toledoblade.com -- College Football

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

Kevin Cesarz: (12:01 P.M. ET) We are about ready to begin today’s college football chat. Ron covered the Ryder Cup all last week. Monday he was in Ann Arbor and Tuesday in Columbus. Today he is in Toledo and he claims that he's tired.

DK (Toledo) Will Michigan's Mike Hart get the running game going this weekend against Iowa?

Ron Musselman: (12:07 P.M. ET) Mike Hart is a pretty good player, after just three games. But I doubt he will start against Iowa. I am sure Lloyd Carr will start either Jerome Jackson or David Underwood, but Hart is the man and you will see him on the second or third series. Most coaches just don’t like to start a freshman, or rely on one, but my guess is that Hart will be starting by the end of the year. He’s small, but powerful.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:09 P.M. ET) Check out Ron’s story on Hart that appeared in Tuesday’s Blade. Hart story

Frank B. (Wauseon) What do you think of OSU kicker Mike Nugent?

Ron Musselman: (12:14 P.M. ET) I think a lot more of Mike Nugent than I do of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Unlike them, Nugent is not a spoiled brat. In fact, he is probably the best kicker in the country. Since his sophomore season, he has made 49 of his last 56 field goal tries, an incredible 87.5 percent. He’s money in the bank. He also comprises 42.5 percent of OSU’s offense, which is not good. The Buckeyes have to get their offense untracked or a loss is going to pop up soon.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:09 P.M. ET)Oh yeah. Check out: Nugent story

Jim Are college players experiencing the increase in injuries this year like the pros?

Ron Musselman: (12:20 P.M. ET) I have not noticed a big increase in injuries among college players. OSU and Michigan have had few. Dustin Fox broke his arm for Ohio State and David Underwood got a mild concussion. There are always minor bumps and bruises players must play with throughout the season, but it’s been nothing like the rash of injuries that have hit the NFL. Keep your fingers crossed.

Mark (Sylvania) How will UT perform in its home opener against Temple?

Ron Musselman: (12:25 P.M. ET) Traditionally, Temple is terrible. This year is no different. However, that having been said, Toledo’s defense is no great shakes by any stretch and the Owls probably will hang in to the end. If nothing else, they’ll probably lose a shootout since the Rockets can’t stop anyone. I said it two weeks ago, and I’ll say it again – Tom Amstutz needs to fire defensive coordinator Lou West. The sooner, the better. He is a lousy coach running a lousy defense.

Bill Krall (Toledo) DEAR RON, WELL, THE ROCKETS APPEAR TO BE ON THE SLOW ROAD TO RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION. I WAS AT THE GAME AT EASTERN LAST SATURDAY. THE OFFENSE SHOWED SOME LIFE AND WE WERE LUCKY TO SURVIVE THE FOURTH PERIOD. IT WAS QUITE REVEALING TO OBSERVE KEON JACKONS REACTION TO HIS NEAR INTERCEPTION IN THE SECOND PERIOD. HE MADE A GREAT DEFENSIVE MOVE AND ALMOST INTERCEPTED THE BALL ON A PASS PLAY BY EASTERN. HIS GREAT EFFORT WAS SPOILED BY HIS FRUSTRATION WHEN HE KICKED THE BALL (which was bouncing on the ground. IT RESULTED IN A 15 YARD PENALTY AND A SUBSEQUENT EASTERN TOUCHDOWN. IT ALL GOES BACK TO DISIPLINE AND I DONT SEE MUCH (or any) OUT THERE. IT ALL REVERTS BACK TO THE TOP. COACH STUTZ IS A GOOD GUY, BUT UNTIL DISIPLINE BECOMES A PRIORITY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN "ALSO RAN"! THANKS FOR THE FORUM!

Kevin Cesarz: (12:29 P.M. ET) 15-yard personal foul for ALL CAPS. Bill, Ron and I are getting glassy-eyed trying to read your question. Forget the all-caps next time, please.

Ron Musselman: (12:33 P.M. ET) Bill, your question is longer than my previous questions combined. I agree with you that the penalties have to stop – I have been saying that since 2001 – but I don’t agree with you that Toledo will be considered an also-ran if they don’t, although this year it looks that way. The Rockets have a very solid football program and will survive either way. But it would help their image a ton if the refs would quit throwing their yellow hankerchiefs, and the Rockets would quit throwing punches – on the field and off.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:35 P.M. ET) Ron, how do you think that Bowling Green will fare this weekend at Northern Illinois?

Ron Musselman: (12:38 P.M. ET) Northern Illinois had been a solid program for a few years now, but one thing always bothers me about the Huskies. They never win big games. I can still remember them blowing that lead and losing the MAC West to Toledo on their home field a few years ago. This is a big game because it’s on TV on Friday night. If I was a betting man, and I’m not, I’d take Bowling Green straight up. NIU always has trouble closing the deal against a good team – check out its history. I also think that the Falcons are pretty good.

Duckie (Maumee) What do you think of Lydell Ross and Ohio State’s running game?

Ron Musselman: (12:44 P.M. ET) I think Lydell Ross is lousy and have thought that for two years now. Ross needs to head to the bench in order for the Buckeyes’ porous running game to get untracked. I’d like to see more Antonio Pittman and I think you will very soon. Michigan’s running game stinks, too, but Mike Hart should be able to help improve that area, even if he is coming off the bench this week against Iowa. OSU and Michigan have to be able to run the ball to be successful.

Ben (Monroe) What will be the toughest remaining games on OSU’s and UM’s schedules?

Ron Musselman: (12:48 P.M. ET) I have this sneaking suspicion that OSU will struggle at Northwestern next weekend. The Wildcats have a good QB and a good offense and I think they will keep it close. The week after that, OSU plays Wisconsin at home and that will be a tough game, too. OSU also must go on the road for games at Purdue and Iowa, but they have their hated rival Michigan at home in the last game. As for Michigan, the Wolverines have Iowa at home, but they also must play at Purdue, and of course, at OSU. I think both teams have some tough road games coming up which will determine whether they are any good this year. OSU already has a road win under its belt against N.C. State. However, Michigan choked at Notre Dame.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:53 P.M. ET) Well, that will wrap up today’s chitchat. Ron is falling asleep. I think it was the Bill Krall question that KO’d him. Any questions not answered this week we promised to wake him up and get to them next week. Thanks for chatting.

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