THE LOCALS
ILLINOIS AT PURDUE
The facts: 11 a.m., BTN, 560-AM. The records: Illinois 3-7, 0-6 Big Ten; Purdue 1-9, 0-6. The story line: Once upon a time, Tim Beckman and Darrell Hazell had the coziest of jobs. They were assistants together at Ohio State — Beckman coaching the defensive backs, Hazell the wide receivers — during a real heyday for the Buckeyes under Jim Tressel. Pressure? Sure, in coaching there’s always pressure. But compared to now, there was almost none.
Here Beckman and Hazell are, the coaches at Illinois and Purdue, neither with a single Big Ten victory to his credit. Beckman, in his second season, has a head start on infamy; he’s 0-14 thus far, to Hazell’s 0-6.
Beckman likely is in greater need of a victory, but he appears to be in slightly better position to get one. The Illini have been more competitive of late than the Boilermakers.
“They’re similar to us,” Illini defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. “They’re better than their record shows.
A look at performances against common opponents favors Illinois. In the last three weeks, Purdue has lost at home to Ohio State by 56 and fallen at Penn State by 24. During the same period, the Illini lost at home to Ohio State by 25 and went down in overtime at Penn State. Early this season, Illinois walloped a Cincinnati team that was coming off a blowout of the Boilermakers. The line: Illinois by 61⁄ 2. Greenberg’s pick: Illinois, 34-20. Time: 11 a.m. ESPN, 720-AM. The records: NU 4-6, 0-6 Big Ten; Michigan State 9-1, 6-0. The story line: This game will amount to what most thought it would before the season began. The outcome likely will determine the winner of the Legends division.
Only it was impossible to predict that Michigan State would have so
NO. 13 MICHIGAN STATE AT NORTHWESTERN
much more invested.
The Wildcats, losers of six in a row, are out of the race for the division and a chance to play in the Big Ten Championship. With a victory, the Spartans would clinch a spot in the Dec. 7 title game in Indianapolis.
Northwestern likely thought it would be fighting for a Big Ten title, not bowl eligibility. The Wildcats need victories in their last two games to get the requisite six wins to become bowl-eligible. Playing the Spartans very well might be throwing more gas on the fire.
A struggling Wildcats offense — which failed to score a touchdown in regulation of its eventual 3OT loss to Michigan at home last week — faces arguable the nation’s toughest defense.
Northwestern’s offensive line, likely the Big Ten’s worst, is matched against a pass rush that has 25 sacks. The line: Michigan State by 7. Seth Gruen’s pick: Michigan St., 30-13.
BYU AT NOTRE DAME
The facts: 2:30 p.m., Ch. 5, 890-AM. The records: Notre Dame 7-3, BYU 7-3. The story line: A BCS bowl is out of the picture, but Notre Dame players say there’s still plenty to play for, starting with a strong showing on senior day.
“There’s no other goals for us. It’s to win football games,” quarterback Tommy Rees said. “That’s been the goal since the day we walked through this door. We know we have to play better and it starts with me and my accountability.”
BYU won’t make it easy. The Cougars are 13th in the nation in total offense (503.7 yards per game).
Quarterback Taysom Hill has thrown for 2,379 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.
He’s transformed BYU’s offense in a variety of ways.
“First of all, his ability to extend plays. His accuracy, his ability to throw the football, has really changed their offensive structure,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. The line: BYU by 1. LaMond Pope’s pick: ND, 27-24.