Big Ten football rivalries: Which matchups rank behind Michigan-Ohio State?

From ‘Dotting the I’ in Columbus and the ‘World’s Largest Drum’ in West Lafayette to ‘Soar Round’ at Camp Randall Stadium and ‘The Kinnick Wave’ in Iowa Metropolis, there are particular indelible customs that set the Massive Ten aside from its contemporaries.

Simply as revered and intense are the rivalries and traditions, a lot of which had been born earlier than the convention was shaped in 1896. Michigan–Ohio State stands unquestioned because the Massive Ten’s prime rivalry, and it could actually make a case as the perfect in all of sports activities. However for a convention shaped in 1896, there are extra video games and moments that matter apart from ‘The Recreation.’

All season, The Athletic’s writers will rank varied Massive Ten matters. At the moment, Jesse Temple and Scott Dochterman break down the convention’s prime rivalry video games, trophies and traditions.

Finest rivalry outdoors of Michigan-Ohio State

Temple: Wisconsin and Minnesota have the most-played rivalry within the FBS (133 video games) and the longest frequently performed rivalry (117 video games). These two border rivals don’t like one another, and yearly gives a chance to offer gamers a historical past lesson — even when a few of it isn’t true.

Former Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland as soon as instructed me a narrative shared with the staff a couple of Wisconsin soccer participant within the Nineteen Thirties or ‘40s who selected to have his injured finger amputated reasonably than miss a sport in opposition to Minnesota. The message, Borland mentioned, was clear: “Higher to lose a finger than a fumble to Minnesota.” There was a Wisconsin native named Francis “Pug” Lund who performed halfback for Minnesota, and within the spring of 1934, had his left pinky finger amputated as a result of he’d damaged it so many instances that it will not bend. However there was no proof to counsel a Wisconsin participant did the identical, not to mention within the lead-up to enjoying Minnesota.

The rivalry has been spiced up since P.J. Fleck arrived at Minnesota as a result of the Gophers have cut up the final six matchups after dropping 14 straight within the collection. This sport additionally has produced two of the perfect touring trophies within the Massive Ten — first the Slab of Bacon and now Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

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The Slab of Bacon thriller: What occurred to the primary Wisconsin-Minnesota rivalry trophy?

Dochterman: I nearly wish to cop out and name it a tie with six or seven rivalries at second behind Ohio State-Michigan. Jesse is correct for the explanations he listed. Minnesota-Wisconsin is the FBS’ most-played rivalry, and the groups fortunately squeezed in a make-up sport throughout the 2020 COVID season. They’ve performed yearly from 1907 onward, and the depth is palpable.

USC–UCLA stands out because the one which challenges Minnesota-Wisconsin for No. 2. They play for a Victory Bell, and the groups will meet for the 94th time later this month. Maybe their largest video games got here in 1967, when No. 4 USC and O.J. Simpson upset No. 1 UCLA and Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban, and in 2006, when UCLA’s 13-9 upset saved USC from the BCS title sport.

Different historic rivalries deserve point out like Indiana–Purdue, which ranks second in video games performed (126 after the upcoming assembly), and the faculties’ battle for the Outdated Oaken Bucket. Tied for fourth in matchups after this 12 months – only one behind Michigan-Ohio State (119 at season’s finish) – are Minnesota-Iowa (118) and Illinois–Northwestern (118) with Michigan-Michigan State at 117 and Washington-Oregon at 116.

There are also just a few which can be competitively primarily based just like the trio of Wisconsin-Iowa-Michigan State and Penn State’s battles with Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State. Lastly, there are the nice trophy video games which have waned over time like Minnesota-Michigan with the Little Brown Jug and Illinois-Ohio State with the Illibuck.

Michigan gained the Little Brown Jug trophy this 12 months by beating Minnesota 27-24 on Sept. 28. (Rick Osentoski / Imagn Photographs)

Finest rivalry sport we’ve seen

Temple: There have been some wonderful Massive Ten rivalry moments, however give me the 2015 Michigan-Michigan State sport, which had an all-time unbelievable ending and an all-time nice TV name – “Hassle with the snap!” – by Sean McDonough. Michigan State trailed 23-21 with 10 seconds remaining when Michigan punter Blake O’Neill mishandled a low snap and misplaced the ball. Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson recovered and returned it 38 yards for a walk-off landing that gave Michigan State a 27-23 victory, serving to propel the Spartans to their solely School Soccer Playoff look.

Michigan has largely owned the collection within the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy (to not be confused with the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe). However the 2015 sport will without end maintain a particular place within the hearts of Spartans followers.

Dochterman: Clearly, Michigan and Ohio State have performed in iconic video games, particularly in 2006, 2016 and 2023. All three stand alone amongst rivalry video games for me.

