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The Slate The following is a look at the latest news from around the Big Ten and at Purdue's opponents this season. R Many at Wisconsin were surprised when Coach Bret Bielema left the Badgers after nine seasons, taking the vacant job in Arkansas. It's left Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez unexpectedly looking for a new head coach. "I've reached out to some people, I've talked to some people," Alvarez told BadgerBlitz. com. "I will start interviewing face-to-face some prospective coaches next week. I always have a short list. I've made contact with a couple of them." One person Alvarez eliminated was former offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, who completed his first regular season as the head coach at Pitt. Alvarez says he'd like a successor with head coaching experience but that it's not a require- Big Ten Standings (As of Dec. 7) Legends Division Team Big Ten/Pct. Division/Pct. Overall/Pct. Nebraska! 7-1/.8755-0/1.000 10-3/.769 Michigan 6-2/.7504-1/.800 8-4/.667 Northwestern 5-3/.6253-2/.600 9-3/.750 Michigan State 3-5/.375 1-4/.200 6-6/.500 Minnesota 2-6/.2500-5/.000 6-6/.500 Iowa 2-6/.2502-3/.400 4-8/.333 Leaders Division Team Big Ten/Pct. Division/Pct. Overall/Pct. Ohio State*! 8-0/1.000 5-0/1.000 12-0/1.000 Penn State* 6-2/.667 4-1/.800 8-4/.667 Wisconsin# 4-4/.5003-2/.600 8-5/.615 PURDUE 3-5/.3752-3/.400 6-6/.500 Indiana 2-6/.2501-4/.200 4-8/.333 Illinois 0-8/.0000-5/.000 2-10/.167 * Ineligible for postseason play ! Division winner # Big Ten Champions Big Ten Championship Result Wisconsin 70, No. 14 Nebraska 31 ment, nor are ties to portunity." Houston coach Wisconsin. Tony Levine, a St. Paul But Alvarez, native, played wide Wisconsin's forreceiver for the Gomer coach who will phers from 1991-95. coach the Badgers Because Barker was in the Rose Bowl, not on scholarship at thinks he'll find the Minnesota, he will not right man. be forced to sit out a "There's been a season at Houston. lot of interest shown R Wisconsin runin the position bening back Montee Ball cause it's a great won the Doak Walker job," Alvarez said. Tom Campbell Award for the coun"It's on solid footing." Wisconsin running back Montee Ball won the Doak Walker Award recognizing try's best running back R Former Min- the nation's top rusher. at a ceremony. nesota receiver A.J. nouncing his decision to leave Ball, a senior, was Barker is transferring to Houston, according to mul- Minnesota. At the time, Barker seventh nationally in rushing tiple reports on Friday morning. had been rehabbing from a high average, with 133.1 yards per game, and had 21 touchdowns. Barker, a walk-on who had 30 ankle sprain. "He's super excited now that He became the NCAA's all-time catches for 577 yards and seven touchdowns this season, left the he has a coach that truly be- touchdown leader, besting TraGolden Gophers after disputes lieves he's the real deal," Barker's vis Prentice's record of 78. Ball with Coach Jerry Kill. He wrote a brother Ross told the Pioneer has 82, including 76 rushing.. j scathing 4,000-word open letter, Press. "He's going to do great. I'm criticizing Kill's treatment, in an- excited for him. It's a great op- Big Ten in the bowls Bowl Teams Rose Wisconsin vs. Stanford Capital One Nebraska vs. Georgia Outback Michigan vs. South Carolina Gator Northwestern vs. Mississippi State Buffalo Wild Wings Michigan State vs. TCU Meineke Car Care Minnesota vs. Texas Tech Heart of Dallas Purdue vs. Oklahoma State Source: Danny Sheridan, Wednesday Time (ET), Date, Location 5:10 p.m., Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif. 1 p.m., Jan. 1, Orlando, Fla. 1 p.m., Jan. 1, Tampa, Fla. Noon, Jan. 1, Jacksonville, Fla. 10:15 p.m., Dec. 29, Tempe, Ariz. 9 p.m., Dec. 28, Houston Noon, Jan. 1, Dallas TV ESPN ABC ESPN ESPN2 ESPN ESPN ESPNU Line STAN -6.5 UGA -10 USC -5.5 MSU -2.5 TCU -5.5 TT -12 OSU -17.5 GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 14 • 20