The 7 Best Big Ten Football Championship Games of All Time

The Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game is more than just a battle for a title; it's a stage where legends are born and seasons are defined. Since its inception, this annual showdown has delivered some of college football's most unforgettable moments, filled with crazy comebacks, record performances, and last-second heroics. 

We've considered everything: the raw emotion, the incredible stakes, the jaw-dropping plays, and the iconic moments that have etched these contests into the canon of football history.  

This list ranks the seven greatest Big Ten Championship games of all time. Let's take a look. 

Think the 2025 championship will make the list?  Grab a seat now  and decide for yourself. 

7. 2020: Ohio State def. Northwestern 22-10 

This game was a testament to resilience. Ohio State, missing several key players, found themselves in a tight spot, trailing a gritty Northwestern team 10-6 at halftime. But the second half was a completely different story, dominated by one man: running back Trey Sermon. 

Sermon delivered a performance for the ages, rushing for a staggering 331 yards—an Ohio State single-game record and the most ever in any conference championship game. He carried the Buckeyes’ offense, scoring two crucial second-half touchdowns. The defense, led by Justin Hilliard's key interception and fumble recovery, pitched a shutout in the second half. It was a hard-fought battle that saw Ohio State overcome adversity to secure their 39th Big Ten title. 

6. 2019: Ohio State def. Wisconsin 34-21 

For one half, it looked like Wisconsin was going to pull off a monumental upset. The Badgers stormed out of the gates, building a 14-0 lead en route to a 21-7 halftime score.  

But the Buckeyes that emerged from the locker room were a different beast entirely. Ohio State unleashed a second-half onslaught, outscoring Wisconsin 27-0. Quarterback Justin Fields was surgical, throwing two touchdown passes and setting up a field goal in the third quarter alone. Running back J.K. Dobbins piled up 172 yards and a touchdown against a tough Badger defense.  

This comeback victory not only secured Ohio State’s third consecutive conference crown but also demonstrated the firepower of a team destined for the College Football Playoff. 

5. 2024: Oregon def. Penn State 45-37 

Welcome to the Big Ten, Oregon! In their inaugural season, the Ducks' championship matchup against Penn State was an all-out sprint, producing the highest-scoring first half in the game's history (55 points) and the second-highest point total (82). 

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel was masterful, throwing for 283 yards and four touchdowns. His favorite target, Tez Johnson, was nearly unstoppable, racking up 181 receiving yards in his MVP performance.  

Penn State fought valiantly, with running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen both topping 100 yards. But Nikko Reed's late-game interception of Drew Allar clinched the win for the Ducks.  

Recency bias? Maybe. But there's no denying: this was a spectacular, high-octane affair that crowned Oregon with its first Big Ten Championship and sent them to the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed. 

4. 2015: Michigan State def. Iowa 16-13 

A defensive battle from the start, this title bout came down to one of the most memorable drives in college football history. Trailing 13-9 with just over nine minutes to play, Michigan State took possession at their own 18-yard line. 

What followed was dubbed "The Drive": an epic 22-play, 82-yard march that chewed over 9 minutes off the clock. With the seconds ticking away, Spartan running back LJ Scott powered his way into the end zone from one yard out, stretching the ball across the goal line for the game-winning touchdown with just 27 seconds remaining. It was a display of pure grit and determination that propelled the Spartans to a Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. 

3. 2013: Michigan State def. Ohio State 34-24 

Talk about a game of swings. No. 10 Michigan State came out swinging, stunning the undefeated, No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes by jumping out to a 17-0 lead. Ohio State, led by star quarterback Braxton Miller, stormed back to score 24 unanswered points and take the lead. But the Spartans weren't done. 

Michigan State scored the final 17 points to seal the upset. Quarterback Connor Cook was named MVP after throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns, outdueling Miller and ending Ohio State’s 24-game winning streak. The win denied the Buckeyes a chance to play for the BCS National Championship and sent the Spartans to the Rose Bowl, marking a defining moment for Mark Dantonio's program. 

2. 2016: Penn State def. Wisconsin 38-31 

Down 28-7 late in the second quarter of the 2016 championship, Penn State looked completely outmatched. But what happened next was nothing short of extraordinary.  

The Nittany Lions roared back, outscoring Wisconsin 31-3 over the final 31 minutes of the game. Quarterback Trace McSorley put on a show, setting championship game records with 384 passing yards and four touchdowns. He connected on four passes of 30-or-more yards. Star running back Saquon Barkley contributed 103 total yards and two crucial touchdowns. The game was sealed when Penn State’s defense made a dramatic fourth-down stop as Wisconsin drove for a potential game-tying score. The rally captured Penn State's first Big Ten title since 2008. 

1. 2011: Wisconsin def. Michigan State 42-39 

The inaugural Big Ten Championship Game set an impossibly high bar. This electrifying shootout had it all: future NFL quarterbacks dueling, gutsy trick plays, and an epic finish.  

The game was a back-and-forth thriller, highlighted by creative play-calling that included a 32-yard pass from running back (yes, running back) Montee Ball and a fake extra point. Wisconsin's Russell Wilson and Michigan State's Kirk Cousins combined for six touchdowns in a spectacular aerial display. 

But the defining moment came late in the fourth quarter. Facing fourth down, Wilson launched a prayer that was hauled in by Jeff Duckworth to set up the game-winning touchdown. This wild, high-scoring affair was the perfect introduction to what has become one of college football's premier events, and it remains the gold standard for drama and excitement. 

Witness the Next Chapter 

From historic comebacks to record-breaking performances, the Big Ten Football Championship Game consistently delivers moments that define careers and shape the college football landscape. The legacy of these seven games highlights the passion, intensity, and drama that make the sport so special. 

If this year's game makes the list, you could be part of it. Secure your tickets for this year’s championship game .