College football is one of the most exciting, competitive, and popular sports in the United States. Every year the Big Ten Conference crowns its champion in the Big Ten Championship game. The Big Ten Championship is one of the most prestigious titles in college football, and teams that have won the title have gone on to have successful seasons and even win national championships. In this article, we’ll take a look back at the Big Ten Champions since its inception in 2000, and see which teams have made the most impressive runs.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes: Most Successful Big Ten Team
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been the most successful Big Ten team since the inception of the Big Ten Championship in 2000. The Buckeyes have won the title eight times, including a streak of six consecutive titles from 2005-2010. During this time, the Buckeyes were led by legendary coach Jim Tressel and star players like Troy Smith, Terrelle Pryor, and Braxton Miller. The Buckeyes won three national championships during this time period, and were consistently one of the top teams in college football.
The Michigan Wolverines: Consistent Contenders
The Michigan Wolverines have been the second most successful team in the Big Ten since 2000. The Wolverines have won the title four times, including three straight from 2011-2013. During this time, the Wolverines were led by legendary coach Lloyd Carr and star players like Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and Denard Robinson. The Wolverines had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
The Wisconsin Badgers: Dark Horse Contenders
The Wisconsin Badgers have been a consistent dark horse contender in the Big Ten since 2000. The Badgers have won the title three times, including back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. During this time, the Badgers were led by legendary coach Barry Alvarez and star players like Montee Ball, Russell Wilson, and Melvin Gordon. The Badgers had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
The Penn State Nittany Lions: One-Hit Wonders
The Penn State Nittany Lions have been one of the most successful one-hit wonders in the Big Ten since 2000. The Nittany Lions won the title in 2005, led by legendary coach Joe Paterno and star players like Paul Posluszny and Michael Robinson. The Nittany Lions had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
The Iowa Hawkeyes: Mid-Tier Contenders
The Iowa Hawkeyes have been a consistent mid-tier contender in the Big Ten since 2000. The Hawkeyes have won the title twice, including back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. During this time, the Hawkeyes were led by legendary coach Kirk Ferentz and star players like Shonn Greene, Adrian Clayborn, and Marvin McNutt. The Hawkeyes had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers: Up-and-Coming Contenders
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have been an up-and-coming contender in the Big Ten since 2000. The Gophers won the title in 2018, led by legendary coach P.J. Fleck and star players like Tyler Johnson and Rodney Smith. The Gophers had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
The Northwestern Wildcats: Struggling Contenders
The Northwestern Wildcats have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the Big Ten since 2000. The Wildcats won the title in 2000, led by legendary coach Gary Barnett and star players like Zak Kustok and Damien Anderson. The Wildcats had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
The Indiana Hoosiers: Rebounding Contenders
The Indiana Hoosiers have been a team in transition in the Big Ten since 2000. The Hoosiers won the title in 2020, led by legendary coach Tom Allen and star players like Michael Penix Jr. and Stevie Scott. The Hoosiers had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
The Maryland Terrapins: Struggling Contenders
The Maryland Terrapins have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the Big Ten since 2000. The Terrapins won the title in 2003, led by legendary coach Ralph Friedgen and star players like Shawne Merriman and E.J. Henderson. The Terrapins had a few successful seasons, but never won a national championship.
Conclusion
The Big Ten Championship is one of the most prestigious titles in college football. Since its inception in 2000, the Big Ten has crowned eight different champions, with the Ohio State Buckeyes winning the most titles. The Buckeyes have won eight titles in total, while the Michigan Wolverines have won four titles, and the Wisconsin Badgers and Penn State Nittany Lions have each won three titles. The Minnesota Golden Gophers, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Indiana Hoosiers have all won two titles, while the Northwestern Wildcats and Maryland Terrapins have each won one title.