Northwestern focused on Illini, not bowl

Oddsmakers have installed Illinois as a 21/2-point favorite for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk game Saturday (2:30 p.m., Big Ten Network) at Northwestern.

In doing so, the gaming industry has run afoul of an overwhelming trend when it comes to this in-state rivalry.

Since 1993, when Pat Fitzgerald became a member of the Northwestern football family (to borrow one of Fitz's favorite phrases), the team that entered the game with the better record won the Tomahawk 14 out of 15 times.

That means the Wildcats (8-3, 4-3), who can do no worse than the Champs Sports Bowl with a win, should be favored to knock the Illini (5-6, 3-4) out of bowl contention.

But Northwestern isn't spending any time trying to project which bowl will be its host for the holidays.

"We don't talk about it," said senior guard Keegan Kennedy. "And if I hear someone talking about it - or one of the older guys hears someone talking about it - then we just tell them, 'Let's stop talking about it.'

"Because it just brings up stuff that we don't need when we have a big game Saturday. - I just want everyone to be focused on what they have to do so we're successful on Saturday."

All-Big Ten alert: Since Saturday marks the final home game for 23 seniors, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald pointed his spotlight at those guys on Monday.

But since all-Big Ten balloting gets done this week, Fitzgerald also took a moment to boost the candidacy for fourth-year junior defensive end Corey Wootton.

The 6-foot-7 New Jersey native ranks fifth in the Big Ten in sacks (81/2) and tied for sixth in tackles for loss (141/2).

"His motor has been relentless in practice," Fitzgerald said. "And his play on Saturday has been a direct result of the way that he practices every single day.

"I have not seen Corey take one play for granted in practice, and that has carried over into games. He has played the best football of his career this year."

Fitz lauds Miller: Illinois senior Brit Miller ranks third nationally in tackles (124) and is among the Big Ten's top eight in tackles for loss (151/2) and sacks (6). Those statistics, and the passion with which he has piled up those numbers, had College Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Pat Fitzgerald raving about Miller.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve and that's the way he plays," said Fitzgerald, who also has caught a fistful of Miller's star turns on Big Ten Network's "The Journey."

"He plays with everything in him. He's got very good instincts.

"If he's on the all-Big Ten ballot, he's a guy I'm definitely going to vote for. He's a guy I think plays the way you should."

Miller's response?

"That definitely made a smile come to my face right now," he said. "I've watched film on (Fitzgerald). He played with great passion."

Bryant done: Another game, another season-ending injury to report for a Northwestern starter.

Sophomore defensive tackle Corbin Bryant injured his knee and won't play the rest of the year.

Bryant started eight games and contributed 28 tackles - including 51/2 for losses - and 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

Junior Adam Hahn, who boasts 23 career starts, takes the Morgan Park High School graduate's spot while Marshall Thomas becomes the third tackle.

Backup quarterback Mike Kafka, who suffered a concussion Saturday at Michigan, received the "I fully expect Mike to play" thumbs-up from coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Tickets available: Northwestern has been hyping its regular-season finale for weeks with an "I Choose the 'Cats" ballot-box theme, but seats are readily available.

End-zone seats are $35. All other reserved seats are $50. Groups of 50 or more get reserved tickets for $25 as well as a bunch of perks.