Survey says ...

Our friend Tommy Hicks of the Mobile Press-Register (who does not look like anyone from Hogan's Heroes) occasionally polls media about certain things in college football, and with the national championship game on tap I thought you might be interested to see his latest offering.
Oh, and not to out anyone, but the “beef” line was mine.


1. Will this season produce a split national championship? Results: No: 18, Yes: 3.
Comment: "With No. 1 playing No. 2 (in the BCS title game) I don't think there's enough sentiment to push USC or Texas to the top of the writers' poll,'' one participant said.
2. If there is a split national championship, what team will share the crown with the BCS title game winner? A. Utah: 9, Texas: 5, USC: 1. Comments: "Anyone who wants to look closely at the facts could make a case for voting Utah No. 1,'' one voter said. "Texas has the biggest beef (no pun) for simply not getting the chance to play for the national championship.'' Another participant noted, "Utah is unbeaten and no one with a piddle of sense believes anyone would beat USC on a neutral field for the title.''
3. Who will win tonight's BCS national championship game? A. Florida: 16, Oklahoma: 5.
Comment: "Florida's defense is better and Oklahoma's special teams are worse.'' Stat: Those participating in the survey were asked to offer a final score for tonight's game. The average score of those provided was Florida 34.6, Oklahoma 29.1.
4. Among this list, which head coaching hire is the biggest surprise: Gene Chizik to Auburn? Terry Bowden to North Alabama? Barry Hoke to San Diego State? Lane Kiffin to Tennessee? Bill Snyder back to Kansas State? A. Chizik to Auburn: 14, Bowden to North Alabama: 4, Snyder back to Kansas State: 2, Kiffin to Tennessee: 1. Comment: "I've never seen such an unpopular move and a coach rewarded after having such a dismal record. This could be disastrous for Auburn, which has set itself up for a huge fall,'' one voter said of Chizik's hire at Auburn.
5. What bowl result has been the biggest surprise thus far? A. Utah's win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl: 15, Vanderbilt's win over Boston College in the Music City Bowl: 2. (Notre Dame's Hawaii Bowl win, Ole Miss' Cotton Bowl win, Iowa's Outback Bowl win and LSU's Chick-fil-A Bowl win received one vote each.
6. Should Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford and Florida QB Tim Tebow enter the 2009 NFL draft? A. Bradford: Yes: 16, No. 5; Tebow: No: 18, Yes: 3. Comments: "Bradford is ready and Tebow's not,'' said one voter. "Both should go before the rookie salary cap (is put in place),'' said another. "Bradford can make all the throws but Tebow could use another year as a pocker passer to help him (in the draft) next year.'' commented one voter.
7. What was the best overall coaching hire made in recent weeks? A. Mississippi State hiring Dan Mullen as head coach: 6, Monte Kiffin hired as Tennessee's defensive coordinator: 5, Ed Oregeron hired as an assistant coach at Tennessee: 2. (Those receiving one vote include: Gus Malzahn hired as Auburn's offensive coordinator, John Chavis expected to be hired as LSU's defensive coordinator, Bill Snyder's return to Kansas State, Dabo Swinney named permanent head coach at Clemson, Barry Hoke hired as San Diego State's head coach, Terry Bowden taking the North Alabama job, Texas keeping Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator/head coach-in-waiting, Steve Sarkisian named Washington's head coach.