toledoblade: Hey everyone, Don and Ryan are here and ready for the chat. Welcome aboard and we’re ready for your BGSU and UM questions.

12:05

[Comment From Colman]

What the heck happened to BG last weekend!?!

12:08



fcorsoe@theblade.com: Thanks for joining us.

Don, Ryan, please give me three points of interest to talk about from your respective games this weekend.



12:08

[Comment From Rob]

What’s your predictions on Michigan vs. MSU?

12:08



toledoblade: Internet connection slow.. please be patient.

12:10



demmons@theblade.com: Colman: Boise was simply too much for BG. Yet, it was a good chance to gauge where the Falcons need to go in the future.

12:10



rautullo@theblade.com: Frank- 1. It’s UM’s first road game. How will the younger guys in particular respond to an unfriendly crowd? 2. Where is MSU’s desperation level? The Spartans are 1-3, losing some very close games. Playing a desperate team is never easy. 3. Tate Forcier’s shoulder. Rich Rod said the freshman QB should be OK by Saturday, but we’ll see.

12:10

[Comment From Andy]

Was the Boise game a learning experience or a momentum killer going into the MAC?

12:11



rautullo@theblade.com: Rob- I’ve misfired on most predictions this year, so don’t listen to me. I expect a close, physical game. UM needs to play better than it did defensively against IU to win on the road in a rivalry game. Vegas lists UM as a 2-point favorite, and I think that’s about right.

12:12



demmons@theblade.com: Andy: The BG-Boise game was more than just a learning experience. It was a chance to see what the future could look like with building a top program at a non-BCS school. I don’t think it was a momentum killer for the MAC. That’s a new season for the Falcons.

12:14

[Comment From Andy]

So how do you think the MAC will play out?

12:16



demmons@theblade.com: Andy: Too early and too tough to call. I think the Falcons will be competitive, but that doesn’t mean they’ll contend for a MAC title. Ask me in week 6 and I’ll know more about the rest of the season.

12:17

[Comment From Colman]

Don-- what do you think of BGs quarterback?

12:20

[Comment From GoBlue Gary]

How are other freshmen playing beside Tate?

12:21



rautullo@theblade.com: Gary- Denard Robinson is playing well but has yet to show he’s a Big Ten-caliber passer. Still, he’ll be a key player on this team for the rest of the season. Craig Roh has also been excellent and was UM’s defensive player of the game against EMU. Other than those two, UM has not had to rely heavily on too many true freshman, but that will likely change in the coming weeks.

12:21

Who will win the Michigan-Michigan State game on Saturday?

Michigan

( 43% )

Michigan State

( 57% )

12:22



demmons@theblade.com: Colman: Tyler Sheehan has played steady for the most part, but there seems to be something lacking with some of his decisions. I think he may be thinking a tad too much at times. Perhaps it’s because the offense has been tweaked some with a new coaching staff on hand.

I would like to see him become more aggressive and more in command of the offense. As you know, quarterbacks are given all the credit for wins and all the blame for defeats.

12:23



toledoblade: Don’t forget to check out our BGSU photo gallery from Saturday’s game.

12:26



rautullo@theblade.com: Gary- As for redshirt freshmen, J.T. Floyd replaced Boubacar Cissoko early in Saturday’s game and played OK --- but not great. I’d expect Floyd to start Saturday. Then, of course, Clay graduate Jordan Kovacs is getting a lot of playing time at safety and started Saturday because of an injury to Mike Williams.

12:27

[Comment From Andy]

What did you think of some of the young guys for BG? Pankratz and Pettigrew (sp?) specifically.

12:30



toledoblade:

Andy: I think the future seems bright for both, but we’ll have to see down the road.

12:31

[Comment From Colman]

What is the status of Willie Geter for this saturday?

12:32



demmons@theblade.com: Colman: He took a few tough shots against Boise and was kept out of the second half for precautionary reasons. However, I expect he’ll be on the field on Saturday.

