Northwestern secondary banged up, but will it matter against Penn State?

Teddy Greenstein talked about Northwestern's less-than-healthy secondary in today's Chicago Tribune...

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"Penn State will take ten shots Saturday," head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "I guarantee you there will be ten deep balls."

That will put the spotlight on a banged-up and suddenly inexperienced NU secondary.

The foursome of cornerbacks Sherrick McManis and Jordan Mabin and safeties Brendan Smith and Brad Phillips were viewed as the savviest and most battle-tested group in the league.

But McManis reinjured his quadriceps Saturday against Indiana, and it's a stretch to think he'll play at full strength against Penn State.

Fitzgerald's most hopeful remark was that McManis "moved around a little bit" during a Monday morning workout.

Phillips, limited by a shoulder injury against Indiana, has more bruises than a carton of peaches. Smith had surgery on his thumb, and his status won't be known until Thursday.

Fellow safety Brian Peters played with a cast protecting his left hand Saturday.

The result? Unproven defensive backs such as walk-on Ricky Weina, Demetrius Dugar, and Jared Carpenter must shoulder the load.

We are skeptical of Fitzgerald's claim of ten deep balls from the Nittany Lions in light of Saturday's forecast. A chance of rain with a 20 MPH crosswind would seem to dictate a ground war.

If that happens, it would appear Penn State has a distinct advantage...

• Big Ten Rushing Offense
  Penn State: 3rd (184 yards per game)
  Northwestern: 10th (122 yards per game)
• Big Ten Rushing Defense
  Penn State: 1st (80 yards per game)
  Northwestern: 5th (117 yards per game)
• Percentage of Total Yards gained by passing
  Northwestern: 69%
  Penn State: 57%

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