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Chat Reel: Stewart Mandel

Who has "surprise potential"? Keep an eye on the Tigers

Drew Brees will get his passing stats this year; Purdue's win total may determine his Heisman chances. AP

CNNSI.com's college football producer Stewart Mandel dropped by the chat room to take users' questions and preview the 2000 season. The transcript of his chat follows:

CNNSI Host: Thanks for joining our college football chat with Stewart Mandel. Welcome Stewart!
Stewart Mandel: Thanks everyone for stopping by.

From Hezron Joseph in London, Ontario: In your opinion, who will be the biggest surprise and big bust in college football this year?
Stewart Mandel: There are a lot of teams with "surprise" potential. One I'll bring up right off the bat is Auburn. People forget how close they were to beating Alabama and going to a bowl last year, after being so bad the year before. Their defense will suffer a little. But their offense has huge potential, with Ben Leard at QB and Rudi Johnson coming in at running back.

Biggest bust: Penn State. Way too much re-loading to do. Tough, tough schedule.

From JimmyCR: What's the key for Wisconsin to win the Big Ten and a national championship?
Stewart Mandel: The obvious key is to beat Michigan, which they haven't done the past two years. They can't count on the competition collapsing, like Ohio State in '98 and Penn State last year. There will be a lot of tough games on their schedule, but the non-conference is a breeze. In one regard, they've gotten lucky with the scheduling the last couple years, avoiding Penn State last year, for one. I think when they'll run into trouble is against speed teams, which is why Michigan gives them so much trouble

From Joe in Omaha, Neb.: Will you downplay Nebraska's success because of their weak schedule?
Stewart Mandel: Weak compared with whom? Yes, there are some patsies, but most teams have them. They still play a full Big 12 schedule -- Kansas State, Colorado. But most importantly, if they get to the national title game, it will be because they win the Big 12 title game, which will obviously be against tough competition, most likely Texas

From George Cook in Tuscaloosa, Ala.: How do you think Alabama will do? Will they get back to the Orange Bowl?
Stewart Mandel: Alabama obviously is one of the national favorites. Their defense was absolutely dominant late last season, and now those freshmen and sophomores are a year older. Alabama's only question is replacing Shaun Alexander. We've seen glimpses of his replacements, but not enough to know for sure. He was their rock last year. Freddie Milons will account for lots of big plays, but you can't win the conference without a decent running game

From David Stoner in Austin, Texas: What do you think will happen with the Texas QB controversy? When (if ever) do you think Texas will again be considered among the nation's elite? I know they're ranked high, but most still don't consider them a legitimate national champ contender.
Stewart Mandel: I hope for their sake the QB controversy plays itself out naturally -- someone clearly outplays the other. I am not a fan at all of two-QB rotations, I think you have to have someone who is the clear leader. Texas, in my mind, is already again part of the national elite because of the tremendous strides Mack Brown has made in recruiting. Other than FSU, they are everyone's envy right now in that regard. Kids want to play there. But another late-season collapse like last year would definitely put the halt on that growing reputation

From Aaron in Charlottesville, Va.: Concerning the BCS, do you think it is fair to smaller schools? When a Tulane or Marshall goes undefeated, and still cannot get a BCS bowl invitation, I think there is something wrong. I think this is the main reason so many people see a playoff system as the way to go. What are your thoughts?
Stewart Mandel: I would have loved to see Florida State play Marshall last year, just to find out once and for all where these smaller schools stack up. But overall, I am not in favor of a playoff. I think you would lose what makes college football so unique, that every week of the regular season matters. If there was a 16-team playoff, teams like Florida State or Florida could just not show up one week and know they'll still be in the field. The best thing a Marshall or Tulane can do is sustain the success over a long period of time, and hopefully be invited to "move up" into one of the more established conferences. Eventually, you will have to be in one anyway to survive in I-A

From CanesInDa2G: Has there been a team with more depth at the skilled offensive positions than the Hurricanes do this year?
Stewart Mandel: I agree that Miami is very talented -- to have four tailbacks of that quality is pretty unbelievable. Florida State and Florida of late have had that same kind of talent, however. At FSU, you're going to see guys who were fourth- or fifth-string receivers last year step in and shine this year. For Miami to have depth like that is even more amazing, considering they are not that far removed from probation.

