With Ohio State and Penn State both barred from the postseason, there are only four teams in the Big Ten Leaders Division competing for a spot in the league championship game.

Wisconsin and running back Montee (mon-tay) Ball are the heavy favorites as Michigan State moves on without quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, Indiana and Purdue all hope to find their footing following disappointing finishes a year ago. Nebraska and running back Rex Burkhead look to build on their first season in the Big Ten.

Urban Meyer will focus on making the Buckeyes a force again after a 6-7. And Penn State coach Bill O'Brien is simply trying to keep Penn State afloat after rippling NCAA sanctions from the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal.