2011 Big Ten Conference football season

The 2011 Big Ten Conference football season is the 116th for the Big Ten. The conference started its season on Saturday, September 3, as each of the conference's teams began their respective 2011 season of NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) competition. This season is Nebraska's first season as a member of the Big Ten, and also marks the creation of conference divisions (named Leaders and Legends), and a championship game.[1] The season was also notable for the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.

2011 Big Ten Conference football season
LeagueNCAA Division I FBS
SportFootball
DurationSeptember 3, 2011
through January 2012
Number of teams12
TV partner(s)ABC, ESPN Inc., Big Ten Network, FOX (championship game)
2012 NFL Draft
Top draft pickRiley Reiff (Iowa)
Picked byDetroit Lions, 23rd overall
Regular Season
Season MVPMontee Ball
Top scorerMontee Ball
Leaders Division championsWisconsin Badgers and Penn State Nittany Lions
Legends Division championsMichigan State Spartans
Championship Game
ChampionsWisconsin Badgers
  Runners-upMichigan State
Finals MVPRussell Wilson
Football seasons
← 2010
2012 →
2011 Big Ten Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Legends Division
No. 11 Michigan State x 71  113 
No. 12 Michigan % 62  112 
No. 24 Nebraska 53  94 
Iowa 44  76 
Northwestern 35  67 
Minnesota 26  39 
Leaders Division
No. 10 Wisconsin xy$ 62  113 
Penn State x 62  94 
Purdue 44  76 
Ohio State 35  67 
Illinois 26  76 
Indiana 08  111 
Championship: Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

For the season, Leaders Division champion Wisconsin finished as conference champion by defeating Legends Division champion Michigan State in the 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game. Penn State was Leaders Division co-Champion, while Legends Division runner-up Michigan finished with the conference's best record. The conference earned two BCS bowl invitations and compiled a 4–6 overall record in 2011–12 NCAA football bowl games.

The Conference had six 2011 College Football All-America Team consensus selections: Montee Ball, Kevin Zeitler, David Molk, Whitney Mercilus (unanimous), Devon Still, and Jerel Worthy, with the Rimington Trophy going to Molk and the Ted Hendricks Award going to Mercilus. Ball won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football and the conference's players won four national statistical championships: Russell Wilson (passing efficiency), Raheem Mostert (kickoff return average), Ball (scoring), and Mercilus (quarterback sacks).

Following the season the conference contributed 41 to the 2012 NFL Draft, including 4 in the first round: Riley Reiff (23rd), Mercilus (26th), Zeitler (27th), and A. J. Jenkins (30th).

Rankings

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 PreWk
1
Wk
2
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3
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4
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5
Wk
6
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7
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8
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9
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10
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11
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12
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13
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14
Final
IllinoisAP2424191623RV
CRV22161521RV
HarrisNot released1420RVRV
BCSNot released23
IndianaAP
C
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
IowaAPRVRV
CRVRVRVRV
HarrisNot releasedRV
BCSNot released
MichiganAPRVRVRV22191211181713222017171312
CRVRVRV2119111017171321181616129
HarrisNot released101716132118161612
BCSNot released1818152418151613
Michigan StateAP171715RVRVRV2315915131211111211
C1716152325201913101613121091310
HarrisNot released221511171312111113
BCSNot released1611171715141117
MinnesotaAP
C
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
NebraskaAP10101098141413139181622202124
C11101098151411139171622192024
HarrisNot released13111391716211920
BCSNot released1314101916212020
NorthwesternAPRVRVRV
CRVRVRVRVRV
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
Ohio StateAP181517RVRVRV
C161516RVRVRVRV
HarrisNot releasedRV
BCSNot released
Penn StateAPRV23RVRVRVRVRVRV21161221202324RV
C2520RVRVRVRV252219151221192223RV
HarrisNot releasedRV2419161219182223
BCSNot released2119161221192322
PurdueAP
C
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
WisconsinAP118767444121916151515910
C109877544111714131212811
HarrisNot released441218141314138
BCSNot released615201817161210
Legend
  Improvement in ranking
 Drop in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
 No change in ranking from previous week
RVReceived votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll

