In case you have noticed, Ohio State is pretty good at this American football thing. While the Buckeyes stack up among other elite teams in the country, it has downright dominated the Big Ten over the last couple of decades (yeah, yeah, Michigan, we’ll give you your once-in-a-decade win).
As you would imagine, and as you have seen, Ohio State has also dominated the Big Ten Awards recently, as well as throughout history at other times. One of those awards is the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award, handed out annually to the player judged to be the Big Ten’s best.
But other teams in the league have had their fair share as well, while others have had a few brief moments in the sun.
As we get closer to another season on the gridiron in the Big Ten, we thought it would be interesting to go back and see how each program in the conference stacks up when it comes to boasting about having the best player in the league. Which team has won it the most times? Who is in second place? And what teams have struggled to field the player dynamic enough consistently to add the Silver Football to a trophy case?
We’re here to shed some light on it for you by ranking the Big Ten programs by most Silver Football’s won since the first one was awarded in 1924 (it was the venerable Red Grange by the way).
Off we go …
None Won
Teams
Maryland
Nebraska
Rutgers
*Maryland and Rutgers didn’t join the Big Ten until 2014. Nebraska joined in 2011.
No. 12 - Chicago Maroons
The Chicago Maroons have a Proud Big Ten History. A Heisman Trophy winner as well. pic.twitter.com/KpQ31smOHC
— Jon Carroll (@JonCarroll03) September 15, 2018
No. of Silver Football’s Won
2
The First and Last Winner
First | Ken Rouse (1927)
Last | Jay Berwanger (1935)
*The University of Chicago was a Big Ten member from 1896 to 1939
No. 11 - Michigan State Spartans
No. of Silver Football’s Won
3
The First and Last Winner
First | Eric Allen (1971)
Last | Lorenzo White (1987)
No. 9 (tie) - Penn State Nittany Lions
No. of Silver Football’s Won
5
The First and Last Winner
First | Kery Collins (1994)
Last | Saquon Barkley (2017)
* Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1990
No. 9 (tie) - Northwestern Wildcats
Dec 14, 1992: @NUFBFamily receiver Lee Gissendaner is named 1992 @bigten MVP, winning the Chicago Tribune Silver Football. (He's the 5th winner from NU.) pic.twitter.com/wVDedTtkVU
— NU Archives (@NUArchives) December 14, 2018
No. of Silver Football’s Won
5
The First and Last Winner
First | Tim Lowry (1925)
Last | Lee Gissendaner (1992)
No. 7 (tie) - Purdue Boilermakers
No. of Silver Football’s Won
6
The First and Last Winner
First | Bob Griese (1966)
Last | Drew Brees (2000)
No. 7 (tie) - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Sandy Stephens is the only Minnesota QB to lead his team to the Rose Bowl. He did it twice! pic.twitter.com/aLAeSQEpWJ
— Norries Wilson (@NorriesWilson) August 23, 2018
No. of Silver Football’s Won
6
The First and Last Winner
First | Clarence Munn (1931)
Last | Sandy Stephens (1961)
No. 5 (tie) - Indiana Hoosiers
Throwback to 2001, last time Indiana beat Michigan State in East Lansing. Antwaan Randle El was QB, Cam Cameron was coach. Hoosiers rocked ‘em for 489 yards rushing in a 37-28 win. #iufb pic.twitter.com/h9PllpX28h
— Sam Neidermann (@SamNeidermann) September 26, 2019
No. of Silver Football’s Won
7
The First and Last Winner
First | Chuck Bennett (1928)
Last | Antwaan Randle El (2001)
No. 5 (tie) - Illinois Fighting Illini
No. of Silver Football’s Won
7
The First and Last Winner
First | Red Grange (1924)
Last | Rashard Mendenhall (2007)
No. 4 - Wisconsin Badgers
No. of Silver Football’s Won
9
The First and Last Winner
First | Howard Weiss (1938)
Last | Melvin Gordon (2014)
No. 3 - Iowa Hawkeyes
No. of Silver Football’s Won
10
The First and Last Winner
First | Bill Glassgow (1929)
Last | Shonn Greene (2008)
No. 2 - Michigan Wolverines
No. of Silver Football’s Won
18
The First and Last Winner
First | Benny Friedman (1926)
Last | Aidan Hutchinson (2001)
No. 1 - Ohio State Buckeyes
No. of Silver Football’s Won
22
The First and Last Winner
First | Wes Fesler (1930)
Last | Justin Fields (2020)
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