Northwestern, Minnesota meet in Big Ten opener

With a win, Northwestern would match its best start since 2012. Minnesota has won and covered the spread in the last two meetings with the Wildcats. With two strong defenses on the field points will be hard to come by on Saturday, and if I were willing to bet I’d take the under on the over-under.

“Great challenge”, coach Pat Fitzgerald said.

For the first time this season against a Power 5 opponent, Northwestern will be the favorite.

Ohio safety Devin Jones (13) tackles Minnesota quarterback Mitch… This year’s Wildcats are playing just like their coach.

Northwestern also boasts the Big Ten’s top rushing offense entering conference play, but they’re dead last in passing offense. The Gophers got a few good news, injury-wise, when they found out CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun will not need surgery on the knee he injured last Saturday against Ohio.

But according to Today’s U Sports, since 2010, Northwestern has proved to be a dominating team in September only to fold up like a bottom feeder when they play Big Ten games in October. Antonio Johnson (concussion) and KiAnte Hardin (ankle) were injured against the Bobcats.

ON REBOUND: Leidner answered fans’ calls for a switch by throwing for a career-high 264 yards in last week’s 27-24 victory over Ohio. That came on the heels for an ugly 10-7 win over Kent State.

CLAMPING DOWN: Northwestern’s defense has been among the stingiest in the nation. The over/under total for the game has been set at 40 points.

Last season was The Year of the Running Back in the Big Ten, so you’re forgiven for missing Justin Jackson’s 1,187-yard freshman campaign.

Austin Jackson hit a three-run homer, Anthony Rizzo added an RBI double and the Chicago Cubs kept alive their slim hopes for home-field advantage in the wild-card game with a 5-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on…