Nov. 07--TV/radio: 11 a.m. Saturday; ESPNU, WGN-AM 720.
Line: Northwestern by 1.
Records: Northwestern 6-2, 2-2 Big Ten; Penn State 7-2, 4-1.
Last meeting: Northwestern won 29-6 on Sept. 27, 2014, in State College, Pa.
On the offensive: QB Clayton Thorson is coming off one of his best games with 303 total yards against Nebraska. The Wildcats need to get RB Justin Jackson (2.6 ypc in last three games) going again.
Getting defensive: DE Dean Lowry was named Big Ten defensive player of the week after recording 10 tackles (six for a loss) and two sacks at Nebraska. LB Anthony Walker had 10 tackles and is averaging 8.4. Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg has a 13-2 TD-INT ratio after a 12-15 mark last year.
The number: 8. Northwestern's national ranking in strength of schedule, according to ncaa.com; their opponents have gone a combined 32-16.
The talk: Both teams are bowl-eligible but would like to polish their resumes. The Wildcats have had an extra week to prepare.
Fred Mitchell's pick: The Nittany Lions have a more established offense, but the home field should count for something. Northwestern 20, Penn State 17.