12:33

[Comment From Tim]

Ryan, As the season goes on do you see Michigan continue rotating QB’s? I’m sure this is a common question but seeing Michigan in person for the first time this year, it looked like it was breaking rythem.

12:35



rautullo@theblade.com: Tim- It looks like Robinson will be brought in as a change-of-pace guy unless he can develop as a passer. Due to his fearless style, I’m going to predict Forcier will miss extended time this year (maybe a half, maybe a full game, maybe more) and at that point UM could really struggle. Unless, again, Robinson can develop as a passer. The odd man out here is Nick Sheridan, whose career at UM is effectively finished.

12:36

[Comment From Guest]

What is the relationship like between Rodriguez and Dantonio?

12:37

[Comment From Colman]

Clawson is 1-3 in his brief Falcon career what can we expect as they start MAC play?

12:38

Who will win the game against BG & Ohio?

Bowling Green

( 75% )

Ohio

( 25% )

12:38



rautullo@theblade.com:

Guest-Rodriguez told reporters yesterday that he’s friendly with Dantonio just as he is with everyone but that he’s closer with other coaches, notably Central Michigan’s Butch Jones. Dantonio has made it clear he does not like UM (remember, he coached at Ohio State even before he came to East Lansing) but I’m not sure he necessarily dislikes Rodriguez. Most coaches see the long-term benefit in making friends in the industry. Rodriguez also said there is not much “negative” recruiting done between the schools, meaning no bashing of the other program.

12:38



demmons@theblade.com: BG’s 3 points of Interest: 1. They need to score more than two offensive touchdowns in their league opener. 2. They must find a reliable running attack. 3. Tyler Sheehan must take ownership as the leader of this team.

12:41

[Comment From Colman]

Don when is starting safety P.J. Mahone off of suspension?

12:43



demmons@theblade.com: Colman: The jury is still out on Clawson. But it’s his first year, so he deserves time to get his own program established.

12:47



demmons@theblade.com: Colman: Mahone’s suspension was described as indefinite, so we’ll find out later this week if he’ll play in the MAC opener. However, I wouldn’t count on it.

12:50

[Comment From GOUMBLUE]

Ryan: Has Michigan found a way to at least practice the snaps? Saturday’s game was ridiculous in terms of the number of snaps that misfired.

12:53



rautullo@theblade.com: GoUMBlue- David Moosman is a very smart, conscientious guy who I imagine is working hard in practice to place his snaps where Tate and Denard want them. Losing David Molk is obviously key, but Moosman needs to do a better job. Not all of those poor snap connections should be blamed on him though.

12:53

[Comment From SpartyParty]

The UM/MSU game is like a season in and of itself -- anyone could win. Do you think Forcier is as calm as everyone says, or will the pressure get to him in foreign territory?

12:53

[Comment From Colman]

One last question here Don-- can you give me a prediction on this weeks game?

12:54



rautullo@theblade.com: Sparty-No one knows with certainty how Forcier is going to handle playing on the road for the first time, before a hostile crowd, with a sore shoulder. Forcier will struggle at times this year and be great at others.

12:55



demmons@theblade.com: I like BG winning 32-21.

12:58

[Comment From GOUMBLUE]

Is the Big Ten conference being too rough on the athletes this year? It’s a tough sport so does the conference really need to police so much against a single punch? UM and OSU have both lost players for a game because of this.

1:00



rautullo@theblade.com: GOUMBlue-Jonas Mouton’s punch deserved a suspension, and to be honest with you, I’ve yet to see video of Kurt Coleman’s unsportsmanlike action so I cannot comment on it. The conference needs to realize football is a violent game and stuff is going to happen.But punches to the chin deserve suspensions.

1:01



toledoblade: Thanks to all who joined in this week. Remember, next Monday we chat Ohio State and University of Toledo. We’ll see you at noon.

1:01



rautullo@theblade.com: Thanks everyone, see you in a week.