OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
USAToday
ILLINOIS
INSIDE SLANT
If one looks only at the wins and losses, then Illinois' scarred complexion hasn't changed much.
With three losses in a row and the next one knocking the Illini out of bowl contention for the fifth straight year some might assume it's business as usual.
But Illinois heads to No. 17 Wisconsin on Saturday believing it's on the verge of something big.
Each of the Illini's last four games has come down to the final two minutes something that hasn't happened in a few years.
"They say the first year, you lose big," said second-year Illini coach Ron Zook. "The second year, you lose close. The third year, you win close. And the fourth year, you're gone. You win the way you want to win."
Here's another signal Illinois might be following the path Zook just plotted.
With Illinois' 358-184 advantage in total yards over Penn State last week, that marked the fourth week in a row where the Illini posted more total yards and its opposition. Considering the Illini had gone 26 consecutive Big Ten games without winning the yardage battle, that's a huge step forward.
If Illinois can run that streak to five games when it visits Camp Randall Stadium, that will be the best sign yet that the Illini are on the right path.
Wisconsin boasts the nation's No. 4 scoring defense (11.5) and leads the nation in pass-efficiency defense (84.55 points). Last week, the Badgers held Purdue's scoring machine to three points, but Zook would be bummed if Wisconsin stuffed his guys, too.
"I know how close we are," Zook said.
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Each week, it seems, Illinois trots out a different aspect to its multi-faceted offense. Against Michigan State, QB Juice Williams and RB Pierre Thomas took turns running bootleg traps between the tackles. Against Indiana, Williams threw bombs to his waiting receivers. Last week against Penn State, Illinois unveiled its option attack featuring sophomore RB Rashard Mendenhall (career-high 162 yards). Look for the Illini to go heavy on the options and the boot traps to keep the Badgers honest.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Last year, Illinois finished 117th out of 119 Division 1 in total defense. This year, the Illini have zoomed all the way to 40th as every single position on the field has shown a noticeable upgrade. They usually need to blitz to get pressure on the quarterback, but in CBs Alan Ball and freshman Vontae Davis, the Illini feel confident in their man-to-man cover schemes.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was kind of impressed when he took (Penn State's Butkus Award winner Paul Posluszny) and carried him five yards." Illini coach Ron Zook on QB Juice Williams.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Illinois at Wisconsin, Oct. 28 Will Defense Rule the Day? The Illini haven't enjoyed much luck against the Badgers over the past 13 years (2-8-1), but they've usually been at a talent disadvantage. Illinois has made up much of that gap under Ron Zook. At the same time, the Illini haven't faced an offensive line as good as Wisconsin's or a running back as good as P.J. Hill. This is yet another referendum on Illinois' continued progress.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Juice Williams The true freshman, who makes his sixth consecutive start on Saturday, continues to grow by leaps and bounds. But one aspect where he struggles: He still believes his athleticism will get him out of sticky situations, which occasionally leads to big sacks and critical turnovers. The Illini want him to be smarter in that regard, but realize it's a function of experience.
RB Rashard Mendenhall The much-hyped sophomore, who has been sharing time with seniors Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey, finally received the chance to unleash his considerable abilities. In his career-high 14 carries at Penn State, Mendenhall delivered 162 yards to raise his season average to a sterling 8.4 yards per carry.
LB Brit Miller As Illinois' strong-side linebacker, Miller figures to be responsible for Wisconsin's pass-catching tight ends, Travis Beckum and Andy Crooks. But on a few occasions, Miller has been burned in coverage when he peeked in at the quarterback. He can't afford to do that this week.
ROSTER REPORT: Freshman TE Mike Hoomanawanui (strained knee ligament) missed Saturday's game at Penn State. Illinois' best blocking tight end could be available for Wisconsin.
The rest of Illinois' depth chart remains unaffected by injuries. However, look for the Illini to team two of its three running backs (Pierre Thomas, Rashard Mendenhall, E.B. Halsey) in the backfield at the same time using Thomas or Halsey as the fullback to give the Badgers more to worry about.
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INDIANA
INSIDE SLANT
Despite a crushing 44-3 loss to Ohio State, coach Terry Hoeppner is unwavering in his goal for this season: bowl game or bust.
And now he's getting a little more support.
"Coach (Jim) Tressel told me after the game, ?You'll be in a bowl game,'" Hoeppner said. "I appreciate the confidence and the comments and I feel the same way."
Indiana closes its regular season with home games against Michigan State and Michigan and road games at Minnesota and Purdue. The Hoosiers need at least two wins over the next month to become bowl eligible.
The path begins this week against the rejuvenated Spartans during Homecoming. Indiana catches a team feeling pretty good about itself after making the largest comeback in D-1 history. Still, Indiana is a team that has proven at times to be capable of playing with most anyone in the Big Ten, as proven by the stunning upset at home of Iowa.
