Editor’s note: Big 10 of the Big Ten is a collection of tidbits from around the conference. This weekly feature provides a recap from the previous slate of games and also serves as a preview to the upcoming football weekend.

Indianapolis-bound

Wisconsin clinched a second consecutive Big Ten championship game berth after thumping Indiana 62-14 Saturday. 

Still running

Wisconsin’s running game was in historic form Saturday, as the Badgers rushed for a whopping 564 yards. That’s the sixth most in a game in Big Ten history and the most since 1994. Running back Montee Ball had three touchdowns and 198 rushing yards. James White also pitched in, adding 161 yards and two touchdowns of his own.

Co-division champs

Ohio State was on its bye week last week but clinched a share of the Leaders Division. After Penn State lost to Nebraska, the bowl-ineligible Buckeyes will be at least co-division champions, but they won’t be able to compete in the Big Ten championship game. Wisconsin or Penn State can earn a share of the division crown if undefeated Ohio State loses both of its two games.

Two-team race for Indy 

Either Michigan or Nebraska will win the Legends Division and meet Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship on Dec. 1. Each team stands at 5-1 in the Big Ten. But Nebraska defeated Michigan earlier this season, giving the Cornhuskers the tiebreaker.

Best offensive performance

Who needs Denard Robinson? Michigan junior Devin Gardner won Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Filling in for the injured Robinson, Gardner threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in Michigan’s 38-31 victory over Northwestern. It’s his first time winning the award. He shares it with Wisconsin running back Montee Ball, whose three touchdowns tied him with Ron Dayne for the most career rushing touchdowns in Big Ten history with 71. Ball has 77 total career touchdowns, moving him into second place on the NCAA all-time list. 

Bowl eligible

With its 17-3 victory over Illinois, Minnesota became bowl eligible for the first time under head coach Jerry Kill. The Golden Gophers are the fifth Big Ten team this season to earn eligibility.

Best defensive performance

Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short was a huge reason the Boilermakers were able to hold off Iowa for a 27-24 victory in Iowa City for the first time since 1992. Short had a career-best four tackles for a loss and a sack, as the Purdue defense held Iowa to just 74 rushing yards. The award is his third career Defensive Player of the Week and his first this season. 

Cannon game

When Illinois hosts Purdue on Saturday, the two teams will compete for the 61st time for the Purdue Cannon, one of the 16 traditional rivalry trophies in the conference. It’s the oldest rivalry in the Illini’s 122-year history, but the Boilermakers have dominated in recent history, winning six of the last seven meetings and nine of the last 12. 

Game to watch

Ohio State versus Wisconsin has a lot of implications. The Badgers are still fighting for a chance to be co-champions of the Leaders Division and would love to end the Buckeyes’ perfect season. But Ohio State will have two weeks to prepare and try to figure out a way to stop the Wisconsin rushing attack.

Game to keep an eye on

Also tune in to Northwestern versus Michigan State. Northwestern has been inconsistent since it started 5-0, alternating losses and victories during the past five weeks. The Wildcats will try to bounce back and get their eighth win against the Spartans, who are trying to become bowl-eligible and bounce back from a 28-24 loss to Nebraska.

Jamal can be reached at [email protected] and @jamalcollier.