Walker and Lou Holtz at South Carolina.
If you missed Cook's Sept. 27 chat, an edited transcript follows.
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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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Buckeyefan4: What are your thoughts on Wisconsin's lack of defense? I have to believe that there is more missing
than just Jamar Fletcher being suspended -- 47 points to Northwestern? Come one! Michigan will
run up and down the field!
Beano Cook:
Wisconsin has been a disappointment so far. They had all four games at home, including
Northwestern, and struggled in most of them. You can only use the suspensions as an excuse so
much. You can't use them against Northwestern.
Chucko: Who is the best QB in the nation -- Weinke, Vick, or Dantzler?
Beano Cook:
Best all-around QB is Vick. The best thrower is Brees. Dantzler has had a terrific start. My
darkhorse for the Heisman remains Marques Tuiasosopo from Washington.
Ron DaSilva: As a veteran of college commentary, do you believe that the overall play of college football has
increased over the years?
Beano Cook:
The players are bigger, stronger and faster, although I think we have less parity than we had
years ago. We do have some parity among the top teams.
Can You Hear Me?: Who is Dantzler?
Beano Cook:
Woodrow Dantzler of Clemson has almost 500 yards rushing and almost 700 yards passing. He
actually leads the ACC in rushing right now. He has had at least 200 yards total offense in 10 of
his last 11 games dating back to last year. He is worth watching. Clemson hasn't been tested yet,
though a 21-point win at Virginia was impressive.
Hokie_Fan: Please discuss the conference apologies concerning some field officials' calls. I don't think they
should mention them publicly as they do nothing except promote referee criticism. I do feel that
refs miss calls and need better training. Could instant replay be used for games involving top 25
teams? That would ensure teams don't loose a national championship chance on a bad call.
Beano Cook:
They keep talking about instant replay for college football and it doesn't look like it will happen. I
think the BCS games should have instant replay. They are too important. The big conferences
could afford it if they wanted it, but they just as soon want to pass on it. Illinois' season could be
ruined by the two incorrect calls made in the game against Michigan last week. The first one, I
can understand how the officials missed it. The second one, there is no excuse.
JJ: If you could only watch games involving a single conference, which would it be?
Beano Cook:
SEC. Especially this year when a South Carolina has come out and played so well ... there aren't
any cakewalks. Top to bottom it is a tough conference, and it is tough to win on the road.
Go Gators: Lou Holtz has done an incredible job. Will he replace Davie at ND?
Beano Cook:
He has done a great job, but there is no way he will ever go back to Notre Dame.
MikeDog: What is happening to Penn State?!
Beano Cook:
One of those years. It's not going to get easier against Drew Brees, though I feel Penn State will
give Purdue a decent game. Penn State has had their number in recent years.
FranksandBeano: Could we get Michigan State some respect? All they have done is go 3-0, beat Marshall, Missouri,
and Notre Dame (fourth year in a row no less) and go 10-2 last season. They have won seven straight
ball games and the pollsters dog them every week. It is all because of Michigan in my opinion.
They get all the press and MSU gets nothing. We are like step children.
Beano Cook:
What do you mean by respect?
Jimbo: Is Ohio State for real or just untested?
Beano Cook:
They showed some character by coming from behind when they beat Arizona. However, we will
find out when they visit Wisconsin next week.
John Ifft--Pittsburgh: What about Walt Harris and Pitt, can they get to a bowl game?
Beano Cook:
They should make it. Whether it will be a high-level bowl game, it is too early to tell. The Panthers
are 4-0 and off to a good start. I like Rutherford, the freshman QB.
Art: Who are your top 5 teams right now?
Beano Cook:
Florida State, Nebraska, Florida, Kansas State, Washington, Virginia Tech. Let's call it top six.
Still an SU Fan!: What do you think about the Washington-Oregon game this weekend. Can the Ducks stop
Marcus and Co.? I think the Ducks will surprise.
