Dave & Drew Thurman (12:07 pm)

Mascot: Wildcats

Stadium: Ryan Field Stadium (47,130)

Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (Third year, 17-16)

2007 Record: 6-6

2008 Record: 7-2

Base Offense: Spread

Base Defense: 4-3

Letterman: Returning - 47; Lost - 19

Returning Starters: Offense - 7; Defense - 8; Speacialists - 2

Returning Stars: RB Tyrell Sutton, SS Brendan Smith

Notable Alumni:

-Charlton Heston - Actor
-George McGovern - US Senator & Presidential nomine
-Warren Beatty - Actor
-Michael Wilbon - ESPN analyst and host of PTI (pictured below)
-Julia Louise-Dreyfus - Actress
-Jerry Springer - TV personality
-Hugh Heffner - Playboy fame
-Brent Musburger - Sports commentator
-Otto Graham - Football hall of famer who also played basketball

Northwestern Overview:

Offense:

The Wildcat offense this year has been on a roller coaster ride, filled with its ups and downs. Especially of late as they have battled the injury bug with some of their star players. This means the Buckeyes first have to prepare to see two different quarterbacks on Saturday. The starter if healthy is senior C.J. Bacher, who has accumulated 1700 yards passing to go along with 10 touchdowns. He has struggled with consistency though, completing just 59 percent of his passes with 11 interceptions. Bacher has also bailed the Wildcats out with his legs having 244 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

The other possibility at quarterback on Saturday is Mike Kafka, who played very well in Bacher's absense last week against Minnesota. Kafka was 12 of 16 for 143 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He really burned the Golden Gophers on the ground with 217 yards rushing.

On top of quarteback, the Wildcats have been plagued with injuries at the running back position. First, the Akron native Tyrell Sutton went down with a wrist injury after being hurt for a big part of last season. Sutton had 776 yards with six touchdowns on the season. His replacement then became Omar Conteh who has 235 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Conteh was injured this week in practice, so the Wildcats throw sophomore Stephen Simmons out as the starter against the Buckeyes. Simmons has a whopping 4 rushing attempts for 19 yards on the season, so there is not much to know about him.

The other position of major importance for the Wildcats is at wideout. Northwestern throws the ball a lot, and actually have 8 players with ten or more catches. The three main guys to look for are Ross Lane (397 yards, 0 TD), Rasheed Ward (329 yards, 2 TD), and Eric Peterman (386 yards, 3 TD). All three of these young men have 30 plus receptions, and will get a lot of short throws coming at them. With that said, all three have the ability to bust one long if they are given the space.

Defense:

Northwestern's defense has been better than many predicted. Their statistics are not mind blowing, but they are holding opponents to 18.1 points a game. This has been key because even though they are giving up 341 yards a game, they are holing opponents under 50 percent on red zone touchdowns. They have clamped down under pressure, and have forced field goals.

A lot of this is due to the fact that the strength of the defense is the back seven. Actually catch this, the top seven tacklers for the Wildcats come from the linebacking core or secondary. On top of tackles, these seven guys account for 26 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, and six forced fumbles. They truely are the heart of the defense. Especially at safety with Brad Phillips (75 tackles) and Brendan Smith (57 tackles). Phillips and Smith are tough all the way around, and will make quarterbacks pay for misguided throws.

The only other player to really keep your eye on is Corey Wootton. The junior defensive end has had a stellar year, accumulating 27 tackles with 12 tackles for loss and six and half sacks.

How It Will Go:

When Ohio State has the ball expect to see a power attack unleashed. The Wildcats interior defense is not incredibly strong, so look for the Buckeyes to try to pound the ball with Chris Wells. The Buckeyes could very well open things up for Pryor as well. If the running game is working, allowing Pryor to throw the ball down field would be great for his confidence. If Pryor has a successful game on the road against a ranked team, he really could get back on track. The slot wideouts and tight ends will need to play an important part of this game as well. The Wildcats have good safties, so it will be important for Pryor to get the ball to guys with one on one coverage. Brandon Smith, Dane Sazenbacher, and Brain Hartline will all have big games if the line can protect Pryor.

When Northwestern has the ball, expect to see a very hungry Buckeye defense. The Wildcats are down to their third string running back, so expect a lot of short passes to replace a consistent running game. Also, like last week against Minnesota, expect which ever Northwestern quarterback that starts to run much more than any of their backs. Kafka ran the ball 15 more times than anyone else on the team last week! Finally, get ready to see some forced turnovers by the Buckeyes. Northwestern has been very turnover prone all season, especially in their losses. In their two losses the Wildcats lost the turnover battle 0-8. 

