2008 Big Ten Conference football season

The 2008 Big Ten Conference football season is the 113th season for the Big Ten. Ohio State has been the outright Big Ten Champion the past two seasons and looks for an unprecedented three time outright Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes are also looking for their fourth conference championship after sharing the championship with Penn State in 2005. In conference play, the Buckeyes were undefeated in 2006 and lost to only Illinois in 2007. Currently, the Michigan Wolverines have the most Big Ten Championships with 42.

Preseason

Ohio State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the conference with Wisconsin and Illinois second and third, respectively by the Media. Ohio State running back Chris Wells was chosen as the Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the year while fellow Buckeye linebacker James Laurinaitis was named the Preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the year.

Purdue Head Coach Joe Tiller will enter his final season, while Michigan's Rich Rodriguez will begin his first in Ann Arbor.

Each year, two Big Ten teams do not meet. Below is the breakdown of "no-plays" for 2008: Team -- Does not play

• Illinois -- Michigan State, Purdue
• Indiana -- Michigan, Ohio State
• Iowa -- Michigan, Ohio State
• Michigan -- Indiana, Iowa
• Michigan State -- Illinois, Minnesota
• Minnesota -- Michigan State, Penn State
• Northwestern -- Penn State, Wisconsin
• Ohio State -- Indiana, Iowa
• Penn State -- Minnesota, Northwestern
• Purdue -- Illinois, Wisconsin
• Wisconsin -- Northwestern, Purdue

Standings

2008 Big Ten Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 8 Penn State $+		7	–	1					11	–	2
No. 9 Ohio State %+		7	–	1					10	–	3
No. 24 Michigan State		6	–	2					9	–	4
Northwestern		5	–	3					9	–	4
No. 20 Iowa		5	–	3					9	–	4
Wisconsin		3	–	5					7	–	6
Minnesota		3	–	5					7	–	6
Illinois		3	–	5					5	–	7
Purdue		2	–	6					4	–	8
Michigan		2	–	6					3	–	9
Indiana		1	–	7					3	–	9
$ – BCS representative as conference champion % – BCS at-large representative + – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

