• The GoÂphers aren't the only Big Ten team that loves its defense. Northwestern leads the naÂtion in scorÂing defense (5.3 points per game), and four othÂer teams rank in the top 17: OÂhiÂo State (12.3), MichÂiÂgan (12.7), WisÂconÂsin (12.7) and Penn State (14.7). Minnesota (16.7) is tied for 26th.
• MeanÂwhile, defense is conÂcern No. 1 for new NeÂbrasÂka coach Mike RiÂley. The CornÂhuskÂers have surÂrenÂdered 26 points per game. They've givÂen up a conÂferÂence-high 13 plays longÂer than 30 yards. The GoÂphers, by comÂparÂiÂson, have alÂlowed two. NeÂbrasÂka ranks 127th out of 128 FBS teams in pass defense (357 yards per game). The old Blackshirts wouldn't have it. NeÂbrasÂka is also the naÂtion's fourth-most peÂnalÂized team, committing 10.3 penÂalÂties per game.
• RutÂgers inÂterÂim head coach Norries WilÂson has been a breath of fresh air, with Kyle Flood serÂving a three-game susÂpenÂsion, and the team at 1-2, amid a swirl of othÂer bad off-field news. The 6-6 WilÂson was a capÂtain and two-year startÂing ofÂfenÂsive lineÂman for the GoÂphers beÂfore graduÂatÂing in 1989. The IlÂliÂnois naÂtive was the head coach at CoÂlumÂbia beÂfore beÂcomÂing the runÂning backs coach at RutÂgers. PlayÂers love his no-nonÂsense, down-to-earth style.