The Bulls almost looked like a well-oiled machine in the Friday win over the Pelicans, but if they truly want to be a contender in the East they’ll need all five starters on board and aggressive. That means Williams joining the mix.

The defense was once again stifling.

The big three were a handful on the offensive end most of the night.

Point guard Lonzo Ball was electric as he messed around and got the triple-double.

And the bench put together its very own mix tape, whether it was video-game-like dunks or handcuffing opposing ball handlers.

An almost perfect home opener for the Bulls on Friday, as they overwhelmed the Zion Williamson-less Pelicans 128-112 at the United Center.

And as soon as Patrick Williams wants to jump into the fray, well, then the Bulls will really have something to be excited about.

No big deal, it’s early, one may say?

Not the case when this roster is talking about not only reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but contending in the Eastern Conference. And with the way Miami, Atlanta, New York, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn are constructed, this will need to be a five-man starting party.

Williams was given a pass last season, despite being the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 draft. He didn’t have the luxury of working out with the veterans, a Summer League, or a mini-camp because of the coronavirus shutting down his summer going into his rookie season.

But Year 2 was about development. It was about Williams showing that his trajectory is that of a high draft pick. So far his passiveness resembles a guy satisfied with developing into a role player. Enough so that coach Billy Donovan was already looking for ways to get Williams going.

“He’s such a team-oriented guy, and listen when he’s out there with DeMar [DeRozan], and Zach [LaVine], and Vooch [Nikola Vucevic], who are just really, really established offensive players in this league, at times he’s not going to be a primary option,” Donovan said. “But I think I personally can do a better job of trying to put him into some positions where he can play maybe to his strengths, besides cutting and just getting to the backboard and getting out in transition.”

Early on Friday, that didn’t happen.

Williams passed up two open shots and seemed to be satisfied with DeRozan setting the offensive tone in the first, and then LaVine erupting for 20 points in the second quarter. Williams did get going a bit in the second, staggered with a few of the bench, and that might be the way Donovan goes for a bit.

As far as what Williams thinks, he’s remained dismissive of being aggressive, explaining it off as playing winning basketball.

“The expectation here has been to win,” Williams said. “It’s been that way since day one. The first practice, the first meeting that we had as a team last year, the front office was there, Coach Donovan said, ‘We’re not here to take it slow. We’re here to win.’ And I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s a part of basketball, just being able to balance. Picking your spots. Knowing when and where your shots are. And also playing your role and sacrificing for the team.”

Sacrifice shouldn’t involve moving to the backseat for Williams, however.

The win over New Orleans (0-2) should be yet another lesson for Williams. There were times he could have carried the load, especially since LaVine didn’t score at all in that opening quarter.

Then the takeover happened, as LaVine found his rhythm, finishing with 32. Vucevic had 10 points and five assists, DeRozan chipped in with 26, while Ball had 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 10 assists against his former team.

Williams had eight.

The good news for the Bulls (2-0) is it’s still very early and Williams is a willing student. But he’s really missing out on some fun.

“We’re out there having fun,” LaVine said of the latest win. “I think everyone sees that. We just have a totally different energy with this team.”

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Five people were shot October 22, 2021 in Chatham. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

The group was standing outside about 9 p.m. in the 800 block of East 79th Street when someone opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Five people wounded in a shooting Friday night in Chatham on the South Side.

The group was standing outside about 9 p.m. in the 800 block of East 79th Street when someone opened fire before fleeing the scene, Chicago police said.

A male and female, whose ages weren’t known, were shot in the arm and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. The male was in critical condition and the female was stabilized.

A 50-year-old woman was shot in the arm while a man, also 50, was struck in the ankle, police said. Another man, 43, was shot in the shoulder.

They were all stabilized and taken to the same hospital, according to police.

Area Two detectives are investigating.

