We’ll start with the betting lines, with a little twist. Northwestern’s season is over, but the Wildcats will have a close eye on the Oregon-Oregon State clash Saturday night. If the Ducks win the “Civil War”, NU will most likely move up in bowl position; if Oregon State wins, the Cats have no shot at a New Year’s Day bowl game.

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First, the betting lines, and this week’s line might be my favorite of the year. We’ve seen Northwestern get shafted (underdog at 3-7 Michigan? really?). Now, the 8-3 Wildcats are a three-point underdog at home to an Illinois team that’s 5-6 and lost to Western Michigan two weeks ago.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald consistently talks about his team not caring what the media and the outside world writes or says about the Cats. But if the players need any extra motivation, they should take a look at that line.

On to the Week 12 musings around the local newspapers…

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Before I clear up the bowl alphabet soup facing Northwestern, a quick shout-out to sophomore defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, who is out for the season after suffering a knee injury against Michigan. Bryant has been one of the keys to the Wildcats’ stifling run defense, anchoring the middle of the field along with John Gill. He’ll be sorely missed.

Also, here’s a random important stat this week. In the Cats’ four Big Ten road games, they have given up a total of seven points in the second half. That’s one touchdown in eight quarters of football. Indiana scored a third-quarter touchdown, and that’s it.

Quite an improvement for this defense.

Anyway, back to the bowl picture. For starters, the Big Ten conference has contracts with seven bowls. Those bowls pick in this order:

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Some random thoughts from Saturday’s “Wow” win in Minneapolis..

-The victory was Northwestern first against a ranked opponent since Oct. 22, 2005, when the Wildcats torched No. 22 Michigan State, 49-14. In that game, quarterback Brett Basanez burned the Spartans through the air, passing for 331 yards and two touchdowns. This time, quarterback Mike Kafka used his feet, dancing down the field for 217 rushing yards. That set an NU record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

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As always, a quick look at the betting line for Saturday. And this week, it is a very quick look. Northwestern will go into the Metrodome as a seven-point underdog, which seems about right. Without Tyrell Sutton and with C.J. Bacher playing injured at best, the Wildcats were sure to be heavy underdogs to a resurgent No. 20 Minnesota.

Anyway…

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National media, meet Northwestern. The Wildcats have moved onto the national stage after their 5-0 start, and the press has responded — positively. Let’s see who’s right and who’s wrong this week.

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Traditionally, football teams both in college and the NFL use a bye week to recuperate and get healthy for the rest of the season. The Wildcats are no different. Coach Pat Fitzgerald has held shorter practices and rotated his players in and out of the action, allowing his starting units to rest a little.

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Before I get into the truths and untruths of various media reports about Northwestern football, a quick thought on the betting line for Saturday’s game at Iowa. Now, I know that the Wildcats have basically feasted on cupcakes so far this season – they haven’t played a single team that currently has a vote in either the AP or USA Today/Coaches Poll. That being said… eight-point underdogs? Really? I mean, Iowa’s biggest win came against Big 12 patsy Iowa State, and they lost to a Pittsburgh team that may or may not be mediocre. The skewed line is yet another example of NU being shafted by the general public. Maybe a win would shut the naysayers up. Which leads me to…
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