THE WEEK AHEAD

NO. 5 OHIO STATE AT WISCONSIN

2:30 p.m. Saturday

• Because they cheated under former coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes can't play in the Big Ten Championship Game or in a bowl. But Ohio State's season-ending swing against the Badgers and Michigan will serve as a de facto bowl series. Win both, and the Buckeyes not only finish undefeated, they cast doubt on the résumés of these two rivals.

NORTHWESTERN AT MICHIGAN STATE

11 a.m. Saturday

• This one's all about bowl positioning. The Spartans still need a victory to become eligible, while the Wildcats want to remove that bad taste from the late loss to Michigan.

SATURDAY'S OTHER GAMES

• Indiana at Penn State, 11 a.m.

• Iowa at Michigan, 11 a.m.

• Purdue at Illinois, 2:30 p.m.

• Gophers at No. 18 Nebraska, 2:30 p.m.