11:56



toledoblade:

Hey everybody, we’ve got Blade sports writers Ryan Autullo and Don Emmons here to handle your questions regarding Michigan and Bowling Green football. Welcome aboard.



12:00



[Comment From alexander]

aye ziggy zoomba



12:01



[Comment From dewey]

ay ziggy, indeed



12:01



[Comment From Crossbones]

Its not Ryan, its Ryne



12:02



[Comment From dewey]

Guys, any chance BG can follow the Browns lead and start wearing brown pants? Or might they not want the stigma?



12:03



toledoblade:

Ryan: Are you surprised at the relatively strong showing by Michigan this year after last year’s debacle? And do you think they’re for real?



12:03



demmons@theblade.com:

Brown pants? Who cares. If it plays a role in winning or losing then where do they find the brown pants.



12:04



[Comment From dewey]

Don, how can Boise be ranked in the Top 10 playing the likes of Fresno St. and Miami?



12:05



rautullo@theblade.com:

Not terribly surprised although I had them losing to Notre Dame. Not sure how you define “for real” but I think they’re probably a legit top 20-25 team.



12:05



demmons@theblade.com:

It’s simple. The Broncos have established themselves as a traditional power that is not part of the BCS power conferences. Reputation goes a long way in this game. Of course, consistent winning helps create a positive reputation.



12:06



[Comment From smitty]

Ryan, do you see Michigan getting to a bowl game this year, and if so, which one?



12:07



[Comment From smitty]

Don, I heard somebody refer to Boise as the Gonzaga of college fb. What’s your take on the Broncos?

12:07



rautullo@theblade.com:

Smitty- I think UM will definitely get to a bowl game, although just about half the teams in NCAA football achieve that accomplishment. The Wolverines are an attracted sell to bowls as their fan base will travel well and TV viewers will tune into the game. Even at 7-5, I think UM plays in a bowl game. Which one? No idea.



12:08



rautullo@theblade.com:

*attractive



12:08



[Comment From GoBlue_Iggy]

Ryan, It looks like UM will be missing their starting center for a few weeks. What effect will that have?



12:08



demmons@theblade.com:

Smitty, I think that’s a good comparison. Boise and Gonzaga are relative neighbors who are two of the most unlikely successful programs in the nation for their respective sports.



12:09



fcorsoe@theblade.com:

Don’t be trashing Boise State.



12:11



rautullo@theblade.com:

GoBlue_Iggy- For some reason your question is not showing up, but I do think losing David Molk could hurt UM more than some may think. Rich Rodriguez says Molk is among the team’s best players.



12:11



[Comment From smitty]

So do you think the Wolverines will finish 7-5 this season then?

12:13



rautullo@theblade.com:

Smitty- 7-5 would be considered a disappoitnment after a 3-0 start. I have UM going 8-4, maybe 9-3. I don’t see them beating OSU or PSU, and I think there is at least one more loss in there.



12:14



[Comment From Tim]

Ryan, in your opinion what changes could be made on the Michigan defense to be more affective stopping the run?



12:15



[Comment From Birdman]

Don, the Saturday game with Marshall showcased Sheehan’s skill, but they still came up short. What do you expect for the upcoming game?



12:16



rautullo@theblade.com:

Tim- A part of me thinks it’s a personnel problem as UM’s defense is fairly small. Tackling has been average at best. I think if UM can develop more depth at all areas, thus giving the starters some breathers, you will see a better performance stopping the run. But that depth has to be good.



12:17



[Comment From smitty]

Ryan, what’s your take on the Jonas Mouton situation. The Big Ten hardly ever suspends anybody, because the team usually takes care of it before the conference has to. Is this just another example of Rich Rod being a low-life?



12:18



demmons@theblade.com:

Birdman, He certainly passed a ton against Marshall, but his ability to lead the Falcons back from a deficit late in the game remains an issue. He has to show he can deliver down the stretch if this team is going to end up with a winning record and a chance at a bowl to complete his senior season.



