Penn State at Northwestern
TV/radio: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN, WGN-AM 720, WNUR-FM 89.3.
Line: Penn State by 17 1/2 .
GETTING OFFENSIVE: Northwestern finally found a running game last week, riding shifty Scott Concannon behind an improved offensive line. Then again, the opponent was Indiana. Penn State surrenders just 2.6 yards per rush. ON THE DEFENSIVE: NU’s banged-up secondary will be tested early and often by Daryll Clark, the Big Ten’s most efficient (and dynamic) passer. Because Clark spreads the wealth, numerous NU defensive backs will be in the spotlight.
THE NUMBER: 142
That’s how many points the Nittany Lions have scored against their last four opponents. And they have yielded just 30.
THE TALK: Asked if he would do anything to combat his team’s penchant for slow starts, NU coach Pat Fitzgerald joked that he would sacrifice a live chicken, a la Pedro Cerrano from “Major League.”
LOOKING AHEAD: NU’s best hope is to force turnovers and chew the clock. But Penn State has dominated since losing to Iowa and figures to stay hot. Penn State 31, Northwestern 14.
— Teddy Greenstein
Records: Northwestern 5-3, 2-2 Big Ten; Penn State 7-1, 3-1.
Last meeting: Penn State won 33-7 on Sept. 30, 2006, in State College, Pa. %% CATEGORY PSU NU
Rushing offense 184.4 (29) 122.3 (92)
Passing offense 243.8 (37) 270.4 (23)
Total offense 428.1 (23) 392.6 (49)
Scoring offense 30.3 (32) 27.3 (57)
Rushing defense 79.8 (4) 117.9 (39)
Passing defense 160.5 (9) 220.3 (68)
Total defense 240.3 (3) 338.1 (46)
Scoring defense 8.9 (1) 23.6 (61)
Washington State vs. Notre Dame
TV/radio: 6:30 p.m. in San Antonio, WMAQ-Ch. 5,
WLS-AM 890.
Line: Notre Dame by 27 1/2
GETTING OFFENSIVE: Washington State ranks no better than 113th nationally in any major defensive category. It should be a glorified walk-through for Jimmy Clausen and Co., with Notre Dame’s quarterback padding numbers for Heisman voters.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: It’s a chance for confidence-building. An emphatic effort won’t mean Sergio Brown and Harrison Smith switching roles is the cure-all, but at least it won’t be a step back.
THE NUMBER: 10
That’s backup quarterback Dayne Crist’s jersey number. If fans know this by heart by the fourth quarter, then Notre Dame has done its job.
THE TALK: Notre Dame has spent six weeks playing to the level of its opponents. It couldn’t possibly stoop that low against the struggling Cougars, so a complete, sound effort is the mandate and would keep the Irish on track. LOOKING AHEAD: The only last-second intrigue should involve how much grief the starters give reserves playing out the string. If not, the Irish have ‘splainin to do. Notre Dame 48, Washington State 10.
— Brian Hamilton
Records: Notre Dame 5-2, Washington State 1-6.
Last meeting: Notre Dame won 29-26 on Sept. 6, 2003, in South Bend, Ind.
CATEGORY WSU ND
Rushing offense 72.6 (116) 132.6 (76)
Passing offense 221.1 (55) 305.9 (11)
Total offense 293.7 (111) 438.4 (15)
Scoring offense 15.1 (116) 30.0 (36)
Rushing defense 215.4 (114) 127.0 (50)
Passing defense 284.1 (118) 282.4 (117)
Total defense 499.6 (119) 409.4 (97)
Scoring defense 37.0 (115) 24.1 (64)
Michigan at Illinois
TV/radio: 2:30 p.m.,
WLS-Ch.7, WIND-AM 560.
Line: Michigan by 7.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Illini plan to use Juice Williams and Jacob Charest at quarterback again. Last weekend against Purdue, Charest made his debut and went 4 of 8 for 52 yards.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Michigan doesn’t boast big individual stats, but the Wolverines rank at the top of the conference in scoring, rushing and total offense. Illinois’ defense held Penn State and Purdue without offensive touchdowns in the second half.
THE NUMBER: 14
The Illini haven’t scored that many points in the first half all season other than against Illinois State.
