Michigan (2-2) at Northwestern
(2-2)
12:00
PM Big Ten Network
Why to Watch: Everyone
back on the Michigan bandwagon. After
the ugly start to the year, all is right
with the Wolverine world again after
blasting Notre Dame and gutting its way
past Penn State. If the team is as good
as it's supposed to be, it should be a
bounceback 4-2 with Eastern Michigan
coming up after the apparent layup
against Northwestern. The Wildcats
suffered the indignity of being the team
Duke broke its long losing streak
against, and then they got their doors
blown off in a 58-7 loss to Ohio State
that was every bit as lopsided as the
score. However, if Michigan plays like
the Michigan of a few weeks ago, this
might be more interesting than it
appears. Why Michigan Might Win: Northwestern's
offense has gone into the tank. It
struggled to consistently get going in
the loss to Duke, and it didn't do
anything against Ohio State, getting its
only touchdown on a kickoff return.
Michigan's defense appears to be solid
again, shutting down Notre Dame (no big
whoop there) and stopping Penn State
cold. Even with the problems, the D has
been able to get into the backfield and
hit the quarterback. Northwestern's
offensive line has been porous at best. Why Northwestern Might Win: It's
a stretch to call what Northwestern is
doing a spread offense like Appalachian
State's or Oregon's, but it spreads it
out and can get QB C.J. Bacher on the
move. Michigan didn't struggle against
the spread; it wasn't even remotely
close. If the offensive line can somehow
play better than it has over the first
four games, and if Bacher gets a little
time, and can get into a rhythm, the
offense should be able to move the ball
through the air. Who to Watch: Who will be under
center for Michigan? Chad Henne is
supposedly ready to go on his sprained
knee, but it'll be a wait-and-see
attitude as the week goes on. When
ready, he'll be back as the leader of
the offense, but no one's really
complaining about the idea of freshman
Ryan Mallett getting more work. Mallett
wasn't bad against Penn State, even with
a slew of mistakes and misfires, but he
didn't make any major, game-changing
errors and played veteran QB Anthony
Morelli to an even draw. In a perfect
world, Henne gets a half in, Michigan
gets up big, and Mallett can come in to
see a little time. What Will Happen: With star RB
Tyrell Sutton likely out with an ankle
problem, the punchless Northwestern
offense will struggle yet again. The
Michigan passing game will finally perk
up. CFN Prediction:
Michigan 31 ...
Northwestern
17
... Line: Michigan -17 Must See Rating: (5 Ken Burns'
The War - 1 The Big Bang Theory)
... 2.5
Notre Dame
(0-4) at Purdue
(4-0)12:00
PM ESPN
Why to Watch: Up
next on the fun is Purdue, who's looking
to stop a two game losing streak to the
Irish. Everyone's getting fat right now
on Notre Dame, but after the loss to
Michigan State, this date in West
Lafayette might be the best chance to
get a win before November. The offense
still isn't doing anything, the defense
isn't holding up under the weight of
carrying the team, and South Bend is in
a general state of panic. on the flip
side, Purdue has started out the season
red hot, scoring 52, 52, 45 and 45
points in its first four games. As bad
as Notre Dame has been, this is the
first big test for the Boilermakers, and
it's a shot at a big confidence boost
before facing Ohio State and Michigan. Why Notre Dame Might Win: Purdue's
defense has suffered a few letdowns in
the second half, but that's mostly
because the offense has gotten off to
hot starts. If the Irish can somehow
keep this a game going into the locker
room, then there's a chance the running
game, if there's a commitment to it,
might finally get going. Purdue can be
run on, but it takes a while to beat it
down. The D has yet to be truly pushed. Why Purdue Might Win: It might
just be as simple as the Irish's
inability to outscore the Boilermakers.
Notre Dame has scored 27 points in the
first four games, while Purdue has
scored more than that in a half of each
of the first four games. The Irish
defensive front isn't generating any
pressure, and Purdue's offensive line
isn't allowing any sacks, so Curtis
Painter should be able to have all the
time he wants to bomb away. For the
first time this year, the ND D will get
thrown on. Who to Watch: Purdue junior QB
Curtis Painter has been well out of any
Heisman discussion, but he's starting to
enter Drew Brees-like territory as far
as his numbers and production. Playing
Notre Dame, even a bad Notre Dame, gets
you noticed, and this needs to be when
Painter explodes. His biggest problem
was interceptions, throwing 19 past year
and eight in his final four games, but
he's only given it away once so far
while bombing away for 16 touchdown
passes. Part of the reason is the
protection he's getting from the line,
part of the reason is a deep and
talented receiving corps, and part of
the reason is that he's good. What Will Happen: Notre Dame will
get a few touchdowns to make this fun,
with Jimmy Clausen tossing his first
touchdown pass, but there won't be
nearly enough production to overcome the
Purdue attack. CFN Prediction:
Purdue 38 ...
Notre Dame
20
... Line: Purdue -21.5 Must See Rating: (5 Ken Burns'
The War - 1 The Big Bang Theory)
... 2.5
Ohio
State
(4-0) at Minnesota
(1-3)8:00 PM
ESPN2
Why to Watch: The
first four games of the Tim Brewster era
at Minnesota haven't exactly been
stellar, but with one shocking upset
win, that could all change. Ohio State
has been more dominant than it's been
given credit for on a national scale,
beating up three weaklings and
Washington with the nation's second best
defense and an offense that's suddenly
become explosive. The real first test
comes next week at Purdue, but for now,
just handling the explosive Gophers
would be another good step. Minnesota's
defense hasn't come remotely close to
stopping anyone, ranking dead last in
America despite only facing Bowling
Green, Miami University, and Florida
Atlantic before playing Purdue. With
Indiana, Northwestern and North Dakota
State up next, the chance is there to go
on a big run if the nation's 15th ranked
offense can pull this off. Why Ohio State Might Win: It's
this simple. Ohio State's offensive line
is giving QB Todd Boeckman 19 days to
throw. That time is allowing Brian
Robiskie and the other receivers to do
whatever they need to do to get open,
and the offense is starting to explode
because of it. Minnesota's pass defense
is the worst in America, partly because
there's absolutely no one on the
defensive front who can get into the
backfield. Any time the Buckeyes want to
throw long, they'll be able to. Why Minnesota Might Win:
Minnesota seems to be able to adjust
well in the second half. Part of the
reason is because it gets down so
quickly that it has to open things up a
bit, part of the reason is because teams
take their foot off the gas, and part of
the reason is because this is a way
young team that's still trying to figure
out what it's doing. The offensive line
is playing extremely well, and should be
able to allow the skill players time to
operate, and the backfield to run the
ball. The goal will be pound away as
much as possible and get the clock
moving. This is a good, balanced
offense, and as long as it doesn't start
giving the ball away, hardly a given, it
should do more damage against the
Buckeye D than anyone else has been able
to. Who to Watch: Minnesota is
playing around with its running back
situation after top tailback Amir Pinnix
has been having fumbling issues. The
workhorse for the first two games, with
168 yards against Bowling Green and 126
against Miami University, he only got
the ball 16 times against Florida
Atlantic, and was pulled after running
five times for 53 yards against Purdue
because he put the ball on the turf.
Duane Bennett ran for 81 yards and a
score on only seven carries against
Purdue, but most of the overall workload
has fallen to QB Adam Weber. That has to
change. What Will Happen: Ohio State's
offense won't do what it did against
Northwestern, but it won't be far off.
The defense will clamp down early on the
Gophers and give up a few late points. CFN Prediction:
Ohio State
45 ... Minnesota 20
... Line: Ohio State -23 Must See Rating: (5 Ken Burns'
The War - 1 The Big Bang Theory)
... 2
Michigan (2-2) at Northwestern
(2-2)
12:00
PM Big Ten Network
Why to Watch: Everyone
back on the Michigan bandwagon. After
the ugly start to the year, all is right
with the Wolverine world again after
blasting Notre Dame and gutting its way
past Penn State. If the team is as good
as it's supposed to be, it should be a
bounceback 4-2 with Eastern Michigan
coming up after the apparent layup
against Northwestern. The Wildcats
suffered the indignity of being the team
Duke broke its long losing streak
against, and then they got their doors
blown off in a 58-7 loss to Ohio State
that was every bit as lopsided as the
score. However, if Michigan plays like
the Michigan of a few weeks ago, this
might be more interesting than it
appears. Why Michigan Might Win: Northwestern's
offense has gone into the tank. It
struggled to consistently get going in
the loss to Duke, and it didn't do
anything against Ohio State, getting its
only touchdown on a kickoff return.
Michigan's defense appears to be solid
again, shutting down Notre Dame (no big
whoop there) and stopping Penn State
cold. Even with the problems, the D has
been able to get into the backfield and
hit the quarterback. Northwestern's
offensive line has been porous at best. Why Northwestern Might Win: It's
a stretch to call what Northwestern is
doing a spread offense like Appalachian
State's or Oregon's, but it spreads it
out and can get QB C.J. Bacher on the
move. Michigan didn't struggle against
the spread; it wasn't even remotely
close. If the offensive line can somehow
play better than it has over the first
four games, and if Bacher gets a little
time, and can get into a rhythm, the
offense should be able to move the ball
through the air. Who to Watch: Who will be under
center for Michigan? Chad Henne is
supposedly ready to go on his sprained
knee, but it'll be a wait-and-see
attitude as the week goes on. When
ready, he'll be back as the leader of
the offense, but no one's really
complaining about the idea of freshman
Ryan Mallett getting more work. Mallett
wasn't bad against Penn State, even with
a slew of mistakes and misfires, but he
didn't make any major, game-changing
errors and played veteran QB Anthony
Morelli to an even draw. In a perfect
world, Henne gets a half in, Michigan
gets up big, and Mallett can come in to
see a little time. What Will Happen: With star RB
Tyrell Sutton likely out with an ankle
problem, the punchless Northwestern
offense will struggle yet again. The
Michigan passing game will finally perk
up. CFN Prediction:
Michigan 31 ...
Northwestern
17
... Line: Michigan -17 Must See Rating: (5 Ken Burns'
The War - 1 The Big Bang Theory)
... 2.5
Notre Dame
(0-4) at Purdue
(4-0)12:00
PM ESPN
Why to Watch: Up
next on the fun is Purdue, who's looking
to stop a two game losing streak to the
Irish. Everyone's getting fat right now
on Notre Dame, but after the loss to
Michigan State, this date in West
Lafayette might be the best chance to
get a win before November. The offense
still isn't doing anything, the defense
isn't holding up under the weight of
carrying the team, and South Bend is in
a general state of panic. on the flip
side, Purdue has started out the season
red hot, scoring 52, 52, 45 and 45
points in its first four games. As bad
as Notre Dame has been, this is the
first big test for the Boilermakers, and
it's a shot at a big confidence boost
before facing Ohio State and Michigan. Why Notre Dame Might Win: Purdue's
defense has suffered a few letdowns in
the second half, but that's mostly
because the offense has gotten off to
hot starts. If the Irish can somehow
keep this a game going into the locker
room, then there's a chance the running
game, if there's a commitment to it,
might finally get going. Purdue can be
run on, but it takes a while to beat it
down. The D has yet to be truly pushed. Why Purdue Might Win: It might
just be as simple as the Irish's
inability to outscore the Boilermakers.
