ESPN College Football

Can the Hawkeyes muster a running game? Will Michael Hart get carried away with success? How much will the Badgers miss Erasmus James? Our Big Ten notebook answers there questions and more.

Illinois
Coach Ron Turner's early reviews of Jon Beutjer's performance didn't hold up. After the Illini's 30-19 loss to Michigan, Turner said of his sixth-year QB: "He was very confident, very aggressive. I thought in the first half especially, he played very well." It turns out that Beutjer will be benched after throwing three interceptions and completing 20 passes in 39 attempts. Saying Illinois needs better play from its QB, Turner said he would decide later in the week whether to start Chris Pazan, Tim Brasic or Brad Bower at Minnesota.

The Illini cried foul after the Michigan loss even though they were flagged for just two penalties, eight fewer than the Wolverines. Said Turner: "I'd better be careful what I say ... but it was quite obvious we were playing Michigan today." The officials missed at least one obvious hold, when Michigan's Braylon Edwards grabbed Kelvin Hayden's jersey on a five-yard Mike Hart run that led to a touchdown.

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