Spring games

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April 9

  • Purdue Boilermakers

April 16

  • Indiana Hoosiers
  • Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Michigan Wolverines
  • Nebraska Cornhuskers
  • Northwestern Wildcats
  • Penn State Nittany Lions

April 23

  • Illinois Fighting Illini
  • Minnesota Golden Gophers
  • Ohio State Buckeyes
  • Wisconsin Badgers

April 30

  • Michigan State Spartans

[2]

Regular season

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Index to colors and formatting
Big Ten member won
Big Ten member lost
Big Ten teams in bold

All times Eastern time.

Rankings reflect that of the AP poll.[citation needed]

Week 1

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 18:00 PMUNLVNo. 11 WisconsinCamp Randall StadiumMadison, WIESPNW 51–17  77,085
September 27:30 PMYoungstown StateNo. 17 Michigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MIBTNW 28–6  75,910
September 312:00 PMNorthwesternBoston CollegeAlumni StadiumChestnut Hill, MAESPNUW 24–17  37,561
September 312:00 PMAkronNo. 18 Ohio StateOhio StadiumColumbus, OHESPNW 42–0  105,001
September 312:00 PMIndiana StatePenn StateBeaver StadiumUniversity Park, PABTNW 41–7  96,461
September 312:00 PMTennessee TechIowaKinnick StadiumIowa City, IABTNW 34–7  70,585
September 312:00 PMMiddle Tennessee StatePurdueRoss–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, INBTNW 27–24  42,110
September 33:30 PMMinnesotaNo. 25 USCLos Angeles ColiseumLos Angeles, CAABC / ESPN2L 19–17  68,273
September 33:30 PMWestern MichiganMichiganMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MIABC / ESPN2W 34–10  110,506
September 33:30 PMChattanoogaNo. 10 NebraskaMemorial StadiumAnn Arbor, MIBTNW 40–7  84,883
September 33:30 PMArkansas StateIllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, ILBTNW 33–15  45,154
September 36:00 PMIndianaBall StateLucas Oil StadiumIndianapolis, INBTNL 27–20  40,224
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 2

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1012:00 PMIowaIowa StateJack Trice StadiumAmes, IA (Cy-Hawk Series)FSNL 44–41 3OT 56,085
September 1012:00 PMFlorida AtlanticNo. 17 Michigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MIESPN2W 44–0  70,249
September 1012:00 PMToledoNo. 15 Ohio StateOhio StadiumColumbus, OHBTNW 27–22  105,016
September 1012:00 PMOregon StateNo. 8 WisconsinCamp Randall StadiumMadison, WIESPNW 35–0  80,337
September 1012:00 PMSouth Dakota StateIllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, ILBTNW 56–3  42,212
September 103:30 PMEastern IllinoisNorthwesternRyan Field (stadium)Evanston, ILBTNW 42–21  28,042
September 103:30 PMNew Mexico StateMinnesotaTCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MNBTNL 28–21  48,807
September 103:30 PMNo. 3 AlabamaNo. 23 Penn StateBeaver StadiumUniversity Park, PAABCL 27–11  107,846
September 103:30 PMPurdueRiceRice StadiumHouston, TXCBS Sports NetworkL 24–22  25,317
September 107:00 PMVirginiaIndianaMemorial StadiumBloomington, INBTNL 34–31  41,549
September 107:00 PMFresno StateNo. 10 NebraskaMemorial StadiumLincoln, NEBTNW 42–29  85,101
September 108:00 PMNotre DameMichiganMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI (Mich-ND rivalry)ESPNW 35–31  114,804
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 3

