Illini won't have easy time with W. Michigan

Here's a breakdown of three games Saturday involving Illinois, Northwester and Notre Dame:

Western Michigan (7-2) vs. Illinois (5-4)

When: 11 a.m. at Ford Field

TV: WPWR Channel 50

Radio: WIND 560-AM

Series: Illinois leads 2-0.

Coaches: Bill Cubit (26-18, fourth year at WMU; 60-36-1 in ninth year overall); Ron Zook (18-27, fourth year at Illinois; 41-41 in seventh year overall).

Players to watch: Western Michigan boasts the nation's No. 6 passing offense thanks to junior QB Tim Hiller (255 of 372 for 2,856 yards, 28 TDs and 5 INT) and four excellent receivers led by Jamarko Simmons (73 catches, 830 yards, 6 TDs). FS Louis Delmas leads the defense in tackles (75) and interceptions (4).

Over the last two weeks, Illinois QB Juice Williams has thrown 5 interceptions while rushing for just 34 yards. RB Dan Dufrene (539 rushing yards) is back in the fold after missing last week for "personal reasons." S Donsay Hardeman picked up his first career INT last week while also delivering two huge hits.

The skinny: The Illini become bowl-eligible with a win, but it won't be easy. Ron Zook has been trying to sell his guys that, like last week's home win over Iowa, this game could come down to a game-winning field goal. Not only are the Broncos the closest thing to Missouri that the Illini have seen this year, their scheme and offensive line have combined to allow just 11 sacks this year. That's not good for an Illinois defensive line that felt like it hit its stride with 6 sacks after halftime against Iowa. And where's Illinois' rushing attack? Juice Williams and Co., have managed 88 yards or less in three of the last four games.

Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) at Northwestern (7-2, 3-2)

When: 11:02 a.m. at Ryan Field

TV: ESPN2

Radio: WGN 720-AM, WNUR 89.3-FM

Series: Ohio State leads 58-14-1.

Coaches: Jim Tressel (80-18 in eighth year at OSU, 215-72-2 in 23rd year overall); Pat Fitzgerald (17-16, third year at NU).

Players to watch: As usual, Ohio State's roster overflows with first-round draft picks and national-award finalists. ILB James Laurinaitis ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally with 10 tackles per game. RB Beanie Wells, after ditching his well-publicized toe problem, owns 563 rushing yards and 3 TDs in the last five games. Opponents seldom throw in CB Malcolm Jenkins' direction: the all-American has just 3 INT and 5 PBU.

Northwestern's offensive predicament against the nation's No. 8 scoring defense grew tougher when backup RB Omar Conteh injured his left knee during Wednesday's practice. That leaves 5-foot-8, 175-pound redshirt sophomore Stephen Simmons, who owns 8 career carries for 16 yards, as the new top RB. Pat Fitzgerald hasn't revealed who'll start at QB, though common sense says Big Ten co-offensive player of the week Mike Kafka gets the nod over a C.J. Bacher whose hamstring leaves him "probable."

The skinny: The No. 24 Wildcats and No. 11 Buckeyes are just one of six matchups between BCS Top 25 teams this week, but this "rivalry" certainly hasn't been close in recent years. After Northwestern shocked Ohio State in overtime in 2004, the Buckeyes have won the last three games by a combined 160-24 score. NU's defense will try different schemes to try to confuse true freshman QB Terrelle Pryor, though the prodigy hasn't been mistake-prone aside from his key fumble against Penn State two weeks ago. Pryor has hit 65 percent of his throws for 879 yards, 6 TDs and just 3 INT while rushing for 417 yards and 5 scores.

Notre Dame (5-3) at Boston College (5-3)

When: 7 p.m. at Alumni Stadium

TV: ESPN

Radio: WLS 890-AM

Series: Notre Dame leads 9-8.

Coaches: Charlie Weis (27-18, fourth year at Notre Dame); Jeff Jagodzinski (16-6, second year at Boston College).

Players to watch: Notre Dame soph QB Jimmy Clausen faces a big challenge as the nation's No. 18 passing offense (263.6 ypg with 18 TDs) faces the nation's No. 12 pass-efficiency defense. True freshman Michael Floyd caught 10 passes for 100 yards and 2 TDs last week against Pitt. DB David Bruton is coming off a monstrous effort with 16 tackles and an INT.

Boston College doesn't have any amazing skill-position players. Senior QB Chris Crane has 12 INTs versus 8 TD passes, while true freshman Montel Harris paces the runners with 411 yards and 4 TDs. Junior LB Mark Herzlich, a Lott Trophy quarterfinalist, heads a veteran defense with 58 stops and 3 INT. LB Mike Morrissey (Stevenson HS) earned a scholarship this year, though he has played in just 1 game.

The skinny: Boston College, which ranks 10th nationally in total defense (274.8 ypg), has won the last five in this rivalry. The Eagles are trying to join Michigan (1887-08), Michigan State (1955-63) and USC (2002-present) as the only schools to put together a six-game streak against the Irish. If you're into comparing scores, BC lost 45-24 at North Carolina just two weeks after Notre Dame lost 29-24 in Chapel Hill. If you're into turnover margins, which seem to be crucial to both teams this year, Notre Dame is plus-2 for the year and BC is plus-1.