That win over the Hawkeyes is what has fueled belief that anything is possible, even after a 41-point loss to the No.1 team in the country.
"We still have a chance," receiver James Hardy said. "Our goal is still the same. Nothing can stop us."
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Hoosiers are still trying to find a healthy tailback and establish a consistent ground game, which isn't a good sign entering the ninth game of the season. Indiana is dead last in the Big Ten and 100th in the country, averaging just 97 rushing yards per game. Part of the problem is the health of starter Marcus Thigpen, but the bigger problem is the lack of a push out of the offensive line.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Indiana continues to struggle stopping anyone, and it certainly didn't stop the Buckeyes. Developing a pass rush would solve a lot of the problems. The Hoosiers' 10 sacks rank 10th in the conference.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The challenge is that we need 50,000 next week ... We'll bounce back as a coaching staff and as a team. Hopefully, our fans will, too." ?- IU coach Terry Hoeppner, calling for 50,000 fans to show up this week for Indiana's Homecoming game against Michigan State.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Michigan State at Indiana, Oct. 28 ?- The Hoosiers are trying to pull themselves together after a 41-point loss to Ohio State. The Spartans are soaring following their historic comeback against Northwestern.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Kellen Lewis -? The freshman found out what it really means to play under duress, getting sacked four times last week and getting pressured on nearly every throw.
WR James Hardy ?- The offense is at its best when it can take advantage of Hardy's size advantage (6-foot-7) over all defensive backs. The only way to do that is with time and protection.
S Will Meyers -? Michigan State QB Drew Stanton is a physical mess, but he's still a threat anytime he's on the field. Stanton can run or throw the ball. It's Meyers' job to determine which one he's going to do on every play.
ROSTER REPORT: TB/KR Marcus Thigpen (ankle) is questionable after leaving the game against Ohio State in the first half.
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IOWA
INSIDE SLANT
With three losses in its last four games, this might be a good time for Iowa to step away from Big Ten play.
At the least, it's a good week for senior quarterback Drew Tate to try to heal an injury to his left hand. Tate underwent surgery to repair his thumb, which knocks him out of Saturday's home game against preseason Mid-American Conference favorite Northern Illinois.
"If it weren't the fear of infection of the incision, Drew would probably be out there (for Wednesday's practice)," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday.
Ferentz wasn't as forthcoming about the identity of Tate's replacement. When Tate sat out the Syracuse game in early September, senior Jason Manson went the route and did just enough for the Hawks to win.
But Ferentz and the offensive staff are including redshirt freshman Jake Christiansen the program's future in this week's derby. Christiansen has played late in two games this year, completing 3-of-3 passes for 19 yards in the opener against Montana.
"The competition has been good in practice and practice is important," Ferentz said. "That's a pretty important chunk of what you use to evaluate a player."
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Without Drew Tate at quarterback this week, Iowa doesn't figure to change its scheme too much. The Hawkeyes will try to establish the run with Damian Sims and Albert Young, but that could prove to be tough as Northern Illinois will go out of its way to stop the run and force Tate's replacement either senior Jason Manson or redshirt freshman Jake Christiansen to beat the Huskies.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: After an undistinguished outing at Indiana, where a few key injuries triggered a so-so performance, the Hawks' defense regained its swagger at Michigan. They made RB Mike Hart work for every yard he got and didn't allow Michigan's passing game to rip them to shreds. This week, Iowa gets a chance to knock Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe from the No. 1 spot on the national rushing charts. Look for the Hawks to put an eighth man in the box, like other NIU opponents, to force the Huskies to move through the air.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "(Garrett Wolfe) benefits from a very solid line and great downfield blocking by their wide receivers and tight ends. We'll need to be ready or we'll see only the back of his jersey." Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Northern Illinois at Iowa, Oct. 28 Not Just Another Non-Conference Game. Iowa has asked its fans to wear the proper clothing to observe "Blackout Saturday," but this game figures to be particularly illuminative as it pertains to the Hawks' future. If they decide to go with redshirt freshman Jake Christiansen at quarterback, then it's an indication of how the post-Drew Tate era will go. And it should be interesting to see how many Iowa defenders it takes to slow down national rushing leader Garrett Wolfe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Albert Young Without Drew Tate at the controls, Iowa's running game needs to pick up the slack. Young is in his second game back from his strained knee, so he needs to show he can get back into the flow.
OLT Marshal Yanda Presuming usual left tackle Dace Richardson doesn't play again due to injury, Yanda must deal with NIU DE Larry English, who piled up 4 1/2 sacks against Temple last week.
WR Dominique Douglas Northern Illinois owns one of the nation's worst passing defenses. With an inexperienced quarterback at the helm, this true freshman (29 catches, 436 yards, one TD) needs to help him out by making some plays.
ROSTER REPORT: Senior QB Drew Tate will miss Saturday's home game against Northern Illinois after undergoing surgery to repair the thumb on his left (non-throwing) hand. Either senior Jason Manson or redshirt freshman Jake Christiansen will replace him.
Several other starters also can't be found on Iowa's depth chart: CB Adam Shada (ankle), OLT Dace Richardson (ankle) and DE Kenny Iwebema (shoulder) apparently aren't expected to play. They'll be replaced by Bradley Fletcher, Marshal Yanda (with Seth Olsen taking over at right tackle) and Alex Kanellis, respectively.
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MICHIGAN
INSIDE SLANT
Receiver Adrian Arrington's breakout season could soon be faced with a huge distraction. Arrington is facing a Nov. 1 pretrial hearing on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge stemming from a fight with his girlfriend, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Arrington's girlfriend, Jodi Hupe, told police they had an argument early on Oct. 13 after Arrington called her from a bar in Ypsilanti drunk and Hupe drove out to pick him up. The Free Press reported the argument left Hupe with marks on her hands from keys, and that Arrington drove her car in an altered state, according to the police report. Hupe was the only person interviewed in the report.
"I was first informed that there was an issue mid-week (last week)" Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said in a release. "This is a new issue and if he was drinking, I have to find that out and it is a team issue. And we handle team issues internally."
Arrington has filled in admirably for the injured Mario Manningham over the last two weeks. As Michigan's new No. 1 receiver, Arrington has 25 catches for 357 yards and four touchdowns this season.
With no firm timetable yet for Manningham's return, the loss of Arrington for any extended period of time would be crushing to the Wolverines' offense, even if Michigan is playing lesser opponents over the next three weeks.
"I do not think the allegation is supported by the facts," Carr said Saturday, following Michigan's win over Iowa.
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Michigan has survived the loss of Mario Manningham because of Adrian Arrington's emergence and the improved play of Steve Breaston. With Arrington facing domestic violence charges, it's a good thing the Wolverines will be playing Northwestern, Indiana and Ball State over the next three weeks.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Coach Lloyd Carr said the Iowa game was the most physical his team has played all season. The Wolverines still boast the No. 1 rushing defense in the country and it's not even close. The Wolverines are allowing an average of 33 rushing yards a game. Texas is second, allowing 46.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I thought Steve Breaston had his best game since he's been at Michigan. He's a guy that his teammates, coaches, understand the value that he adds to this program, and certainly I appreciate the career he's had." ?-Coach Lloyd Carr, after Breaston caught seven passes for 49 yards last week against Iowa.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Northwestern at Michigan, Oct. 28 ?- Mario Manningham will likely be missing again, but the Wolverines won't need him to beat the struggling Wildcats. Northwestern's Tyrell Sutton is good, but he'll have trouble running against the No. 1 rush defense in the country.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Mike Hart ?- Second in the Big Ten and seventh in the country, averaging 129 rushing yards per game, Hart is making a quiet push to get involved with the Heisman contenders.
QB Chad Henne ?- Often overshadowed because of Hart and Mario Manningham, Henne has quietly made the offense go all season. He has proven excellent at managing games and getting the ball where it needs to go.
DT Alan Branch ?- Stopping Northwestern's running game begins in the middle, where the massive Branch has excelled at stuffing teams all season.
ROSTER REPORT: WR Mario Manningham "is ahead of schedule," coach Lloyd Carr said, but he likely won't play again this week as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
OT Steve Schilling will miss the rest of the season after having shoulder surgery last week.
OT Reuben Riley is questionable. More on his status won't be known until later in the week.
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MICHIGAN STATE
INSIDE SLANT
It's funny how one win can make the pain go away. Especially when it's in Drew Stanton's hand.
Stanton's body has been beat up throughout the season, including now an injured hand. But the Spartans' stunning comeback against Northwestern makes everything better.
"It's a lot easier when you win on Saturdays," Stanton said. "The recovery process kind of speeds itself up."
Now the Spartans must work on the recovery process of the program. Following up last week's historic win with a loss this week against a much-improved Indiana team would only re-stoke the flames of the critics looking for coach John L. Smith to be fired. But another win would leave Michigan State (4-4, 1-3) one shy of bowl eligibility, which just might save Smith's job.
"You could just see the demeanor in practice was a lot different (Sunday)," Stanton said. "The way people carry themselves, obviously, following any win you're going to see that. But a dramatic win like that, for us to be able to come up on top, I think can really change the whole onset of the season."
