Short takes

• With the Gophers headed to Maryland next week, the Terps might be a bigger challenge than anticipated. Maryland (4-0) is favored to win Saturday at Penn State. The Terps look much improved under first-year coach D.J. Durkin, but the opponents have been some of the weakest in college football: Howard, Florida International, Central Florida and Purdue. The Terps' visit to Beaver Stadium will be a much better barometer.

• Nebraska lost WR Jordan Westerkamp (back) and TE Cethan Carter (elbow) to injuries at Illinois. The bye week will give them to heal. Coach Mike Riley doesn't expect either back for Indiana (Oct. 15) but possibly for Purdue (Oct. 22). Both should be closer to full speed by the key two-game stretch at Wisconsin (Oct. 29) and Ohio State (Nov. 5).

• Indiana gave Kevin Wilson a signature win last week over Michigan State, and the Hoosiers are still 29-point underdogs heading to Ohio State. Yes, the Buckeyes are that good. When will Urban Meyer's juggernaut get tested again? Probably next week at Wisconsin. The Badgers have a bye week to get ready for that one after last week's one-touchdown loss to No. 4 Michigan.