Purdue gets a shot at Michigan

Mark Schneider

October 22, 2003

Purdue at Michigan

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Place: Ann Arbor, Mich.

Line: Michigan by 5 1/2

TV: ABC

Records: Purdue (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten), Michigan (6-2, 3-1) What”s at stake: Purdue tries to win at Michigan for the first time since 1966. A win for the Boilermakers would leave them tied atop the Big Ten standings. A loss for Michigan would end all conference title hopes.

Overview: Ann Arbor has not been kind to the Boilermakers. Purdue possesses a 4-24 all-time record at Michigan. Purdue has looked strong this year, however, winning six straight games and boasting the third-ranked rushing defense. That Boilermakers” defense will be tested this week. Michigan running back Chris Perry is the conference”s leading rusher with 999 yards, and quarterback John Navarre tops the Big Ten in total offense with an average of 253.8 yards per game. Purdue coach Joe Tiller has established a reputation for favoring the passing game. In last week”s win over Wisconsin, Kyle Orton completed 38-of-55 yards for 411 yards and senior wide receiver John Standeford had 14 catches for 184 yards.

Penn State at Iowa

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: Iowa City, Iowa

Line: Iowa by 11

TV: ABC

Records: Penn State (2-5, 0-3),

Iowa (5-2, 1-2)

What”s at stake: With two conference losses, the Hawkeyes cannot afford another Big Ten defeat. Penn State coach Joe Paterno looks to keep pace with Florida State”s Bobby Bowden as the alltime winningest coach in Division I-A college football history.

Overview: Iowa”s gritty defense has allowed a Big Ten-best 14.1 points per game average. The offense has struggled at times, especially in last week”s 19-10 loss to Ohio State. Quarterback Nathan Chandler wasn”t sharp, with an interception and two fumbles. Iowa”s special teams play — usually a strength — allowed a punt return for a touchdown and had a punt blocked for a score. The Nittany Lions will probably be without wide receiver Tony Johnson, who has been charged with driving under the influence and will likely be suspended for a game by the team.

Minnesota at Illinois

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: Champaign, Ill.

Line: Minnesota by 15

TV: ESPN Plus

Records: Minnesota (6-2, 2-2),

Illinois (1-7, 0-4)

What”s at stake: The Golden Gophers will try to avoid a threegame losing streak and get back on track against Illinois. The Illini are searching for their first win against a Division I-A opponent.

Overview: Already suffering from paper-thin confidence, Illinois will have to battle without quarterback Jon Beutjer, who is out for the season with a herniated disk in his lower back. Freshman Chris Pazan went 11-of-23 for 100 yards against Michigan last week, while Dustin Ward completed all five of his attempts for 63 yards. Minnesota”s running game struggled in last week”s 44-38 loss to Michigan State, but quarterback Asad Abdul- Khaliq had one of his best games. Abdul-Khaliq completed 27-of-40 passes for 377 yards and four touchdowns.

Ohio State at Indiana

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: Bloomington, Ind.

Line: Ohio State by 20

TV: ESPN

Records: Ohio State (6-1, 2-1),

Indiana (1-6, 0-3)

What”s at stake: Ohio State looks to get its offense back on track and earn an 11th straight win over Indiana. The Hoosiers, who have lost four straight, lead only Illinois in the standings.

Overview: Although Ohio State finds itself in the midst of the Big Ten title race, the Buckeyes offense has struggled mightily this year. Ohio State ranks 114th out of 117 Division I-A teams, mustering an average of just 278.2 yards per game. Last week”s performance against Iowa was no cause for optimism, as Ohio State rushed for only 56 yards on 42 attempts. The Buckeyes” defense has been their saving grace, ranking sixth in the nation in total defense with an average of 269 yards allowed. Indiana”s passing offense ranks just eighth in the Big Ten. Overall, Indiana”s scoring average of 17.7 ranks last in the conference.

Team Record Record

Michigan St. 4-0 7-1

Purdue 3-0 6-1

Michigan 3-1 6-2

Wisconsin 3-1 6-2

Ohio St. 3-1 6-1

Minnesota 2-2 6-2

Iowa 1-2 5-2

NU 1-2 3-4

Penn St. 0-3 2-5

Indiana 0-3 1-6

Illinois 0-3 1-7