MADISON, Wis. (AP) — With a pair of division heavyweights facing postseason bans, a lot of things would have to go wrong for Wisconsin to miss out on another trip to the Big Ten title game. And even after recent off-the-field drama involving star running back Montee Ball, Bret Bielema’s team has its eyes on bigger goals.
The NCAA has ruled Leaders division powerhouses Ohio State and Penn State ineligible for the postseason, a ban that includes conference title games. That leaves the Badgers to deal with Purdue, Illinois and Indiana for division supremacy.
Still, they must replace quarterback Russell Wilson — a job that could fall to another transfer, Danny O’Brien from Maryland.
And they need Ball to bounce back after he sustained a concussion in an off-campus assault.
The season opener is Sept. 1 at home against Northern Iowa.