Key matchups

Date	Visitor	Home	Source	Significance
August 30	Michigan State 31	California 38		In the first matchup between these two teams since 2002, the Cal Bears handed the Spartans their 8th consecutive loss by seven points or less.
August 30	Western Kentucky 13	Indiana 31		In Western Kentucky's first full season as a FBS participant, the Hoosiers increase their winning streak against nonconference teams in the regular season to five.
August 30	Utah 25	Michigan 23		In Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez's first game for the Wolverines, the Utes beat Michigan to sustain their position as the non-BCS team with the most victories against BCS teams (14).
August 30	Illinois 42	Missouri 52		Missouri's win over the Fighting Illini drops Illinois's record to 7-15 in the Arch Rivalry. The Tigers have also won the past four games against Illinois.
August 30	Syracuse 10	Northwestern 30		Northwestern's win over Syracuse is the first nonconference BCS win since 2004. The Wildcats also won their fourth-straight season opening game.
September 6	Oregon State 14	Penn State 45		The Nittany Lions improved their all-time record against Pac-10 teams to 23-11. This also marks Penn State's tenth consecutive win against a nonconference team.
September 6	Northwestern 24	Duke 20		In the only Big Ten-ACC season matchup in the 2008 season, Northwestern avenged a 2007 home loss that snapped Duke's 22-game losing streak.
September 13	Michigan 17	Notre Dame 35		The Wolverines and Irish are the two winningest programs in the FBS. The Wolverines have won the past two matchups with a 38-0 win in 2007.
September 13	Penn State 55	Syracuse 13		This is the Nittany Lions' second matchup against a BCS Conference team. Penn State has not played Big East rival Syracuse since 1990 when the Lions won 27-21 in University Park, Pennsylvania.
September 13	Iowa State 5	Iowa 17		This annual matchup is for the Cy-Hawk Trophy. The Cyclones won the 2007 matchup with a 15-13 score, but Iowa has won the trophy 20 times over Iowa State's 11.
September 13	Oregon 32	Purdue 26		This Big Ten-Pac-10 game is played in West Lafayette, Indiana and will be the first of two matchups between the teams. The Boilermakers will travel to Autzen Stadium in 2009.
September 13	Ohio State 3	USC 35		This Big Ten-Pac-10 matchup promises to be one of the best matchups in 2008. The teams have combined for three BCS championships and five BCS National Championship game appearances.
September 20	Notre Dame 7	Michigan State 23		These teams play for the Megaphone Trophy. The Spartans were lead by Javon Ringer's 201 yards on the ground in win against the Irish.
September 20	Iowa 20	Pitt 21		This Big Ten-Big East matchup is the first game between these teams since 1952.
September 27	Michigan State 42	Indiana 29		The Hoosiers and Spartans play for the Old Brass Spittoon. The Spartans won the 2007 matchup 52-27 in Spartan Stadium.
September 27	Purdue 21	Notre Dame 38		This intrastate rivalry is for the rights of the Shillelagh Trophy. The Boilermakers currently hold the trophy with a 2007 victory in Ross-Ade Stadium. It is the final matchup between the Big Ten and the Irish in 2008.
October 18	Michigan	Penn State		The Penn State-Michigan matchup has been one of the premier games the past few seasons. The Nittany Lions look for their first win against the Wolverines since 1996.
October 18	Wisconsin	Iowa		In another Big Ten traveling trophy game, the Hawkeyes look to return the Heartland Trophy to Iowa City, Iowa after a two-year losing streak against the Badgers.
October 25	Michigan State	Michigan		This intrastate rivalry intesified in the 2007 season when Wolverine player Mike Hart dubbed the Spartans as Michigan's little brother. The teams also play for the Paul Bunyan Trophy which has been in the Wolverines' possession since 2002.
October 25	Penn State	Ohio State		This rivalry matchup has been the featured point of college gameday the week it was played for the past 3 years. Ohio State leads the all time series 12-11, as Penn State searches for revenge for the past two years losses. Furthermore, Penn State and Ohio State are the only teams that have won the Big-Ten championship the past 3 years.
November 8	Michigan	Minnesota		The second oldest traveling trophy in the nation is in the matchup between the Golden Gophers and Wolverines. The Little Brown Jug has been won by Michigan eighteen of the last nineteen times. Minnesota won the trophy back in 2005 in Michigan Stadium.
November 15	Minnesota	Wisconsin		This matchup is the oldest in the FBS. Though the teams have played since 1890, the teams have played for the Paul Bunyan's Axe since 1948. The Badgers have won the last four matchups against the Gophers.
November 15	Ohio State	Illinois		The Buckeyes look to avenge their 2007 loss against the Illini. The teams play for the Illibuck with Ohio State holding a 56-23 advantage over Illinois.
November 22	Michigan	Ohio State		The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is the greatest sports rivalry. Its annual matchup as the last regular season game has decided 23 Big Ten championships. The Buckeyes have won the past four matchups and the last three in Ohio Stadium. The Wolverines have not won since the 100th matchup between the archrivals in 2003.
November 22	Michigan State	Penn State		These teams meet every year in the final regular season game. In 2007, the Spartans won the Land Grant Trophy back from the Nittany Lions with a score of 35-31. Penn State, however, has the edge over the Spartans with an 11-4 record since 1993.
November 22	Iowa	Minnesota		The Floyd of Rosedale is a traditional traveling trophy between the Hawkeyes and Gophers. The bronze pig is currently held by Iowa with a 2007 21-16 win in Kinnick Stadium
November 22	Illinois	Northwestern		The intrastate rivalry is for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. Currently, the Fighting Illini have the tomahawk after a 2007 victory. The Wildcats, however, have won the past four out of five matchups.
November 22	Indiana	Purdue		This intrastate rivalry is played by the Boilermakers and Hoosiers for the Old Oaken Bucket. Indiana received the bucket in 2007 with a 27-24 victory in Memorial Stadium. It was the first win over Purdue for the Hoosiers since 2001. This game will also mark Joe Tiller's final regular-season game for the Black and Gold.

Spring games

April 12

• Michigan

April 19

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan State
• Ohio State
• Penn State
• Purdue
• Wisconsin

April 25

• Minnesota

April 26

• Northwestern

Homecoming games

September 27

• Northwestern 22, Iowa 17

October 4

• Iowa @ Michigan State
• Illinois @ Michigan

October 11

• Minnesota @ Illinois

October 18

• Purdue @ Northwestern
• Michigan @ Penn State

October 25

• Northwestern @ Indiana
• Minnesota @ Purdue
• Illinois @ Wisconsin
• Penn State @ Ohio State

November 1

• Northwestern @ Minnesota

Statistical Leaders

Passing
Player	School	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	INT
Curtis Painter	Purdue	97	169	1,113	5	4
Adam Weber	Minnesota	102	146	1,154	8	2
Juice Williams	Illinois	68	116	905	9	6

Rushing
Player	School	ATT	YDS	YPC	TD
Javon Ringer	Michigan State	187	897	4.8	12
Shonn Greene	Iowa	99	665	6.7	5
P.J. Hill	Wisconsin	92	449	4.9	4
Kory Sheets	Purdue	75	439	5.9	7

Receiving
Player	School	REC	YDS	YPC	TD
Eric Decker	Minnesota	37	506	13.7	4
Desmond Tardy	Purdue	23	366	15.9	2
Mark Dell	Michigan State	19	425	22.4	2
Greg Orton	Purdue	25	287	11.5	1

