Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune, and oh by the way a Northwestern alum, reports its prominent media grads are a bit excited about Saturday’s NU-Ohio State game.

Northwestern went 3-40-1 while Michael Wilbon earned his journalism degree — and he did not experience any of the three wins as a fan. (He covered the Wildcats’ 1979 victory over Wyoming for the Washington Post.)

“I have to admit,” Wilbon said during “Mike & Mike,” “that I am totally swept up in this.”

He was not alone.

J.A. Adande of ESPN’s “Around the Horn” recalled having plucked some purple-painted grass from the Rose Bowl field on Jan. 1, 1996.

First-year men’s basketball coach Chris Collins came out to Deering Meadow, in the heart of NU’s campus, to watch “Mike & Mike” and rev up a huge recruiting weekend for his program. His team will scrimmage at 3:15 p.m. Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

“The vibe, the excitement,” he said, “it’s a great motivator.”

And…

ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell introduced Fitzgerald at a Northwestern Gridiron Network luncheon at the Orrington Hotel, remarking: “We are no longer satisfied with an eight-win season. Sorry, Fitz, it’s your doing.”

The crowd rose as Fitzgerald stepped to the lectern. The coach responded: “Hey, Darren, is that your first standing ovation? Great job!”