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Brother Rice’s Luke Niksic (2) and Sean Kinard (12) stop Marist’s Ryan Sims (4) from catching a pass. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

No. 4 Brother Rice’s 40-21 win at No. 12 Marist on Friday in the Pulaski Road Super Bowl wasn’t just a big rivalry win. It was a statement to the rest of the state that things may have changed.

Brother Rice has a state championship caliber offense. That’s been clear for most of the season. Quarterback Jack Lausch, running back Aaron Vaughn and a talented group of receivers has been piling up points for two months.

All the question marks have been on the other side of the ball. The Crusaders’ defense allowed an average of 46 points in games against Loyola, Mount Carmel and Joliet Catholic.

So No. 4 Brother Rice’s 40-21 win at No. 12 Marist on Friday in the Pulaski Road Super Bowl wasn’t just a big rivalry win. It was a statement to the rest of the state that things may have changed.

“I’m proud of [the defense],” Lausch said. “Proud of the way they fought and persevered through everything. That’s what they do. They had a great performance and will keep building on that.”

The RedHawks (6-3, 0-3 CCL/ESCC Blue) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. But then the Brother Rice defense buckled down.

“[The defense] had a talk and it was up from there,” Crusaders defensive back Dameon Hall said. “We stayed together. Everyone did their job, no one was selfish and we came out with the victory.”

Hall and Sean Kinard each had interceptions in the third quarter. The Crusaders (7-2, 2-1) were solid against the run for most of the game, limiting Marist running back Jaylen Johnson to 27 yards and speedy quarterback Dontrell Jackson to -3 yards.

“We haven’t had our group of guys the whole year,” Brother Rice coach Brian Badke said. “We’ve had some injuries. We are finally getting healthy and they are playing better together and getting good at the right time.

Jackson, a Coastal Carolina recruit, was 14-for-28 for 248 yards with two interceptions. Johnson scored two rushing touchdowns and Alonzo Manning scored one in the first quarter on a 37-yard run.

Laush was fantastic again, as he has been in all of Brother Rice’s marquee games. He opened the third quarter with an electric 70-yard touchdown run.

“That play was made by our receivers blocking on the edges,” Lausch said. “That’s their touchdown. I just ran on the green grass.”

Lausch was 14-of-18 passing for 189 yards and one touchdown. He connected with seven different receivers. Junior Owen Lyons had four catches for 47 yards.

Lausch was also a force on the ground with 19 carries for 164 yards and three touchdowns. Vaughn had 16 carries for 85 yards.

“[Lausch] is a great football player,” Marist coach Ron Dawczak said. “He can run, he can throw. We wanted to make him work for it tonight and he made some big plays. That long touchdown kind of set the tone in the second half. I tip my hat to him. A lot of great teams have had a hard time stopping him.”

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Pritzker’s Anthony Goulet (28) looks to hand off against Crane. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

All the scores from around the area.

Please send scores and corrections to [email protected]

Wednesday, October 20

NONCONFERENCE

Ag. Science 28, Harlan 6

Dyett 52, Gage Park 0

Prosser 22, Foreman 6

Rauner 53, Back of the Yards 6

Thursday, October 21

NONCONFERENCE

Bogan 20, Vocational 14

Bowen 20, Kelly 6

Clark 14, Kennedy 0

Comer 40, Julian 38 (2OT)

Crane 36, Pritzker 6

PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Kenwood 51, Carver 6

Simeon 41, North Lawndale 0

Friday, October 22

CCL-ESCC BLUE

Brother Rice at Marist, 6

Loyola at Mount Carmel, 7:30

CCL-ESCC GREEN

Benet at Nazareth, 7

St. Rita at Notre Dame, 7:30

CCL-ESCC ORANGE

Joliet Catholic at Montini, 7:30

Providence at St. Laurence, 7:30

CCL-ESCC PURPLE

Marian Catholic at Carmel, 7:30

St. Patrick at St. Viator, 7

CCL-ESCC RED

Marian Central at DePaul Prep, 7:30

CCL-ESCC WHITE

De La Salle at Marmion, 7:30

Fenwick at St. Ignatius, 7:30

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Maine West at Highland Park, 7