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1712:00 PMEastern MichiganMichiganMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MIBTNW 31–3  110,343
September 1712:00 PMPenn StateTempleLincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PAESPNW 14–10  57,323
September 1712:00 PMPittsburghIowaKinnick StadiumIowa City, IAESPN2W 31–27  70,585
September 1712:00 PMSoutheast Missouri StatePurdueRoss–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, INBTNW 59–0  46,116
September 173:30 PMSouth Carolina StateIndianaMemorial StadiumBloomington, INBTNW 38–21  41,203
September 173:30 PMNo. 15 Michigan StateNotre DameNotre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, IN (Megaphone Trophy)NBCL 31–13  80,795
September 173:30 PMMiami (OH)MinnesotaTCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MNBTNW 29–23  49,950
September 173:30 PMWashingtonNo. 11 NebraskaMemorial StadiumLincoln, NEABCW 51–38  85,110
September 173:30 PMNorthwesternArmyMichie StadiumWest Point, NYCBSL 21–14  35,784
September 173:30 PMNo. 7 WisconsinNorthern IllinoisSoldier FieldChicago, ILESPN3W 49–7  41,068
September 173:30 PMNo. 22 Arizona StateIllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, ILBTNW 17–14  50,669
September 177:30 PMNo. 17 Ohio StateMiami (FL)Sun Life StadiumMiami, FLESPNL 24–6  66,279
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 4

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 2412:00 PMCentral MichiganMichigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MIESPNUW 45–7  72,119
September 2412:00 PMEastern MichiganPenn StateBeaver StadiumUniversity Park, PAESPN2W 34–6  95,636
September 2412:00 PMLouisiana-MonroeIowaKinnick StadiumIowa City, IABTNW 45–17  70,585
September 243:30 PMColoradoOhio StateOhio StadiumColumbus, OHABC \ ESPN2W 37–17  105,096
September 243:30 PMSouth DakotaNo. 6 WisconsinCamp Randall StadiumMadison, WIBTNW 59–10  78,880
September 243:30 PMWestern MichiganNo. 24 IllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, ILBTNW 23–20  43,684
September 247:00 PMNorth Dakota StateMinnesotaTCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MNBTNL 37–24  48,802
September 247:00 PMIndianaNorth TexasMemorial StadiumBloomington, INESPN3L 24–21  21,181
September 247:30 PMNo. 9 NebraskaWyomingWar Memorial StadiumLaramie, WYNBC Sports NetworkW 38–14  32,617
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
September 24NorthwesternPurdue

Week 5

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 112:00 PMPenn StateIndianaMemorial StadiumBloomington, INESPNU PSU16–10  42,621
October 112:00 PMMinnesotaNo. 19 MichiganMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI (Little Brown Jug)BTN MICH 58–0  111,106
October 1†12:00 PMNorthwesternNo. 24 IllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, IL (Land of Lincoln Trophy)BTN ILL 38–35  53,243
October 13:30 PMMichigan StateOhio StateOhio StadiumColumbus, OHABC / ESPN2 MSU 10–7  105,306
October 18:00 PMNo. 8 NebraskaNo. 7 WisconsinCamp Randall StadiumMadison, WIABC WIS 48–17  81,384
October 18:00 PMNotre DamePurdueRoss–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, IN (Shillelagh Trophy)ESPNL 38–10  61,555
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 1Iowa

Week 6

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 812:00 PMMinnesotaPurdueRoss–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, INESPN PUR 45–17  38,207
October 82:30 PMNo. 19 IllinoisIndianaMemorial StadiumBloomington, INBTN ILL 41–20  41,665
October 83:30 PMIowaPenn StateBeaver StadiumUniversity Park, PAABC / ESPN PSU 13–3  103,497
October 87:00 PMNo. 12 MichiganNorthwesternRyan FieldEvanston, ILBTN MICH 42–24  47,330
October 8†8:00 PMOhio StateNo. 14 NebraskaMemorial StadiumLincoln, NEABC NEB 34–27  85,426
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 8Michigan State#4 Wisconsin

Week 7

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 1512:00 PMNo. 11 MichiganNo. 23 Michigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI (Paul Bunyan Trophy)ESPN MSU 28–14  77,515
October 15†12:00 PMPurduePenn StateBeaver StadiumUniversity Park, PABTN PSU 23–18  100,820
October 15†12:00 PMIndianaNo. 4 WisconsinCamp Randall StadiumMadison, WIESPN2 WIS 59–7  80,732
October 153:30 PMOhio StateNo. 16 IllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, IL (Illibuck)ABC / ESPN OSU 17–7  55,229
October 157:00 PMNorthwesternIowaKinnick StadiumIowa City, IABTN IOWA 41–31  70,585
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 15Minnesota#14 Nebraska

