Scouting: E. Michigan @ Northwestern

Eastern Michigan (0-1) at Northwestern (1-0)

When: 11 a.m. at Ryan Field

TV: Big Ten Network Radio: WCPT 820-AM, WNUR 89.3-FM

Series: Northwestern leads 2-0.

Coaches: Ron English (0-1, first year at EMU); Pat Fitzgerald (20-18, fourth year at NU).

Players to watch: Eastern Michigan senior QB Andy Schmitt has thrown for 5,622 yards and 32 TDs during his career, but now he pilots an offense that's more about balanced than flinging it all over the lot. Junior RB Dwayne Priest rushed 19 times for 83 yards in the season-opening 27-14 home loss to Army. Senior DE Brandon Downs had 2 sacks last week, while senior punter Zach Johnson averaged 46.8 yards on his six boots.

Senior Andrew Brewer outed himself from Northwestern's self-labeled group of "No-Name Receivers" with his 6 catches for 145 yards and first career receiving touchdown. True freshman RB Arby Fields did a similar thing with 6 carries for 48 yards and 2 scores. OLB Quentin Davie led the defense with 9 tackles, but senior cornerback Sherrick McManis is listed as doubtful to make his 31st straight game after suffering a leg injury last week against Towson.

The skinny: Northwestern didn't impress any national pollsters with its 47-17 opening-week skunking of Towson. The Wildcats lost their only vote in the AP Top 25 and lost a point in the coaches poll. NU probably won't gain any popularity points against a rebuilding EMU squad that was pegged for last place in the MAC West, but Pat Fitzgerald cautions that the Eagles are loaded with speed if not complete familiarity with the new offensive scheme: "It's going to be a little bit of growing pains, initially, for them as they go through kind of making the transition from being a four-wide and empty team to more of a traditional offense."