Niles North at Deerfield, 7

Vernon Hills at Maine East, 7

CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH

Glenbrook South at Evanston, 7:30

Maine South at New Trier, 7

Niles West at Glenbrook North, 7

DUKANE

Batavia at St. Charles North, 7:30

Glenbard North at Wheaton-Warrenville South, 7:30

Lake Park at Geneva, 7:30

Wheaton North at St. Charles East, 7:30

DUPAGE VALLEY

DeKalb at Waubonsie Valley, 7

Metea Valley at Naperville Central, 7

Naperville North at Neuqua Valley, 7

FOX VALLEY

Cary-Grove at Hampshire, 7

Crystal Lake Central at Prairie Ridge, 7

Huntley at Crystal Lake South, 7

Jacobs at Dundee-Crown, 7

McHenry at Burlington Central, 7

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Peotone at Lisle, 7

Reed-Custer at Herscher, 7

Streator at Coal City, 7

Wilmington at Manteno, 7

INDEPENDENT

Hope Academy at Christ the King, 7:30

KISHWAUKEE I-8 BLUE

Johnsburg at Harvard, 7

Richmond-Burton at Marengo, 7

Sandwich at Rochelle, 7

KISHWAUKEE I-8 WHITE

LaSalle-Peru at Kaneland, 7

Sycamore at Morris, 7

Woodstock at Woodstock North, 7

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Elk Grove at Wheeling, 7:30

Hersey at Buffalo Grove, 7

Rolling Meadows at Prospect, 7

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Barrington at Fremd, 7:30

Hoffman Estates at Palatine, 7:30

Schaumburg at Conant, 7:30

NORTH SUBURBAN

Lake Forest at Warren, 7:30

Libertyville at Stevenson, 7:30

Waukegan at Lake Zurich, 7:30

Zion-Benton at Mundelein, 7

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

Antioch at Lakes, 7

Grant at Grayslake North, 7

Grayslake Central at North Chicago, 7

Wauconda at Round Lake, 7

SOUTH SUBURBAN BLUE

Hillcrest at TF South, 7

Lemont at Oak Forest, 6

Tinley Park at Bremen, 6

SOUTH SUBURBAN RED

Evergreen Park at Oak Lawn, 7

Richards at Reavis, 7

Shepard at Argo, 7

SOUTHLAND

Crete-Monee at Kankakee, 7

Thornridge at Thornwood, 6

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE EAST

Plainfield Central at Joliet Central, 6:30

Plainfield East at Romeoville, 7

Plainfield South at Joliet West, 7

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE WEST

Oswego at Yorkville, 7

Plainfield North at Oswego East, 7

West Aurora at Minooka, 7

UPSTATE EIGHT

East Aurora at Bartlett, 7:30

Fenton at Glenbard East, 7:30

Glenbard South at Elgin, 7:30

Larkin at Streamwood, 7:30

South Elgin at West Chicago, 7:30

VERMILION VALLEY NORTH

Iroquois West 2, Watseka 0 (forfeit)

Momence at Clifton Central, 7

Seneca at Dwight, 7

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Addison Trail at Hinsdale South, 7

