Buzzmaster

  (4:08 PM)

Let's get started!

jay

Do you think letting Jeff Bowden go is a good think for Florida State?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:10 PM)

As difficult of a decision as I'm sure it was for Bobby Bowden, it probably was the best decision for Florida State. Now it will be important for Bobby to make a strong hire of someone who can bring some creativity and enthusiasm to the Florida State offense. For whatever reason, the chemistry and production have not been there for a couple of years.

Rob (Flint, MI)

Todd, the timing of Bo's death is surreal. I picture God uniting him and Woody for this colossal showdown. As a former player, how do you see teams on both sidelines being affected during the game?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:11 PM)

First let me say that I, like so many people in college football was saddened when I heard about the news on Bo Schembechler. We had just gotten out of a meeting when we heard the news. It was both a shock and very sad. As far as how that effects the two teams, I don't think it would effect the Ohio State team very much, because those kids didn't have any association with Bo Schembechler. But I think it effects Michigan, because Bo was very much involved in what was going on there. I would expect that everyone would want to put forth more effort because of it.

Charlie (South Bend)

who is going to win the UC Rutgers game sat night on ESPN?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:13 PM)

Rutgers should win the game. They are clearly the better team at this point. But I do think Cincinnati's defense is aggressive and physical enough to challenge Rutgers. The style of offense that Rutgers runs fits the UC defense much better than the style they faced last week in West Virginia. The big thing for Cincinnati is whether their offense can muster anything against a legit defense.

Ben (MD)

Can Maryland pull it off again this week at Boston College? Do the terps have the ACC championship or a BCS bid in their future? GO TERPS!!!

Todd Blackledge

  (4:14 PM)

I've been impressed with what Maryland has done this year. This is another challenge for them. As I've said all year, BC is a tough team because they are physical and well coached. They make you earn everything. I think Maryland will have to play as strong of a game as they've played all season in order to win this one.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:14 PM)

I will see Maryland in person next week when they play Wake Forest in what could be the biggest game in the ACC all year if they are both able to win this weekend.

Brian (Greensboro NC)

Todd, i know you have called a couple Iron Bowl, what do you think of the game this weekend?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:16 PM)

The game will have its usual intensity, physical style and passion. It will fly a little bit under the radar, obviously because of the OSU-Michigan game going on at the same time. But for people in that part of the world, that's the only game that matters. I have a feeling that Alabama will find a way to win it this year.

Scott from Aurora, CO

Todd. I am a huge Penn State fan. What do you think it will take for them to get back to being a national powerhouse? thanks. WE ARE!!!

Todd Blackledge

  (4:17 PM)

I think their defense played at a very high level again this year, particularly over the last half of the season. Offensively, they dropped down a notch or two this season for two reasons: the QB play was not as consistent and productive as it was with Robinson as a senior last year and I don't think the offensive line played as consistently. I think there's a lot of talent in place for next year, but the QB play must improve.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:17 PM)

Hopefully, experience will cause that to happen.

Alex (Baltimore)

Your thoughts on Cal/USC... who wins and why? Does USC run the table? If they do, anyway they're not in the BCS title game?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:19 PM)

Obviously this game lost a little of its luster with Cal losing last week. But they're still a talented football team. I do expect USC to win and to win out. I still think they are the team to beat in the Pac 10. They have a huge carrot dangling in front of them right now which is the very strong possibility of playing for another national championship if they do win out.

Rob (DC)

Todd, have you spoken to your former coach at all since his injury? How much longer do you think we will have the pleasure of watching him patrol the PSU sideline?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:20 PM)

I have not been able to talk personally with Coach Paterno. I have called and left word for him. I have no idea how much longer he will coach. If he comes back from this with no lingering effects, I could see him coaching for a few more years.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:20 PM)

He is NOT your typical 80-year-old person.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:21 PM)

I hope I have as much energy and enthusiasm as he does when I'm 60.

Eric (Indy)

Who has a better shot to get to the title game ND or Florida?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:23 PM)

I think right now if both teams won their remaining games, Florida would have the better shot. I don't know that they would necessarily deserve it more, but I think their SEC schedule and the fact that they will have played and won another big game at the end in the SEC championship game would push them over Notre Dame.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:23 PM)

As you look at Notre Dame's schedule, they will have really only played two high quality teams, losing to one in Michigan and beating the other in USC.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:23 PM)

Georgia Tech is a good team, but I would not consider them an upper echelon type team.

Aaron (Richmond, VA)

Is this season in the ACC an aberration? Should we expect to see Virginia Tech, Miami and Florida State back atop the conference going forward with a couple of the other teams rising up once in a while?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:25 PM)

I definitely think those bigger name teams will return. I think it's great for the big picture of the ACC that teams like Wake Forest and Maryland and Boston College are having such outstanding seasons. That will only improve the overall conference strength.

Ben (Charlotte)

Everyone talks about OSU's defense's ability to create TOs, specifically by INTs. This seems to be their biggest strength, considering that they do give up some yardage. However, considering that Michigan will try to run 30+ times a game, doesn't that negate their D's biggest strength?

Todd Blackledge

  (4:27 PM)

I don't think it necessarily negates their biggest strength, because I think both teams will try to run the football. Both defenses will tell you their goal is to stop the other team's ability to run the football. The key for any defense in a big game is to one-dimensionalize the offense if they can. Even if the team has a great QB and outstanding WRs, if you can dictate when they have to throw the football, then you as a defense have the upper hand. So stopping the run and defending the run will be of high importance Saturday.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:28 PM)

Let me just say, I would like to say how saddened I was to receive the news with Bo Schembechler today. I know how much the Michigan football program meant to them and how much he looked forward to the OSU game each year. College football lost one of its great ambassadors.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:28 PM)

I'm sure there will be a lot of thoughts on him as those two great teams collide tomorrow.

Todd Blackledge

  (4:28 PM)

Thanks for chatting.