1) It appeared that Tommy West was on his way out at Memphis for most of the season, but are you surprised that Western Kentucky let go of David Elson?

Steven Lassan: Yes, I was surprised at Elson's firing. Under his direction, the Hilltoppers posted winning records from 2003-2007, with their worst seasons coming when they stepped up to FBS level in 2008 and 2009. Although the team was winless and struggling to compete, I thought Elson deserved another year to show progress with this team, especially with 57 of the 85 scholarship players classified as a true freshman, redshirt freshman or sophomore. With a young team, the Hilltoppers could make a move up the standings in the Sun Belt next season.

Mitch Light: Yes, I am. The Hilltoppers are only in their first full-fledged season as an FBS school. They have no doubt struggled the past two seasons (now wins vs. FBS opponents), but Elson had a winning record in each of his first five seasons with the school while in the I-AA ranks. The guy was doing something right.

Jake Veyhl: I was surprised simply because Elson had such a familiarity with that program and I believe that you’d want someone like that leading you during your transition to the FBS. Granted, WKU is winless this season, but it’s not like anybody expected the Toppers to play in a bowl this season — or the next four or five for that matter. I don’t feel like this is exactly a destination job, either, but hey, someone will fill the vacancy.

2) While Clemson controls its own destiny in the ACC Atlantic, do you think the Tigers will make it to the league championship game or do they have another surprise in store for us?

Steven: Considering what we have seen from Clemson in previous years, losing a game they shouldn't (potentially against NC State this Saturday) wouldn't be a surprise. With Russell Wilson playing well, the Wolfpack are a dangerous team. However, I think Saturday's win over Florida State showed this team has more toughness than we saw in previous years and I am going to predict they win the final two conference games and will play Georgia Tech for the ACC title.

Mitch: I am going to have faith in the Tigers. I believe they will beat both NC State and Virginia to reach the ACC title game for the first time.

Jake: Clemson’s schizophrenic nature has been well-documented and I’m not sure they’re over that yet. I think this week’s game against NC State is going to be difficult. Clemson is coming off a big win against Florida State and the Wolfpack have a tendency to get better as the year goes on. Those two things combined could spell an upset. Personally, I’d like to see Dabo Swinney get this team beyond its past shortcomings, though.

3) A lot has been made of Boise State’s scheduling lately. If you were an Athletic Director or coach at a big-time BCS-conference school, would you be willing to schedule a home-and-home with Boise State or would you shy away from that scenario?

Steven: If I was an athletic director, I would be willing to schedule Boise State. Sure, losing would damage national title hopes, but a win over the Broncos can significantly help build a strong resume, especially since they will likely be among the top teams in the WAC or top 15 in the BCS. Teams are often knocked for not having a quality non-conference slate, but scheduling a home-and-home with Boise State would be a good way to boost that for future seasons.

Mitch: Depends on which school. If I already had a non-conference game against another very good program built into my schedule (like Georgia Tech does with Georgia, or Stanford does with Notre Dame, for example), I’m not sure I would. If I needed a quality non-conference opponent to build the profile of my program, then yes I would.

Jake: I would say no, but it’s an interesting scenario for a bunch of reasons. A school like a Texas or USC, for instance, doesn’t have much to gain by playing Boise State — at home or on the road. A win is expected, but a loss and you’re probably out of the national championship hunt, whereas a loss to, say, another big-time BCS conference program doesn’t hurt you as much but you have more to gain with a victory. Yes, the Broncos are highly-regarded, but these schools typically play one, maybe two big non-conference games per season. I (as an AD) don’t think I’d use one of my marquee games against Boise but I would applaud those who did.

4) What’s your opinion on Steve Spurrier and South Carolina? Is it time for the two to part ways or do you believe that Spurrier can still work some magic in Columbia?

Steven: I think Steve Spurrier can still work some magic, but it's going to be tough to win the SEC East. As long as Urban Meyer is around, the Gators aren't going anywhere and Georgia and Tennessee will rebound into the top 25. The Gamecocks have a young offense this season, so there is plenty of promise with this group going into next year. However, the Gamecocks could be a good team next season and still finish third in the division. I think it would be a mistake for South Carolina and Spurrier to part ways, after all, is there really a better candidate out there for this job?

Mitch: I don’t think he can work his ‘magic,’ but I still think he has a few good years left in him. The current freshman class is very, very talented — a lot of those guys are already contributing. I think Spurrier would like to see this group through and see if he can make a move up the SEC food chain. I don’t envision an SEC East title in his future, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Gamecocks were a top 10 or top 15 team in two years.

Jake: I feel like Spurrier has lost his magic. Whatever he did in Gainesville just hasn’t worked in Columbia. Yes, it’s hard to win there, but I think the Gamecocks need to look for a younger coach who can devote himself to that program. Spurrier is toward the end of his career and he’s got to be running out of energy to build a program he knows he won’t be around much longer.

5) The BCS standings got their first real shake-up of the season last week. Which BCS top-10 team do you think has the best chance of being upset this week?

Steven: I think USC needs to be on upset alert this weekend. Stanford has a lot of confidence after last week's win against Oregon, and the Trojans have some injury concerns that could have an impact on this game. Receiver Damian Williams and tight end Anthony McCoy are questionable to play with injuries, taking away two key targets for quarterback Matt Barkley. The defense is hurting with linebacker Chris Galippo and defensive end Everson Griffen likely not at 100 percent this weekend. Stanford has shown it can go into Los Angeles and win, and this is easily Jim Harbaugh's best team, led by quarterback Andrew Luck and running back Toby Gerhart. I think USC will win, but I think the Cardinal are more than capable of keeping this one interesting deep into the fourth quarter.

Mitch: Well, Iowa is No. 10 in the BCS and I think the Hawkeyes will lose to Ohio State, but that obviously is not an upset. I think Cincinnati is probably the biggest threat to lose. West Virginia is very good offensively, and we saw last weekend that UC can be a bit vulnerable on defense. I still like the Bearcats to win, but a WVU victory isn’t out of the question.

Jake: Iowa is technically in the top 10, but a loss at No. 11 Ohio State wouldn’t be an upset. Florida could run into a trap at South Carolina but I’ll say Cincinnati against West Virginia, though I’m still picking the Cincy to win. The Bearcats can put points on the board in a hurry, but so can the Mountaineers. An untimely turnover or two could turn the tide.

Year Two of the Campus Challenge returns as Jake is out to defend his championship. The rules: Each person picks a quarterback, running back and wide receiver to make up his "team" for the week in an effort to amass as many passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards and total touchdowns as possible. Whoever has the best stats as the end of the year wins. All players selected must be from a BCS conference team playing an FBS opponent, and each editor can only use a player once during the season.