Home for the holidays
Two years ago, the college football pulse around these parts was as strong as ever.
Notre Dame had reawakened behind first-year coach Charlie Weis and quarterback Brady Quinn, playing an unforgettable game with USC and going to the Fiesta Bowl.
With Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Year Brett Basanez, Northwestern boasted the nation's fourth best offense and posted its first winning record since 2000.
Northern Illinois had arguably its second best team under coach Joe Novak and would have won the Mid-American Conference if not for a last-minute collapse in the league title game.
Illinois went 2-10 in 2005, but the program's future looked promising with first-year coach Ron Zook, a recruiting wizard, and exciting young linebacker J Leman.
Two years later, the local scene is practically flatlining.
Notre Dame is on the brink of the first 0-4 start in team history and still looking for an offensive touchdown. Weis apologists point to poor recruiting by Tyrone Willingham, but it's difficult to blame terrible fundamentals on a coach 2,000 miles away.
NIU has an enterprising athletic director, an attractive nonconference schedule and a sparkling new athletic facility (the $14 million Yordon Center). But you have to wonder if the winless Huskies would trade all of it for the team they had in 2003, or even 2005? The on-field product is lacking big time, and Novak's goal of a MAC title looks like a pipedream.
Northwestern AD Mark Murphy crafted a cushy schedule for a team looking to rebound from a difficult season. Sweep the non-league slate, and the Wildcats could be back in a bowl. Didn't happen. Never happens at Northwestern. Saturday's loss to Duke was inexcusable, and Pat Fitzgerald's decision to take points off the scoreboard raised questions about his ability to handle a head-coaching job.
Illinois looks like the lone hope, but wins over Western Illinois and Syracuse aren't convincing anyone. Recruiting rankings are nice. Road wins are nicer. Get one at Indiana, and we'll talk. The Illini have dropped 13 consecutive Big Ten openers, tying a league record, but a win brings momentum before home showdowns with Penn State and Wisconsin.
Sure, it's early, and there's plenty of season left for Notre Dame, Northwestern and NIU. But for the first time in years, I'm planning to be home for the holidays.
After breaking even last week - never, ever pick against Nick Saban - here are today's foursome.
Illinois at Indiana, 11 a.m., Big Ten Network
The skinny: Two Big Ten wannabes clash in Bloomington. Illinois' talented defense faces a tough test in quarterback Kellen Lewis and wide receiver James Hardy. Hoosiers by a hair.
The pick: Indiana 30, Illini 28
Penn State at Michigan, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
The skinny: Both teams beat up Notre Dame, which does not mean much. Penn State has had its heart broken in its last two trips to Ann Arbor. Redemption arrives today.
The pick: PSU 24, Michigan 20
South Carolina at LSU, 2:30 p.m.
The skinny: Steve Spurrier got a win at Georgia and has South Carolina back in the top-15. Maybe the Ol' Ball Coach can find a weakness in LSU. I can't.
The pick: LSU 30, S. Carolina 16
Georgia at Alabama, 6:45 p.m., ESPN
The skinny: I went against Nick Saban last week and got burned. Learned my lesson. Georgia's defense is tough, but the Tide roll again.
The pick: Alabama 23, Georgia 17
Rittenberg on the season: 8-4