Big Ten bowl lineup is thin; Gophers 5th qualifier

Nebraska (8-2, 5-1), Michigan (7-3, 5-1), Northwestern (7-3, 3-3) and Wisconsin (7-3, 4-2) are the others who've secured an extra game; the Badgers have even clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship game. That's because Ohio State (10-0, 6-0) and Penn State (6-4, 4-2) aren't allowed to participate as punishment for the scandals revealed at their schools over the past two years.

By: By Dave Campbell, AP Sports Writer, Superior Telegram