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The untold story of Wisconsin and Iowa’s series-altering 2010 thriller

However for what I’ve witnessed in individual, the 2010 Wisconsin-Iowa conflict was extraordinary. There have been 30 NFL Draft picks – 15 on every staff – and 5 complete first-rounders, together with each left tackles and proper defensive ends. There have been eight lead modifications and large momentum swings. I’ve by no means heard Kinnick Stadium louder than when Iowa security Brett Greenwood intercepted Scott Tolzien halfway via the fourth quarter. However I by no means heard a louder groan than when Wisconsin punter Brad Nortman took off on a faux punt on the following possession. Even the last-minute goal-line play that put Wisconsin forward 31-30 was so hotly contested. The sport represented greater than only a consequence; it was a defining second that modified their rivalry and fortunes for almost a decade.

Finest rivalry trophy

Temple: The Little Brown Jug, awarded to the Michigan-Minnesota winner, has an incredible backstory and is a part of why analyzing the historical past of school soccer is so enjoyable. Because the story goes, Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost was involved earlier than a 1903 sport at Minnesota that Gophers followers would possibly contaminate his staff’s water provide and instructed his scholar supervisor to buy a jug to carry water.

The five-gallon jug was left behind within the locker room amid on-field chaos when Minnesota tied the sport at 6-6 late within the second half and the sport was referred to as with two minutes remaining on account of a field-storming that would not be contained. Custodian Oscar Munson discovered the jug and introduced it to Minnesota’s director of athletics. It was then painted over with the ultimate rating and the phrases: Michigan Jug. “Captured” by Oscar, October 21, 1903. When the groups subsequent met six years later, they agreed to play for an precise trophy primarily based on the unique jug. Sadly for Minnesota, Michigan has gained 44 of the final 48 matchups.

Dochterman: Minnesota competes for the perfect three within the nation. The Little Brown Jug with Michigan is the oldest and Paul Bunyan’s Axe with Wisconsin is the good. However Floyd of Rosedale is the game’s finest touring trophy. In 1934, Minnesota battered and bruised Iowa operating again Ozzie Simmons, who was Black, in a 48-12 win. Iowa media and followers believed race performed a task in how Simmons was handled, and the rhetoric by no means simmered down. The day earlier than the 1935 sport, Iowa Gov. Clyde Herring allegedly blurted in a dialog, “If the officers stand for any tough techniques like Minnesota used final 12 months, I’m positive the gang gained’t.”

The Related Press picked up these feedback they usually appeared in each newspaper within the Midwest. Minnesota Gov. Floyd Olson tried to diffuse the state of affairs and despatched a telegram to Herring asking if he would wager an Iowa prize hog in opposition to one from Minnesota on the sport’s consequence. Herring accepted, Minnesota gained 13-6 and Herring despatched a 200-pound pig from Rosedale Farms to St. Paul on a prepare. The following 12 months, Olson commissioned a 98-pound bronze reproduction, and the groups have performed yearly for the prized pig.

Most underrated rivalry

Dochterman: I’m unsure if any Massive Ten traditionalists perceive how large Oregon-Washington is to these two groups. Most observers learn about their in-state rivalries which have nice histories and catchy monikers (Civil Struggle, Apple Cup). However Oregon-Washington is simply as feisty and carries extra prominence. Washington leads the collection 63-48-5 and the groups performed twice final 12 months, together with for the Pac-12 championship. The Huskies gained each video games and superior to the School Soccer Playoff title sport. Oregon presently is ranked No. 1, whereas Washington is 5-4. Whereas the groups’ upcoming matchup on Nov. 30 seems uneven competitively, it gained’t reduce the depth of this nice collection.

Temple: I’m not going to faux just like the Outdated Oaken Bucket sport between Indiana and Purdue has produced many significant matchups because it pertains to the Massive Ten race. The final time this annual sport featured a ranked staff was in 2003 when quarterback Kyle Orton and Purdue had been sixteenth within the nation. However that is nonetheless a sport that has been performed 125 instances, second-most within the Massive Ten behind Minnesota-Wisconsin. Indiana, which has misplaced three in a row to Purdue and 5 of the final six, may have a School Soccer Playoff berth on the road when the groups meet within the common season finale this 12 months.

Finest rivalry custom

Dochterman: With every passing 12 months, Nebraska-Iowa gathers steam with followers taking a critical dislike to 1 one other. However the Black Friday custom briefly steps out from its soccer vitriol with the Heroes Recreation idea. Every year, the packages honor a citizen from every state who carried out a heroic act.

