Here is the latest Big Ten Conference sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — Illinois is set up to be eligible for a bowl under coach Lovie Smith for the first time in his four seasons. No. 3 Ohio State and No. 5 Penn State are two of seven Big Ten teams already bowl eligible and one of those teams will have a legitimate shot to be in the College Football Playoff. No. 13 Minnesota is in prime position to reach the Big Ten championship game for the first time.

UNDATED (AP) — It's a light schedule in the Big Ten this week with six of the teams being idle. No. 14 Michigan plays at Maryland after posting an impressive win over Notre Dame. Indiana's prolific passing attack will be tested when it goes against Northwestern. Illinois' Dre Brown ran for a career-high 131 yards against Purdue last week and will face the Big Ten's worst rushing defense in Rutgers. Nebraska is 1-7 on the road under second-year coach Scott Frost heading into its game at Purdue.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State says linebacker Joe Bachie has been declared ineligible by the Big Ten after testing positive for a banned supplement. The school says it will appeal. Bachie made the second team on the AP's list of midseason All-Americans. The senior has 36 tackles and 35 assists this season, along with 3 ½ sacks.

UNDATED (AP) — Two Rutgers softball coaches, a husband and wife, have been accused of fostering a climate of fear, intimidation and abuse on the team. The university president says he wants an independent investigation of allegations made against softball head coach Kristen Butler and her husband Marcus Smith, a volunteer assistant. Rutgers President Robert Barchi says in a statement that "nothing is more important than the health and safety of our students."

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State forward Thomas Kithier is expected to open the season playing with a broken nose. Kithier was injured by an inadvertent elbow from a teammate in practice. He has been cleared to practice and play in games. The top-ranked Spartans open the season against No. 2 Kentucky in New York on Tuesday night. Kithier is a candidate to start at forward. The 6-foot-8 sophomore averaged 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds while he was used sparingly in 31 games last season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu headlines The Associated Press women's basketball preseason All-America team. She was a unanimous choice from the 28-member media panel. She was joined on the team by Lauren Cox of Baylor, Beatrice Mompremier of Miami, Kaila Charles of Maryland and Chennedy Carter of Texas A&M.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Related topics