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Alvarez happy with new lineups

MADISON — Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said he’s satisfied with the Big Ten Conference’s two new six-team divisions, which will be implemented in 2011.

“The Big Ten staff and directors of athletics focused on three criteria as we discussed the divisional alignments: competitive equality, maintaining traditional rivalries and geography,” Alvarez said in a story on the school’s website. “A lot went into this, and there was a lot of give and take amongst all the schools in the conference. I’m happy with the way things have turned out for our program and our department.”

The Big Ten also announced the conference schedules for 2011 and 2012. In a historic matchup, the Badgers will host Nebraska’s first Big Ten game, with the Cornhuskers visiting Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 1, 2011.

Wisconsin then has a bye week and hosts Indiana on Oct. 15. A pair of road games, at Michigan State and at Ohio State, follow. Purdue visits Camp Randall on Nov. 5, then the Badgers travel to Minnesota and Illinois. The regular season concludes against Penn State in Madison on Nov. 26.

“It was important to us to keep the longest running continuous rivalry in college football history alive, so we are happy that we will play Minnesota every year,” said Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema. “And we’ll be part of history when we host Nebraska in its first Big Ten Conference game next October.

“Also, I think the addition of a championship game will be tremendous for the league and a fantastic opportunity for our players.”

2011 WISCONSIN BIG TEN SCHEDULE

Oct. 1—Nebraska

Oct. 8—Open

Oct. 15—Indiana

Oct. 22—at Michigan State

Oct. 29—at Ohio State

Nov. 5—Purdue

Nov. 12—at Minnesota

Nov. 19—at Illinois

Nov. 26—Penn State

2012 WISCONSIN BIG TEN SCHEDULE

Sept. 29—at Nebraska

Oct. 6—Illinois

Oct. 13—at Purdue

Oct. 20—Minnesota

Oct. 27—Michigan State

Nov. 3—Open

Nov. 10—at Indiana

Nov. 17—Ohio State

Nov. 24—at Penn State