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: QB Drew Stanton is hurting from a season of beatings, but he pulled himself together long enough to throw for 294 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another in the memorable win over Northwestern. Now that WR Matt Trannon could be back this week, the Spartans might find enough firepower to salvage a bowl season.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Before too much praise is heaped on the Spartans, remember that this is still a defense that allowed Northwestern to run up 38 straight points. The Spartans are last in the Big Ten with eight quarterback sacks and they're allowing 28.8 points a game, which ranks ninth in the conference.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I told you, he's the Energizer bunny," coach John L. Smith said. "He just keeps going." ?- Spartans coach John L. Smith on the mounting injuries to Drew Stanton, who has now suffered injuries to his ribs, back, neck, shoulder and hand this year.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Michigan State at Indiana, Oct. 28 ?- The Hoosiers are trying to pull themselves together after a 41-point loss to Ohio State. The Spartans are soaring following their historic comeback against Northwestern.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Drew Stanton ?- The fact he's still upright is incredible, considering the pounding he's endured this year and throughout his career. He's the reigning co-player of the week in the Big Ten after directing the impressive comeback against Northwestern.
DE Ervin Baldwin ?- The defense has struggled getting to quarterbacks at all this year, now they have to chase around the mobile Kellen Lewis. Baldwin better wear his track shoes.
WR Matt Trannon ?- Could finally return this week after leg injuries have sapped what started as a promising season. His presence would be a big lift to an offense that could use another reliable receiver.
ROSTER REPORT: RB Jehuu Caulcrick left last week's game in the third quarter after injuring his foot, but coach John L. Smith expects him to be back against the Hoosiers.
WR Matt Trannon might finally return from leg injuries this week, but T.J. Williams is still considered the starter at receiver.
DB Travis Key will likely get his second straight start at strong safety while Nehemiah Warrick sits with a sprained knee. Key is a walk-on who came up with a big interception late that set up Brett Swenson's game-winning field goal.
QB Drew Stanton hurt his shoulder and wrist against the Wildcats, but he's expected to play this week.
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MINNESOTA
INSIDE SLANT
Minnesota knocked off an undefeated, nationally ranked team last week. So why can't the Gophers do it again this week? No problem, right?
Well, there just might be a few notches between North Dakota State and top-ranked Ohio State and that doesn't even get into the few hundred notches between playing at the Metrodome and playing in OSU's Horseshoe.
"They're not a good football team, they're a great football team," said Minnesota coach Glen Mason. "Start with the best football player in the country, Troy Smith."
Clearly, Ohio State has better skill players than Minnesota. But skill players, to a certain extent, are extensions of their offensive lines.
And the Gophers, regardless of which side of the line you're talking, didn't exactly dominate the line of scrimmage in their recent games against Wisconsin and North Dakota State.
"Those guys never get enough credit when things are good," Mason said after Saturday's 10-9 win over NDSU. "When they're not good? Boy, does it ever show up. It's the old adage about football: If you can't control the line of scrimmage, you can't win."
How do the Gophers propose to do that against an Ohio State defensive line that might have the finest set of tackles in the land? Well, it would help if center Tony Brinkhaus could magically heal his injured leg. But Minnesota needs more than that in order to have a chance to pull a shocker in Columbus.
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: For a few weeks, it appeared the Gophers were going to click on all cylinders every week. TB Amir Pinnix found enough holes to be successful on the ground, while senior QB Bryan Cupito had the accuracy to take advantage of WR Logan Payne and TE Alex Spaeth. But Minny's offensive line hasn't been as effective in recent weeks, which has led to a direct downward spiral in production. Would you believe Minnesota ranks seventh in the Big Ten and 38th nationally in rushing offense at 161.0 yards per game?
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Minnesota's injury-riddled defense somehow kept North Dakota State out of the end zone, which made the difference in last week's 10-9 win. But judging by the Gophers' statistics they rank 96th nationally in rush defense and 102nd in pass efficiency defense Ohio State should be able to choose which way it carves up Minnesota. Who knows? Maybe banged-up LB John Shevlin returns to the lineup and inspires a ferocious effort.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's as good a go-to guy as anyplace in the country." Minnesota coach Glen Mason on Ohio State WR Anthony Gonzalez (38 catches, 591 yards, six TDs) being his offense's third option.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Minnesota at Ohio State, Oct. 28 Looking out for No. 1. You can't help but watch when the nation's No. 1 team plays, though Minnesota better bring the "A" game it had against Michigan and Penn State if it intends to hang with Ohio State for more than a half. It will be interesting to discover how much the Gophers try to blitz QB Troy Smith, since that would put more strain on the secondary than it can likely stand.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Bryan Cupito Last year against Ohio State's vaunted defense, Cupito completed 26-of-35 passes for a career-high 396 yards. Does he have anything remotely close to that in his right arm this week?
TE Matt Spaeth Some teams have done damage against Ohio State by throwing to the tight end. Since Spaeth is one of the nation's better pass-catching tight ends, Minnesota could really use one of his finer efforts.
