The Michigan football team has played at least one Mid-American Conference team each year since the 2000 season, going 14-1 in those games. This year's annual MAC opponent is Bowling Green, located 70 miles down the road, just south of Toledo, in Bowling Green, Ohio.

With the Falcons' starting quarterback out, Bowling Green isn't expected to win the game -- but UMass wasn't supposed to hang with Michigan last week, either.

John Wagner of the Toledo Blade covers Bowling Green and took a few minutes to chat about the game (noon, ESPN2).

John Wagner

Q: How does the injury to starting quarterback Matt Schilz change what Bowling Green wants to do? Who replaces him? In reality, how much of a shot does it cost BG of upsetting Michigan?

John Wagner: "First, the question of who replaces Matt Schilz at quarterback won't be answered until either Aaron Pankratz or Trent Hurley trots onto the field with BG's first offense on Saturday. Pankratz is a sophomore with more experience, including a good effort in the fourth quarter against Marshall last Saturday; Hurley, a true freshman, impressed the coaches during fall drills in preparation for the season.

"No matter who takes the snaps, it won't change what BG does much. It isn't as if Schilz is a drop-back passer and one of his replacements is a zone-option runner. All of the QB choices are very similar in terms of style of play. If anything, the only change is that the offense would have to be simplified, especially if Hurley runs it.

"As for the injury affecting BG's chances to win: of course it affects them negatively. One thing the Falcons need to do to be successful Saturday is have a very error-free performance by the offense. Having an inexperienced player make his first start in that environment isn't conducive to error-free play."

Q: With Schilz likely out, where is the strength of the Falcons? Where is the weakness?

JW: "The weakness is fairly easy to pinpoint: the inexperience of the team on both sides of the ball. Only three starters from last season are back on offense (and one of those, center Ben Bojicic, won't play because of injury), and only four are back on defense. What's more, even the seniors in the starting lineup are guys who are starting for the first time in their careers. So inexperience, and all the problems that causes (missed assignments, dealing with nerves, inexperience in dealing with situations, etc.) are the biggest weakness.

"In terms of strengths, there are talented players all over the field. On offense, Kamar Jorden leads the nation in receptions per game, while Willie Geter is a tough, shifty running back. On defense, LBs Eugene "Champ" Fells and Dwayne Woods have played well, and the defensive backfield has been making big plays. But I'd say the biggest strength is the team's attitude -- it has a real never-say-die spirit. Consider this: in the Marshall game, the Falcons had seen a 28-7 lead evaporate in one quarter, and they were facing a 28-28 tie with their starting QB out injured. Good excuse to fold, right? BG scored the final 16 points of the game and got contributions from the offense, defense and special teams to win."

Q: I know Dave Clawson said he's been asked about this game for six weeks. What is the mood around this team, this campus, going into playing Michigan?

JW: The Falcons all seem to look at this game as a great opportunity to face a tradition-rich program on a large stage, both in terms of fans in the stadium and television viewers. I don't think they are intimidated, but they also know that not having Schilz is a setback for the offense. The campus and the followers of the program are extremely excited, but remember this: in 2003, they played at Ohio State and gave the Buckeyes quite a battle. Now, that was a veteran team with talent all over the field, but if they had made a couple of plays (for example, a wide-open tight end dropped a pass in the end zone, and the Falcons threw an INT on their next play), they might have won. Not predicting a win Saturday; just saying that anything is possible, and this team knows it."

Q: How does Bowling Green deal with Denard Robinson?

JW: " That is the question, isn't it? Tie his shoelaces together the first time they tackle him, I guess. Seriously, BG coach Dave Clawson said the most impressive thing about Robinson wasn't his running -- although that was impressive. The most impressive thing was his ability to "make NFL throws" (Clawson's words). Robinson is a bad match-up for the Falcons; if they put a lot of players in the box, they make themselves susceptible to big plays (and they have given up a number of big plays early this season). My guess is that the Falcons will try to make someone else beat them, or at least make Robinson pass rather than run."

Q: What is the best case/worst case scenario for Bowling Green? In other words, what needs to happen for BG to win? What results in a blowout?

JW: "Best case: The Falcons score early to give the offense confidence. The defense continues to force turnovers -- and capitalizes on them like they did against Marshall, where they had two INTs returned for touchdowns. BG's special teams also have played well, and they must continue to be special Saturday. It takes a near-perfect game from the Falcons -- and some help from the Wolverines -- for BG to pull off the upset.

"Worst case: The Falcon offense struggles to move the ball, either failing to get first downs (bad) or turning the ball over (worse). Line protection for the QB and RBs has been an issue offensively. If the defense gives up big plays to put BG in a hole, that adds to the misfortune. If the BG offense puts the pressure on the defense to carry the game, eventually that will spell trouble.

"I'm usually not good at predictions, but that doesn't keep me from making them: I don't think BG will get blown out. The only reason I say this is that the Falcons have not shown any quit in any of their first three games. Michigan is going to have to play very well to get the blowout; if the Wolverines are just "OK," BG will find ways to stay in the game. And the Falcons are yet to give up on a game this season, so I see no reason for that this Saturday, either."

You can read Wagner's work at the Toledo Blade, check in on his blog "Falcon Fodder" and also follow him on Twitter @jwagnerblade.

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein