toledoblade.com -- College Football

Get your game paint on, football fans! The all-new weekly chat on college football begins Wednesday, August 18, 2004 on toledoblade.com

Ask host Ron Musselman about your favorite teams, coaches, and rivalries.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:00 P.M. ET) We're about to get underway with Ron Musselman. Ron will be taking your chitchat questions today about college football. Thanks for joining us, Ron! First question.

Gary (Toledo) How do you think Omar Jacobs will fair filling the shoes of Josh Harris?

Ron Musselman: (2:00 P.M. ET) I am quite sure Omar will do fine in time, but I wouldn't want to underestimate the loss of Josh Harris. He was a heckuva football player, a solid quarterback. He will be sorely missed.

Phil (Sylvania) Earlier in August you wrote about the Big Ten instant replay. Do you think it will work? If so, how long 'till it's everywhere?

Ron Musselman: (2:05 P.M. ET) I do think instant replay will work. However, I think the Big Ten will have some kinks and problems to work out. I fully expect all other conferences to adopt the system in the next five years.

Buckeye Who is the next OSU QB: Justin Zwick or Troy Smith? Why? . . . and Robert (Toledo) Who gets the nod at Ohio State, Justin Zwick or Troy Smith?

Ron Musselman: (2:09 P.M. ET) Justin Zwick, hands down. There is really no competition here, even though Tressel keeps saying there is. It is my understanding both will play early, but come Big Ten season, Zwick is the man, barring injury.

Art (Toledo) Last night on 1370 WSPD Denny Shaffer made a comment about USA Today giving the Rockets just as much ink as their hometown paper (one article since practice started). While papers like the Columbus Dispatch and the Detroit Free Press churn out articles about the Buckeyes and the Wolverines on a daily basis. My question to you is, Do you ever feel embarrassed by how much little coverage the Rockets and Falcons receive in their "HOMETOWN" paper??? Would it be possible to explain why that is??? Not that it matters to you, but a renewal hangs in the air right now as to whether or not my question recieves a response.

Ron Musselman: (2:15 P.M. ET) I’d be happy to deliver the paper to your porch if you renew your subscription. As for the other questions, my boss, Bob Kinney, could give you better explanations. Feel free to call him.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:16 P.M. ET) Speaking of Bob Kinney, he'll be chitchatting on August 24 at noon.

Robert (Toledo) How missed will Chris Perry be this season?

Ron Musselman: (2:20 P.M. ET) I think Chris Perry’s loss is much bigger than the loss of John Navarre. Michigan must find a decent replacement for Perry – I’m not sure Underwood is the answer. I think they could plug any quarterback into that system and it would work.

John (From Unhappy Valley) What do you think about JoePa and the future the Nittany Lions?

Ron Musselman: (2:25 P.M. ET) Unfortunately, I went to Linebacker U. when the school could still play football, and Joe could still coach. He, and the program, are a joke. Sadly, I think he will die on the field. He is too stubborn to retire.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:26 P.M. ET) Don't hold back Ron. How do you really feel about Paterno?

DK (Toledo) Hey, Ron. Who’s gonna win the MAC championship this year?

Ron Musselman: (2:30 P.M. ET) I’d like to see Toledo win it in a big way by drubbing Marshall in its final MAC game. It would give all the other MAC schools some sense of satisfaction, while giving the Thundering Herd a not-so-gentle sendoff.

Paul (Whitehouse) How big of a loss do you think (Craig) Krenzel will be from a leadership standpoint for the Buckeyes this year? Who will emerge on this year’s team?

Ron Musselman: (2:35 P.M. ET) The Buckeyes will miss Krenzel’s leadership skills in a big way. But you could find five guys out of five who are better quarterbacks. I think Zwick will bring a lot more to the table in that regard than Krenzel did. Watch for Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn. Both have been making noise in the preseason.

George (Toledo) Do you think (Bruce) Gradkowski merits Heisman Trophy consideration? Can he play at the next level?

Ron Musselman: (2:40 P.M. ET) I like Bruce Gradkowski as a person and player. But I would certainly not vote for him with my Hesiman vote. Toledo’s offense is set up for quarterbacks to complete a high percentage of passes, and Gradkowski – Brian Jones before him and Tavares Bolden before him – have benefited from Rob Spence’s offense. Having said that, yes, I do think Gradkowski will play in the NFL, provided he gets in the right system. He has a big-league arm.

Gary (BG) Why aren’t the Falcons getting more respect. How do you think the MAC will shake out.

Ron Musselman: (2:45 P.M. ET) The Falcons lost their big horse, Josh Harris, so a lot of people are skeptical of their chances, including me. But I do think Brandon is a good coach and would not be surprised if they pushed Toledo for the top spot. I think Toledo will win the MAC. Marshall also will be there right to the end.

Jack (Toledo) Who is your Big Ten favorite? Darkhorse? Is Iowa back as a perennial contender in the Big Ten and will (Kirk) Ferentz stay?

Ron Musselman: (2:52 P.M. ET) Big Ten favorite: Michigan. Darkhorse: Minnesota. Iowa has developed a pretty solid program, thanks to Ferentz, but I don’t think the Hawkeyes will be able to hold on to him for long. He is too good a coach and will not get lost in the cornfields. For a long time, Ferentz was considered the favorite at Penn State – provided Paterno retired. Guess that’s not going to happen now.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:58 P.M. ET) I knew that Ron would have to get in one final Penn State comment. But at least he took my suggestion that the Gophers will run the table in the Big Ten. Thanks for all your comments today and see you this Tuesday for Bob Kinney.

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