Nov. 19--Minnesota coach Jerry Kill can predict the mood Nebraska will be in when the teams meet Saturday.
"They won't be in a very good one," he said, "and they'll play their tails off."
Kill doesn't expect the Cornhuskers (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) to have their tails tucked after getting stomped 59-24 at Wisconsin on Saturday.
"You'd much rather play a Bo Pelini team that won a game than not won a game," Kill said during Tuesday's Big Ten coaches teleconference. "He'll get it fixed, and they'll be ready to play. I promise you that."
The Gophers (7-3, 4-2) travel to Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday for a significant game in the Big Ten West Division race. With two regular-season games remaining, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota are tied in second place in the standings behind Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1).
Minnesota, coming off a 31-24 loss to Ohio State, must end its season with road victories against the Cornhuskers and Wisconsin to earn a trip to the Big Ten championship in which they likely would face a rematch with the Buckeyes.
"I addressed it right after the (Ohio State) game," Kill said. "It's better to be in control of your own destiny than (need to) see someone win or lose. This team has bounced back from some things and have handled themselves mentally pretty well. We're excited about the opportunity of the situation we're in but you have to take advantage of it."
The last time Minnesota played at Nebraska they lost 38-14 in 2012. They beat the 'Huskers last season 34-23 at home.
It's easy to argue the Gophers are a better team than they were in either of those seasons, save a boggling loss at Illinois last month.
Notching another victory against Nebraska would validate further the Gophers are serious contenders.
"Our kids are a different team than what we've been," Kill said. "We've gotten much better. Winning on the road in the Big Ten or anywhere is not easy to do. That's what we have to do to put ourselves in position to win our (division)."
'Unusual' year: Michigan coach Brady Hoke said the dismissal of defensive end Frank Clark, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge, was just the latest negative -- and arguably worst -- story line to come out of Ann Arbor, Mich., this year
"No. 1, I think it has been an unusual year for everybody," Hoke said. "The one thing I can tell you about our football team, they've continued to work hard. They've stayed united."
The Wolverines are looking for a sixth victory Saturday to become bowl eligible. Maryland visits for their home finale. He hopes the adversity of losing a player somehow makes the team more cohesive.
"It could be the month of November or preseason, (if) you're going to have a suspension it's always something that your team pulls together," Hoke said. "There are guys who have to step up now."
Breaking news: Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was caught off guard when asked about former receiver Derrick Willies' reported plans to return to the Hawkeyes.
The freshman had left the team last month when he said he wanted to be closer to his ill father in Illinois, but told an Iowa website that he wanted to return.
"That's news to me," Ferentz said. "Whatever site that was on, I must have missed it. We've actually been trying to get ready for this game (on Saturday against Wisconsin).
He said Willies' return was a "hypothetical" that he couldn't focus on now.
"Late breaking news," he said. "I just heard it three minutes ago" when a reporter on the Big Ten call asked about it. "It's probably fair to say for the next 11 days I'll be thinking about the teams we're playing. That's where my thoughts are right now."
Extra points: After Indiana running back Tevin Coleman recorded an oddly quiet 307-yard game in a loss to Rutgers, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer took notice. "The tailback is ridiculous," he said. "He's definitely an NFL running back." ... Wide receiver Mikey Dudek has been a rare bright spot for Illinois. So coaches want him on the field even more, starting in Saturday's home finale against Penn State. "Dudek will be involved in the kickoff return game this week," coach Tim Beckman said. ... Maryland coach Randy Edsall wouldn't disclose much about injured receiver Stefon Diggs. He was suspended for Saturday's loss to Michigan State, but he had suffered a lacerated kidney during the Terps' victory against Penn State on Nov. 1. Will he play at Michigan this weekend? "We'll make a determination at the end of the week," Edsall said. ... Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said Purdue and the Wildcats, who meet on Saturday, are similar teams. "They should have a few more wins, a lot like us," he said. ... Penn State safety Ryan Keiser is returning to campus after suffering a fractured rib and bowel injury during an October practice. Coach James Franklin didn't sound hopeful Keiser would be with the team at Illinois, but he said Keiser's presence around the team will be emotional this week. "His presence around the facility will be important," Franklin said. "He needs this right now. His family needs this right now."
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