CB Dominic Jones OK, it's your second career start at cornerback and you're coming home to Columbus to play in front of family and friends. How 'bout covering either Ted Ginn Jr. or Anthony Gonzalez on every play? That's a tall task. If Jones can do a solid job, the converted safety deserves a game ball.
ROSTER REPORT: Minnesota's depth chart finally lists injured OLB John Shevlin as a second-stringer, which suggests he'll miss Saturday's game as well. Look for Deon Hightower on the weak side and Mario Reese on the strong side.
Freshman DT Garrett Brown missed last week's game with an injury, but he's still listed as a co-starter with junior Todd Meisel.
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NORTHWESTERN
INSIDE SLANT
Northwestern certainly has a flair for the grandiose.
Minutes after winding up on the short end of the biggest comeback in D-1 history Saturday's 41-38 home loss to Michigan State Wildcats senior receiver Shaun Herbert spoke his mind:
"I think we know we still have a chance to go to a bowl game," Herbert said.
That's quite a mouthful from someone on a team that has lost its last five games. For Northwestern to earn its third bowl bid in four years, it would need to win its final four games. And for the Wildcats to run the table, they have to start with a win Saturday at No. 2 Michigan.
Sounds crazy, right? But head coach Pat Fitzgerald, roughly 48 hours after Herbert's proclamation, seemed to second the notion.
"We lost by three points (to Michigan State)," Fitzgerald said. "That was the closest we've been to winning a game in about four weeks. If we continue to play like we did in the first half, we have a chance to beat anyone we play."
What has the Wildcats so optimistic? The remarkable first start by sophomore quarterback C.J. Bacher.
Bacher served as Brett Basanez' understudy last fall, but fractured his left fibula this summer to slow his growth. Bacher returned to practice last month and earned the last-minute start against Michigan State.
And if Bacher, indeed, can repeat at Michigan what he did for the first 35 minutes against Michigan State (14-of-20 passing, 240 yards, three TDs), then NU could be in business. Bacher's crisp arm keeps defenses from hounding ace running back Tyrell Sutton, who zipped for 172 yards against the Spartans.
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Release the hounds! With sophomore C.J. Bacher now at the controls, the Wildcats finally look like the offensive juggernauts of yore. In NU's first seven games, it never scored more than 21 points or gained more than 368 yards. Against Michigan State, in Bacher's first start, the Wildcats put up 38 points and 440 total yards. Bacher boasts a major-college arm and accuracy, which allows NU to stretch the defense from sideline-to-sideline. That, in turn, gives RB Tyrell Sutton more seams through which to run.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: It's hard not to expect the worst from this unit, even though it kept Michigan State out of the end zone for more than 37 minutes Saturday. Not only did Northwestern's defense surrender 31 points in the final 22 minutes, it lost its best player and leader in senior linebacker Nick Roach (broken leg). Roach's absence makes it tougher for NU to use its 3-4 defense and its 4-3 alignment asks a lot from lots of underclassmen.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "C.J.'s strength is definitely throwing. He allowed us to open up the playbook so (the defense) couldn't stack the box anymore." NU senior WR Shaun Herbert, who caught his first two TD passes of 2006 in Saturday's loss to Michigan State.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Northwestern at Michigan, Oct. 28 Trying To Shake Up The World. The Wildcats haven't won at the Big House since 1995, when a certain linebacker named Pat Fitzgerald led a rock-ribbed defense to a 19-13 victory to kickstart NU's run to the Rose Bowl. Michigan will be the only team with a rock-ribbed defense Saturday, but at least NU has a fighting chance with new QB C.J. Bacher at the helm. Check out the future: Both Bacher and RB Tyrell Sutton have two more years after this one.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB C.J. Bacher The sophomore from a California quarterback factory looked the part for much of last week's loss to Michigan State. But Bacher still doesn't have 100 percent health in his left leg (he fractured his fibula thee months ago), so he'll have to be careful against Michigan's extraordinary pass rush.
RB Tyrell Sutton Michigan leads the nation in rushing defense (33.6 ypg), so the undersized sophomore has a huge task finding holes. But he regained his mojo with Saturday's 172-yard effort, so he should be able to make the most of whatever tiny openings he can find.
WR Shaun Herbert The senior is one of the most sure-handed receivers in the country, but NU had a hard time getting him the ball during the first seven games. But with six catches and two touchdowns last week, Herbert has returned to his playmaking self.
ROSTER REPORT: Senior LB and co-captain Nick Roach underwent surgery to repair his broken right leg. Northwestern's leading tackler will miss the rest of the regular season. He'll be replaced either by Chris Malleo, Eddie Simpson or Mike Dinard.
