Ask guest host Ron Musselman about your favorite teams, coaches, and rivalries.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our college football chat with Ron Musselman. We are about ready to get underway. Ron was at the Ohio State-Iowa game on Saturday. Ready Ron, go.
Ron Schramm How long has it been since the Buckeyes lost three in a row???
Ron Musselman: (12:05 P.M. ET ) Ron, it’s only been five years since OSU last lost three games in a row, losing the last three to finish the 1999 season under John Cooper. However, the Buckeyes are off to an 0-3 start for just the second time since 1943. OSU has not started 0-4 since 1922 and I don’t think it will happen this week. The Buckeyes should beat Indiana.
Bill Krall (Toledo) Have you heard that Bruce Gradowski is now number one in the country in passing efficiency at 73.4%. Also, his rating is 189.6. I think that deserves some recognition from The Blade. Don’t you agree?
Ron Musselman: (12:11 P.M. ET ) Bill, I have not been in a shell. I have, in fact, heard Bruce is No. 1. I know that because I have been checking how lousy Justin Zwick has been and his pathetic ranking. Matt Markey, our Toledo writer, has written several stories mentioning Gradkowski’s No. 1 ranking. What else do you want him to do, actually catch a pass from Bruce?
Gerry (Toledo) Who’s going to start at quarterback for the Buckeyes on Saturday against Indiana?
Ron Musselman: (12:16 P.M. ET ) It will be Troy Smith. I have heard from many different outposts – and there have been a few published reports – that Zwick is going to be out at least three weeks with a separated shoulder. I don’t think it matters who the Buckeyes start at QB, Jim Tressel is captaining a sinking ship. I am not even sure at this point that Ohio State is going to win six games to become bowl eligible. Let’s see, the Buckeyes should beat Indiana and Penn State the next two weeks. After that, I don’t see any wins in the final three games – at Michigan State, at Purdue or home with Michigan. That makes them 5-6 and ineligible for a bowl game. That could make Michigan OSU’s bowl game.
Rod (Holland) Where's the hollering about (Jim) Tressel winning the championship with Cooper's guys and now he's losing with his. Is he as great as everyone thinks or was Cooper better than anyone thought since it was his players that won the title.
Ron Musselman: (12:24 P.M. ET ) Well, Rob, there’s no disputing the fact that Jim Tressel did win the national championship with John Cooper’s players. Maybe he ought to recruit Cooper to recruit him a decent running back and quarterback? Seriously, I think Tressel is safe for a while, but I think he has lost this team. The offensive and defensive lines are terrible and the Buckeyes have never recovered from the sudden departure of Maurice Clarett.
Manny Does the University of Toledo have a chance to win the MAC this year?
Ron Musselman: (12:31 P.M. ET ) I think the Rockets have a chance, sure, but it will be tough. I just think they are going to have a real hard time winning at Northern Illinois. This could be the year Joe Novak and the Huskies quit choking and finally win the MAC West. You may remember a few years ago they had the Rockets all wrapped up and actually held up a sign telling their fans to celebrate nicely, then ended up with egg on their face after a late collapse.
James Petas (Toledo) The MAC – w/Marshall & UCF leaving – should the MAC contract to one division w/ higher team standards such as attendance and school commitment or should they expand?
Ron Musselman: (12:38 P.M. ET ) James, with Marshall leaving, the MAC won’t be very good. Hate them or love them, the Thundering Herd gave the MAC plenty of credibility, just as Toledo does. As for your other question, I don’t think one division would help the MAC, there are too many lousy teams at the bottom. And if they ever stick to attendance – they have threatened to boot out the teams that don’t meet the 15,000 requirement mark, such as Bowling Green – they would hardly have any teams left. Toledo draws as well as anyone in the MAC, but half the time you can’t believe the attendance figures. I can tell you this, it is way above 15,000 most of the time.
Harold (Lambertville) How will Michigan do this weekend against Purdue?
Ron Musselman: (12:45 P.M. ET ) This game was expected to be a battle of the unbeaten teams in the Big Ten, but the game has lost some of its luster after Purdue blew a 10-point lead in the last eight minutes and lost to Wisconsin at home Saturday. This is still a big game for both teams. Michigan needs to keep winning to earn a share of the Big Ten title again – provided both the Wolverines and Wisconsin finish undefeated in the conference. Purdue also needs a win, after Saturday’s debacle. Kyle Orton is a heck of a quarterback and I wouldn’t be surprised if Purdue does bounce back and win this game.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:47 P.M. ET ) Well, that will wrap it up for today. Ron had to leave early so that he could write Justin Zwick a Get Well card. See you all in two weeks for another college football chitchat with Ron and don’t forget our Election Day chitchat on Nov. 2. Permanent Link
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Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our college football chat with Ron Musselman. We are about ready to get underway. Ron was at the Ohio State-Iowa game on Saturday. Ready Ron, go.