The 2017 Big Ten conference football season is the 122nd season of college football play for the Big Ten Conference and is part of the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season.
This was the Big Ten's fourth season with 14 teams. The defending league champion was the 2016 Penn State Nittany Lions football team. The 2017 season consisted of a nine–game conference schedule for the second year in a row.Big Ten Announces 2016 and 2017 Conference Football Schedules
Nebraska football coach Mike Riley was relieved from his position following the conclusion of Nebraska's 2017 season.
Ohio State defeated Wisconsin, 27–21, in the 2017 Big Ten Football Championship Game. No Big Ten teams were selected for the 2017 College Football Playoff.
Rankings
Pre Wk2 Wk3 Wk4 Wk5 Wk6 Wk7 Wk8 Wk9 Wk10 Wk11 Wk12 Wk13 Wk14 Wk15 Final Illinois AP C CFP Not released Indiana AP C CFP Not released Iowa AP RV RV RV RV RV 25 RV RVC RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV CFP Not released 20 Maryland AP RV RV RV RV C RV RV RV RV RV RV CFP Not released Michigan AP 11 8 7 8 8 7 17 19 RV RV 21 19 RV RV RV C 9 8 7 8 7 7 16 15 25 24 22 18 RV RV CFP Not released 24 Michigan State AP RV RV RV RV 21 18 16 24 13 22 21 19 18 15C RV RV RV RV 22 19 18 16 24 22 19 19 16 CFP Not released 24 12 17 16 16 16 Minnesota AP RV C RV RV RV RV RV CFP Not released Nebraska AP RV RV C RV RV CFP Not released Northwestern AP RV RV RV RV 23 20 20 17C RV RV RV RV 23 20 20 17 CFP Not released 25 23 22 21 21 Ohio State AP 2 (3) 2 (1) 8 10 11 10 9 6 6 3 11 8 8 8 5 5C 2 (5) 2 (2) 9 9 9 9 8 6 6 3 11 8 8 7 5 5 CFP Not released 6 13 9 9 8 5 Penn State AP 6 4 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 7 16 13 12 9 9 8C 6 4 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 7 13 11 11 10 9 8 CFP Not released 7 14 10 10 9 9 Purdue AP C CFP Not released Rutgers AP C CFP Not released Wisconsin AP 9 9 10 9 10 9 7 5 5 4 6 5 5 3 (10) 6 7 C 10 11 12 10 10 8 6 5 5 4 3 4 4 3 (21) 6 6 CFP Not released 9 8 5 5 4 6
+ Legend Improvement in ranking Drop in ranking Not ranked previous week No change in ranking from previous week RV Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll т Tied with team above or below also with this symbol
Schedule Index to colors and formattingBig Ten member wonBig Ten member lostBig Ten teams in bold All times Eastern time.
† denotes Homecoming game
Regular season
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Date Bye WeekSeptember 16 Indiana* Maryland Michigan State
*The Florida International at Indiana game scheduled for this week was canceled due to Hurricane Irma
Week 4
Date Bye WeekSeptember 23 Illinois Minnesota Northwestern #9 Wisconsin
Week 5
Date Bye WeekSeptember 30 #8 Michigan Purdue
Week 6
Date Bye WeekOctober 7 Rutgers
*Indiana was originally scheduled for a bye week here, but lost a game on Sept. 16 against Florida International due to Hurricane Irma. IU picked up a game with Charleston Southern to make up for that lost game.
Week 7
Date Bye WeekOctober 14 Iowa #3 Penn State
Week 8
Date Bye WeekOctober 21 Nebraska #6 Ohio State
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Championship game Week 14 (Big Ten Championship Game)
Bowl games Legend Big Ten win Big Ten loss
Bowl gameDateSiteTelevisionTime (EST)Big Ten teamOpponentScoreAttendancePinstripe BowlDecember 27Yankee Stadium • New York, NYESPN5:15 p.m.IowaBoston College27–2037,667Foster Farms BowlDecember 27Levi's Stadium • Santa Clara, CAFOX8:30 p.m.PurdueArizona38–3528,436Holiday BowlDecember 28SDCCU Stadium • San Diego, CAFS19:00 p.m.#18 Michigan State#21 Washington State42–1747,092Music City BowlDecember 29Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TNESPN4:30 p.m.#20 NorthwesternKentucky24–2348,675Outback BowlJanuary 1Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLESPN212:00 p.m.MichiganSouth Carolina26–1945,687New Year's Six BowlsCotton BowlDecember 29AT&T Stadium • Arlington, TXESPN8:30 p.m.#5 Ohio State#8 USC24–767,510Fiesta BowlDecember 30University of Phoenix Stadium • Glendale, AZESPN4:00 p.m.#9 Penn State#12 Washington35–2861,842Orange BowlDecember 30Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FLESPN8:00 p.m.#6 Wisconsin#11 Miami (FL)34–2465,032
Rankings are from AP Poll. All times Eastern Time Zone.
