Snake (St. Louis, MO): Graham- Long time, no talk. Thanks for taking Cloudson's question. He's wondering, after the Chase Daniel Era produced three bowl wins and two division titles, how will the Blaine Gabbert Era compare?
SportsNation Graham Watson: From everything I've heard, Gabbert has really come on in the spring and has a chance to be better than Chase because he has a stronger arm. Now, Gabbert doesn't have the weapons Chase had, at least not yet.
Snake (St. Louis, MO): Graham, thanks for taking Cloudson's question. He's wondering was the Mizzou-Texas fiasco the result of Pinkel not getting the team ready, or is that just him covering for the obvious gap that continues to exist between the Big XII North and South? Mizzou's performance against a weak Colorado team would seem to suggest the latter. Thanks.
SportsNation Graham Watson: Hey. Several players have candidly said that the team was not ready to play for both that game and the Oklahoma State game, which is a little reminiscent of 2004, when Mizzou thought it could step on the field and beat teams without any preparation or effort. Not so, obviously. And while I don't think MU could have beaten Texas anyway, I do think it would have been a better game. I think things are straightened out now.
Snake (St. Louis, MO): Graham, thanks again for taking the questions. Cloudson is wondering about the upcoming Oklahoma State-Missouri game. We all know Mizzou will put up their usual 50, but what do you think will be the final score?
SportsNation Graham Watson: I think this game will be relatively close, but not as close as many are predicting. Oklahoma State hasn't played anyone yet and I don't know if the Cowboys can trade jabs with Mizzou. I think OSU keeps pace for the half, but after that, Mizzou pulls away. 56-36.
Snake (St. Louis, MO): Graham- Cloudson wants to know how concerned he should really be about the Tigers' pass defense, especially since his favorite Tiger, William Moore, is having foot issues.
SportsNation Graham Watson: (2:37 PM ET ) Well, Missouri's pass defense was pretty awful during the non-conference and got better as the conference season went on. I don't think it's time to worry yet.
Snake (St. Louis, MO): Graham, thanks again for taking my question. Cloudson is wondering about Derrick Washington of Mizzou. Will he go down as a great back in Mizzou's history, or the greatest back in Mizzou's history?
SportsNation Graham Watson: (2:48 PM ET ) He's been pretty good so far. I'll reserve judgment until the Big 12 season begins, but so far he's a much more consistent threat than Tony Temple was.
Obama Wins (Reno, NV): I like your blog and your articles. I have to disagree with one thing in a recent story though. I believe Fresno State will win against Wisconsin on Sept. 13. The Bulldogs rarely lose home games that have been circled on the schedule for a looong time... and this is one of those games. Any chance you'll cover that one for espn.com?
SportsNation Graham Watson: (4:42 PM ET ) I'll give you that it's a toss-up. If te game was at Wisky, no way. But at home, with FSU's crazy fans, I think they have a chance. I'm just not sure FSU's talent is a deep as Wisconsin's. And P.J. Hill is just freaking good.
Pfaff (Denver): Is 2008 Ohio State going to be punished by what happened in 2007 and 2006?
SportsNation Graham Watson: (4:43 PM ET ) You mean by not getting to go to the national title game? I don't think so. If they are one of the two best teams then they'll go. I will say if it's close I do believe some voters might hedge toward giving another team a shot.
Pfaff (Denver): In response to Obama Wins... I think the Wisco-Fresno State game is like the tree falling int he forrest where nobody hears, since the eyes of America will be placed solely on Souther California. Graham, should they just cancel all other games so we can all concentrate on Ohio State-USC? (p.s. I hope Obama Wins is right about his name)
SportsNation Graham Watson: (4:45 PM ET ) Ha! I have to agree that all eyes will be on the OSU-USC game. I think Akron even moved its game to allow its fans (and probably players) to watch that game. I, however, will be watching both if I'm not in Fresno.
Snake (St. Louis, MO): Graham, thanks again for taking my question. Cloudson, as usual, is wondering about Mizzou football. Mizzou could take the field this year with 8 freshman. Gary Pinkel has never played more than 5. Jeremy Maclin says it is a sign of the depth of the incoming class, and I agree, but could it also be a sign of trouble, ie, lack of depth?
SportsNation Graham Watson: (5:00 PM ET ) Hey Cloudson... No, I think they really have a lot of talented freshmen. These aren't gong to be starters, but they'll fill in on the second string. I actually like this idea because Mizzou has a chance to be really down next year. Getting some of these guys in early lays a good foundation for next year.
Snake (St. Louis, MO): Graham, thanks for taking my question and it's great to see you take the chat worldwide! Cloudson says hello and he's wondering what you foresee for this season's Arch Rivalry Game, Mizzou v. Illinois? Also, the game is Saturday night of Labor Day Weekend so how should Cloudson prepare?
SportsNation Graham Watson: (12:14 PM ET ) I'm happy to see You and Cloudson have found me from the Post-Dispatch.
I like MU in the Arch Rivalry. Almost the entire offense is back and Jeremy Maclin actually knows what he's doing in this game. He'll be 10 times better than he was last year. If Mizzou wins that game, it could run the table.
And since it's Labor Day Weekend, he should head down to the Jazz and Blues fest on the Landing. It's a good time.