This 12 months, as an example, Iowa’s hero is former Perry Excessive Faculty principal Dan Marburger, who was fatally shot whereas defending college students after a 17-year-old opened fireplace at his faculty. The shooter killed two folks and himself and shot six others on Jan. 4. However Marburger’s actions saved quite a few different victims. Earlier than the sport kicks off, the Heroes honor permits Midwesterners an opportunity to understand selfless deeds and acts as a reminder of on a regular basis heroism.

Temple: For me, it’s the “chopping down” of the aim posts with Paul Bunyan’s Axe by the profitable facet after the Minnesota-Wisconsin sport. Watching guys take turns dealing with the touring trophy, honoring the gamers that got here earlier than them and sharing such a second of glee is a reminder of what’s gratifying about faculty soccer. And, after all, generally even that second comes with controversy, like when Minnesota gamers and safety personnel blocked Wisconsin gamers from chopping at a aim submit close to the Gophers’ scholar part in 2013. Then-Badgers coach Gary Andersen had to assist pull his gamers away from the fracas following a 20-7 victory.

Nastiest rivalry

Dochterman: It’s Michigan-Michigan State and I don’t assume there’s a No. 2. Whereas each rivalry has its moments, every year it appears the Spartans and Wolverines get into some form of bicep-comparing contest that escalates right into a brawl. This 12 months, it occurred after the sport. Two years in the past, there was the tunnel battle at Michigan Stadium that led to felony fees.

The rivalry at all times was heated however in 2007, when Michigan operating again Mike Hart referred to as the Spartans “little brother,” it amplified it to a different degree, and Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio thrived on it. It seems like Michigan coach Sherrone Moore and Michigan State counterpart Jonathan Smith hope to tone down the pointless antics, however I’ll consider it after I see it.

Temple: Michigan and Ohio State merely are in one other stratosphere relating to Massive Ten soccer rivalries. The place else would you may have a coach seek advice from its rival as “That staff up north” so he wouldn’t need to ever say the phrase Michigan, as Ohio State’s Woody Hayes did? The place else is a rivalry so large that it’s referred to easily as “The Recreation?” These groups legitimately hate one another. In 2013, a battle broke out that led to 3 ejections. Two years in the past, there was a sideline scrum within the first half.

One of the best half about this rivalry lately has been how good each groups have been. The previous three matchups featured a pair of top-five groups. Michigan gained all three video games and went to the School Soccer Playoff every season. Ohio State gained the eight earlier matchups and has been ranked no worse than tenth in any of the final 11 video games.

Finest unprotected rivalry

Dochterman: This class belongs nearly solely to Penn State. The Nittany Lions’ need to take care of its “Unequalled” standing ended its annual collection with Ohio State. Outdoors of Ohio State-Michigan, the Penn State-Ohio State rivalry normally was the next-most anticipated and highest-rated Massive Ten sport. They had been protected foes beneath the previous two-team alignment from 1995 via 2010 after which joined each other within the Leaders and East divisions. Though the Buckeyes now have gained eight straight within the collection, it’s a sport that followers and networks alike will miss once they don’t meet in 2026 and 2027.

Temple: Scott is right as a result of the reply, with out query, is Ohio State-Penn State. Each groups have been nationally ranked up to now eight matchups, together with final Saturday when No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 3 Penn State 20-13. The Buckeyes have gained all eight of these video games and 12 of the final 13, nevertheless it’s a sport that persistently generates pleasure and exams each packages.

Finest potential new rivalry

Temple: I’m on the lookout for a matchup that carries important nationwide relevance, and that’s why I’ll decide Oregon and Ohio State. It will not be a rivalry within the conventional sense, however the Massive Ten is not a conventional convention with 18 groups that span each coasts.

Oregon, ranked third within the nation on the time, beat No. 2 Ohio State 32-31 straight away basic at Autzen Stadium final month. These groups gained’t play yearly, however they’re slated to conflict in 2026 at Ohio Stadium and once more at Autzen Stadium in 2027. Right here’s hoping for extra high-level soccer between each packages.

Dochterman: I’m excited to see USC and Michigan tango on a semi-regular foundation. They performed each other eight instances within the Rose Bowl again when reaching Pasadena was a acknowledged aim for each packages. Earlier than this 12 months, they final performed following the 2006 season when Michigan didn’t get its BCS rematch with Ohio State.

This 12 months, USC’s Massive Ten debut got here in Ann Arbor, and the end result wasn’t determined till the ultimate seconds. Subsequent 12 months, the Wolverines fly west to face the Trojans, they usually’re scheduled to satisfy once more at Michigan Stadium in 2028.

(High picture of the Floyd of Rosedale trophy: Matt Krohn / Imagn Photographs)