Many questions will be answered about the poise and talent of both Michigan and Northwestern when the two teams meet on Saturday in the Big Ten's most intriguing matchup of the week.
Wildcat quarterback Brett Basanez, who has started in 35 consecutive games, is one of the hottest players in college football coming off a huge road win at MSU. The Wolverines, on the other hand, seem to have turned a corner after beating Iowa and then-unbeaten Penn State.
Michigan (5-3 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) has had troubles at Northwestern (5-2, 3-1). In 2000, the Wolverines lost a 54-51 shootout to the Wildcats. U-M head coach Lloyd Carr said Saturday's game could take a familiar tone.
"Basanez is ranked certainly with the best quarterbacks in the country," Carr said. "They're able to spread you out and the balance they have is outstanding."
The Spartans got a taste of how dynamic the Wildcats offense can be last Saturday when they gave up 49 points to Basanez and company. The Wildcats moved to No. 21 in the Associated Press Poll after the win.
"The tough thing about this league is it's always about the next one," Northwestern head coach Randy Walker said. "We jumped from the frying pan into the fire. We have our work cut out for us."
Walker said the key to the success of his offense is his players' understanding of the spread system.
"Any offense I've ever been a part of comes down to execution," Walker said. "And the reason we're doing things now ... our kids are executing very well. Our quarterback is making good decisions with the football and anytime you put that in place, you've got a chance to move the football."
Coaching milestones
Penn State's Joe Paterno and Carr each recorded career coaching milestones with wins last Saturday.
Paterno tallied his 350th victory and currently ranks second all-time behind Bobby Bowden in career wins. Paterno's Nittany Lions blew out Illinois last Saturday, 63-10.
The Wolverines picked up an overtime win at Iowa on Saturday to give Carr his 100th career win.
"It all begins with the fact that Michigan, we've always had great tradition," Carr said of the milestone. "In my particular case, we have great coaches around me and great players."
Indiana, MSU fight for leverage
With identical 4-3 overall records and 1-3 conference records, Indiana and MSU play a crucial game Saturday.
The Spartans and Hoosiers were both blown out last Saturday — MSU to Northwestern and Indiana to Ohio State.
"We probably played our worst game of the year last Saturday," Indiana head coach Terry Hoeppner said. "We're regrouping this week and getting ready to go on the road."
With both teams out of the conference championship picture, each of their respective goals is now minimized to sending their seniors out as winners and going to a bowl game.
The Hoosiers haven't been to a bowl game since 1993.
"It's been a long time since we've been to a bowl game, and this would go a long way in helping us reach that goal that's still achievable," Hoeppner said.
The Spartans' last bowl appearance was the 2003 Alamo Bowl, in which they lost to Nebraska, 17-3.
