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

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston plans to enter the NFL draft. Boston announced his decision Wednesday on social media. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Boston had 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns this season as a junior, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors. Last year, he had 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. In Washington’s 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl on Dec. 13, Boston caught six passes for 126 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown.

UNDATED (AP) — The College Football Playoff’s first round averaged 9.9 million viewers across multiple networks, marking a 7% drop from last year. A key factor was the final game between James Madison and Oregon airing on TNT, TBS, and truTV instead of ABC and ESPN. It also faced competition from an NFL game. The Chicago Bears’ victory over the Green Bay Packers drew 21.3 million viewers, overshadowing Oregon’s win, which attracted 4.4 million. Alabama’s comeback victory over Oklahoma was the most-watched CFP game, averaging 14.9 million viewers. ESPN sublicenses some CFP games to other networks, impacting viewership.

UNDATED (AP) — Matt Patricia is getting ready for the College Football Playoff as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator. Patricia, who previously worked with the New England Patriots, acknowledges the preparation is different than the NFL. The second-seeded Buckeyes face Miami in a CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. Ohio State had a two-week break after the Big Ten championship game. Patricia’s first season has exceeded expectations, with the Buckeyes leading in several national categories. Players and coaches praise his ability to connect with the team. Patricia is a finalist for the Broyles Award, recognizing top assistant coaches.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana coach Curt Cignetti gained plenty of knowledge from his four seasons as an assistant at Alabama under Nick Saban. He believes the time he spent with the Crimson Tide helped him learn how to prioritize organization, avoid complacency and maintain high standards. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer feels similarly about the one season he spent at Indiana. He developed tight bonds there with fellow staff members who eventually followed him to Tuscaloosa. Cignetti’s Hoosiers and DeBoer’s Crimson Tide square off in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

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