News and notes surrounding the Big Ten title game (and Purdue):

  • It’s been well documented that Wisconsin will represent the Leaders Division in the conference title game despite a 7-5 overall record, a .500 conference record, and having lost two straight games to Ohio State and Penn State. Coach Bret Bielema said he isn’t concerned whatsoever about the path the Badgers will have taken to Indianapolis.“I can say this: When two teams take the field Saturday, neither are going to care how the other team got their or what their record is,” Bielema said to reporters on a conference call. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said he puts no stock in the result of the first meeting, a 30-27 Cornhuskers win in Lincoln. “Different time, different place, different point in the year,” the Lincoln Journal Star reported. 
  • Saturday’s Big Ten title game gives Wisconsin a chance to redeem itself after losing to Nebraska earlier this season, and finishing third in the Leaders Division. “I can assure you that teams that have played us, they by no means think we are a cakewalk,” cornerback Marcus Cromartie said to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We’re not really worried about what the media thinks.” The No. 12 Huskers opened as 2.5-point favorites over the unranked Badgers. 
  • Nebraska lost two key starters in the first half of last Friday’s game against Iowa and neither will be available for Saturday’s game vs. Wisconsin, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. Defensive tackle Baker Steinkuhler (47 tackles, 2.5 sacks) injured his knee against the Hawkeyes and starting C Justin Jackson left the game with an ankle injury. Both of those players could be substantial losses against the Badgers, who pride themselves on being physical in the trenches. Steinkuhler had five tackles against Wisconsin in the first meeting and helped limit the Badgers to just 56 total rushing yards. 
  • In other news, the Boilermakers fired coach Danny Hope on Sunday after a 22-27 record in four seasons in West Lafayette. Rumors swirled all over the internet about who should be the next coach, but Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star said in no way should it be former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. “He’s got a five-year 'show cause' penalty against him, which means some of the sanctions levied against him would follow him to Purdue. Even if the penalties aren’t that onerous, how is that a good fit?” Kravitz wrote. Instead, he suggested the Boilermakers look towards the MAC for a young, up-and-coming coach. 

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.