Week 8

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 22†12:00 PMIndianaIowaKinnick StadiumIowa City, IABTN IOWA 45–24  70,585
October 22†12:00 PMNo. 23 IllinoisPurdueRoss–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, IN (Purdue Cannon)ESPN2 PUR 21–14  45,146
October 22†3:30 PMNo. 13 NebraskaMinnesotaTCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MNABC / ESPN2 NEB 41–14  49,187
October 22†7:00 PMNo. 21 Penn StateNorthwesternRyan FieldEvanston, ILBTN PSU 34–24  40,004
October 22†8:00 PMNo. 6 WisconsinNo. 16 Michigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MIESPN MSU 37–31  76,405
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 22#18 MichiganOhio State

Week 9

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 29†12:00 PMNorthwesternIndianaMemorial StadiumBloomington, INBTN NW 59–38  39,239
October 29†12:00 PMPurdueNo. 18 MichiganMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MIESPN2 MICH 36–14  112,115
October 2912:00 PMNo. 11 Michigan StateNo. 14 NebraskaMemorial StadiumLincoln, NEESPN NEB 24–3  85,641
October 293:30 PMIowaMinnesotaTCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MN (Floyd of Rosedale)BTN MIN 22–21  46,543
October 293:30 PMIllinoisNo. 19 Penn StateBeaver StadiumUniversity Park, PAABC / ESPN2 PSU 10–7  97,828
October 29†8:00 PMNo. 15 WisconsinOhio StateOhio StadiumColumbus, OHESPN OSU 33–29  105,511
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 10

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 512:00 PMMinnesotaNo. 17 Michigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MIBTN MSU 31–24  72,219
November 512:00 PMIndianaOhio StateOhio StadiumColumbus, OHBTN OSU 34–20  105,195
November 512:00 PMNo. 15 MichiganIowaKinnick StadiumIowa City, IAESPN IOWA 24–16  70,585
November 53:30 PMNorthwesternNo. 10 NebraskaMemorial StadiumLincoln, NEBTN NW 28–25  85,115
November 53:30 PMPurdueNo. 20 WisconsinCamp Randall StadiumMadison, WIBTN WIS 62–17  80,566
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 5Illinois#16 Penn State

Week 11

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 1212:00 PMRiceNorthwesternRyan FieldEvanston, ILBTNW 28–6  26,886
November 1212:00 PMNo. 19 NebraskaNo. 12 Penn StateBeaver StadiumUniversity Park, PAESPN NEB 17–14  107,903
November 1212:00 PMNo. 17 Michigan StateIowaKinnick StadiumIowa City, IAESPN2 MSU 37–21  70,585
November 1212:00 PMOhio StatePurdueRoss–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, INBTN PUR 26–23  43,334
November 123:30 PMNo. 18 WisconsinMinnesotaTCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MN (Paul Bunyan's Axe)BTN WIS 42–13  49,158
November 123:30 PMNo. 24 MichiganIllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, ILABC / ESPN MICH 31–14  60,670
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 12Indiana

Week 12

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 1912:00 PMMinnesotaNorthwesternRyan FieldEvanston, ILBTN NW 28–13  26,215
November 1912:00 PMIndianaNo. 15 Michigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI (Old Brass Spittoon)BTN MSU 55–3  74,128
November 1912:00 PMNo. 16 NebraskaNo. 18 MichiganMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MIESPN MICH 45–17  113,718
November 1912:00 PMNo. 17 WisconsinIllinoisMemorial StadiumChampaign, ILESPN2 WIS 28–17  45,519
November 1912:00 PMIowaPurdueRoss–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, INBTN IOWA 31–21  40,106
November 193:30 PMNo. 21 Penn StateOhio StateOhio StadiumColumbus, OHABC / ESPN PSU 20–14  105,493
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 13

