Wisconsin-Nebraska: Bret Bielema Monday Press Conference Recap

Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema met the media Monday afternoon with a significant dose of good news after last Saturday's 24-21 overtime loss at Penn State.

Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis (head), linebacker Chris Borland (hamstring) and right guard Kyle Costigan (head) are all expected to return to practice this week. The Badgers, 7-5 record and all, head to Indianapolis on Saturday for the Big Ten Championship Game against Nebraska.

"All the guys from Saturday we were a little bit concerned about, [Abbrederis] and Costigan, those two in particular, were very, very good," Bielema said. "We don't work them [on Monday], but they should be limited [on Tuesday]. We'll probably have them in non-contact for a couple of days here."

That news is certainly positive, though Bielema did say Borland was feeling "very, very well" last Monday, though the Badgers' middle linebacker never suited up against Penn State. Wisconsin very well could've been saving Borland, their top sacker and third-leading tackler, for Nebraska, though Bielema and his staff would likely never admit to it.

According to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Borland also echoed his availability for Saturday on a Monday teleconference with three players from each team.

"I will be healthy enough to play in this game," Borland said Monday during a teleconference featuring three players from each team. "And I'm excited for it.

"I'm going to be vocal, both motivating and communicating on the field. Hopefully I can make guys comfortable out there, recognizing some things and identifying some things.

"But after that it's got to be making plays. That is the best way to contribute."