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Chat Reel: SI's B.J. Schecter
Look for Nebraska and Florida State at Orange Bowl
Latest: Wednesday August 09, 2000 06:44 PM
Sports Illustrated writer-reporter B.J. Schecter joined CNNSI.com users on Aug. 9 to preview the upcoming college football season. A transcript follows.
CNNSI.com Host: Welcome to our chat with Sports Illustrated's B.J. Schecter. Thanks for joining us, B.J.
B.J. Schecter: Thank you. Glad to be here. Fire away.
CNNSI.com Host: Let's get started with the questions.
From Texas60: How is Virginia Tech going to look now that the Hokies have a seasoned veteran at quarterback?
B.J. Schecter: They will be very sharp on offense. But they might have to score 45 points per game to win because their defense is so green.
From e-hokie: Even though Nebraska lost half its defense, the Huskers are ranked No. 1. Why?
B.J. Schecter: Nebraska didn't lose quite so much on D. But given everything the Huskers have back, one could say they're loaded. That said, they need to improve on the defensive line. But they will.
From Guest: Even though I am a Badgers fan, I have trouble understanding how they could improve without Ron Dayne. Who will pick up the slack? Or will everybody on the entire team be that much better to compensate for his loss?
B.J. Schecter: I agree with you completely. I don't see Wisconsin being as good this year. They have everyone back save Dayne. But he's a monumental loss. I think the Badgers will end up third in the Big Ten.
From Guest: What's your take on the Rashard Casey situation?
B.J. Schecter: It's hard to say if he's innocent or guilty. But I question JoePa's reaction. If Casey was a no-name linebacker he surely would have been suspended. It's a classic double standard.
From nate99: Do you think teams like Clemson and Texas are too highly ranked?
B.J. Schecter: Texas, no; Clemson, yes. Texas has a ton of talent and a soft schedule. Clemson's schedule is soft, but we're talking about unproven players.
From Texas60: What about Purdue? What is Drew Brees capable of doing at the helm of this ship?
B.J. Schecter: Brees needs a steady running game and a few receivers to have a shot at the Heisman. I say he doesn't get either and flames out of the race early.
From Justin: Is Georgia's improvement on defense the key to the Bulldogs contending for the SEC title?
B.J. Schecter: Absolutely. Gary Gibbs has installed a new system. It must work or the Dawgs are meat.
From Cyclone: Some people are on the fence as to whether or not Iowa State will turn the corner this year. What's your opinion?
B.J. Schecter: This isn't the year. Darren Davis was ISU's only offensive weapon last season. He's gone and the Cyclones are in for a long year.
From sec: Florida-Tennessee: any early observations?
B.J. Schecter: Neither team has a proven quarterback. But the Gators have more on-field talent than the Vols and Steve Spurrier has more coaching talent than Philip Fulmer. Gators, 21-17.
From scully: What type of impact do you see Drew Henson having in the Big Ten? Did all the trade talk with the Yankees have any effect on him?
B.J. Schecter: Baseball won't have any effect on Henson. He's a big-time player and he'll light up the Big House this season.
From ChiTownHusker: How do you think Illinois is going to react to its defensive losses this year?
B.J. Schecter: Illinois could struggle this year for a lot of reasons. First and foremost is the fact that the Illini won't sneak up on anyone.
From Ryan: What do you expect out of the Pac-10 in 2000 after the disappointing 1999?
B.J. Schecter: Unlike last year, the Pac-10 has two good teams: USC and Washington. That's more than the conference could say last year.
From Hate_a_gator: What is your gut feeling on who is going to win the SEC East?
B.J. Schecter: I'd put my money on Florida. Spurrier is a winner and I don't have much confidence in Georgia or Tennessee.
From LisaS24: What do you foresee for Miami this year? Do you think the Canes will reconnect with their glory days?
B.J. Schecter: Well, Lisa. Let me first admit I'm wearing a Miami T-shirt today, so I obviously like the 'Canes. But to return to glory they first must beat Florida State and Virginia Tech, something they haven't done in four years.
From e-hokie: Why can't UCLA or USC dominate year in and year like Florida, Florida State, Michigan. There is plenty of high school talent in Southern California.
B.J. Schecter: Yes, my friend, but that talent is going elsewhere. The nation's top player, D.J. WIlliams of Concord De La Salle High, will play for Miami this season.
From Diver: How do you think Texas Tech's new aerial attack will fare against the Big 12 South?
B.J. Schecter: In order for any offense to work, RB Ricky Williams has to be involved. His health will determine Tech's season.
From michigan: Right now, who do you see being the surprise team of the year, à la Virginia Tech?
B.J. Schecter: I like Kansas State. The Wildcats were 11-1 last year, a fact people seem to forget. I say they upset Nebraska in November.