12:18



[Comment From dewey]

I like your take, smitty.



12:18



rautullo@theblade.com:

Smitty- Rich Rod handled the situation poorly. Instead of admitting a punch was thrown and insisting the problem would be handled internally, he pretended nothing happened. I gotta think that upset the Big Ten, which responded by bench Mouton.



12:19



rautullo@theblade.com:

benching*



12:19



[Comment From smitty]

following up on that, will we ever see Les Miles as UM’s coach?



12:21



[Comment From dewey]

Don, I think I heard one of Clawson’s coaches say there’s a rotation of five RB’s. Besides Geter, Bullock and Akenberger, who are the others?



12:21



rautullo@theblade.com:

Smitty- Quit trying to be happier than happy. Your coach is turning things around and is doing a solid job of recruiting. I think UM was lucky to land Rodriguez after botching the search process. I mean, the Rutgers coach turned down the UM job. Be fortunate you got who you got.



12:22



[Comment From Crossbones]

Ryan, will you be covering the wolverine wrestling team this year



12:22



rautullo@theblade.com:

Crossbones- I’ll actually be suiting up for the Wolverines this year.



12:22



[Comment From smitty]

Turned out to be a blessing in disguise that Greg Schiano turned down the job. Rutgers is awful.



12:23



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - if there’s a 5-man running back rotation, then I haven’t seen it during the first three contests. It’s Willie Geter and Chris Bullock who have been carrying most of the load.



12:24



rautullo@theblade.com:

It could be a blessing in disguise, but Schiano is considered to be a decent coach. Never underestimate how difficult it is to turn around a program that has been bad forever.



12:24



[Comment From Crossbones]

Ryan, the wolverines already have a good HWT



12:24



fcorsoe@theblade.com:

Excluding The Blade writers, does anyone have a prediction on BGSU, Boise game? I think it will be high-scoring.



12:25



rautullo@theblade.com:

Crossbones- He needs a good practice partner though.



12:25



[Comment From BGX]

BG is gonna get blasted by BSU



12:25



[Comment From dewey]

HIgh -scoring for Boise, anyway.



12:26



[Comment From BGX]

...my prediction, BSU 42, BG 17



12:26



demmons@theblade.com:

BGX - I’d say the Falcons face a tough challenge.



12:26



[Comment From Crossbones]

BGSU 24 - Boise 38



12:27



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - Certainly, Boise is averaging 40-plus, so the Falcons must figure out something.



12:28



toledoblade:

FYI: Crossbones predicted BGSU 24, Boise 38. Just wanted you to know because his post didn’t go up.



12:28



demmons@theblade.com:

BGX - you’re in the ballpark I’m thinking. BSU 42, BGSU 24



12:28



[Comment From orangeandbrown]

BG exceeded expectations last year on the Blue turf, but Boise wins 30-21



12:28



[Comment From dewey]

not far off, BGX. 43 - 13.



12:29



[Comment From BGX]

BG doesn’t have the personnel... but I’d like to be made the fool and see the Falcon win



12:29



demmons@theblade.com:

orangeandbrown - you’ve got the faith the Falcons are looking for at the Doyt.



12:30



demmons@theblade.com:

BGX - A win would make the non-conference season a major success at 2-2 heading into MAC play.



12:31



[Comment From BGX]

true - but the Marshall loss was a big set-back, b/c they suck



12:31

Who will have the better record this year, UT or BGSU?

UT

( 38% )

BGSU

( 63% )



12:32



[Comment From orangeandbrown]

Marshall was a disappointment



12:33



demmons@theblade.com:

orangeandbrown - if you ask Clawson, Missouri and Marshall were disappointments. Those were winnable contests.

12:33



[Comment From BGX]

...seriously, how do you blow a late lead to a decent Big 12 school - then choke against Marshall?



