The Associated Press

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Tenth-ranked Wisconsin comes into Saturday's game at No. 5 Purdue with a score to settle.

Last year, then-No. 13 Purdue went into Camp Randall and squeaked out a 26-23 win over then-No. 14 Wisconsin, sending the Badgers into a tailspin.

This time, Purdue (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) hosts Wisconsin (6-0, 3-0), with the winner getting a leg up in the race for the conference title.

If last year's meeting is any indication, the rest of the season could hinge on the outcome.

Purdue ended up in a New Year's Day bowl game.

The Badgers came into that game at 5-1, but the loss sent them into a skid during which they lost four of their last five games.

This time, however, the Badgers bring a much stingier defense to the table. Wisconsin is allowing just 6.5 points a game, which is tied for tops in the nation.

It's a big game, and the players don't need to see ESPN on campus to know that.

"These guys are college students," Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez said. "I think they're smart enough to figure out that it's two rated teams playing and whoever wins is going to stay undefeated in the league."

BUTKUS AWARD: Ohio State's A.J. Hawk headlines a list of 12 semifinalists named Thursday for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.

Also named to the list: Southern Mississippi's Michael Boley, Virginia's Ahmad Brooks, Tennessee's Kevin Burnett, Florida's Channing Crowder, Southern California's Matt Grootegoed, UCLA's Spencer Havner, Texas' Derrick Johnson, Oklahoma's Lance Mitchell, San Diego State's Kirk Morrison, Georgia's Odell Thurman and Miami's Leon Williams.