The Big Ten overall has had a good decade, especially with the conference landing a massive new TV deal. While not every team can be Ohio State and Michigan, they’ve each had at least one major victory to be proud of. This article will dive into the biggest win each Big Ten team has had this decade.
Indiana
2020 vs Penn State
Michael Penix Jr’s overtime dive was just barely enough to give the Hoosiers an upset win over #8 at home. The 36-35 win kickstarted one of Indiana’s best seasons in a long time, finishing 6-2 and ranking as high as #7 in the Covid-shortened season.
Illinois
2021 vs Penn State
The win that showed the country Bret Bielema will turn around the Illini. It may have taken nine overtime exchanges, but they went back to Champaign with a massive win over #7. Chase Brown ended with 223 rushing yards in a previous to his dominant 2022 year.
Iowa
2021 vs Penn State
Sorry if you’re a Penn State fan, being forced to see three disappointing losses to start the list. But this isn’t about the Nittany Lions, it’s about the Hawkeye’s 23-20 win in a top-four matchup. Iowa would go on to win the Big 10 West, partly thanks to this game.
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Maryland
2022 vs North Carolina State
The Terrapins’ only top twenty-five win this decade pushed Maryland to their first eight-win season since 2020. With Taulia Tagovailoa returning to lead an experienced group in 2023, that win could kickstart an excellent upcoming season for the Terps.
Michigan
2021 vs Ohio State
Some could say that the 2022 win was more impressive because the game was in Columbus, Ohio State was gunning for revenge, and Michigan won by more. But no, Michigan FINALLY lifting the monkey off its back in 2021 was way more impressive to me. Hassan Haskins’ five rushing touchdowns will never be forgotten and neither will Michigan’s hot streak which has followed the win.
Michigan State
2021 vs Michigan
Haskins wasn’t the only runningback from the Great Lake State to score five touchdowns on their rival. He got his inspiration from Kenneth Walker Jr. who did it first in the game for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. His outstanding performance would lead the Spartans on a sixteen-point comeback in the emotional 37-33 win.
Minnesota
2021 vs Wisconsin
Minnesota’s 23-13 over arch-rival Wisconsin is their best win this from the decade. The Gophers handled the game and held Wisconsin to only six points on offense. More importantly, it was the first time Minnesota won Paul Bunyan’s Axe at home since 2003 and the win held the Badgers from winning the West.
Nebraska
2022 vs Iowa
Capping off another disappointing season was a rivalry win to give Nebraska a pulse heading into the Matt Rhule era. The 24-17 win ended a seven-year drought in the Heroes Game for the Huskers. Will this win start a new era of Cornhuskers football? Maybe, but it can’t be worse than the past few years.
Northwestern
2020 vs Wisconsin
As crazy as it sounds now, yes Northwestern was a top-ten team in this young decade. They finished 2020 as the #10 team in America with a Big Ten West Championship. Neither of those accomplishments would be possible though without their stifling 17-7 win over then #10 Wisconsin.
Ohio State
2020 vs Clemson
In their five attempts, this is the only playoff game the Big Ten has won this decade. And what a showing it was. Ohio State also got needed redemption from the 2016 and 2019 Fiesta Bowls where Clemson killed their title hopes. Led by 385 passing yards from Justin Fields, the Buckeyes rolled to a 49-28 win.
Penn State
2022 vs Utah
The Granddaddy of them all. The Rose Bowl capping off Penn State’s 2022 Season, arguably their best season since 2016 also is the Nittany Lions’ biggest win. Led by explosive plays in the second half, Penn State outran Utah in the rare Los Angeles rain. With many top pieces returning, 2023 could become even better than this 11-2 campaign.
Purdue
2021 vs Michigan State
One of two times the Spoilermakers struck in 2021, I chose this win over the Iowa game because Michigan State turned out to be a lot better than Iowa. The Spartans’ porous pass defense led up 536 yards to Aidan O’Connell through the air and the offense couldn’t overcome the pass defense in this 40-29 Purdue win.
Rutgers
2020 vs Michigan State
In another forgettable decade for the Scarlet Knights so far, this win gave lots of hope in Greg Schiano’s first game back to Piscataway. The game was a return to form to Schiano’s first tenure with Rutgers, a scrappy team who forced seven turnovers in a 38-27 win.
Wisconsin
2020 vs Michigan
Michigan is a school that historically has kicked around Wisconsin. However, not in their 2020 matchup. The Badgers dominated all aspects of the game and won 49-11 in an empty Ann Arbor. Sure this was a weak Michigan team, but when you beat a team with that much talent and pedigree by that much, it’s hard to top and hasn’t been since.