12:34



[Comment From Tim]

Ryan, any word on JT Turner getting playing time in the Michigan secondary soon?



12:35



demmons@theblade.com:

BGX - As I’ve been saying for weeks I’ll say right now. BG appears to be a good team but not a special team this season. Good teams will play well in games and win games they’re expected to win. Special teams win games they’re not supposed to win.



12:35



[Comment From dewey]

It’s the conference games that count. These other games are just exhibitions ...



12:35



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - i agree. the MAC is what counts.



12:35



rautullo@theblade.com:

Tim- Rich Rod says Turner is getting closer to playing. Kind of surprised we haven’t seen him yet as he was one of UM’s top recruits.



12:35



[Comment From orangeandbrown]

Don, I think that’s true in both cases. He was clearly upset during the press conference I listened to. I think the big home crowd will bring out the best in BG



12:37



demmons@theblade.com:

orangeandbrown - the boise game is an excellent opportunity for Clawson and the rest of the new coaching staff to put their thumb prints on this team taking steps toward becoming a program to be reckoned with in the future.



12:39



[Comment From dewey]

... and BG is built (recruited) to play in the MAC, not the Big 12 or Big Ten. 80 - 90 percent of the time, MAC schools are going to lose to BCS schools.



12:40



[Comment From Tim]

Ryan, I had seen Turner had some academic issues, could that play a role in why he has not played yet?



12:40



[Comment From orangeandbrown]

I agree. And it would be great not to disappoint a big home crowd like with Minnesota last year.



12:40



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - BG may be built to compete in the MAC, but every coach in college wants to win every game on the schedule.



12:42



rautullo@theblade.com:

Tim- Turner came to camp a couple of days late because of some academic problems. He’s had time to catch up, but Rich Rod may be reluctant to throw too much too early at a kid that is capable of struggling in the classroom. Also, if you struggle academically, then absorbing a college playbook can’t be easy to do. Freshman Craig Rog, a starter, is a 4.0 student.



12:44



[Comment From dewey]

Don, MAC schools schedule BCS schools for the pub and dough; winning is secondary ...



12:45



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - Perhaps there is some truth to what you’re saying, but, again, every coach in the MAC wants to win every game on the schedule. It’s a matter of personal pride at stake.



12:49



[Comment From dewey]

If I were a coach in the MAC, I would be happy to beat Miami more than 60 percent of the time ...



12:50



[Comment From Guest]

Ryan, Interested in the UM former bball player who left the university to work for an AmWay plant 3rd shift. Background???



12:51



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - I guess 60 percent is OK if you’re looking to win just over half your games against Miami. Someone once told me shoot for the stars you might hit a street light.



12:51



rautullo@theblade.com:

Guest- You’re talking about Kelvin Grady, and we’ll be running a story on him later this week. He quit the UM bball team after last season, dropped out of school, and is now playing slot receiver for the Wolverine football team. It’s a good success story, for sure.



12:52



[Comment From dewey]

BG would love to even approach 50 percent ...



12:53



toledoblade:

Five minutes to go folks.



12:53



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - perhaps you’re right about 50 percent

12:53



[Comment From Guest]

I don’t get why Grady left.. academics?



12:54



[Comment From dewey]

Don, I hope you don’t get blinded by the orange Sat. night ...



12:55



demmons@theblade.com:

dewey - I have tinted specs known as Blu-blockers.



12:55



rautullo@theblade.com:

He quit the bball team over lack of playing time. Not sure why he left school, except that he was unsure of what he wanted to do next. If academics were a concern, I’m not sure he’d be playing football right now.

12:55



[Comment From dewey]

better used in Boise, I would think ...



12:57



rautullo@theblade.com:

We’re all done, folks. Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you next week.



12:58



demmons@theblade.com:

Great chattin with you this week.

12:58



toledoblade:

Thanks everybody for participating in this chat. See you next week.

12:58