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The Badgers are heading back to Indianapolis.
Thanks to No. 17 Nebraska falling 40-10 at Iowa on Friday afternoon, No. 5 Wisconsin clinched at least a share of the Big Ten West title and will represent the division in next Saturday’s conference championship game.
UW (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) can earn the outright division title if it defeats Minnesota (8-3, 5-3) on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CST, Big Ten Network). Even with a loss, the Badgers would head to Indianapolis due to tiebreaker rules over the Huskers, Hawkeyes and Gophers.
It’s Wisconsin’s third division title and its second for the West. The Badgers defeated Minnesota 34-24 to earn the inaugural title to end the 2014 regular season.
The Big Ten East division winner and representative will be decided on Saturday afternoon. Here are the various scenarios:
- Michigan beats Ohio State, Wolverines earn berth
- Ohio State defeats Michigan and Penn State wins over Michigan State, Nittany Lions earn berth
- Ohio State defeats Michigan and Penn State loses to Michigan State, Buckeyes earn berth
Here’s the official release from the Big Ten:
Wisconsin Earns Championship Game Berth
Badgers clinch at least a share of West Division title
ROSEMONT, Ill. – With an Iowa victory over Nebraska on Friday, Wisconsin secured a berth in the Big Ten Football Championship Game and at least a share of the Big Ten West Division title. The East Division title and participant in the Big Ten Football Championship Game will be decided on Saturday.
The Badgers secured at least a share of their third division title and first since 2014 after Nebraska concluded the regular season with a record of 9-3 overall and 6-3 in the West Division. Currently 9-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play, Wisconsin would clinch the outright division title with a win over Minnesota on Saturday. If Minnesota defeats Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes, Gophers, Huskers and Badgers would all share the West Division title with matching 6-3 conference records, but Wisconsin would advance to the Big Ten title game by winning the tiebreaker.
In the East Division, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State remain in a three-way tie for first place, with the Wolverines and Buckeyes meeting Saturday in Columbus. Michigan would clinch at least a share of the East Division title and a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game with a victory, while Penn State could do likewise with a win over Michigan State, coupled with an Ohio State win. The Buckeyes need a victory and a Michigan State win to book their ticket to Indianapolis.
The 2016 Big Ten Football Championship Game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium and will be broadcast nationally on FOX with kickoff set for 8:17 p.m. ET. The winner will earn the Amos Alonzo Stagg Championship Trophy and a chance to play in one of the six bowls that comprise the College Football Playoff, including the Rose Bowl Game.
Ticket blocks are being held for both Wisconsin and the representative from the East Division and will be sold through university ticket offices. Those interested in VIP Packages can purchase at Shoowin.com. Those interested in suites should contact Melissa Caito at (317) 237-5039
Fans attending the 2016 Big Ten Football Championship Game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3 will be asked to enter with clear bags and should be prepared to arrive early. A clear bag policy, similar to that used by the NFL, College Football Playoff, other conference championship games and on the majority of Big Ten campuses, will be in effect for the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. More information can be found on bigten.org.
Every Big Ten Football Championship Game ticket will allow complimentary admission to the Big Ten Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper, to be held at the Indiana Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3. For more information on the Big Ten Football Championship Game, download the official Big Ten Championship Events app on iOS or Google Play, or visit bigten.org.