For Walker and Hoeppner, focus was always on players

Randy Walker and Terry Hoeppner wouldn't have wanted Saturday to be about them.

They would have steered the spotlight toward their teams, both of which remain in bowl contention with two games remaining. Sure, they would have talked about their deep-rooted friendship, their teeth-cutting as young coaches, their nine years together at Miami (Ohio), their penchant for spirited political discussions, the close bond between their wives Tammy and Jane, and their gratitude for running Big Ten football programs.

But before long, Walker would change the subject and start talking about Johnny off the pickle boat or Chuckles the Clown. Hoeppner would begin reciting his inspirational thought of the day.

Then they would remind everyone that Saturday should be about the kids. Neither Walker nor Hoeppner was a "me" guy. They weren't egomaniacs eyeing their next career move.

Northwestern was Walker's last stop. Indiana was Hoeppner's dream job. Saturday would have a celebration of their life's work.

So when Northwestern and Indiana meet at Ryan Field (11 a.m., ESPN Classic), we would be remiss not to remember the two men who left indelible marks on both programs.

Their reunion tragically never took place. Walker died suddenly of a heart attack on June 29, 2006. Three hundred and 55 days later, Hoeppner died of complications from a brain tumor.

But the spirit of both coaches remains with their players and their successors.

"Both teams will have a big smile on their face when they think about Randy and Terry," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "This was going to be their first opportunity to play each other in Big Ten play.

"It would have been a blast."

Walker and Hoeppner faced each other twice, first in 1999, when Hoeppner coached his first game as Miami's head man after succeeding Walker. Miami beat Northwestern 28-3 and four years later registered another win in Evanston behind Ben Roethlisberger.

At 6-4, Indiana can secure its first bowl berth since 1993 with a win Saturday. Hoeppner's widow Jane, who much like Tammy Walker maintains close ties with the program, will attend the game.

"Their foundation was set with Randy and ours with Terry - two guys who worked together for a long time," Indiana coach Bill Lynch told ESPN.com. "We're certainly carrying on what Terry started here, and Pat has done a really good job of continuing what Randy instilled there."

The picks

My mistrust in Virginia prevented a perfect week, but even a November nosedive won't tarnish the season record. Here are this week's pick four.

Michigan at Wisconsin, 11 a.m., ESPN

The skinny: The Badgers have allowed 6 points in their last two home games, but Michigan has been unflappable in the fourth quarter on the road.

The pick: Michigan 27, Wisconsin 24

Air Force at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m., Channel 5

The skinny: Navy beat Air Force, but the Falcons have a much better defense (19th nationally in scoring).

The pick: Air Force 24, Notre Dame 14

Auburn at Georgia, 2:30 p.m., CBS

The skinny: Auburn has road wins at Florida and Arkansas, but the rumors of coach Tommy Tuberville heading to Texas A&M can't be good for morale.

The pick: Georgia 24, Auburn 20

Fresno State at Hawaii, 10 p.m., ESPN2

The skinny: The undefeated Warriors are worth staying up for, even if they don't have a prayer of reaching a BCS game.

The pick: Hawaii 44, Fresno State 28

Rittenberg on the season: 29-11