THE TALK: Can Illinois surprise everyone and put in a performance at home like they had last season at the Big House?
LOOKING AHEAD: The Illini need to get in a rhythm offensively, but it has been all hiccups this season. Michigan 29, Illinois 17.
— Shannon Ryan
Records: Illinois 1-6, 0-5 Big Ten; Michigan 5-3, 1-3.
Last meeting: Illinois won 45-20 on Oct. 4, 2008, in Ann Arbor, Mich.
CATEGORY MICH ILLINOIS
Rushing offense 219.4 (9) 171.9 (40)
Passing offense 185.1 (93) 181.4 (101)
Total offense 404.5 (37) 353.3 (77)
Scoring offense 33.9 (17) 16.1 (113)
Rushing defense 134.9 (61) 185.3 (101)
Passing defense 232.5 (81) 230.6 (78)
Total defense 367.4 (72) 415.9 (104)
Scoring defense 23.5 (58) 27.7 (84)
Akron at Northern Illinois
TV/radio: 11 a.m., WPWR-Ch.50, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: NIU by 12.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: Chad Spann leads the MAC with 12 touchdowns and ranks seventh in the country with 10.3 ppg. He has scored multiple TDs in five games.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: NIU held Miami (Ohio) to a school-record minus-11 yards on 27 carries last weekend. The Huskies used eight sacks, their most since a school-record 10 in 2002, to subtract 66 yards off the RedHawks’ rushing total.
THE NUMBER: 100
In each of NIU’s four victories, either Me’co Brown or Spann has rushed for more than 100 yards.
THE TALK: Defensive end Jake Coffman has been on a roll, registering 13 tackles, six tackles for a loss, 3 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a TD at Miami.
LOOKING AHEAD: NIU and Akron have split 10 previous meetings. The Huskies figure to have the Zips’ number this time. Northern Illinois 45, Akron 17.
— Fred Mitchell
Records: Northern Illinois 4-3, 2-1 MAC; Akron 1-6, 0-3.
Last meeting: Akron won 31-30 on Dec. 1, 2005, in the MAC championship game at Ford Field in Detroit.
CATEGORY AKRON NIU
Rushing offense 106.6 (104) 196.1 (20)
Passing offense 173.4 (103) 147.9 (112)
Total offense 280.0 (117) 344.0 (84)
Scoring offense 18.3 (108) 29.1 (43)
Rushing defense 169.1 (88) 116.0 (37)
Passing defense 182.7 (26) 233.7 (84)
Total defense 351.9 (55) 349.7 (54)
Scoring defense 26.4 (75) 19.3 (30)
NATIONAL GAME OF THE WEEK
USC at Oregon
TV/radio: 7 p.m., WLS-Ch. 7.
Line: USC by 3.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: Jeremiah Masoli’s passing has been hot and cold, but the Oregon QB remains a dangerous running threat every week. USC freshman QB Matt Barkley proved his worth at Notre Dame.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: USC’s seemingly impenetrable “D” gave up 482 yards to Oregon State last Saturday in a 42-36 victory. Oregon has 10 interceptions to five touchdown passes allowed.
THE NUMBER: 8
The Trojans are seeking their eighth consecutive Pac-10 title.
THE TALK: Rain is expected, and that would figure to favor the better rushing team. Oregon averages more rushing yards per game (210.7), but USC gets more yards per carry (5.4).
LOOKING AHEAD: The Trojans have more talent, but how can you pick against the scorching Ducks at home? They have won six straight, the last four by an average margin of 30.2 points. Oregon 26, USC 21.
— Teddy Greenstein
Records: USC 6-1, 3-1 Pac-10; Oregon 6-1, 4-0.
Last meeting: USC won 44-10 on Oct. 4, 2008, in Los Angeles
CATEGORY USC OREGON
Rushing offense 198.3 (19) 210.7 (14)
Passing offense 242.1 (40) 157.4 (108)
Total offense 440.4 (13) 368.1 (66)
Scoring offense 31.4 (29) 34.0 (16)
Rushing defense 79.9 (5) 118.9 (41)
Passing defense 211.9 (53) 178.3 (23)
Total defense 291.7 (16) 297.1 (19)
Scoring defense 15.1 (16) 16.7 (19) %%
