The last place Michigan needed running back Mike Hart to be was on the sideline. The last thing Michigan needed hurting quarterback Chad Henne was his hand.
But playing — and winning at Illinois — without Hart and with Henne banged up did the Wolverines much good, coach Lloyd Carr said.
“We played some games in the last six weeks where we weren’t full strength,” Carr said. “Any time you do that it makes you a stronger team. Your morale is certainly affected greatly from winning when you’re not full strength.”
That may need to be the case again Saturday when the Wolverines (6-2 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) play Minnesota (1-7, 0-4).
Hart and Henne are considered questionable.
LOOKING UP
Ohio State
The top-ranked Buckeyes’ season officially started Sept. 1 with a victory against Youngstown State, but many consider Saturday their first true test, when they play at Penn State. Undefeated Ohio State will look for more of the same from running back Chris Wells. Wells, battling a left ankle injury, ran for 221 yards on 31 carries to hold off Michigan State 24-17.
Penn State
Joe Paterno pretty much dubbed Saturday’s game against Ohio State as Linebacker TV. “You may see three of four or five of the best linebackers in the country,” he said. “If I was a fan, I’d enjoy watching the Ohio State linebackers and our linebackers.” Penn State linebackers Dan Connor and Sean Lee and Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman are savvy game-changers.
Michigan
To understand Michigan’s turnaround look no further than penalties. In the Wolverines’ first two losses, they were flagged 15 times for a loss of 114 yards, an average of 7.5 penalties and 57 yards per game. In their six-game winning streak, they average 4.3 penalties a game for a loss of 37.8 yards. A smart, clean game against Minnesota will help the Wolverines extend their winning streak to seven.
Northwestern
One sign of junior quarterback C.J. Bacher’s poise came early in last week’s victory over Eastern Michigan. He threw an interception on Northwestern’s first possession. “He made good decisions after making that pick,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said. Bacher, who leads the Big Ten with 324.8 passing yards per game, will need all his poise to beat Purdue. The last time the Wildcats went unbeaten in October, they won a share of the conference title in 1996.
DIRECTION PENDING
Illinois
Coach Ron Zook isn’t shying away from telling his team what is at stake in its final four games, after end-of-game mistakes gave the Illini back-to-back losses. “Our guys have to get over it,” he said. “The No. 1 thing is we have a chance to get bowl-eligible.” None of the Illini has played in a bowl.
Indiana
Kellen Lewis is one the conference’s most talented quarterbacks, but he must take better care of the football. He accounted for three of four fumbles, which led to nine points by Penn State in a 36-31 Nittany Lions win. “For the most part he has done a great job,” coach Bill Lynch said. “He has to get those [turnovers] taken care of, he knows that.”
Purdue
The Boilermakers received a confidence surge in beating Iowa for the first time in four seasons. Leading up to the game, coach Joe Tiller called a team meeting. “I’m not sure the meeting was the reason, but … I know our team played one of our better games this year.”
TRENDING DOWN
Iowa
The Hawkeyes lost any momentum gained by beating Illinois with a blowout loss at Purdue. Playing three of their last four games at home may help the young, injury-plagued Hawkeyes finish on an upswing. “Right now if you’re a sophomore receiver at our place, you’re a veteran,” coach Kirk Ferentz said.
Minnesota
Not as much was made of the Minnesota’s loss to I-AA North Dakota State as when Michigan started off the season with a loss to Appalachian State, but the loss still is not a good sign. Minnesota’s only victory this season came against Miami of Ohio, and the Golden Gophers still have to play at Michigan.
Wisconsin
The Badgers’ spiral could continue with remaining games against Ohio State and Michigan. A stomping of Northern Illinois does little to make up for losses to Illinois and Penn State.
Michigan State
All three of the Spartans’ losses occurred in their last four games, but they are taking some comfort in giving Ohio State a chase. “We remained vigilant to the end in maintaining the course,” coach Mark Dantonio said. “If there’s anything that gives us a cause to grow, that would be it.”
QUOTABLE
“They’ll show a tight shot of me and show one of the ugliest coaches in the country, a 32-year-old coach going gray,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said, predicting how he will look on camera during a game against Purdue, the conference’s top-scoring offense.
COACH OF THE WEEK
Lloyd Carr, Michigan
Although Illinois made costly mistakes, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr found ways to beat the Illini, even with Henne banged up and without Hart.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dorien Bryant, Purdue
The senior had nine receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-6 win over Iowa. “Dorien has had a model of consistency,” Tiller said. “He has caught 60 [passes] a year for forever it seems like.”
