Midweek Buzz in the Big Ten

Tressel quiet about Wells' injury

While everyone around college football is curious about what exactly is wrong with Buckeye star running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. Tressel is forcing everyone to play the waiting game. All that has been revealed is that it is a toe injury. With a game against Ohio coming back it would make sense to sit him out. But will he be ready for the showdown with USC in Week 3? Is Tressel playing mind games to keep USC on its toes or does he not want to reveal that the injury that could really limit his stud running back? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Northwestern looks to prove themselves

Northwestern is usually a team that falls into the bottom half of the Big Ten standings year after year. After a solid 30-10 victory over Syracuse in Week 1, the Wildcats are looking to keep things going at Duke in week 2. Now everyone may think this will be a blowout because Duke football is just a joke. However, last year Duke came into Northwestern and upset them 20-14. So the Wildcats will look to prove themselves as solid football team and get revenge for last year.

Can Michigan's offense get it going?

With another disappointing home loss in week 1 Michigan is looking to rebound. The biggest question mark from Week 1 was the new spread offense that Coach Rodriquez brought from West Virginia. The offense was only able to compile 203 yards of total offense. The quarterback situation is a huge question mark and it looks as if redshirt freshman Steven Threet will get the start over sophmore Nick Sheridan in Week 2 after his performance of the second half last week.

Hawkeyes look to continue progressing on offense

After a solid running performance from Shonn Greene and Jewel Hampton in Week 1 against Maine the offense still looks to improve. With many of the questions in regard to the running game answered the pressure now turns to the quarterback play. Although both Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi did nothing to cost their team the game they also didn't do anything that stood out that will help them win against better competition. Combined the quarterbacks were 18/29 for 212 yards a TD and an INT. The numbers don't look terrible but their were some questionable throws and the Hawkeyes can expect to see better run defenses in the future that force them to throw more.


Can the Illini defense hold their own?

Watching the Illinois/ Missouri game last week I was disgusted by the play of the Illini defense. Quarterback Juice Williams and the offense did their part, scoring 42 points but the defense and special teams couldn't stop the Missouri offense. Terrible tackling and coverage was a definite hole in the defense. If the Illini hope to repeat or come close to the success they achieve in 2007 they will have to work harder on the defensive side of the ball because the offense will be there.

That's my look inside some of the buzz surrounding Week 2 of Big Ten Football.