Tackles
Player	School	SOLO	AST	TOTAL
Brit Miller	Illinois	18	26	44
Anthony Heygood	Purdue	24	16	40
James Laurinaitis	Ohio State	18	29	47

Sacks
Player	School	SACKS
Aaron Maybin	Penn State	6
Brandon Graham	Michigan	5
Corey Wootton	Northwestern	4.5

Interceptions
Player	School	INT
Otis Wiley	Michigan State	4
Shane Carter, Niles Brinkley, Kurt Coleman ,Morgan Trent	Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan	2

Trophy Watchlists

Doak Walker Award

• RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
• RB Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
• RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
• RB Kory Sheets, Purdue
• RB P.J. Hill, Wisconsin

Walter Camp Award

• WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
• RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
• CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
• LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State
• TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
• RB P.J. Hill, Wisconsin

Butkus Award

• LB Martez Wilson, Illinois
• LB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
• LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• LB Anthony Heygood, Purdue
• LB Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin

Outland Trophy

• OL Xavier Fulton, Illinois
• C Ryan McDonald, Illinois
• DT Mitch King, Iowa
• DT Matt Kroul, Iowa
• DT Terrance Taylor, Michigan
• OT Alex Boone, Ohio State
• G Steve Rehring, Ohio State
• DT John Gill, Northwestern
• OT Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
• C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
• OT Sean Sester, Purdue
• OL Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin

Davey O'Brien Award

• QB Juice Williams, Illinois
• QB Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
• QB Curtis Painter, Purdue

Johnny Unitas Award

• QB Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
• QB C.J. Bacher, Northwestern
• QB Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
• QB Curtis Painter, Purdue

John Mackey Award

• TE Jeff Cumberland, Illinois
• TE Tony Moeaki, Iowa
• TE Andrew Quarless, Penn State
• TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin

Bronko Nagurski Trophy

• DB Vontae Davis, Illinois
• DE Greg Middleton, Indiana
• DT Mitch King, Iowa
• DT Terrance Taylor, Michigan
• DT John Gill, Northwestern
• DB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
• LB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
• LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• DE Maurice Evans, Penn State
• DE Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin

Rotary Lombardi Award

• DE Greg Middleton, Indiana
• DL Mitch King, Iowa
• LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• DE Maurice Evans, Penn State
• C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
• TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin

Rimington Trophy

• C Ryan McDonald, Illinois
• C Alex Perry, Indiana
• C Jim Cordle, Ohio State
• C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State

Lott Trophy

• LB Brit Miller, Illinois
• DE Greg Middleton, Indiana
• DT Mitch King, Iowa
• CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
• LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• LB Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin

Ray Guy Award

• P A.J. Trapasso, Ohio State

Maxwell Award

• WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
• RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
• RB Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
• QB Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
• WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
• RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State
• WR Derrick Williams, Penn State
• QB Curtis Painter, Purdue
• TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
• RB P.J. Hill, Wisconsin

Chuck Bednarik Award

• CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
• DE Greg Middleton, Indiana
• DL Mitch King, Iowa
• DL Terrance Taylor, Michigan
• LB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
• LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
• DE Maurice Evans, Penn State
• LB Anthony Heygood, Purdue
• DE Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin

Lou Groza Award

• K Austin Starr, Indiana
• K K.C. Lopata, Michigan
• K Brett Swenson, Michigan State
• K Ryan Pretorius, Ohio State
• K Kevin Kelly, Penn State

Jim Thorpe Award

• CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
• CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

Ted Hendricks Award

• DE Will Davis, Illinois
• DE Greg Middleton, Indiana
• DE Brandon Graham, Michigan
• DE Tim Jamison, Michigan
• DE Maurice Evans, Penn State
• DE Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin

Bowl Partners

Bowl Game	Date	Stadium	City	Television	Conference Matchups	Payout (US$)
Motor City Bowl	December 26, 2008	Ford Field	Detroit, Michigan		Big Ten #7 vs MAC #1	$750,000
Insight Bowl	December 31, 2008	Sun Devil Stadium	Tempe, Arizona		Big Ten #6 vs. Big 12 #5	$1.2 Million
Champs Sports Bowl	December , 2008	Citrus Stadium	Orlando, Florida		Big Ten #4/5 vs. ACC #4	$2.25 Million
Alamo Bowl	December 29, 2008	Alamodome	San Antonio, Texas		Big Ten #4/5 vs. Big 12 #4	$2.2 Million
Outback Bowl	January 1, 2009	Raymond James Stadium	Tampa, Florida		Big Ten #3 vs. SEC #3/4	$3 Million
Capital One	January 1, 2009	Citrus Bowl	Orlando, Florida		Big Ten #2 vs. SEC #2	$4.25 Million
Rose Bowl	January 1, 2009	Rose Bowl	Pasadena, California		Big Ten #1 vs. Pac-10 #1	$17 Million