Downers Grove South at Leyden, 7:30

Willowbrook at Morton, 7

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

Lyons at Downers Grove North, 7

Oak Park-River Forest at York, 7

NONCONFERENCE

Andrew at Lockport, 6:30

Aurora Central at Westmont, 7:30

Bishop McNamara at Riverside-Brookfield, 7:15

Bolingbrook at Stagg, 6

Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lincoln-Way East, 7

Catalyst-Maria at Solorio, 7:15

Elmwood Park at St. Edward, 7

IC Catholic at St. Francis, 7:30

Iroquois West at Clinton, 7

Lincoln Park vs. Curie at Rockne, 4:15

Lincoln-Way Central at Sandburg, 6

Lincoln-Way West at Homewood-Flossmoor, 7

Little Village vs. South Shore at Eckersall, 3:45

Longwood vs. Tilden at Stagg, 3:45

Mather vs. King at Gately, 7:15

Plano at Ottawa, 7

Proviso West at Proviso East, 7

Ridgewood at Chicago Christian, 7:15

Speer vs. Bulls Prep at Lane, 4:15

Sullivan vs. Hyde Park at Gately, 4:15

TF North at Eisenhower, 7

Wheaton Academy at Aurora Christian, 7

PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Brooks vs. Young at Rockne, 7:15

Goode at Taft, 4

Hubbard at Lane, 7:15

Saturday, October 23

MICHIGAN AVENUE

Chicago Richards vs. Chicago Military at Eckersall, 1

Englewood STEM vs. DuSable at Eckersall, 10 a.m.

Woodlawn vs. Hansberry at Stagg, 1

SOUTHLAND

Thornton at Bloom, noon

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

Hinsdale Central at Glenbard West, 1

NONCONFERENCE

Chicago Academy vs. UIC Prep at Rockne, 10 a.m.

Corliss vs. Collins at Rockne, 1

Eastland-Pearl City at Walther Christian, 1

Fisher at Ottawa Marquette, 1

Leo at Rich Township, 12:30

Lindblom vs. Lake View at Lane, 1

Marine vs. Clemente at Lane, 10 a.m.

Phoenix vs. Senn at Winnemac, 10 a.m.

Raby at Steinmetz, 10 a.m.

Schurz vs. Dunbar at Stagg, 10 a.m.

UP-Bronzeville vs. Von Steuben at Winnemac, 1

PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Amundsen vs. Morgan Park at Gately, 10 a.m.

Payton vs. Phillips at Gately, 1

Perspectives at Westinghouse, 1

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The poster for “Dream Chaser,” advertises a short-documentary film debut of Chicago’s own Aaron T. Lee. | Provided

“Dream Chasers” is proof that when you shoot for the stars you can land on the moon.

Dream Chaser … Far from storied arenas and parquet floors. Worlds away from hallowed gymnasiums, where the blood, sweat and tears of those who would be great someday once poured.

Thousands of kilometers from private jets, premiere sky clubs, lucrative pro contracts and celebrity lore. Light-years from the panacea of sports greatness where legends soar to nearly insurmountable heights that engrave careers and championships in the annals of history in gold are stories untold.

They are stories of dreams chased. And dreams captured. Stories of dreamers enraptured in the pure joy of the game, despite never having laid claim to world-renowned fame.

Stories of boys who once took aim at the NBA star and landed on the moon. The stories of boys who would become men and whose work, hope, yearning and love for the game would not go unrequited.

Stories of the undefeated that resound like the sweet symphony of boys playing basketball on a sun-drenched midsummer’s afternoon, near a city playground.

But then the storms come. The storms of poverty and socioeconomic circumstance. Of thorny hardship and weedy environmental happenstance known to kill dreams and consign far too many urban youths to poverty and calamity.

The storm of pain, which falls like a hard summer’s rain. But after the storm, the dream remains. And one day, the dreamer is no longer dreaming. And his arrival is nothing short of proof: That even if you shoot for the stars and land on the moon, hoop dreams can come true.

This is Carl Montgomery’s story. A Chicago native son, Montgomery, 32, is a dreamer and doer, and the subject of a forthcoming documentary short film, “Dream Chaser.”

The film is produced and directed by another South Side born-and-bred Chicagoan and captures Montgomery’s continuing inspiring journey. The producer’s name is Aaron Lee, 33, not someone with whom I am unfamiliar — my former journalism student and a 2014 graduate of Roosevelt University.

A coming of age story, the project was completed under Lee’s, A. Lee Productions, LLC. Lee is currently seeking to land a distribution home for his debut documentary and funding to license archive footage in the film.