Big Ten vs Other Conferences
2017-2018 records against non-conference foes:
Regular Season
Power 5 ConferencesRecordACC2–2Big 122–1Notre Dame0–1Pac-121–2SEC2–0Power 5 Total7–6Other FBS ConferencesRecordAmerican1–2C-USA4–0MAC7–2Mountain West5–0Independents (Excluding Notre Dame)2–0Sun Belt3–0Other FBS Total22–4FCS OpponentsRecordFootball Championship Subdivision3–0Total Non-Conference Record32–10
Post Season
Power Conferences 5RecordACC2–0 Big 120–0Notre Dame0–0Pac-124–0SEC1–1Power 5 Total7–1Other FBS ConferencesRecordAmerican0–0C–USA0–0Independents (Excluding Notre Dame)0–0MAC0–0Mountain West0–0Sun Belt0–0Other FBS Total0–0Total Bowl Record7–1
Awards and honors
Player of the week honors Week Offensive Defensive Special Teams Freshman Player Position Team Player Position Team Player Position Team Player Position TeamWeek 1J. T. BarrettQBOSUJosey JewellLBIAAntoine BrooksDBMDJ. K. DobbinsRBOSUSaquon BarkleyRBPSUQuinn NordinPKMICHWeek 2Nate StanleyQBIATyree KinnelDBMICHJ-Shun Harris IIWRINDJonathan TaylorRBWISJonathan TaylorRBWISWeek 3Alex HornibrookQBWISJacob HuffDBMINNQuinn NordinPKMICHJ. K. DobbinsRBOSUJonathan LewisQBRUTWeek 4Saquon BarkleyRBPSUJosey JewellLBIAJ-Shun Harris IIWRINDMorgan EllisonRBINDChase WinovichDLMICHWeek 5Felton Davis IIIWRMSUNatrell JamersonSWISSaquon BarkleyRBPSUBen StilleLBNEBDaeSean HamiltonWRPSUWeek 6Jonathan TaylorRBWISJoe BachieLBMSUTy JohnsonRBMDJonathan TaylorRBWISWeek 7J. T. BarrettQBOSULeon JacobsLBWISCharlie KuhbanderPKNWJonathan TaylorRBWISWeek 8Saquon BarkleyRBPSUJoe BachieLBMSUHunter NiswanderPNWJonathan TaylorRBWISJason CabindaLBPSUWeek 9J. T. BarrettQBOSUPaddy FisherLBNWSaquon BarkleyRBPSUWhop PhilyorWRINDCody WhiteWRMSUWeek 10Chris EvansRBMICHJosh JacksonDBIAMatt CoghlinPKMSUJonathan TaylorRBWISKaran HigdonRBMICHKhaleke HudsonLB/DBMICHWeek 11Demry CroftQBMINNJosh JacksonDBIARodney SmithRBMINNJonathan TaylorRBWISMike WeberRBOSULeon JacobsLBWISWeek 12Saquon BarkleyRBPSUNate HallLBNWNick NelsonCBWISMorgan EllisonRBINDAnthony MahoungouWRPURJonathan TaylorRBWISWeek 13Markell JonesRBPURSam HubbardDEOSUHunter NiswanderPNWJonathan TaylorRBWISAkrum WadleyRBIA
Big Ten Individual Awards The following individuals won the conference's annual player and coach awards :
AwardPlayerSchoolGraham-George Offensive Player of the YearSaquon BarkleyPenn StateNagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the YearJosey JewellIowaThompson-Randle El Freshman of the YearJonathan TaylorWisconsinGriese-Brees Quarterback of the YearJ. T. BarrettOhio StateRichter-Howard Receiver of the YearD. J. MooreMarylandAmeche-Dayne Running Back of the YearSaquon BarkleyPenn StateKwalick-Clark Tight End of the YearTroy FumagalliWisconsinRimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the YearBilly PriceOhio StateSmith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the YearNick BosaOhio StateButkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the YearJosey JewellIowaTatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the YearJosh JacksonIowaBakken-Andersen Kicker of the YearGriffin OakesIndianaEddleman-Fields Punter of the YearRyan AndersonRutgersRodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the YearSaquon BarkleyPenn StateHayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year (coaches vote)Paul ChrystWisconsinDave McClain Coach of the Year (media vote)Paul ChrystWisconsinDungy-Thompson Humanitarian AwardChad GreenwayIowaFord-Kinnick Leadership AwardTroy VincentWisconsin
All-Conference Teams
2017 Big Ten All-Conference Teams and Awards
Position Player Team First Team Offense (Coaches)QBJ. T. Barrett Ohio StateRB Saquon BarkleyPenn StateRBJonathan TaylorWisconsinWRSimmie Cobbs IndianaWRD. J. Moore MarylandTETroy FumagalliWisconsinCBilly Price Ohio StateOGMichael Jordan Ohio StateOGBeau BenzschawelWisconsinOTJamarco Jones Ohio StateOTMichael DeiterWisconsin First Team Defense (Coaches)DLRashan Gary MichiganDLMaurice Hurst Jr. MichiganDLNick Bosa Ohio StateDLTyquan Lewis Ohio StateLB Josey Jewell IowaLBDevin Bush Jr. MichiganLBT. J. EdwardsWisconsinDBJosh Jackson IowaDB Marcus AllenPenn StateDBD'Cota DixonWisconsinDBNick NelsonWisconsin First Team Special Teams (Coaches)KGriffin Oakes IndianaPRyan Anderson RutgersRSSaquon BarkleyPenn State
