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 ) Welcome to our Hump Day Huddle with Ron Musselman. We are about ready to get underway. Ron was up in Ann Arbor today talking with members of the University of Michigan football team after spending Tuesday in Columbus. Take it away, Ron.

Phil (Sylvania) Do you believe that (OSU's) AJ Hawk is really going to be that good?

Ron Musselman: (2:05 P.M. ET ) A.J. Hawk is an very modest person. In my article today, he refused to be compared to some of the all-time OSU linebacking greats such as Tom Cousineau, Randy Gradishar, etc. I think Hawk will be considered in the same breath by time he is done next year. He is a super player. It will be interesting to see if he can match last year's totals, now that three of the top four defensive linemen are gone who opened up space for him to make plays.

Kent (BGSU) What do you know about the new Falcon backup QB - Anthony Turner?

Ron Musselman: (2:08 P.M. ET ) To be honest, I couldn't tell you the difference between Anthony Turner and Ike Turner. But I will say this, this is a good time to be a quarterback at BG since Josh Harris is gone. There is some playing time available now and I have heard some good things about Turner.

Jon (Toledo) Will any new OSU recruit have a big impact this year?

Ron Musselman: (2:12 P.M. ET ) According to the coaches and players, Ted Ginn is the real deal. He not only will see playing time in the secondary, he should have a big impact on the special teams. It's rare that there is this kind of buzz about a freshman, even at Ohio State. Ginn should be a big contributor this fall, barring injury.

Jim (Toledo) What's the latest on the UT football issues, were players really involved? If so, how many?

Ron Musselman: (2:19 P.M. ET ) Not sure what's up at UT, but I can tell you this: there is no discipline out there. I love Tom Amstutz. He's one of the great guys in college coaching. But I have said this over and over, his ultimate downfall is going to be over something to do with discipline. The program has none. It all started with the slugfest against BC in the Motor City Bowl, then the Brandon Hefflin incident, then Brock Dodrill and now this. When is it going to stop? Maybe never. The punishment is usually a slap on the wrist and you miss a few weeks of practice and then you are reinstated just before the start of the season. How wonderful.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:22 P.M. ET ) No discipline. Is Ike Turner coaching at UT? By the way, Ron covered the Rockets from 2000 to 2002.

Lori (Oregon) My husband's happiness comes and goes with OSU games - will we have a good fall?

Ron Musselman: (2:25 P.M. ET ) You will have a good fall. How good, I'm not sure. It will definitely be better than if you were, say, an Indiana or Illinois fan.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:28 P.M. ET ) I'm going to Mt. Pleasant to see the Chippewas take on Bowling Green at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and then I'll watch UT face the same Chips at the Glass Bowl. Which will be the better matchup?

Ron Musselman: (2:32 P.M. ET ) My parents always told me to be nice to moderators Kevin, but I can't be in this case. I wouldn't want to see Central Michigan play anywhere, to be honest. It's a lousy program. I don't think either game will be any good. Both BG and UT will roll big-time. So, to answer your question - any matchup involving the Chippewas ain't good.

Morris (Springfield Township) Ron, if you were to subtract Michigan's best receiver (Braylon Edwards) would they still be any good?

Ron Musselman: (2:36 P.M. ET ) The Wolverines would still be good if Edwards went to the NFL, but he is an awesome player, a go-to guy. With him, they have a heckuva offense, despite needing a new quarterback and tailback. Without him, they wouldn't be as explosive. But they would still beat Central Michigan. By the way, Central's old coach, Mike DeBord, is on the Michigan staff now.

Mark (Sylvania) Who will be the standout players in the Big Ten this season?

Ron Musselman: (2:44 P.M. ET ) A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. Marlin Jackson, David Baas and Braylon Edwards at Michigan. Kyle Orton at Purdue. There are many, many more. It should be a great season in the Big Ten.

Bill Krall (Toledo) Ron, I am a lifelong Rocket football fan. It is almost an obsession with me. I could not agree with you more. . . . (edited). I do not want thugs playing on my favorite football team.

Ron Musselman: (2:47 P.M. ET ) Bill, I took out the two names you mentioned. I have not seen any of the names made public and didn't think we should do it here, in case the names are not correct. Anyway, anyone who is involved in this fight that hurt someone should be booted off the team. That's the way I feel. There are too many kids getting third chances at UT and it's not right.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:50 P.M. ET ) Rarely do I agree with Ron, but he's right. In this case, until the players are actually charged with a crime we should not use their names.

Ron Musselman: (2:53 P.M. ET ) It was nice chatting with everyone again today. I have to go now. I just got invited to a frat party out at UT. I am taking Devin Vargas with me. …. Just kidding. See ya next week.

Kevin Cesarz: (2:55 P.M. ET ) Elvis has left the room (and it is considerably quieter). Thanks for joining our chat today. See you next week, same day, same time, more Musselman.

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