From Josh Cline in Norman, Okla.: Do you think that Oklahoma could be undefeated when they play Nebraska in Norman, and if so, would Oklahoma have a decent chance of winning, and therefore, shocking the nation?
Stewart Mandel: They'd have to beat Texas and Kansas State on consecutive weekends, which is highly unlikely and would be a shock of its own! But I don't see why they couldn't pull off that upset, whatever their record may be at the time. Nebraska's secondary is the closest thing to a "weak" link on their roster this year, what with the Browns departing, and we know Oklahoma likes to put it in the air early and often. It will be interesting to see whether Josh Heupel can continue the kind of success he had last year. I'm guessing he will only be better

From soonerdawg: What conference do you think is the most powerful this year?
Stewart Mandel: This is going to surprise some people, but I say the Big 12. Nebraska, Texas and Kansas State are all legitimate top five teams, Oklahoma, Colorado add depth, and even Kansas and Iowa State are expected to have better years than usual. I think the SEC will be strong as always, but outside Alabama don't have any teams I could guarantee right now will be in the BCS. Florida and Tennessee are wild cards, as is Georgia. The Big Ten will probably have its usual 8 teams, but again I don't see 1 dominant team emerging

From Ryan M. Gray in Chicago, Ill.: Is there any hope for Iowa in the foreseeable future? They've gone from consistent bowl team and occasional contention for a Big Ten title to 1-10.
Stewart Mandel: It's going to be real tough. I haven't noticed a lot of top-name recruits running to play for Iowa. However, they do have some good young talent at the skill positions and I think the Big Ten has shown that anyone can turn their fortunes around, look at Northwestern a few years ago, and Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota now.

From Diver: How many games do you see Mike Leach winning in his debut season at Texas Tech?
Stewart Mandel: I think they can win seven games and go to a bowl. Anywhere in the 5-7 win range. Depends on Ricky Williams' full recovery.

From soonerdawg: What legitimate chance does Drew Brees have of winning the Heisman? Running away? Or a close one?
Stewart Mandel: Drew Brees is my favorite to win it. Michael Vick obviously starts out on top, but you just have this feeling he won't be able to keep it up all season under such mighty expectations, and without the same surrounding cast. I have no doubt Brees will put up big numbers again. The question is, does he take Purdue to the next level, or to another second or third-tier bowl? That will make the difference.

From Maroon Mommy in Mississippi: Last year, Mississippi State surprised many with a great season, ending up in the top 25, winning a bowl game, etc. This year, we can't get a mention in a poll. By only losing some of our defense, and a promising offense, with a seasoned QB, what gives? Remember, our defense played with 2 teams, one on and one off about 50% of the time. Or do we have to surprise everyone AGAIN this year in order to get some respect and a ranking?
Stewart Mandel: I think the problem was, Mississippi State never managed to impress anyone last year, despite going 10-2. They played a fairly easy schedule, and when they won, they won real ugly. No real star attached to them. Playing in the SEC, if you get off to another quick start I'm sure it won't be too long before getting back in the polls.

From Apollo in Las Vegas, Nev.: How much talent does Florida St. have in the receiver category?
Stewart Mandel: Lots. They always do. No one as seasoned as Peter Warrick last year, but guys who could be the next Warrick, like Anquan Boldin and JUCO transfer Javon Walker. Also, Marvin Minnis and Robert Morgan have been out there before. Chris Weinke is already talking about how excited he is to get seven, eight different receivers in the mix during games. We saw him do that last year when Warrick was suspended

From Matt in Vero Beach, Fla.: Is there anything that can be done about the conference disparity in college football, aside from having a playoff? We may as well get used to having an ACC team (FSU) or perhaps a Big East school in the final game every year due to the incredibly weak conference schedules they play. It is extremely difficult for an SEC or Big Ten school to make it. It seems incredibly unfair to an SEC like Bama or Florida.
Stewart Mandel: I don't necessarily buy that. The voters in the polls that decide the BCS know as well as you that the Big East is weaker, and is going to make it harder for their teams to rise to the top than Big Ten or SEC. I think Virginia Tech showed last year they were legit, no matter what schedule they played. As for FSU, everyone likes to bring up that schedule issue. Yes, they probably have 5-6 games every year that are cakewalks. But they also play Florida and Miami every year, two perennial top 10 teams. How many schools can say they have a non-conference schedule like that? If they make it to the title game, they usually earn it

From UofMNick: If Michigan plays Miami on August 26 at a neutral site, who do you think wins? I would say Michigan, and that's why I don't know why Miami is ranked so high.
Stewart Mandel: Interesting. I hope the neutral site isn't anywhere in the South, for heat's sake. Miami is ranked so high because they return virtually everyone from a team that won nine games last year against some very tough competition. I would pick Miami to win, because they would be putting a QB out there who has been out there most or all of their last 4 games, winning all of them, while this will be the first true test for Drew Henson.

Michigan is also breaking in a lot of new guys on defense, and I wouldn't want to have to do that against Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Clinton Portis, James Jackson, etc. Not to say Michigan might not be as good by the end of the year

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Stewart. Thanks Stewart!
Stewart Mandel: Thanks everyone, and I hope you enjoy all our preview coverage and future chats.

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