To make a season really special, a college football team has to first dominate its own conference. In the case of Ohio State, it has been the king of the Big Ten for years now. Michigan may have found a way to finally, mercifully, beat the Buckeyes last season, but who really thinks the Wolverines have staying power when stacked up against Ryan Day and OSU going forward (besides TTUN fans that is).
We know Ohio State has generally owned the Big Ten over the last decade with another team sprinkled in here or there like a fine recipe of success colored scarlet and gray. But what other conference teams have been in the same stratosphere as OSU over the past decade when it comes to winning games. Does any team come close? Which program is second, third, and who is bringing up the rear?
Here’s a ranking of total wins over the last decade by Big Ten football programs from No. 14 all the way down to No. 1.
No. 14 – Illinois Fighting Illini
Dec. 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during the second quarter against California Golden Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Wins
39
Season with the most wins
2019 (6-7)
No. 13 – Purdue Boilermakers
Oct 14, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; A Purdue Boilermakers helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Wins
43
Season with the most wins
2021 (9-4)
No. 12 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Ohio State football’s game time, network, against Rutgers announced
Greg Schiano after Isaih Pacheco of Rutgers scored a fourth-quarter TD as Rutgers crushed Temple 61-14 in their season opener at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on September 4, 2021. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Total Number of Wins
44
Season with the most wins
2012 (9-4)
No. 11 – Maryland…
..