Position Player Team Second Team Offense (Coaches)QBTrace McSorleyPenn StateRB Justin Jackson NorthwesternRBJ. K. Dobbins Ohio StateWRStanley Morgan Jr. NebraskaWRDaeSean HamiltonPenn StateTEMike GesickiPenn StateCBrian Allen Michigan StateOGSean Welsh IowaOGBen Bredeson MichiganOTMason Cole MichiganOTDavid EdwardsWisconsin Second Team Defense (Coaches)DLChase Winovich MichiganDLSam Hubbard Ohio StateDLAlec JamesWisconsinDLConor SheehyWisconsinLB Tegray Scales IndianaLBJason CabindaPenn StateLBGarrett DooleyWisconsinDBLavert Hill MichiganDB Godwin Igwebuike NorthwesternDBDenzel Ward Ohio StateDBAmani OruwariyePenn State Second Team Special Teams (Coaches)KRafael GaglianoneWisconsinPBlake GillikinPenn StateRSDeAndre ThompkinsPenn State
Position Player Team Third Team Offense (Coaches)QBClayton Thorson NorthwesternRB Akrum Wadley IowaRBKaran Higdon MichiganWRFelton Davis III Michigan StateWRParris Campbell Ohio StateTENoah Fant IowaCTyler BiadaszWisconsinOGDavid Beedle Michigan StateOGTommy Doles NorthwesternOTIsaiah Prince Ohio StateOTRyan BatesPenn State Third Team Defense (Coaches)DLKenny Willekes Michigan StateDLJoe Gaziano NorthwesternDLDre'Mont Jones Ohio StateDLGelen Robinson PurdueLB Khaleke Hudson MichiganLBJoe Bachie Michigan StateLBPaddy Fisher NorthwesternDB Rashard Fant IndianaDBKyle Queiro NorthwesternDBJordan Fuller Ohio StateDBDerrick TindalWisconsin Third Team Special Teams (Coaches)KSean Nuernberger Ohio StatePDrue Chrisman Ohio StateRSParris Campbell Ohio State
Coaches Honorable Mention: ILLINOIS: Nick Allegretti, James Crawford, Jaylen Dunlap, Stanley Green; INDIANA: Chris Covington, Jonathan Crawford, J'Shun Harris, Wes Martin, Luke Timian, Ian Thomas, Haydon Whitehead; IOWA: Nathan Bazata, James Daniels, Anthony Nelson, Ben Niemann; MARYLAND: Derwin Gray, J. C. Jackson, Darnell Savage; MICHIGAN: Chris Evans, Tyree Kinnel, Mike McCray, Josh Metellus, Quinn Nordin, Brad Robbins; MICHIGAN STATE: Luke Campbell, David Dowell, Kevin Jarvis, Justin Layne, Brian Lewerke, L. J. Scott, Josiah Scott, Khari Willis; MINNESOTA: Thomas Barber, Emmitt Carpenter, Carter Coughlin, Tyler Johnson, Steven Richardson, Ryan Santoso, Rodney Smith; NEBRASKA: Drew Brown, Jerald Foster, Nick Gates, JD Spielman (WR, KR); NORTHWESTERN: Garrett Dickerson, Nate Hall, Charlie Kuhbander, Tyler Lancaster, Samdup Miller; OHIO STATE: Jerome Baker, Marcus Baugh, K. J. Hill, Jalyn Holmes, Damon Webb, Mike Weber, Chris Worley; PENN STATE: Christian Campbell, Curtis Cothran, Grant Haley, Juwan Johnson, Shareef Miller; PURDUE: Ja'Whaun Bentley, Danny Ezechukwu, Lorenzo Neal, David Steinmetz, Jacob Thieneman; RUTGERS: Tariq Cole, Gus Edwards, Kiy Hester, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Dorian Miller; WISCONSIN: Quintez Cephus, Ryan Connelly, Joe Ferguson, Alex Hornibrook, Leon Jacobs, Natrell Jamerson, Olive Sagapolu.
Position Player Team First Team Offense (Media)QBJ. T. Barrett Ohio StateRB Saquon BarkleyPenn StateRBJonathan TaylorWisconsinWRSimmie Cobbs IndianaWRD. J. Moore MarylandTEMike GesickiPenn StateCBilly Price Ohio StateOGSean Welsh IowaOGBeau BenzschawelWisconsinOTJamarco Jones Ohio StateOTMichael DeiterWisconsin First Team Defense (Media)DLMaurice Hurst Jr. MichiganDLChase Winovich MichiganDLNick Bosa Ohio StateDLTyquan Lewis Ohio StateLB Tegray Scales IndianaLBJosey Jewell IowaLBT. J. EdwardsWisconsinDBJosh Jackson IowaDB David Dowell Michigan StateDBDenzel Ward Ohio StateDBNick NelsonWisconsin First Team Special Teams (Media)KGriffin Oakes IndianaPRyan Anderson RutgersRSSaquon BarkleyPenn State