THE LOCALS
ILLINOIS AT PURDUE
The facts: 11 a.m., BTN, 890-AM.
The records: Illinois 3-4, 1-3 Big Ten; Purdue 2-5, 1-3 Big Ten.
The storyline: After last weekend’s upset of Wisconsin, Illinois coach Lovie Smith pulled all his players into a tight circle in the locker room to chant, “Two in a row!” Pretty modest, maybe, but following that with another “W” at Ross-Ade Stadium would be a real game-changer for the Illini. Among other things, it would put them in contention for a bowl and push the negative narrative about Smith’s four-year performance further to the side. Man, if only the Illini’s receivers weren’t so banged up. The line: Boilermakers by 9½. Greenberg’s pick: Illinois, 31-30. NO. 20 IOWA AT NORTHWESTERN
The facts: 11 a.m., ESPN2, 720-AM.
The records: Iowa 5-2, 2-2 Big Ten; Northwestern 1-5, 0-4 Big Ten.
The storyline: Iowa’s offense is so bad. How bad is it? It’s so bad, Northwestern’s offense isn’t even all that jealous. Will the first team to 10 points win the game? That’s a trick question — it’s quite possible neither team will hit double digits. But the Hawkeyes are likelier to avoid screwing up at least a few drives, and their defense is a pretty welloiled machine. Sometimes, ugly is the only way to do it.
The line: Hawkeyes by 10½.
Greenberg’s pick: Iowa, 17-9. AKRON AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
The facts: 2:30 p.m., ESPN3, 560-AM.
The records: Akron 0-7, 0-3 MAC;
NIU 2-5, 1-2 MAC.
The storyline: It’s homecoming for the Huskies. It’s not that far from 0-for-theseason for the Zips. A walk in the park at Huskie Stadium? Please. Not only is NIU swimming in its own mediocrity, but its twodeep has been hit hard by a combination of injuries and suspensions. But, hey, did we mention that it’s homecoming?
The line: Huskies by 24.
Greenberg’s pick: NIU, 26-20.
NO. 8 NOTRE DAME AT MICHIGAN
The facts: 6:30 p.m., Ch. 7, 1000-AM.
The records: Notre Dame 5-1, Michigan 5-2, 3-2 Big Ten.
The storyline: It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of Jim Harbaugh to say that it’s Year 5 at his alma mater and we really don’t know which version of his team is going to show up. The Wolverines tend to play a lot better at home, but this is still the same group that Wisconsin toyed with and Penn State pounded into a 21-0 hole. Harbaugh’s team fought back impressively at Penn State and put itself in position to nearly tie it at the end. If the Irish have to face those fighters for four quarters, it’ll be hard to win.
The line: Irish by 1.
Greenberg’s pick: Notre Dame, 24-17.