Badgers support idea of conference title game

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema likes the idea of divisional play and a Big Ten championship game, even though they could cost his team a shot at a national title.

Wisconsin is coming off a 48-17 win over Nebraska, but the No. 4 Badgers could face the Huskers again in December depending on how the rest of the Big Ten schedule plays out.

Wisconsin is in the Leaders Division of the Big Ten and Nebraska is in the Legends Division. If both win their divisions, they would play in the first Big Ten championship game Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Bielema said the boost in national profile from a conference title game is worth the risk.

“Really, the BCS is such an elite level, I think the more you can defend your right to be there, the better off everybody is,” he said. “I think our championship game is going to be, whoever’s lucky enough to get to that event, a national showcase, and hopefully the winner of that game hopefully will be a match in the national championship game.”

Bielema knows that teams in other conferences have blown chances at national titles by stubbing their toes in conference title games. He figures if his team takes care of the daily grind, the rest will fall into place.

“I think our kids, in the bigger picture, we take one game at a time,” he said. “That’s our mentality. But they also understand that at the end of the season, if you put yourself in a good spot, anything can happen.”

The Badgers were off this week, but they left an impression by dismantling the Cornhuskers. Montee Ball ran for 151 yards and four touchdowns and quarterback Russell Wilson made a case to be near the top of Heisman Trophy watch lists.

Illinois is unbeaten and ranked No. 19, but coach Ron Zook said fellow Leaders Division opponent Wisconsin is the class of the conference.

“I think there’s no question that that right now is the football team that we’re all chasing,” Zook said. “Very, very well-coached, athletic team. Right now, they’re the football team to beat.”

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini was impressed with the Badgers, but he wouldn’t say they were as good as the top three teams: No. 1 LSU, No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Oklahoma.

“They’re a good football team,” Pelini said. “How they compare? Who knows? There’s a lot of football to be played. I think they’ve earned the ranking they’re in right now.”

Penn State coach Joe Paterno heaped praise upon Wisconsin, though the 84-year-old coach didn’t last long enough to watch the end of the late game.

“It’s tough for me to stay awake that late on a Saturday night,” he said.

Nebraska, Ohio State and Northwestern are all highly regarded teams that lost their conference openers.