From: Steve
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 12:50 PM

Dear Mr. Feldman,

If Heupel's Heisman hopes are based on the Nebraska game this weekend, what is your take on Vick's chances after a pancake performance last week against Syracuse? Does your take on Nebraska's season indicate your opinion Oklahoma may be the only good team they have played to date?

Curious Steve

Curious Steve,

I believe Heupel can leap LT and Weinke and rival Brees and Vick if OU beats Nebraska and he plays well. Vick won't lose the Heisman till he loses a game (probably against Miami) and then I think it will be up for grabs.

-Bruce

From: Ron
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2000 3:06 AM

Dear Mr. Feldman,

Okay, I'm exaggerating. I actually agree with most of your bets. But I hope you didn't put your money where your mouth is regarding Josh Heupel's Heisman chances. For one thing, it's a shame that he just now was given a chance by the narrow-minded national media. Hello? Why is virtually no one noticing that Vick is having a sucky season, and that for the second year in a row Heupel is doing incredible things at OU. For crying out loud, if you can't give him a chance at least give the thing to Brees. If Oklahoma loses Saturday, it'll be either because their defense isn't all that great either (which it's not), Heupel gets injured and is out for the game, or because Oklahoma beats itself with penalties and turnovers -- something unlikely for a Stoops-coached team.

Ron in Lauderdale

Ron,

Modesty prevents me from doing this too often, but we did a story on Heupel in the spring when he got there. Of course no one remembers it except me and my editor and perhaps Mike Leach. I disagree on Vick. I saw him tear BC's heart out last month and remember they're still unbeaten. That said, if Josh carves up NU, he's getting invited to NYC for the Heisman circuit.

-Bruce

From: Scott and Stephanie Prince
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 11:44 PM

Bruce,

I agree that John Henderson and Tennessee are a formidable defensive team. To tell you the truth, I am very scared of playing Tennessee this week. Tennessee is a more confident team and has finally found some offense. South Carolina has faced numerous formidable defensive teams this year (Arkansas -- Quinton Carver, Mississippi State -- Joe Lee Dunn, enough said, this past week notwithstanding, Georgia -- Seymour, Grant and Stroud, and Alabama -- OK, not as good as everyone expected). With the exception of the Alabama game and a back-up quarterback, South Carolina has found a way to win these games. The difference between the Alabama game and the others has been home field advantage. Finally my question: Clausen, a freshman, will be starting his second collegiate game in a hostile Williams-Brice Stadium (The Cock Pit). The Gamecocks are undefeated at home this year. Will Clausen be able to lead the Vols to victory against a stingy Gamecock defense?

Scott Prince
Columbia, SC

P.S. Lou Holtz for President. He has got to be better than the two chumps we have to choose from.

Hey Scott,

I think South Carolina is probably the best story in college football, but I think Tennessee has too much talent for them, especially on D. Although, as you point out, so did Georgia. And the Dawgs' QB should've had an easier time dealing with USC's zone blitz defenses than true freshman Casey Clausen will. What was I saying again? Oh right, UT will eke out an "upset." Just a hunch. You can say I told ya so on Sunday if you like. BTW, I was gonna do a short item in my magazine column on Sheldon Brown, the really solid CB there, but played phone-tag with his position coach (John Gutekunst) and missed my deadline. But if he picks Casey, maybe we'll come back at him. As for Lou, I can't say I'm a fan (I do like Skip), but anyone would be a better choice than those two. Heck, I'd nominate Rich Kotite for prex.

-Bruce

From: McCord, Christopher, J.
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 5:49 PM

I'm going to e-mail you on Monday to remind you of your asinine comments about Josh. Pretty harsh words for someone who's probably never been to a game in Norman.

Christopher McCord
Litton TASC
"No weapon formed against you shall ever prosper"

Christopher,

Asinine is a pretty strong word. Foolish maybe, but asinine?!? It's not like I compared him to Jonathan Beasley or something like that. But you are correct. I've never been to Norman, although if Stoops keeps this up, I'm sure I will be headed there soon.

-Bruce

From: Matt Harris
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2000 10:06 AM

Dear Bruce,

Finally someone nationally gives DeRonnie Pitts some props. The dude is so money.

-MH

Thanks Matt,

I agree about Pitts. Rod Gilmore, a proud Stanford man and a much smarter football guy than me has been talking up DeRonnie for about two years. Hopefully, someone in the NFL will give him a shot and not take too hard a look at his 40 time.

-Bruce