Let's have some more fun with the Q&A between the ESPN College Football bloggers and their readers, shall we?
Big East mailbag
Jim from Highland Park, N.J., writes: The blog is better than ever. It seems like you are stepping it up a notch now that the season is coming down to the wire. Your bowl projections still project ND to the Gator. I understand why but let's have some fun, and can you project a Big East team to the Gator? Humor me for a moment and tell me what would happen in this scenario ... Notre Dame finishes 6-6, Cincy wins out (12-0), Pitt losses to Cincy and WVU (9-3), Rutgers wins out (10-2) and WVU would finish (8-4). Who would the Gator choose between a 10-2 Rutgers, 9-3 Pitt and an 8-4 WVU? How is that for a tough question?
CFBFans for Brian: Jim, Jim, Jim. What do you do for a living? Nothing? You must to have that much time to come up with a question like that. I think the best way to answer your question is with a question. Let's say I don't answer your question and just say you should go watch some more college football. Humor me for a moment and tell me what would happen in that scenario. Would you a) stop writing to me b) cry c) get really angry and threaten me, but never follow through? My guess is b and c. How is that for a tough answer?
Justin Wilson from Oklahoma City, writes: Tim, I was wondering how to find defensive stats. ESPN.com has a great set of stats for offensive players and teams but I haven't been able to find any reliable sets of stats for defense or special teams really on this site. Some help?
CFBFans for Tim: Hi Justin! This is crazy, I know, but I came across this amazing web site about 15 years ago. It's called Google. You can find it here: http://google.com. So this site is what the techies like to call a "search engine." If you go to the URL above, you'll see this box. In that box, you can type text. Probably like you did to send me this email. If you type in that box "College Football stats" or even better, include the team you're interested in like "Florida Gators Football stats," you'll find some amazing things! Like defensive statistics!!!!! I know, it's wild, but give it a shot big guy.
Joe in Mt. Dora, Fla., writes: Heather, Keep up the good work with the blog. If FSU plays like they did last week against MD this week and they win, do they have a shot at beating UF the following week.
CFBFans for Heather: Thanks Joe! I'll try to keep up the good work with the blog, you know, since it is my job and all, and I enjoy having shelter and food. As for your question, don't take this personally, but you're an idiot. You realize Maryland has one win over an FBS team this year, right? And, you know, Joe, my dear, that the Gators are undefeated, national champs, own the longest winning streak in the nation and are getting the Noles at home? And Mt. Dora? Where in Florida are there mountains? Joe, you know that address you sent this email to? Please, do me a favor, and lose it.
Steve from St. Paul, Minn. (formerly Iowa City) writes: Adam, the analysis-type videos you have added to your blog are a great idea. You're pretty good at it for a sportswriter. I can't even see your eyes move across the teleprompter. Question - People complain about conservative play-calling in the Big Ten. But coaches who are trying to open things up, Zook at Illinois, Rodriquez at Michigan, Brewster at Minnesota, are all on the hot seat. Meanwhile, polar opposites Ferentz and The Vest are secure. Spread-type offenses seem to work for our bowl opponents, but not for us. What gives?
CFBFans for Adam: Thanks Steve! You exhibit everything that's wrong with corporate America! Yup. You can
absolutely continue to be mediocre as most of the Big Ten has been. Mediocre is safe. Mediocre is comfortable. Mediocre won't get you fired. That's corporate America. Or you can grow some stones and take some risks. Is RichRod struggling? Sure. But like the
innovation curve, the old method will outpace the new method while the kinks get worked out. If Michigan has half a brain and keeps RichRod around for two more years, he'll undress the Vest and give him multiple wedgies. Oh, and a teleprompter? I hope you were kidding.
