LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Two of the Big Ten's best running backs will be on the field when Wisconsin and No. 14 Nebraska meet in Saturday night's conference championship game.

Wisconsin's Montee Ball has been at his best lately after a slow start.

Nebraska's Rex Burkhead is running strong after aggravating a knee sprain.

Ball, a 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist after rushing for 1,923 yards and 33 touchdowns, this week earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight year with 1,528 yards and 18 TDs.

Burkhead was a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2011 after a 1,357-yard, 15-TD season. He sprained his left knee in the opener against Southern Mississippi, has aggravated the injury twice and appeared in only six games. He has 474 yards on 63 carries, a 7.5-yard average.

Copyright 2012: Associated Press