Five Good Minutes: Talking College Football With ESPN's Rod Gilmore

This weekend we were honored to have a chat with ESPN analyst Rod Gilmore. The Stanford graduate talks BC and their odds of going bowling, the disappointing teams of 2013 and Florida State vs. Clemson.

BC Interruption: Which team has been the biggest surprise in 2013?

Rod Gilmore: It's hard to pick one, but I'd say Baylor, University of Miami and Texas Tech. Baylor's offense is just crazy, but they're also much better on defense. I expected Miami to be better, but didn't expect them to handle Florida and be undefeated at this point. Kliff Kingsbury has Texas Tech off to a great start with a walk-on QB and surprising defense.

BCI: Which team has been the biggest disappointment?

Gilmore: I'm sure many would say the University of Southern Cal, but I didn't expect the Trojans to win more than 7 or 8 games. The University of North Carolina has been the most disappointing team to me. I thought they could make a run in the ACC, but they're 1-4 with an awful loss to East Carolina.

BCI: I don't know if you have gotten a chance to catch a BC football game yet, but if so what are your thoughts on the team and the work Steve Addazio has done so far?

Gilmore: I have seen Boston College and I think Steve Addazio is doing a really good job. He's given the Eagles an identity, or given BC back it's old identity. They are again a physical running team and attacking on defense.

BCI: Next weekend is a huge ACC clash between Florida State and Clemson. Look ahead in your crystal ball, who wins it?

Gilmore: I saw Florida State in person a few weeks ago and will see Clemson in person Saturday. I'll have a better sense after seeing Clemson, but both teams are really athletic, explosive and getting great quarterback play. [Ed. note -- Question was asked before Clemson/BC game]

BCI: Do you have a favorite player or coach to cover right now?

Gilmore: I just really enjoy college football. It's a real treat to be able to see games at so many different campuses and enjoy the unique environments.

BCI: Do you think Boston College will go bowling this season?

Gilmore: Boston College has a good shot. They'll have to win 3 of 7 and will likely be favored in 2 of those games-maybe 3. So they may need to pull off an upset to get there.

BCI: Finally, BCS Championship game. Who do you see playing in the championship and who wins the national title?

Gilmore: It's too early to know-we still have a number of key matchups on the horizon. I believe that an SEC team is likely to be in the BCS game and it's opponent will come from the next strongest conference. Right now, I believe that the PAC 12 is the second strongest conference. However, if the PAC-12 beats up on itself and doesn't have an undefeated team, then an undefeated team from the Big Ten (Ohio State?) Or ACC (FSU or Clemson?).

Thanks to Rod for talking with us today, and make sure to catch him on ESPN during their weekly college football telecasts.

Rod Gilmore joined ESPN in August of 1996 as a college football analyst. He primarily works on ESPN and ESPN2's Friday night game telecasts, on studio shows College Football Live and Goal Line, and contributes to SportsCenter and Outside the Lines. He previously served as an ESPN studio analyst and a contributor to ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

Prior to joining ESPN, Gilmore worked as an analyst with Prime Sports Network in California (1993-95), covering Pac-10 football, along with SportsChannel Bay Area from 1991-93 and the Pacific Sports Network in 1990. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1994 for live sports coverage of Pac-10 football.

A 1982 Stanford graduate with a degree in English, Gilmore was a three-year starter at defensive back under coaches Bill Walsh, Rod Dowhwer and Paul Wiggin, and also played baseball for the Cardinal. Following graduation, he earned his law degree from the University of California at Berkeley Boalt Hall in 1986, and was admitted to the California State Bar the same year. Currently, he is with the business law firm of Doty, Barlow, Britt & Thomas in Palo Alto, Calif.

Gilmore is a longtime volunteer to Stanford. Currently he is a member and officer of two entities sponsored by the Stanford Alumni Association. He previously served as chairman of the Stanford Athletic Board and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Stanford Alumni Association. He is also an active member of several Bar Associations and several local community organizations.

An Oakland, Calif. native, Gilmore is a member of the Oakland Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame.