THE LOCALS
NORTHWESTERN AT DUKE
The facts: 11 a. m., ESPNU, 720- AM. The records: Northwestern 1- 0, Duke 1- 0. The storyline: The Blue Devils must feel like they’re due against NU, which has beaten them two years in a row. David Cutcliffe is one of the most respected coaches in the country, and his quarterback, Daniel Jones, is a good one. For what it’s worth: Duke beat outmanned North Carolina Central by 53 in Week 1, while NU struggled to put away Nevada. Still, the Wildcats seem to be in a better place physically. Bigger? Check. Stronger? Check. Better? Should be. The line: Wildcats by 3. Greenberg’s pick: Northwestern, 24- 16.
EASTERN ILLINOIS AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
The facts: 2: 30 p. m., ESPN3, 560- AM. The records: EIU 1- 0, NIU 0- 1. The storyline: Is EIU catching the Huskies while they’re down? It was a tough way to lose last week, watching a game- tying field goal attempt hit the crossbar in the closing seconds against Boston College. Now NIU goes from an ACC foe to an FCS foe — and the Panthers are no run- of- themill FCS program. The last time these two played, in 2013, a star Panthers quarterback named Jimmy Garoppolo nearly led what would’ve been a major upset. NIU isn’t quite what it was then.
The line: N/ A. Greenberg’s pick: NIU, 38- 21.
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT ILLINOIS
The facts: 7 p. m., BTN, 670- AM. The records: WKU 1- 0, Illinois 1- 0. The storyline: Let’s start by pointing out that WKU, as good as it has been in recent years, is 0- for- 6 in games against Big Ten opponents. Even a strong 2014 Hilltoppers squad was unable to win against the Illini in Champaign. Does that mean Lovie Smith’s team has a legit chance? Sure it does. But the Illini will have to be better than they were in Week 1 against Ball State. As opponents go, Ball State and WKU aren’t even close. The line: Hilltoppers by 8. Greenberg’s pick: WKU, 34- 27.