An Emmy-nominated senior sports producer for a television news station in Texas by day, he has spent his spare time — and poured his blood, sweat, tears and savings — into producing a story of hope.

It is a story, in my estimation, that could not come at a better time amid Chicago’s — and the nation’s — swelling deadly violence that extinguishes young hopes and dreams.

The story, set in Chicago, is told through the lens of Lee’s former high school classmate who eludes gangs, violence and street life. His is also a story of family and overcoming hardship, unexpected losses and obstacles.

At the narrative’s core is the notion that for hoop dreamers, it is not NBA or bust. That basketball can be one tool to opening doors and a passport to a successful life and career, even if that does not include NBA stardom.

The film, which shines the light on Chicago’s basketball lore is sobering, heartwarming and uplifting with its backstory of family, enduring love and faith.

That is Carl Montgomery’s story. But it’s also Aaron Lee’s. He, too, is a dream chaser.

A young Black man, Aaron has eluded the mean streets of Chicago, and endured losing his mother as well as other hardships in his journey to become a professional journalist and storyteller through which he hopes to bring hope to others.

In my humble opinion, Aaron has earned our support. And Dream Chasers is proof that when you shoot for the stars you can land on the moon.

Send letters to [email protected].

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(From left) Azura Stevens, Stefanie Dolson, Courtney Vandersloot, Candace Parker, Lexie Brown and Allie Quigley dance as the Chicago Sky celebrates its WNBA Championship title during a rally at Pritzker Pavilion on Oct. 19. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

It seemed that the success of the Chicago Sky — and the WNBA at large — had generated at least some interest among the public. So, why was it so hard to find a sports bar that would air any of the playoff games?

The Chicago Sky has given our city its first WNBA title. The Willis Tower split the night with its blue-and-yellow antennae, and all week, the lions of Michigan Avenue donned Sky jerseys. Games 3 and 4 were sold out at the Wintrust Arena, and Barack Obama tweeted his support. It seemed that the success of the Chicago Sky — and the WNBA at large — had generated at least some interest among the public.

So, why, then, was it so hard for me to find a sports bar that would air any of the playoff games? I was disheartened by responses from local establishments, which turned me down even when I called ahead. If I wasn’t met with outright denial, then I received answers like, “Well, it depends on what else is on.” And during an internet search for locations, I uncovered posts that were littered with misogynistic jabs, homophobic slurs and the ever-perplexing question that I hear most often: “Who cares?”

Who cares? I care. A lot of us care. And you should, too.

SEND LETTERS TO: [email protected]. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be approximately 350 words or less.

Your establishment should be proud to present and support a league that has a history of fighting for representation, as the WNBA has long been at the forefront of social justice movements: It was the first professional sports league to establish a formal Pride campaign and their players were among the first to showcase “Black Lives Matter” shirts before games.

Beyond these achievements, the WNBA dedicated its 2020 season to Breonna Taylor, who was slaughtered during a botched raid of her home by those sworn to protect her.

Women matter. Women’s sports matter. Put on the game.

Kendall Steinle, Pilsen

Where is the shared outrage?

It seems that some letter writers are quick to condemn the police officers who will not reveal their vaccine status. I have not seen that when it comes to Chicago teachers, not by the public nor by the mayor. Chicago Public school teachers do not have to be vaccinated to keep their jobs nor reveal their status, only to get tested weekly, on school time and at school expense. That was negotiated with their union. Mayor Lightfoot will not negotiate with the police union and instead has demanded that unvaccinated officers get tested twice weekly and at their expense.

Why the difference? The teachers stayed home for over a year while the police officers hit the streets, most of the time without adequate protective gear. No teacher has been laid off for lack of vaccine proof. So, all of those police bashers out there, the city is conducting a police hiring test and the city needs officers. You should be first in line so you can effect the change that you want.