Simpson hasn't played since suffering a neck injury at Penn State, but he's listed as questionable for Saturday's trip to Michigan.
WR Kim Thompson, who started a few games at midseason, won't play for an indefinite period of time for personal reasons.
At right guard, usual starter Joel Belding is locked in a battle with Alaska native Adam Crum. Both saw action last week against Michigan State.
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OHIO STATE
INSIDE SLANT
Just in case the Buckeyes didn't have enough weapons at receiver, they took last week's game against Indiana to prove the good hands run well past Anthony Gonzalez and Ted Ginn.
The Buckeyes' tight ends caught three touchdowns against the Hoosiers, two for Rory Nicol and one for true freshman backup Jake Ballard. Until Saturday, Ohio State's tight ends accounted for a grand total of one touchdown.
"I'm not a primary receiver in our offense. We've got so many good guys outside, that's just reality," Nicol said. "They're so dangerous outside that sometimes our numbers aren't called. But there are going to be times like (Saturday) when it is going to be called and we'll need to make plays. Thankfully we were successful."
Nicol became the first tight end at Ohio State to catch two touchdowns in a game since the 2001 season, when Darnell Sanders caught a pair in an Outback Bowl loss to South Carolina to cap Jim Tressel's first year.
Nicol and Ballard will likely go back to blocking and living in obscurity the rest of the season, but the message has certainly been sent: The weapons extend well beyond the receivers.
"The two receivers we have are good. They're two of the best in the country," Nicol said. "Why change anything we do, because it hasn't been stopped yet? Until it's stopped and we're not successful, until Anthony Gonzalez can't win on his route and until Teddy Ginn can't catch the ball, we're not going to change. Why should we?"
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Troy Smith continues to make every correct decision with the football. His four touchdown passes in the first half against Indiana give him 21 for the season, 20 more than Ted Ginn, who threw his first career touchdown on a trick play against the Hoosiers. The Buckeyes have so many toys on offense, they've begun toying with opponents.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Brandon Mitchell is a former walk-on who has worked his way into a starting role and is this week's Big Ten defensive player of the week. He had 12 tackles against Indiana, including four for a loss. He's not the best cover cornerback, but he's a sound tackler and he's solid against the run. Both of those aspects are critical to playing corner at Ohio State.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't know how I'd do coaching in the pros where it's a whole different world. So I hope I fit well in this environment. And I do consider myself a teacher, and love the collegiate environment. I've been in it virtually my whole life. We moved to Baldwin-Wallace when I was five, so nearly 50 years I've been in this environment and happen to like it." ?- Coach Jim Tressel, dismissing rumors he could have an interest in NFL head-coaching jobs and, more specifically, the top job with the Cleveland Browns.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Minnesota at Ohio State, Oct. 28 ?- The No. 1 team in the country against a Gophers team that is winless in the Big Ten and needed a blocked field goal to survive against a 1-AA team last week. Minnesota's Glen Mason was the runner-up to Jim Tressel in Ohio State's coaching search five years ago. Needless to say, Tressel has a little more with which to work.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Troy Smith -? Has thrown for 21 touchdowns and two interceptions this year. He's the clear frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, to the point there isn't even a clear No. 2.
DT Quinn Pitcock ?- Leads the team with seven sacks. Minnesota will find it tough to run up the middle against one of the best middle men in the country.
WR/PR Ted Ginn ?- The multi-talented threat has now produced touchdowns running, passing, receiving, returning punts and returning kicks in his career.
ROSTER REPORT: DT David Patterson has missed the last two games following knee surgery. He's expected back this week.
WR/PR Ted Ginn broke a toe on his foot last week, but played against Indiana and is expected to play against Minnesota.
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PENN STATE
INSIDE SLANT
Struggling to score against Michigan is acceptable. Struggling against Illinois means roles are about to change.
So it is that as Penn State begins preparation for Purdue this week, there could likely be some new faces lining up on the offense.
Guard Robert Price was replaced by Gerald Cadogan and starting tackle John Shaw was replaced by Chris Auletta during the sluggish 26-12 win over the Illini. Coach Joe Paterno, irritated with the offensive line's inability to block the last couple of weeks, could have more changes in store. Some of the other offensive players think that's exactly what needs to be done.
"Definitely we need to tweak some things," quarterback Anthony Morelli said. "We're a lot better football team than what we showed (Saturday)."
The offensive linemen held a meeting immediately after the game against Illinois, where leader Levi Brown did most of the talking. But talking only accomplishes so much.
Facing a Purdue team this week that averages nearly 30 points a game, the Nittany Lions will likely need at least a couple of touchdowns from the offense to win. That hasn't been so easy this year, especially over the last two weeks.