Father vs. Son Prediction Battle:

Dave has it: Ohio State 24 Northwestern 14

Drew has it: Ohio State 31 Northwestern 10

Drew Thurman (12:43 pm)

The Big Ten conference has been very confusing and hard to predict this season. I am not sure anyone thought Wisconsin and Michigan would find themselves at the bottom of the conference at this point in the season. Here is what the standing look like right now:

1) Penn State:  9-0 (5-0)
2) Michigan State:  8-2 (5-1)
3) Ohio State:  7-2 (4-1)
4) Northwestern:  7-2 (3-2)
5) Minnesota:  7-2 (3-2)
6) Illinois:  5-4 (3-3)
7) Iowa:  5-4 (2-3)
8) Indiana:  3-6 (1-4)
9) Purdue:  3-6 (1-4)
10) Michigan:  2-7 (1-4)
11) Wisconsin:  4-5 (1-5)

Here at The Silver Bullet, we were not much better than anyone else at predicting the standings. I checked out our Big Ten Predictions from July, and this is what they looked like (my predictions for Minnesota and Iowa are pretty hilarious!):

 Dave:
1) Ohio State
2) Wisconsin
3) Illinois
4) Penn State
5) Michigan State
6) Michigan
7) Iowa
8) Purdue
9) Minnesota
10) Northwestern
11) Indiana

Drew:
1) Ohio State
2) Wisconsin
3) Penn State
4) Illinois
5) Michigan State
6) Michigan
7) Purdue
8) Northwestern
9) Indiana
10) Iowa
11) Minnesota

So, what do the next few weeks hold for the Big Ten? No one knows! The Big Ten is down for sure though, and the standing show that the conference has some work to do to get back on top!

Drew Thurman (12:57 pm)

Ohio State being off this weekend was probably good for my blood pressure, but it did leave me feeling a little empty. There was quite a bit going on in the Big Ten and around the college football world though, and here were a few things I noticed...

- Florida is a very scary team. They are super explosive, and they actually made Georgia look slow. I cannot stand him, but Urban Meyer is an offensive genius. You can mark my words, Florida looks to be the team to beat for the SEC Championship. If Alabama survives Death Valley, I do not see them trumping Florida. Actually, I am not sure anyone wants to play the Gators right now.

- What in the world is up with Northwestern? Last week they lost to Indiana, who is not even a good MAC team this year, and now they beat the one loss Minnesota Gophers with a backup quarterback. I just cannot figure out the Big Ten this year. Who would have thought that Northwestern, Minnesota, and Iowa would be fighting in the middle of the pack while Michigan and Wisconsin sit at the bottom of the conference!

- The Texas vs. Texas Tech game lived up to the hype! That was one of the best games I have seen in a long time, and I give Leach and company credit for having the guts to throw for the endzone with about eight seconds left. Harrell and the Red Raider wideouts made me drool and really realize how bad our offense has been. There were two things that made laugh in this game though. First, Texas tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill has to be exchanging pants with Charlie Weis; they only make pants that big on special order. Second, this makes me laugh every Texas Tech game...(Click Link!)

- Speaking of Weis and Notre Dame, they stink. Sorry Lou Holtz, but you were terribly wrong. The next good team the Irish beat will be their first this season. Pittsburgh and the Big East are awful, and Dave Wannstedt cannot coach his way out of a paper bag. NBC got the joy of showing a game that highlights two coaches who cannot turn their talented recruiting classes into real contenders!

- After another terrible loss, Phil Fulmer is stepping down at the end of the season. I have to say I have never been a Fulmer fan, but I am sad to see him go. Not only will the Volunteers get better now, but the SEC fans will not know who to make fun of anymore. He has provided many laughs, and this video shows a few of those. So here you are Fulmer, this video is in your memory!

Drew Thurman (8:40 pm)

Opinion #1: Terrelle Pryor is struggling, and changes need to happen.

My Opinion:

This one to me is fact and fiction. The fiction part of this has to do with Todd Boeckman. The locker room has been highlighted a lot on the boards and in the media, but Pryor is the answer for this team regardless of what complaints there are (AKA Hartline and Ballard). The offensive line is one of the major issues left on this team, and Boeckman behind a bad line would equal chaos.

With that said, changes need to happen for Terrelle and by the coaches. Pryor is holding onto the ball a lot, and seems to be very worried about making mistakes. Like I have said numerous times, I feel it starts with play calling. Any offensive playcaller would tell you that it is important to call plays that help a young quaterback's confidence. Ohio State has been terrible at this so far! We come out and run the ball a lot on first and second down, and then leave Pryor and the offensive line in predictable passing downs. There needs to be a lot more screens and slants called on first and second down to help Pryor get in a rhythm. A vertical passing game is not going to work with a young quarterback and a bad line. We need to see a lot more two and three step drops for Pryor!

Opinion #2: The wideouts have hurt the offense more than any other unit this year.