John Laskey, Palos Heights

Phil Kadner will be missed

I will miss the columns of Phil Kadner, who I came to know and admire for his work with the Chicago Southland. He knew the Southland and its role in the Chicago metro area; he understood its needs and he advocated on its behalf. He was/is a true “news reporter, columnist, and editor,” as he states in his last column for the Chicago Sun-Times.

He put aside the “little stuff” to discuss critical improvements, especially when they could, like the South Suburban Airport, help to “level the playing field.” He gave my late husband, Suhail al Chalabi, his most-honest obituary, calling him, “One of the great champions of Southland economic development.” Concluding his column, he said, “He was a friend to the Southland and a visionary. He will be missed.” It is an apt and worthy description of Phil, himself.

I hope he’ll continue to write — collecting all he knows and has done — into the book, that we all need, to know and understand the Southland; and our country.

Margery al Chalabi. Chicago

Political theater

I can’t believe S.E. Cupp actually thinks Republican opposition to abortion is anything but political theater. It most certainly isn’t about the sanctity of life. The right loves killing people with aggressive policing, the death penalty, restricting access to health care, removing environmental and occupational safety regulations and, of course, propagating misinformation about COVID-19.

Don Anderson, Oak Park

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The casket bearing the remains of Timuel Black is wheeled to a hearse after funeral service at First Unitarian Church of Chicago on Friday. | Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune pool

Hundreds attended a funeral service Friday for civil rights activist Timuel D. Black, who died Oct. 13 at age 102.

In his 102 years, Timuel Black witnessed much of the worst of humanity — from a teacher in his own grade school class who screamed at a white girl because she’d tried to share her book with him to the heaped corpses in the Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald.

He had every reason to be cynical, but instead, those experiences shaped him and countless people around him for the better, hundreds of mourners heard Friday.

“He had an unquenchable spirit to hope and a tenacity to never quit, and never, ever, ever give up because he knew trouble don’t last always,” the Rev. Michael Pfleger said, giving the eulogy at First Unitarian Church of Chicago on the South Side.

The African American civil rights activist, teacher, author, historian and World War II veteran who died Oct. 13 was remembered, too, as someone who made possible the careers of some of the city’s brightest Black sons and daughters.

“He mentored a young community organizer named Barack Obama and taught him how to build a political base. He helped Carol Moseley Braun become the first African-American woman to win election in the U.S. Senate. He mentored and advised countless men and women and youth,” Pfleger said.

As Pfleger spoke, Mr. Black lay in a charcoal-gray casket, a folded American flag beneath his head. A huge spray of red roses from his loving wife lay at the foot of the casket. Just before the service began, his wife, Zenobia Johnson-Black, weeping, bent her head to his and whispered into his ear.

Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune pool
Mourners attend funeral services for civil rights leader and political activist Timuel Black at First Unitarian Church of Chicago on Friday.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin recalled meeting the Blacks 25 years ago when he first ran for his current seat. Durbin, with Johnson-Black looking on, recalled how she had kindly offered to be his driver on the South Side.

“It was a thrilling experience, with a lot of creative driving,” Durbin joked. He has remained friends with the Blacks. He remembered them just before Obama’s inauguration in 2009, when people were bugging him for tickets.

“It was interesting how many friends and how many new friends contacted me for those tickets,” Durbin said. “But I knew where the first two tickets were going to go – to Tim and Zenobia; the reason is, there might never have been a President Barack Obama were it not for Tim Black.”

Durbin said Mr. Black dedicated himself to making humanity better, and “he never stopped working.”

“After every victory, he set his sights on a new goal,” he said. “After every disappointment, he worked to find a better way. Tim Black was the griot on the South Side.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot described Mr. Black as an “icon” and a “true treasure.” Lightfoot said she got a call from Johnson-Black just before her husband died. Lightfoot went to say goodbye, bringing with her a sample of the jazz music Mr. Black so loved — in this case, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

“He was still alert enough to know that I was present,” Lightfoot said, her voice cracking with emotion. “But it was clear that he was entering his journey home. I sat at his feet, the feet of this great man, who had nurtured and cared for so many.”