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Nittany Lions are ranked eighth in the Big Ten, averaging 23.9 points a game. They barely reached that last week, and only because the defense helped out with big turnovers and a special teams touchdown. The blocking has been below average all year and will need to improve for Penn State to score enough to keep up with Purdue.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Three forced turnovers over an eight-minute stretch saved Penn State against Illinois. The defense will likely have to force a few more turnovers this week against Purdue.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Paul is one of the best linebackers we've ever had. It's not just a question of his athletic ability. He's a strong leader. He's the first guy on the practice field ... He's an excellent student and he's got great poise and leadership qualities. He's one of the better football players we've ever had." ?- Coach Joe Paterno on MLB Paul Posluszny.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Penn State at Purdue, Oct. 28 ?- A Boilermakers offense that can score on anyone against a Nittany Lions defense that has stopped most everyone. Then there is Purdue's defense, which can't stop anyone, against a Penn State offense that can't score on anyone. These two teams could combine to score 70 points or seven.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Anthony Morelli ?- He needs time, which he should get plenty of this week against a feeble Boilers defense. He's eighth in the conference, averaging 187 passing yards a game, and his seven touchdowns rank ninth.
WR Deon Butler ?- His average of 60 receiving yards is nice, but take away his 216 yards against Northwestern and that dips to 38. He needs a big day against a vulnerable Purdue secondary.
RB Tony Hunt ?- Purdue's run defense (167 yards per game allowed) is nearly as bad as the pass defense. Hunt has been held to 85 yards on 32 carries the last two weeks (2.7 yards per carry). That's where Penn State's blocking struggles come into play.
ROSTER REPORT: Robert Price was benched at guard in favor of Gerald Cadogan last week and John Shaw was benched at tackle in favor of Chris Auletta. Asked Tuesday who will start on the offensive line this week, coach Joe Paterno said "I haven't got the slightest idea yet."
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PURDUE
INSIDE SLANT
With just four seniors amongst its 24 starters and most of its skill-position players owning at least two more years of eligibility Purdue appears to be a program on the upswing.
But if the Boilers are contemplating any challenges for Big Ten titles in 2007 and beyond, then it would definitely be to their benefit to finish strong in 2006.
Judging by the looks of their remaining schedule Penn State, Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana and Hawaii there's a chance the Boilermakers could run the table. None of their opponents figure to be as tough as, say, Notre Dame, Iowa and Wisconsin the teams that defeated Purdue.
On the other hand, there are enough questions about the Boilers' offense, defense and special teams to make this finishing stretch quite a rugged road.
Among the questions:
Can sophomore quarterback Curtis Painter learn from last week's uneven effort against Wisconsin, when the Badgers disguised their coverage and forced him to try to win with his brain as much as his strong right arm? Surely Penn State and others learned from watching the Wisconsin-Purdue video.
Can sophomore Ryan Baker and other inconsistent players on Purdue's youthful defense prove they'll be OK on their own after studs such as senior defensive end Anthony Spencer move on to the NFL?
Can freshman kicker Chris Summers become more consistent? Yes, Ross-Ade Stadium's winds tend to swirl, but they don't completely explain why the freshman has missed 6-of-9 field-goal attempts over the last four weeks.
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Despite last week's humbling setback against Wisconsin, when Purdue failed to reach the end zone for the first time in three years, the Boilers continue to rank amongst the nation's most productive offenses. They rank fourth in passing yards (309.6 per game) and eighth in total offense (448.5 yards per game). RB Kory Sheets has cooled dramatically since leading the nation in touchdowns for the first month. He owns just 259 yards and one TD over the last five games.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The cumulative statistics still look terrible, but the Boilers' 4-3 defense has shown steady improvement almost every week. DT Ryan Baker (two sacks last week) has joined Anthony Spencer as a legitimate pass-rush threat, which helps a secondary that remains a youthful work in progress. Can PU's linebackers fill gaps, stop Penn State's running game and force the Nittany Lions to pass?
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think Ryan Baker had his best game since he's been at Purdue, though I'm just basing that on the first half." Purdue coach Joe Tiller to the West Lafayette Journal and Courier.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Penn State at Purdue, Oct. 28 Orlando or San Antonio? These teams are fighting to rally from recent disappointments and to maintain a spot in the Big Ten's first division, which could determine which mid-level bowl becomes their holiday destiny. Penn State doesn't allow many teams to pass the ball well, so it will be intriguing to see if Purdue's Curtis Painter can regain his usual form.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Curtis Painter In the case of this redshirt sophomore, it might be important to distinguish between production and achievement. While Painter ranks third nationally in total offense (308.4 yards per game), he ranks 47th in passing efficiency (132.34 points).
WR Selwyn Lymon The freshman made a national reputation with his huge game at Notre Dame, but hasn't done much since. His eye injury suffered playing Paintball didn't help matters, as he missed one game and managed just 2 catches for 14 yards last week.