From Fletch: How overrated is Texas?
B.J. Schecter: I'm not sure they're overrated. We'll see when the great quarterback debate is solved. But they don't play anyone until the fourth game.
From Jason: Do you think Cedric Cobbs of Arkansas has a chance to be the best back in college football this year? He has that rare combination of size, power, speed and all the moves, just like Bo Jackson.
B.J. Schecter: He's awfully good, but let's not forget he's just a sophomore. He may be a Heisman contender in 2001, but not this year.
From John: How do you think Chuck Amato's presence at N.C. State will pan out? Do you think he has a legitimate chance to build a consistent winner?
B.J. Schecter: He's got a shot, but he needs time. We're talking the state of North Carolina here, and the Wolfpack is always going to be No. 2 behind UNC. The smartest thing Amato did was hire offensive coordinator Norm Chow away from BYU.
From Guest: Will South Carolina win a game this year?
B.J. Schecter: They will, I assure. I say the Gamecocks will win four.
From Cutter: Last year, no Big Ten team went through the season without at least a two-game losing streak. Considering the strength of the conference, could that happen again this year?
B.J. Schecter: Definitely. This is as tough a conference as there has ever been. A team with two or three losses could easily win the title.
From BAMATITLE2000: Do you think Southern Miss has a shot at beating Tennessee in the season opener?
B.J. Schecter: A shot, but it's a longshot. The Vols may not have an experienced quarterback, but they have much more talent on both sides of the ball.
From xj900: Will Texas' three young receivers be able to step up early and play?
B.J. Schecter: That's a tough question because we're talking about freshmen here. If I knew the answer to that I'd be on Mack Brown's staff and not here answering your questions.
From Nole1: Who will win Florida State-Miami game?
B.J. Schecter: FSU, which is what you wanted to hear, right. Seriously, the Noles have the talent to make it back to the title game.
From dolomite: Who would win right now in a preseason matchup between Florida State and Nebraska?
B.J. Schecter: Who knows, that's why they play the games. Late in the season, most teams get better, but right now it's too early to say.
From Hate_a_gator: Quincy Carter and the Heisman. What do you think?
B.J. Schecter: No way. Carter is a poor man's Michael Vick. Plus, the Dawgs will flame out early as always.
From Nole1: Does Mack Brown have something to prove since he has had a couple great recruiting classes?
B.J. Schecter: Not really. He proved himself by turning around North Carolina, and he now has the Longhorns back among the nation's elite.
From michigan: There is much controversy about which conference is the best. Can you see any head-to-head battles between conferences such as the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in basketball to boost football ratings?
B.J. Schecter: That couldn't happen in college football for a lot of reasons. Unless there is a playoff you won't see these made-for-TV matchups.
From BAMATITLE2000: Tyler Watts or Andrew Zow?
B.J. Schecter: Zow has more experience and better field sense. But I think might Mike DuBose will go with the hot hand again this season.
From scully: Can Ohio State snap out of it this year and challenge for the Big Ten title?
B.J. Schecter: They will, I promise you. Last season was a fluke for the Buckeyes. They have too much talent not to contend for the Big Ten title year in and year out.
From Diver: If Texas A&M loses a few games early, how long before R.C. Slocum is gone?
B.J. Schecter: I don't think you'll see a move this year. His record is too good (I know, against whom?). But it will take two losing seasons before a move is made.
From sec: How long till we see Brock Berlin?
B.J. Schecter: You'll see him before midseason. He's too talented to remain on the bench.
From Guest: Will the ACC ever be a football conference, or should it just stick to basketball?
B.J. Schecter: It could be pretty good this season if North Carolina and Maryland live up to be their potential. It will never be dominant like in basketball, but it could be pretty good.
From Hate_a_gator: What's your pick for upset of the year?
B.J. Schecter: I like K-State over Nebraska like I said before. Then, the Wildcats will lose to Texas in the Big 12 title game.
From scully: How is Major Applewhite recovering from the knee injury and will we see him share duties with Chris Simms?
B.J. Schecter: Applewhite will be fine, but Mack Brown wants to play Simms. I don't think you'll see a two-headed QB at Texas.
From husker: What do you think of TCU's chances of going undefeated and playing in a major bowl?
B.J. Schecter: TCU's schedule is a joke. Because of that the Horned Frogs should go undefeated. But they won't go to a major bowl. TCU will be this year's Marshall.
From michigan: Who do you see playing in the Orange Bowl, and who is the winner of the national championship?
B.J. Schecter: Florida State-Nebraska. I like the Noles. They have more talent and experience than anyone.
CNNSI.com Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks for joining us, B.J.
B.J. Schecter: Thank you. I'll be back soon.
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