My Opinion:

I say fiction here. The offensive line has by far been the most under performing unit, but the wideouts are in a close second. Let's be honest, if the offensive line was doing there job the wideouts would be looking much better at this point. Against a very average Purdue defensive line, the Buckeyes gave up three sacks. If this doesn't change, our offense will continue to struggle.

I would like to see the attitudes of the wideouts improve a little bit. Robiskie and Hartline to me have looked as if they checked out on numerous occasions, and some of their dropped balls have been an indication of this. Add that to the fact that Hartline is rumored to be a cancer in the locker room, and you have a unit in an attitude funk.

Opinion #3: Tressel has lost this team.

My Opinion:

Whether you want to believe it or not, I feel there is some fact here. The statements made by Ballard and Beanie really have to make you wonder what is going on behind the scenes. People are saying we are losing the seniors, but neither of these young men are seniors. I think we have to realize that a lot of players are frustrated with the vanilla play calling, and have really started to grumble. It was one thing for the 02 team to play the way they did, but this offense is way too talented for this kind of offensive production. I don't agree with the bad attitudes or the statements to the press, but you have to feel for these guys. Some major changes need to be made, and unless Tressel makes those this could become a trend.  

Opinion #4: Penn State is the premiere team in the Big Ten.

My Opinion:

Fact. Let's face it, Daryll Clark and gang are the real deal. Anthony Morelli held this team back at quarterback, and the Nittany Lions look like they did under Michael Robinson again. There honestly is not a wide receiving unit that can compare to Butler, Williams, and Norwood in the Big Ten. Just when you figure out how to stop them you have to worry about Evan Royster on the ground. This team is scary, and they have weapons at many positions. I refuse to count the Buckeyes out on October 25th, but they have a mighty challenge ahead. Yes the game is at home, but we are in trouble unless the offense drastically improves.

This one to me is pretty easy to see at this point. If we don't beat them at our place, the Nittany Lions are running the table. I always hold out hope, but they have beaten down everyone they have played thus far!

Dave & Drew Thurman (11:47 pm)

Dave:

1) Ohio State
2) Wisconsin
3) Illinois
4) Penn State
5) Michigan State
6) Michigan
7) Iowa
8) Purdue
9) Minnesota
10) Northwestern
11) Indiana

Drew:

1) Ohio State
2) Wisconsin
3) Penn State
4) Illinois
5) Michigan State
6) Michigan
7) Purdue
8) Northwestern
9) Indiana
10) Iowa
11) Minnesota

Overview:

Illinois - Zook continues to bring in great recruiting classes, and the Illini are sure to have a lot of talent on the field. The biggest question entering the 08 season is, who will join Juice Williams in the backfield? The Illini are sure to be interesting, and they could be a lot better than anyone thinks.

Indiana - Kellen Lewis being reinstated was a very positive thing for the Hoosiers, but they have many other holes to fill. Replacing James Hardy will be crucial for Indiana, and they also have some holes on defense. One positive is that they do not play Michigan or Ohio State.

Iowa - There really is not a lot of standouts on the Iowa team, but they are always well coached. They have a ton of question marks, and it will be difficult to improve on their 6-6 record in 2007.

Michigan - The Wolverines are the wild card in the Big Ten in 08. With a new system, a new quarterback, a new running back, and new wideouts who knows what to expect? The game between the Buckeyes and Wolverines will still be a good one though!

Michigan State - Michigan State has a dynamic combo coming back in Hoyer and Ringer. With that said, they have many holes to fill in the trenches. If Hoyer gets hot though, expect a few upsets.

Minnesota - They brought in a great recruiting class, but things still don't look that bright. The Gophers had a terrible defense last year, and that has to improve to climb in the Big Ten standings. The one positive is that they should improve on 1 win in 2007.

Northwestern - Sutton's injury really hurt the Wildcats a year ago, and his health could bring some more wins. If C.J. Bacher plays up to his potential they could be better than many people expect them to be.

Ohio State - The Buckeyes seem to be the clear front runners of the Big Ten Conference for yet another year. With an experienced defense and Beanie Wells, they could find themselves in a BCS Bowl game. They do face some tough road tests, but these could provide the challenge they finally need.

Penn State - Penn State has very experienced lines on both sides, and they have a very talented receiving core in Williams, Butler, and Norwood. How Clark performs at quarterback could make or break their season.

Purdue - It is Tiller's last year, but it might not be the ending he is hoping for. Painter is back at quarterback, but he has lost most of his targets including Dustin Keller. Probably middle of the road Big Ten team at best.

Wisconsin - Probably the biggest challenger of the Buckeyes for the Big Ten crown in 2008. They always have a great offensive line, and they are loaded at running back. Another positive is that they get Ohio State, Illinois, and Penn State at home. Watch out for the Badgers!