12/6/12: College football chat with SportsDay beat writer Kate Hairopoulos

Hi guys. I'm in Orlando for tonight's college football awards, then heading to New York for the Heisman first thing in the morning. What should we chat about?

I agree with you. It stinks for the players, especially. I covered SMU-Pitt in the BBVA Compass Bowl last year and practically the entire Pitt coaching staff had left by the Jan. 7th bowl. I feel really badly for the LA Tech players who lost their coach AND a chance to play in a bowl because of their school administration.... But to get to the point.... can't impose a moratorium because of recruiting. Signing Day comes awfully fast in early February.

Thanks for reading. I had the chance to chat with OL Luke Joeckel last night here in Orlando. He's drooled over by those involved with the NFL draft. If he's being told he's a top 10 pick, how could he not go? But Joeckel did seem like he was pushing off really confronting the decision at least a little bit longer. He's having fun where he is.... If he and OL Jake Matthews come back, it will have a huge impact on A&M's season, obviously. DE Damontre Moore told me a month or so ago that he really, really wants to come back to College Station. Will be interesting to see if he's played so well that he has to reevaluate.

Mettenberger shocked me in the Alabama game. To be honest, I didn't know he had it in him. But he showed he did. Now, somebody's got to figure a way to get him to play that way consistently. I know LSU is built on defense, but it baffles me whey the offense has to be so mundane so much of the time. I challenge the Mad Hatter to get this figured out...

It's really stunning that we are still talking about Texas quarterback problems in December, isn't it? It's time to get this solved once and for all. I think the problem at the position has certainly added to the angst in Austin about the direction of the program. It's been rough since Colt left, which is just too long for a program like Texas.

The powers that be have repeatedly said that they don't need a championship game. I can see their point at this stage. Who would they add to the league that would bring a lot of value? The new TV deal is done. Big 12 teams *should* have an easier road to the BCS title game without having to win that extra game. But I never predicted Rutgers to the Big Ten, so we'll have to see how realignment continues to play out...

Sure. Auburn was a DISASTER. Arkansas, too. Last spring, both of those games seemed like they would be a lot tougher. Will be interesting to see what the new coaches mean to the division. Don't know Bielema well, but he once called my cell phone out of the blue to talk about one of his players who was up for a national award (I was on the voting committee). I was impressed he took the time to go to bat for his players.

Sherman had a long NFL history, the opposite of Sumlin. Sumlin loves the college game. He even loves competing in the recruiting arena, which can't be said for all coaches. I think Sumlin is exactly where he wants to be. No, do I think he'll want to improve his contract after this season? No question. And he deserves it.

Not sure on the historical factor, but it definitely showed how top-heavy the league was this season. It was reflected last week when we were trying to figure out where teams would be bowling. Georgia, LSU and A&M all could've been potential BCS teams if Alabama and Florida wouldn't have earned the automatic spots.

I agree and I'll admit, sometimes I get annoyed that we as the media play along with this bowl nonsense. I've covered some bowls that haven't really meant a thing, but we travel with the team for a week and build up the matchup like it's really something. So many bad bowls this year.

The Cotton Bowl is a very well-respected bowl, and I hear that from all over, not just because I work in Dallas. It will almost certainly be in the rotation for the playoffs and championship when the new postseason system starts in 2014. But the Cotton got its ideal matchup because of a number of unlikely factors. Oklahoma got bumped from the BCS... Georgia moved into what had appeared-to-be A&M's spot in the Capital One Bowl. I think it's the only game on Jan. 4 and it will deservedly be watched by a lot of folks. Lots of great storylines.

Yes, Leroy. I see the Sooners shutting out that rapid-paced Aggie offense and probable Heisman winner Johnny Manziel. Good call.

Haven't had the chance to catch up much with the folks at SMU. Gilbert looked pretty good against Tulsa, in spurts. And I guess that's been the problem for QBs in the June Jones' Era at SMU all along. No consistency from the position that means almost everything to that offense. Nice to see Zach Line named C-USA player of the year.