Pfleger spoke of Mr. Black’s other “great love,” his wife of 40 years.

“If you knew Timuel Black, his life partner and his best friend, his great love, his boo, was Zenobia Johnson-Black,” Pfleger said. “He said, ‘My beautiful, young wife. Wasn’t I smart to marry her?’ He loved him some Zenobia. And Zenobia, thank you for the love, for the support, for the consistent caring you gave your husband up till his very last breath.”

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Hundreds of people attended Timuel Black’s funeral Friday at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago in Hyde Park.Read More

Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are 6-0. | Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images

Penn State and Michigan, respectively, are favored against the Illini and Wildcats by the same bloated number.

It’s “23 and Me” week for both Illinois and Northwestern.

OK, fine, “23 1/2 and Me.”

Each team is on the business end of a giant point spread — yep, 23 1/2 — in Week 8 of the college football season.

Oddly, both presumed mismatches will play out under national spotlights, too, and at the same time. We’ll see how many viewers stay with Illinois at No. 7 Penn State (11 a.m., Ch. 7, 890-AM) and Northwestern at No. 6 Michigan (11 a.m., Fox-32, 720-AM) until their bitter ends.

“This is by far, probably, the best team we’ve played all year to this point,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said of the 6-0 Wolverines. “It’s not even close, in my opinion, watching everybody on tape that we’ve seen, that we’ve prepared for.”

Illinois coach Bret Bielema could say the same thing about the Nittany Lions (5-1), and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration whatsoever in either case. Penn State’s and Michigan’s defenses — ranked fourth and eighth, respectively, in points allowed — will be expected to thoroughly dominate the Illini’s and Wildcats’ plodding, herky-jerky offenses. So much so, in fact, 23 1/2 would also be a good over/under for combined points scored by Bielema’s and Fitzgerald’s teams.

Run defense, meanwhile, has been a major problem for Northwestern (3-3) since Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III raced up the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the season opener.

“There are some times that I’ve kind of looked at some plays and just wondered to myself: What in the wide world of sports are we doing?” Fitzgerald said.

If he can channel “Blazing Saddles,” I’m joining in with six words about the hapless Illini (2-5): I get no kick from Champaign. Sorry, young readers, but sometimes ancient movie references are just plain perfect. (YouTube it if you have to.)

Penn State has quarterback issues. Michigan, it could be argued, hasn’t really beaten anybody yet. And both favorites have giant Big Ten East games next weekend — at Ohio State and at Michigan State, respectively — that could be distractions against the Illini and Wildcats.

Nittany Lions, 26-10. Wolverines, 24-13. And print it.

OTHER WEEK 8 PICKS

Northern Illinois (+5) at Central Michigan (11 a.m., ESPNU): No team in the MAC runs it better than NIU. No team in the MAC stops the run better than CMU. The Huskies have dropped three straight in Mount Pleasant. Chippewas, 31-24.

Wisconsin (-3 1/2 ) at No. 25 Purdue (2 p.m., BTN): The Boilermakers — ranked for the first time since 2007 — have dropped 14 straight to Wisconsin and haven’t beaten the Badgers in West Lafayette since 1997. Ranked, shmanked? Boilers, 17-16.

No. 8 Oklahoma State (+7) at Iowa State (2:30 p.m., Fox-32): We’ll leave it to the Talmudic scholars to figure out and explain how an unbeaten, top-10 team can be a decisive underdog against a two-loss, unranked foe. But wait — Cyclones by 14.

No. 10 Oregon (+1) at UCLA (2:30 p.m., Ch. 7): Does America really want to see Chip Kelly get his smirk on with a “W” against his old school? Quack, 31-27.

USC (+7) at No. 13 Notre Dame (6:30 p.m., Ch. 5): USC folks want to believe the football coach opening is the best job in the country, but LSU opening up (at season’s end) was a jolt — merely the latest thing to go wrong for the down-and-out Trojans. Irish by 10.

