Mailbag: New SEC deal is great, know what I mean, Verne?

Updated Aug. 15

I want to be Verne Lundquist.

The guy is my hero. He lives out West and is the voice of the SEC on CBS. For the next 15 years if he wants to be.

Verne is another reason college football is the greatest game. One of the upshots of the SEC signing on with CBS for the next 15 years is Verne. We have some voice certainty. Great guy, great pipes. I would dare to say, this generation's Keith Jackson.

I knew Thursday's announcement was a big deal because within minutes I had two radio stations call me. First words out the hosts' mouths, "We get more of Verne."

See you down the road, V.L.

Here are this week's scud missiles.

From: Ryan

Your Post-Spring Top 25 gets weird after No. 5 and is full of bad rationalizations. Please take your job more seriously, I like CBS.

Poll Sitter:

I was on LSD -- Late Spring Dyslexia.

From: Jordan

Do you honestly think Appalachian State has any chance at beating LSU?

Tiger Fate:

You're kidding, right? Haven't you learned anything? You sound like a Michigan fan a year ago.

From: David

As a (Central Michigan) Chip undergrad alum, it's great fun to read your Tebow-LeFevour comparison piece. I've watched the kid plenty, though, and know he's had a tendency to go through whole halves of games throwing the ball four feet over receivers' hands. If he can become consistently accurate, well, Tebow better watch out!

Chip Tosser:

It was a fun story to write, but the closest Dan LeFevour will get to Tim Tebow will be his gas tank -- when he fills up Tebow's limo in a few years.

From: Terry

how can u even call yourself a professional? oregon is not even in your poll at all and there in the top twenty of all the other polls out right now. and as u said about south florida they were ranked number two last year who cares so was oregon and they killed south florida in the bowl game without dennis dixon.

Unlucky Duck:

New year, new poll. Key phrase there, Skippy, is "without Dennis Dixon." Next question.

From: dawgfan76

You sound like another Midwest sportswriter. Ohio State plays no one except USC and they will lose to them.

Expert Analyst:

My first inclination is to take out a Ginzu and filet you. But in a weird way you make ironic sense. Who would have ever thought Ohio State of the mighty Big Ten would be accused of playing "no one."

Can't say I agree totally with you. but you've got a point. Now get off the Red Bull and go back to watching the Jonas Brothers.

From: Mike OU 73

If Oklahoma can get through a much rougher road schedule this year, they might actually deserve to play in a BCS national title game. Still, I would not put too much on the Sooners yet, until they have shown what type of team they are.

Boomer:

Let's start with winning a BCS bowl first.

I have great respect for Joe Paterno, but there is no doubt that Penn State needs a younger guy to kick ass and clean up the program. I hope they find such a person. Time for Joe to go!

Thanks Coach Schiano, but aren't you busy getting Rutgers ready?

From: Ryan

They pay you for your opinion?

Much more than they do for yours.

From: Trevor

I love that you, being a national writer, are showing some love for Kansas. Seventh is way higher than most writers have us ranked. Thanks for being bold!!!

T-Money:

I'm in the tank for Kansas this year. I think a lot of people are writing them off as a one-hit wonder.

Watch for this kid Jocques Crawford. Todd Reesing will be able to scramble around enough to make up for a rebuilt offensive line, and the defense is nails!

From: Jerry

Dude ... you're sadly mistaken if you think Rutgers will finish 6th in the Big East. They have a fifth-year QB and 2 awesome receivers. Losing (Ray) Rice is never going to be easy but they have "under the radar" talent to replace him. Their defense will be better than average. Write it down. For someone who is a 'supposed' expert ... you're clearly sleeping at the wheel here.

Mr. Lewis:

Here's the deal: The Big East is good. Real good. Nos. 2 through 7 -- the middle -- are as good as the middle of any league in the country.

Please tell me who Rutgers is going to finish in front of. Remember, this is a league title that was shared by UConn, which finished above the Knights.

You think Navy (Sept. 20) isn't going to want a piece after the way you fans treated them? Then it's back-to-back at West Virginia and Cincinnati followed by UConn and at Pittsburgh. I'm having a hard time figuring out how Rutgers is going to compete for the top spot.

From: Alex

Hey, I think you should check your work before you post it online:

How far has FSU fallen? We're referring to same Wake Forest that has beaten the once-mighty Noles twice in a row -- for the first time.

"I had several ADs call me last year to ask me about coaches and ask me who I'd recommend," Bobby said. "Jim Grobe, get him out of the conference."

That might the only way Papa Bowden outlasts his son and the rest of the ACC up and comers.

I do not understand why you hate FSU so much?

If FSU manages to beat Wake at home, they will be 3-0 and have everyone back for the rest of the season. You cannot ignore the talent at Florida State. I know the OL is young ... but believe this is the year they turn it around. And when we go 11-1 you can e-mail me back and say "You were right."

Semi-No:

Why wait for an e-mail you will never get? Look, I don't hate FSU. I do hate what it has become. I loved the 'Noles when they were struttin' and preening and winning 10. This season it looks like another 7-6, my friend.

Don't you have to have a full roster to compete? Tell me again how many starters are going to miss those first three games (including Wake) -- six?

From: Sultan Ludd.

So let me get this straight ... Maryland is going to finish lower than an N.C. State team that they defeated 37-0 last year in Raleigh? The Terps are definitely going to surprise many people, which includes yourself. Fear the Turtle!

Dude:

I have no rebuttal, I just love the name. "Ladies, please meet my friend, Sultan Ludd." With that kind of opening line, I'd take your castoffs.