THE LOCALS
PURDUE AT NORTHWESTERN
The facts: 11 a.m., BTN, 720-AM.
The records: Purdue 3-6, 2-4 Big Ten; Northwestern 1-7, 0-6 Big Ten.
The storyline: This isn’t the Wildcats’ last chance at a second victory — UMass visits Ryan Field next week — but finally cracking into the win column in conference play sure would be nice. That’s easier said than done, though, in light of their herculean struggles offensively. For crying out loud, the Cats are the only team in the country averaging fewer than 10 points per game. Why are they favored again?
The line: Wildcats by 2.
Greenberg’s pick: Purdue, 21-17.
ILLINOIS AT MICHIGAN STATE The facts: 2:30 p.m., FS1, 890-AM. The records: Illinois 5-4, 3-3 Big Ten; MSU 4-4, 2-3 Big Ten.
The storyline: It’s all about that bowl game for the Illini. It’ll take one more victory — at MSU, at Iowa or at home against Northwestern — to make it happen, but no one in Lovie Smith’s program feels like waiting. A season-saving three-game winning streak has made the Illini greedy, a very good thing. This isn’t the first rodeo, though, for the Spartans and their terrific defense.
The line: Spartans by 15. Greenberg’s pick: MSU, 23-14.
NO. 15 NOTRE DAME AT DUKE The facts: 6:30 p.m., ACC Network, 1000-AM. The records: Notre Dame 6-2; Duke 4-4. The storyline: Last time the teams met, in South Bend in 2016, Blue Devils quarterback Daniel Jones — now an NFL starter — led his 21-point-underdog team to a shocking 38-35 victory. Irish coach Brian
Kelly tore into his team for its effort after that game, and he no doubt used that experience as a teaching moment in preparing for this matchup. It’s Duke’s first opportunity to host Notre Dame in 58 years, the sort of special occasion that is sure to create a big-game atmosphere at Wallace Wade Stadium. The line: Irish by 8.
Greenberg’s pick: Notre Dame, 31-21.