Beano Cook:
That's one of the top three games of the weekend. Everyone tells me Oregon will win, but I am
picking Washington. It is tough for Oregon to come through in back-to-back weeks. Washington
had an open date last week. You never know if that is good or bad until after the next game is
played. Some teams react well to the rest, others come back rusty and it shows.
Matt: Don't you think K-State could get more respect by at least scheduling two teams that were
average instead of four teams that are horrible?
Beano Cook:
If Kansas State beats Oklahoma and Nebraska, they will be in good shape and people will forget
about those early nonconference games.
Texan55: Why didn't Alabama's AD except Mike DuBose's proposal to resign?
Beano Cook:
It was a situation which came about from the heat of battle, DuBose was probably embarrassed
because Alabama was shut out by Southern Miss. It is obvious there is pressure on DuBose to
win some games, especially the Auburn contest.
AU Alumi: After all the hype was made about how good Alabama was supposed to be this year and Auburn
was in a rebuilding year, what are your thoughts on the chances of Auburn winning the SEC
conference title this year?
Beano Cook:
The big game is Auburn-Florida. Auburn has a chance. If they can win at Florida, they will
probably be in the SEC Championship game. Remember, Auburn doesn't play Tennessee, which
helps. Rudi Johnson has had a great year and Ben Leard is underrated.
Even if Auburn loses to Florida, the Tigers still have an excellent chance to get to the title game.
Tiger Tim: A follow up to DuBose -- Do you think any of this will have an effect on how his players feel about their coach? Maybe not
wanting to give him as much effort knowing he thought about stepping down?
Beano Cook:
I am not Frasier Crane...or Niles Crane. I can't answer that question.
Go Bears: Does LaDainian Tomlinson have a legitimate chance to win the Heisman despite the poor TCU
schedule?
Beano Cook: He has a shot, but I feel it is a longshot.
Gregg: How do you feel about Bob Davie's choice to send an all-out blitz and getting burned by Michigan State?
It seems to me he has a nothing to loose mentality this year.
Beano Cook:
Who am I to question his strategy on that play? I feel Notre Dame has played very well this year
and should win the next six games. If they beat USC and finish 9-2, as I predicted, they have a
chance at one of the big bowl games. It is a little too early to figure which teams will be in the BCS
wild card teams, so don't ask now.
Clueless: What are your thoughts on AP voters who consistently vote for/against specific teams who whom
they have prejudices (I do not refer to you)? While it may seem cute to be "proud of the home
team", I do not believe people who actually have input into the BCS should be allowed to cast
votes so whimsically.
Beano Cook:
Everyone has prejudice. Find me somebody who doesn't. You just hope it balances out. For
instance, I think it is obvious that Florida State or Nebraska should be rated No. 1. From there, it is
wide open. Those two teams are the top ones.
MJ_Hokie: Can you draw parallels between K-State and Va Tech?
Beano Cook:
Kansas State plays in a tougher conference and has to play a league championship game, so
overall, their road is tough. Virginia Tech's season comes down to one game, at Miami. For Tech
to make the championship game, there can be no more than one unbeaten team among the top
clubs (because TCU can be unbeaten and not jump over Tech). If Nebraska, Florida State and
Virginia Tech are all undefeated, Tech is out of luck. If Washington and Kansas State go
unbeaten along with Tech, than the Hokies are out of luck.
Matt: Year in and year out, the Big Ten is one of the more difficult conferences, can one of their teams
realistically win a national championship?
Beano Cook:
Why not? The SEC teams can do it, why can't a Big Ten team do it?
Edward85: What are your thoughts on the Gamecocks playing the Tide in Tuscaloosa as an underdog? Are
there still doubts?
Beano Cook:
Yes. South Carolina has played all four games at home, and only two of its last seven games are
at home. That will be a challenge. South Carolina, in my opinion, will win seven games at the
most.
However one of the more pleasant stories of the football season so far is South Carolina. There
was never doubt in my mind that Holtz would improve the situation there, at a school which isn't
easy to win at.
Art: What's your over/under on the number of Clipper wins this season?
Beano Cook:
Watch out. I finally got my tickets for the first Mavericks-Clippers game and I want to thank
those who tried to help me.
