Northwestern sticking to their guns
First, a warning to Northwestern fans.
If you expect the Wildcats to rework their offensive strategy in light of consecutive fourth-quarter collapses, you're out of luck.
NU's approach against Indiana today likely won't be a dramatic departure from what it has done in the past.
NU has been outscored 35-0 and outgained 339-23 in the fourth quarter the last two weeks. The Wildcats have ditched the ground game when faced with any kind of deficit, calling no designed runs in the fourth quarter at Purdue and only 2 last week against Iowa.
But offensive coordinator Garrick McGee and his players attribute the struggles primarily to turnovers and minor technical breakdowns, not run-pass distribution.
"You have to know who you are, and you can't be everything," McGee said. "Once you develop a staple, that's what you lean on when the game's on the line. We're the No. 1 passing team in the Big Ten, so when the (crud) hits the fan, we go back to exactly who we are and what has got us this far.
"As of right now, what has gotten us this far is throwing the football around the field, giving (quarterback C.J. Bacher) and our receivers the chance to win games for us."
Trusting what has worked, especially during a three-game winning streak in October, has been NU's dominant theme as it enters a decisive two-game stretch. The Wildcats have to win out to nail down a bowl berth, and given their opposition (Indiana and Illinois), they likely will need a fourth-quarter renaissance to play beyond Nov. 17.
What will happen the next time the Wildcats find themselves in a nail-biter?
"We're going to score points," running back Tyrell Sutton said. "We have no other choice. We tend to make the road to a bowl game that much harder.
"They don't call us the Cardiac Cats for nothing."
A new nickname (Collapsing Cats) could surface if NU can't beat IU, which seeks to secure its first bowl berth since 1993 with a win.
Given NU's track record against good passing teams, today's game could bring trouble. Indiana boasts arguably the Big Ten's most dangerous passing combination in Kellen Lewis and James Hardy, who have connected for 13 touchdowns this season.
The 6-foot-7 Hardy needs 2 receptions and 29 receiving yards to become Indiana's all-time leader in both categories. He has a record 13 career 100-yard games and has caught 23 TD passes from Lewis in 19 games.
"We have to put a little extra attention on him," said NU senior cornerback Deante Battle. "When they get down toward the goal line, they like to throw it up to him. You can count on that fade route."
NU collected a season-high 6 sacks last week, but tackling Lewis could be much tougher. The 6-1 sophomore leads Indiana in rushing with 587 yards and 5 touchdowns.
"His comfort is more outside the pocket -- that's where he makes most of his plays," defensive end Corey Wootton said.
The Wildcats lead the league in total offense but rank 10th in scoring (25.7 ppg), a discrepancy stemming largely from drive-killing sacks. After allowing 6 last week, NU faces Big Ten sacks leader Greg Middleton, who has 13½.
Indiana (6-4, 2-4) at Northwestern (5-5, 2-4)
When: 11 a.m. at Ryan Field
TV: ESPN Classic Radio: WGN 720-AM, WNUR 89.3-FM
Series: Northwestern leads 41-33-1
Coaches: Bill Lynch (6-4, first year at Indiana; 87-71-3, 15th year overall); Pat Fitzgerald (9-13, second year at NU and overall)
Players to watch: Indiana senior cornerback Tracy Porter has 4 interceptions in each of the last two seasons. Hoosiers junior place-kicker Austin Starr has made a school-record 14 consecutive field-goal attempts. … NU middle linebacker Adam Kadela has made 9 or more tackles in six of his last seven games. Wildcats wide receiver Eric Peterman is averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
The skinny: After back-to-back fourth quarter meltdowns, Northwestern needs wins in the final two games to reach a bowl game. The mission begins on Senior Day against an improved Indiana team that Northwestern hasn't faced since 2004. Wildcats backup running back Omar Conteh will miss his second consecutive game with a sprained ankle. Senior Justin Pines likely will handle the kickoff duties for the second straight game. NU will honor its 18 seniors before the game.
-- Adam Rittenberg