Send Ron a chat question on anything college football related. Do you think that the favored Wolverines will fall flat in Columbus on Nov. 20 or will the Scarlet and Gray lay an egg? The rivals will square off in a pre-game chitchat on Wednesday with Ron Musselman. Fire your shots across the Michigan-Ohio border now.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our special Hump Day Big Game Huddle with Ron Musselman. We are about ready to get underway with your Buckeyes and Wolverines questions. Just to let you know there is no bias here in Chitchatland, Ron attended Penn State and I attended Wayne State in Detroit. Light this candle Musselman.
Zane Keefer Do you brake for Wolverines?
Ron Musselman: (12:05 P.M. ET ) Sorry I am running late. Today is my birthday, plus I just ran over a Wolverine. Just kidding, of course. Anyway, I may as well get this out of the way right now. I know it’s a rivalry. I know it’s a great big game. I know all that. I still can’t see Ohio State winning. Michigan just has too much offense. The Buckeyes might have a chance if they could run the ball, but we all know that’s not happening.
Mark (Sylvania) Hey Ron. Will OSU play the role of spoiler this year?
Ron Musselman: (12:10 P.M. ET ) I will never say never, but I will say unlikely. This is a not so great Buckeyes team. However, I see the score maybe being a little closer than most think. I have seen both teams five times this year, and Michigan is far superior in just about every area. Ted Ginn could be a factor for the Buckeyes, but I think the X factor is Steve Breaston, who finally had a breakout game for Michigan last week after battling a stress fracture in his foot all season.
Mike Werner (Columbus) HEY RON,I'M A FORMER TOLEDOAN WHO IS A DEVOTED MICHIGAN FAN. UNFORTUNATELY MY EMPLOYER MOVED TO COLUMBUS. ONE THING I HAVE NOTICED DOWN HERE IS THAT BUCKEYE FANS KNOW MORE ABOUT MICHIGAN FOOTBALL THAN THEY SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR BELOVED BUCKEYES. WITH ALL THE TURMOIL MO CLARETT IS BRINGING ON THE SCHOOL AND IF THEY LOSE TO MICHIGAN THIS WEEK YOU CAN REST ASURED THEY WILL BE CALLING FOR TRESSEL'S HEAD COME SUNDAY MORNING, BECAUSE HAS YOU KNOW HOW FAST YOU A COACH CAN FALL DOWN HERE IN BUCKEYE LAND.TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.LAST BUT NOT LEAST, GO BLUE
Ron Musselman: (12:15 P.M. ET ) Mike, please refrain from all the upper case letters. I am exasperated just trying to read this, plus a guy like me has a hard time reading big type. I’m not that old. I agree that Ohio State fans are a lot more bitter toward Michigan fans than Michigan fans to Ohio State, but neither side can be absolved. I don’t care what anyone in Columbus says, this Clarett mess is distracting from the game. How could it not, when Andy Geiger and Jim Tressel spend most of their news conferences Tuesday addressing the issue. I was very surprised by that. I tells me their focus is not on the game.
Terry (Fayetteville, Ga.) Michigan will again beat up on Ohio State. I've been a Wolverines fan all my life. I was born and grew up in Toledo. Michigan has an outstanding record this year. This is a rival game for my husband and I think he's for Ohio State. I can't wait for kick off Saturday... Good luck to both teams. But it will be BLUE all the way.
Ron Musselman: (12:20 P.M. ET ) Terry, I think you’re right. I hope you have on your Maize and Blue garb Saturday and your husband Scarlet and Gray. It sounds like your household will be pretty interesting. Just tell your husband he’s not allowed to throw any objects through the TV.
Ken (Stormville, N.Y.) I think the Buckeyes stand a chance because a win would salvage their season. They won in 2001 when they were 6-4 and the Wolverines were heavily favored.
Ron Musselman: (12:24 P.M. ET ) Ken, I agree that a win would salvage the Buckeyes season. Having Maurice Clarett would solve their running game problems. But I don’t see either one happening. Sorry to rain on your parade.
Sharday Sanchez (Perrysburg) I think that the Wolverines will smash Ohio State. Why is this game so important to people?
Ron Musselman: (12:28 P.M. ET ) This rivalry is like few others in college football. People are passionate about their teams. As for me, I could care less, which is how a reporter should view the game. I only want a good game. Of course, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want Michigan to win because that would get me another trip back to the Rose Bowl. It sure beats spending the holidays at the Sun Bowl or Alamo Bowl, which is where Ohio State likely will go.
Jim Adams (Carleton, Mich.) Michigan has more talent and overall team speed on both sides of the ball, and Ohio State's running game can't sustain a ball-control offense against Michigan's defense. Michigan also has fewer off-field distractions, and the bottom line is that Michigan is a better football team this year. UM by 17 over OSU.
Ron Musselman: (12:34 P.M. ET ) Jim, I agree with everything you said, except your prediction of UM winning by 17. Even though the Wolverines are at least two touchdowns better than the Buckeyes, I see this being maybe a 10-point difference or less. I do believe OSU will keep it close for a while playing that boring style of Tresselball. But I’m not sure the Buckeyes can are going to score many touchdowns. Mike Nugent will probably be their best offensive weapon – again. Meanwhile, Michigan has numerous offensive playmakers, including Mike Hart and Braylon Edwards.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:37 P.M. ET ) Where are all the Buckeyes fans? We’re in Ohio after all.
Ron Musselman: (12:40 P.M. ET ) The only thing I can figure is they are in hiding – just like the team’s offense. Not sure where they are. Perhaps they have all headed to Columbus early to see if they, too, can get free cars. It seems like everybody else in the capital city is getting them. By the way, if there are any more left, I could use one. It would be a nice birthday present.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:41 P.M. ET ) OK Ron, give me one reason things could go south for U-M on Saturday?
Ron Musselman: (12:45 P.M. ET ) A few things could hurt Michigan. They have been very slow starters on offense. The Wolverines’ run defense has given up 368 yards and 190 yards the last two weeks. And their kicker, Garrett Rivas, is wobbly although he has had a decent season.
Some guy from Temperance, Mich. Michigan people don’t break for Ohio State fans. We just play bumper cars with ‘em since we have no-fault insurance.
Ron Musselman: (12:52 P.M. ET ) Oh, so they do have cars at Michigan, too. I’d prefer an SUV over a bumper car.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:55 P.M. ET ) Thanks for all your responses today and good luck to your teams on Saturday. This is the last college football chat of the season. We’ll try to schedule an NFL and/or a college bowl preview chitchat soon. Permanent Link
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Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our special Hump Day Big Game Huddle with Ron Musselman. We are about ready to get underway with your Buckeyes and Wolverines questions. Just to let you know there is no bias here in Chitchatland, Ron attended Penn State and I attended Wayne State in Detroit. Light this candle Musselman.