My favorite favorite: No. 5 Ohio State (-21) at Indiana (6:30 p.m., Ch. 7): The Big Ten is still the Buckeyes’ world. Both feet are on the gas pedal from here.

My favorite underdog: Clemson (+3 1/2 ) at No. 23 Pittsburgh (2:30 p.m., ESPN): The upstart Panthers will be large and in charge in the ACC Coastal if — big “if” — they can kick Clemson while it’s down. Tigers fight back, 27-17.

Last week: 5-4 straight-up, 6-3 vs. the spread.

Season to date: 45-21 straight-up, 39-26-1 vs. the spread.

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Khalil Herbert celebrates his first career touchdown Sunday against the Packers. | Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

If Herbert plays Sunday the way he did the previous two weeks — with a physical style that belies his 5-9, 212-pound frame and a patience beyond his 23 years — the Bears will be forced to find some role for him.

For the first time in a long time, Bears running back Khalil Herbert isn’t playing fantasy football this year.

“I’ve got a lot going on,” he said with a smile.

His friends, though, still play. They picked the rookie up off the waiver wire last week and started him against the Packers. They were pleased with the result — 19 carries for 97 yards and his first career touchdown– and texted him afterward about their teams.

“They’ve been sending me screenshots,” he said.

They’ll keep Herbert on their rosters again Sunday, even though he’s facing the NFL’s best rushing defense. After the Buccaneers’ game, though, Herbert’s role is anybody’s guess.

Damien Williams figures to return to his complimentary role if he comes off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. And David Montgomery, one of the Bears’ best players, is eligible to return off injured reserve next week after spraining his knee.

If Herbert plays Sunday the way he did the previous two weeks — with a physical style that belies his 5-9, 212-pound frame and a patience beyond his 23 years — the Bears will be forced to find some role for him. The Bears, though, aren’t ready to entertain how much Herbert will play — if at all — when Montgomery comes back. This week, running backs coach Michael Pitre would only say that the Bears will figure it out “when those guys are back and we’re presented with having some really good players” on the roster.

“You’ve seen him grow throughout camp — you’ve seen him grow throughout the first few weeks of the season too,” guard Cody Whitehair said. “He’s really seeing the field well. He’s seeing the running lanes really well. So we’re really excited about him.”

It all still feels a bit surreal to the sixth-round pick.

Two years ago, Herbert decided to stop playing at Kansas four games into his senior season — just in time to be eligible for a redshirt. He eventually decided to leave the school altogether, calling it a “business decision” after coming to believe “I wasn’t used properly.”

He landed at Virginia Tech as a graduate transfer and became the centerpiece of their offense. His 1,182 rushing yards were fifth-most in the country and his 7.7 yards per carry were fourth-most.

His transfer was controversial among Kansas fans. But it wound up being the best thing he’s ever done. Herbert’s thought about it the last few weeks while looking at Snapchat, which showed photos of what he was doing at this time last year.

“I play that what-if game a lot too — What if I stayed? What if I didn’t? … ” he said. “[Virginia Tech] really put me in a position to be where I am right now and helped me out a lot. It’s the biggest blessing, I feel like, going there and doing what I did.”

The Bears drafted him to return kicks. But they were impressed by his running style in training camp — his willingness to plow forward but also his vision to cut the run back when he sees a hole.

“He’s a really quick decision-maker,” coach Matt Nagy said. “So when he makes decisions and sticks a foot in the ground and hits it with that low contact balance, he’s hard to bring down.”

The Buccaneers bring rushers down better than any team on earth. Herbert leans on the mantra the Bears running back room uses: “famine, famine, feast.” Little runs beget longer ones.

“His confidence is going to grow every day every snap he gets,” Nagy said. “And I just love his demeanor. He’s a team player. Not really vocal or loud or anything like that. But he’s just a really good running back.”

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