DT Ryan Baker If the sophomore is going to be an all-Big Ten caliber player, then he needs to perform week-in and week-out. Baker posted 2 sacks and 1 interception last week against Wisconsin. This week, he faces a Penn State offensive line in disarray. Can Baker take advantage?
ROSTER REPORT: Backup WR Andre Chattams is out for the year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon.
All-star DE Anthony Spencer has been protecting his sprained foot with a walking boot, but he's not expected to miss any time.
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WISCONSIN
INSIDE SLANT
With No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan all but locked into Bowl Championship Series berths, there's no room at the BCS Inn for Wisconsin.
But it's fair to say the 17th-ranked Badgers have been playing at a BCS-worthy level for the last month and they can get the final month of their regular season off to a sterling start during Saturday's visit from Illinois.
Unlike previous years, the Illini won't be pushovers for Wisconsin. Though young, they aren't fazed by huge crowds on the road (witness last week's performance at Penn State). And, though true freshman Juice Williams is in his first trip around the Big Ten block, he's the prototype for the sort of quarterback that has given the Badgers problems in recent years.
Remember Wisconsin's opener against Bowling Green's Freddie Barnes, who zigged and zagged and quarterback-drew his way for 158 yards and two rushing touchdowns? Williams has Barnes' ability to run, but he also boasts the strongest throwing arm in the conference.
"Juice is very, very good at running the football," said Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema, noting Illinois ranks just behind the Badgers as the leaders in Big Ten rushing. "They do counter looks. Maybe they'll take a running back and dive him across one side of the formation. All of a sudden, the quarterback and another running back are coming out the other side running full-speed option.
What does that mean for the Badgers, who rank No. 4 nationally in scoring defense (11.5 points per game) and No. 7 nationally in yards allowed (245.8 yards per game)?
"The biggest thing our players have to understand is it's going to be assignment football," Bielema said. "They need to understand where their gaps are and where they need to fit."
NOTES, QUOTES
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: What, no 40-point outburst at Purdue? Wisconsin slacked off its ridiculous offensive pace with just 24 points in last week's win, but the Badgers pretty much moved the ball as they pleased yet again. A few unforced errors kept Wisconsin from being unstoppable. From a philosophical standpoint, the Badgers are about as balanced as a team gets. TB P.J. Hill, the nation's No. 6 rusher, gets plenty of credit, but veteran QB John Stocco makes Hill more effective by spreading the ball around to everybody. If Stocco completes eight passes to wideouts, six to tight ends and a couple to Hill out of the backfield, then it will be a typical day at the office for him.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: They're experienced, they're smart and they're brimming with confidence. The Badgers have allowed just four touchdowns in the last four weeks, but only one of them occurred when the game was still a contest. Jack Ikegwuonu is an emerging star at one corner, while OLB Jonathan Casillas has started to break out as well. Look for the Badgers to keep seven or eight in the box and force Illinois' young, drop-prone receivers to try to win the game through the air.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was actually born at Illini Hospital, if you can believe that, in Silvis, Ill., so I come in as a triple-negative....When I was growing up, I was an Illinois fan, and I had certain things that in my family took me in that direction...I have a lot of family and friends that are Illinois (fans)...I'm sure there are some side wagers going on that I don't need to know about." Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: Illinois at Wisconsin, Oct. 28 Five In A Row? Second-year Illinois coach Ron Zook would love to build his program into something similar to Wisconsin's. You know, a rise from the Big Ten's basement into a consistent place in the conference's title chase. That makes this a measuring stick for the Illini, which would make things interesting if the Badgers don't take them seriously. But Wisconsin has yet to deviate from its "1-0 mentality," which usually makes the Badgers fun to watch.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: TB P.J. Hill The redshirt freshman ranks No. 6 nationally in rushing with 146.5 yards per game. If Illinois blitzes as often as it did last week against Penn State, then Hill could have several short gainers as well as several opportunities to break things for big yardage.
QB John Stocco Though Illinois' defense doesn't give up as many big plays as years past, their pass coverage tends to spring a leak once or twice a game. It's Stocco's job to take advantage of those errors to the utmost. Considering he has been a maestro of offensive coordinator Paul Chryst's situation virtually all year, Stocco likely will come through.
OLT Joe Thomas The Lombardi and Outland Award candidate could have a big day. Illinois will rotate redshirt freshman Doug Pilcher and undersized pass-rush specialist Will Davis against Thomas, who ought to have chances to open monstrous holes.
ROSTER REPORT: DT Justin Ostrowski, a highly decorated prep whose college career appeared at a premature end, will undergo surgery soon to repair his painful right knee. If the operation is a success, then Ostrowski could return next season.
Wisconsin's depth chart and injured list remain unchanged after last week's win at Purdue.
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