Holtz4president: I'd be willing to bet the house that South Carolina is 8-0 going into the Tennessee game.
Any thoughts?
Beano Cook:
Go buy some insurance...
DavidS: I don't think Nebraska has proved they are the best team in the country. The defense looks a little
suspect, not real strong at running back and special teams are hurting. Who do you see as the
most impressive so far?
Beano Cook:
I'm saying at this stage of this season. My personal opinion is Nebraska will get beat, but right
now, I feel they are right up there. I disagree with your assessment of the running game.
Stuart: Was Northwestern's victory just a fluke or are they rebuilding the program for good?
Beano Cook:
I still maintain it is difficult to win at Northwestern for the following reasons; they have the highest
academic standards in the Big Ten (no other school is even close) and once they get the kids in,
they have no place to hide the borderline cases like the state universities do, with such majors as
Parks and Recreation and Tourism.
Badger Fan: What do you think will be the outcome of the Michigan-Wisconsin game this weekend and is
Bennett a big-time back?
Beano Cook:
Bennett certainly has played well. He was the difference in the Oregon game. I am not making a
pick on that game, but my pick of the week will come later in this chat.
HuzkerDan: How can people not be think of Crouch as a legit Heisman threat?
Beano Cook:
I consider him a big Heisman threat. He can run and he can pass. What about five TDs...and if
he was running for President, he'd get my vote. Though I don't know what he would do for
Medicare.
GoIrish: If the Irish don't run the table, shouldn't Bob Davie be fired?
Beano Cook:
No. Get a life.
Boo: Can Michigan still win the national title?
Beano Cook:
Yes. So can Miami, Wisconsin. They will need some help with the top teams losing. But it is
possible if they run the table. Florida plays Florida State and someone will lose. Nebraska will
face Kansas State so somebody will lose.
OUSOONER1: What is your thoughts in what Bob Stoops has done at OU?
Beano Cook:
Outstanding. He has turned that program around quickly, which I thought he would. His October
schedule is brutal with games against Texas, Kansas State and Nebraska. That is awfully
demanding.
Corey: Why doesn't the Big Ten separate into two divisions like the SEC and play a championship game?
Wouldn't this take care of teams in that conference playing easier schedules than others?
Beano Cook:
The first thing they would have to do is add a 12th team and then they would do it. The Big Ten
invited Notre Dame, which turned down the invitation.
Junior: Who is the best college play-by-play and color analyst currently broadcasting the great game?
Beano Cook:
Some of the best around will be in Ann Arbor this weekend -- GameDay is going to the
Wisconsin-Michigan game.
David: What is wrong with Syracuse?
Beano Cook:
They can't seem to win on the road. They host BYU this week on ESPN2, so maybe they will
fare better. They shouldn't have lost the Cincinnati game.
Y2J: I think its terrible that if Michigan goes 10-1 they could finish behind an 11-0 Kansas State
team because Michigan chose to play UCLA instead of UC-Riverside like K-State would have
done.
Beano Cook:
I don't consider Bowling Green a powerhouse. Plus, Kansas State would have to go 12-0, winning
a Big 12 championship over a tough team.
HuzkerDan: You still stick by your Wisconsin-Texas pick?
Beano Cook:
I was wrong. What was your pick?
OUSOONER1: Should Bob Simmons be fired at Oklahoma State?
Beano Cook:
No. Just because they lost to Southern Miss. you want him gone? Oklahoma State is also not an
easy place to win.
Badeeh: Who would you pick for the national title game as of today?
Beano Cook:
Good question. I would pick Washington and Michigan.
Sal: Was it a mistake for Penn State to play in the kickoff classic
Beano Cook:
No. They wanted to play and they usually win the Kickoff Classic. They beat USC there in 1996.
Johnjacob: You get paid to be right, you should be fired.
Beano Cook:
A lot of people agree with you, so you might be right.
My pick of the week is -- Arkansas 28, Georgia 21.
Thanks for joining in. See you next week...if I
am not fired.
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