Article published Tuesday, November 24, 2009 College Football with Matt Markey, Wednesday, Sept. 15 @ noon
Get your game paint on, football fans! The all-new weekly chat on college football, Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. on toledoblade.com
Ask host Matt Markey about your favorite teams, coaches, and rivalries.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our Hump Day Huddle with Matt Markey. Ron Musselman is covering the Ryder Cup in Michigan and Matt was good enough to help us out. Matt was in Kansas this past week for the UT pounding by the Jayhawks. We are about ready to get underway. Take it away, Matt.
Jack (St. Louis) What is wrong with the UT’s football team - SI preseason had them a top 25 - How could they be so wrong?
Matt Markey: (12:03 P.M. ET ) A lot of things are wrong. But the defensive line is the most glaring of the problem areas. No run containment, no pass rush. After two games, UT has no sacks and has dropped opposing ball carriers for just minus 8 yards. That soft front opens the floodgates. The offense is also a step off in its timing and has been dreadful.
Boris (Stryker) Is there any chance that Tom Amstutz is actually sandbagging and allowing his team to get pounded into the ground to build up overconfidence in other MAC opponents?
Matt Markey: (12:08 P.M. ET ) No chance. Stutz has used everyone he has and tried just about everything. The Rockets have not only suffered two humiliating losses, they are now looking very vulnerable to the rest of the league, and all of a sudden team like Eastern Michigan and Ball State will think they can beat the league favorite.
Patrick How can Ohio State actually move up in the rankings after such a pathetic display of hanging on yet again?
Matt Markey: (12:13 P.M. ET ) The Buckeyes will have to do it on reputation for now, or move up just because teams above them lose. Ohio State has been very, very lucky, too. OSU has won 13 of its last 14 games decided by a TD or less, over the last two-plus seasons. Wow!
Kevin Cesarz: (12:14 P.M. ET ) Cut the Buckeyes some slack Patrick. At least they didn’t get hammered by Kansas.
Not running in Ann Arbor What Michigan RB is going to step it up with (David) Underwood probably out of the San Diego State game?
Matt Markey: (12:18 P.M. ET ) They don’t have a stud. After two games, UM averages just 85 yards per game on the ground – 2.4 yards per carry! This will not get them much in the Big Ten.
UT Alumni What's with the Rocket's D? Is it truely one of the worst in the nation?
Matt Markey: (12:23 P.M. ET ) Right now it is THE worst in the nation, but I don’t think that will last. The main problem is up front – no run stoppers, no pass rush. The Rockets have allowed about 300 rushing yards per game, and if people can run on you like that, you are in trouble. Toledo also has zero sacks, and has allowed opponents to be successful on 54 percent of the third down plays. That all adds up to major problems.
Steve, Holland I know it's early, but with Michigan getting beat last week, will the OSU-Michigan game mean as much as usual...other than the rivalry?
Matt Markey: (12:28 P.M. ET ) It will always mean a lot, no matter what they do early in the year. The season has helped build up a lot of meaning for the game, even when one of them was out of the conference race. There is always the chance one will be in contention and the other comes in as a spoiler.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:30 P.M. ET ) Matt will be in Ypsilanti this weekend for UT's struggle against Eastern Michigan. He relieved after 1,100 some miles (Minneapolis, Lawrence, Kan.) in two weeks.
Tim, Maumee You mentioned other teams perceptions of UT, but how much trouble do you think the Rockets will have once they get into the MAC games?
Matt Markey: (12:35 P.M. ET ) We’ll know a lot after Saturday night. The confidence is definitely shaken, despite what the coaches say. Looking into the eyes of the players, I see guys who are really struggling after two good poundings. They are calling their own abilities into question, and if they struggle early against Eastern, look out.
JT, Cali How shady is that Rocket defense?
Matt Markey: (12:44 P.M. ET ) Very shady, in fact. The Rockets have not been able to stop anyone, or anything. When teams can run pretty much at will, it creates all kinds of problems, and UT can not contain the run right now. They are playing too many freshmen, and it shows.
Terry, Phoenix With Minnesota not playing both Ohio State and Purdue, it appears that its only really tough game will be at Michigan. Can the Gophers beat Michigan this year and if so, would you then give them the inside track to the Rose Bowl?
Matt Markey: (12:46 P.M. ET ) The Gophers have a huge advantage, given the schedule, but it is hard to ever consider them a favorite or put them on the inside track, because they have not won anything in so long. They have a great running game, but they also have a sophomore quarterback and we’ll have to see how he reacts when he sees 100,000-plus in Ann Arbor. They should have knocked off Michigan last year when they were in position to do so. With the game in Ann Arbor, I don’t think the Gophers will get that opportunity this time around.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:49 P.M. ET ) Thanks to all for joining us today. Ron will be back next week for our regular Wednesday (noon) huddle session. Also, chat with John Harris on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at noon when we'll be talking about another busy sports week. Permanent Link
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Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our Hump Day Huddle with Matt Markey. Ron Musselman is covering the Ryder Cup in Michigan and Matt was good enough to help us out. Matt was in Kansas this past week for the UT pounding by the Jayhawks. We are about ready to get underway. Take it away, Matt.