Notre Dame has scored 27 points in the
first four games, while Purdue has
scored more than that in a half of each
of the first four games. The Irish
defensive front isn't generating any
pressure, and Purdue's offensive line
isn't allowing any sacks, so Curtis
Painter should be able to have all the
time he wants to bomb away. For the
first time this year, the ND D will get
thrown on. Who to Watch: Purdue junior QB
Curtis Painter has been well out of any
Heisman discussion, but he's starting to
enter Drew Brees-like territory as far
as his numbers and production. Playing
Notre Dame, even a bad Notre Dame, gets
you noticed, and this needs to be when
Painter explodes. His biggest problem
was interceptions, throwing 19 past year
and eight in his final four games, but
he's only given it away once so far
while bombing away for 16 touchdown
passes. Part of the reason is the
protection he's getting from the line,
part of the reason is a deep and
talented receiving corps, and part of
the reason is that he's good. What Will Happen: Notre Dame will
get a few touchdowns to make this fun,
with Jimmy Clausen tossing his first
touchdown pass, but there won't be
nearly enough production to overcome the
Purdue attack. CFN Prediction:
Purdue 38 ...
Notre Dame
20
... Line: Purdue -21.5 Must See Rating: (5 Ken Burns'
The War - 1 The Big Bang Theory)
... 2.5
Ohio
State
(4-0) at Minnesota
(1-3)8:00 PM
ESPN2
Why to Watch: The
first four games of the Tim Brewster era
at Minnesota haven't exactly been
stellar, but with one shocking upset
win, that could all change. Ohio State
has been more dominant than it's been
given credit for on a national scale,
beating up three weaklings and
Washington with the nation's second best
defense and an offense that's suddenly
become explosive. The real first test
comes next week at Purdue, but for now,
just handling the explosive Gophers
would be another good step. Minnesota's
defense hasn't come remotely close to
stopping anyone, ranking dead last in
America despite only facing Bowling
Green, Miami University, and Florida
Atlantic before playing Purdue. With
Indiana, Northwestern and North Dakota
State up next, the chance is there to go
on a big run if the nation's 15th ranked
offense can pull this off. Why Ohio State Might Win: It's
this simple. Ohio State's offensive line
is giving QB Todd Boeckman 19 days to
throw. That time is allowing Brian
Robiskie and the other receivers to do
whatever they need to do to get open,
and the offense is starting to explode
because of it. Minnesota's pass defense
is the worst in America, partly because
there's absolutely no one on the
defensive front who can get into the
backfield. Any time the Buckeyes want to
throw long, they'll be able to. Why Minnesota Might Win:
Minnesota seems to be able to adjust
well in the second half. Part of the
reason is because it gets down so
quickly that it has to open things up a
bit, part of the reason is because teams
take their foot off the gas, and part of
the reason is because this is a way
young team that's still trying to figure
out what it's doing. The offensive line
is playing extremely well, and should be
able to allow the skill players time to
operate, and the backfield to run the
ball. The goal will be pound away as
much as possible and get the clock
moving. This is a good, balanced
offense, and as long as it doesn't start
giving the ball away, hardly a given, it
should do more damage against the
Buckeye D than anyone else has been able
to. Who to Watch: Minnesota is
playing around with its running back
situation after top tailback Amir Pinnix
has been having fumbling issues. The
workhorse for the first two games, with
168 yards against Bowling Green and 126
against Miami University, he only got
the ball 16 times against Florida
Atlantic, and was pulled after running
five times for 53 yards against Purdue
because he put the ball on the turf.
Duane Bennett ran for 81 yards and a
score on only seven carries against
Purdue, but most of the overall workload
has fallen to QB Adam Weber. That has to
change. What Will Happen: Ohio State's
offense won't do what it did against
Northwestern, but it won't be far off.
The defense will clamp down early on the
Gophers and give up a few late points. CFN Prediction:
Ohio State
45 ... Minnesota 20
... Line: Ohio State -23 Must See Rating: (5 Ken Burns'
The War - 1 The Big Bang Theory)
... 2