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 2512:00 PMIowaNo. 21 NebraskaMemorial StadiumLincoln, NE (Heroes Trophy)ABC NEB 20–7  85,595
November 2612:00 PMNo. 14 Michigan StateNorthwesternRyan FieldEvanston, ILBTN MSU 31–17  32,172
November 2612:00 PMOhio StateNo. 15 MichiganMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI (The Game)ABC MICH 40–34  114,132
November 263:30 PMPurdueIndianaMemorial StadiumBloomington, IN (Old Oaken Bucket)BTN PUR 33–25  42,005
November 263:30 PMIllinoisMinnesotaTCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MNBTN MIN 27–7  41,549
November 263:30 PMNo. 19 Penn StateNo. 16 WisconsinCamp Randall StadiumMadison, WIESPN WIS 45–7  79,708
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Big Ten Championship Game

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DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
December 38:00 PMNo. 10 WisconsinNo. 17 Michigan StateLucas Oil StadiumIndianapolis, IN (2011 Big Ten Championship)FOX WIS 42–39  64,152
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Players of the week

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WeekOffensiveDefensiveSpecial TeamsFreshman
PlayerPositionTeamPlayerPositionTeamPlayerPositionTeamPlayerPositionTeam
Week 1Russell WilsonQBWISBrandon HerronLBMICHBrett MaherP/PKNEBHouston BatesLBILL
Chaz PowellKRPSU
Week 2Denard RobinsonQBMICHMike TaylorLBWISAmeer AbdullahKRNEBAmeer AbdullahKRNEB
Week 3James VandenbergQBIOWAJonathan BrownLBILLDuane BennettRBMINND'Angelo RobertsRBIND
Week 4Denard RobinsonQBMICHTom NardoDTIOWADerek DimkePKILLDonovonn YoungRBILL
Matt McGloinQBPSU
Week 5A.J. JenkinsWRILLMike TaylorLBWISAnthony FeraPK/PPSUMarcus RushDEMSU
Russell WilsonQBWIS
Week 6Taylor MartinezQBNEBTavon WilsonCBILLBrett MaherP/PKNEBShayne WynnKRIND
Week 7Montee BallRBWISJohn SimonDTOSUAnthony FeraP/PKPSUMike SadlerPMSU
Week 8Marvin McNuttWRIOWAGerald HodgesLBPSUKyler ElsworthLBMSUTre RobersonQBIND
Kirk CousinsQBMSUKawann ShortDTPUR
Week 9Drake DunsmoreTENWGerald HodgesLBPSUJordan WettsteinPKMINNBraxton MillerQBOSU
Week 10Kain ColterQBNWChris BorlandLBWISMike SadlerPMSURaheem MostertKRPUR
Montee BallRBWIS
Week 11Russell WilsonQBWISRyan Van BergenDEMICHBrett MaherP/PKNEBMike SadlerPMSU
Kawann ShortDTPURBruce GastonDTPUR
Week 12Denard RobinsonQBMICHChris BorlandLBWISAnthony FeraP/PKPSURyan ShazierLBOSU
Montee BallRBWIS
Week 13Denard RobinsonQBMICHKim RoystonDBMINNCarson WiggsPKPURBraxton MillerQBOSU
Montee BallRBWISLavonte DavidLBNEB

Attendance

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TeamStadiumCapacityGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6Game 7Game 8TotalAverage% of Capacity
IllinoisMemorial Stadium60,67045,15442,21250,66943,68453,24355,22960,67054,633405,49450,68783.5%
IndianaMemorial Stadium52,92941,54941,20342,62141,66539,23942,005248,28241,38078.2%
IowaKinnick Stadium70,58570,58570,58570,58570,58570,58570,58570,585494,09570,585100%
MichiganMichigan Stadium109,901110,506114,804110,343110,707111,106112,115113,718114,132897,431112,179102%
Michigan StateSpartan Stadium75,00575,91070,24972,11977,51576,40572,21974,128518,54574,07898.8%
MinnesotaTCF Bank Stadium50,80548,80749,95048,80249,18746,54349,15841,549333,99647,71493.9%
NebraskaMemorial Stadium81,06784,88385,10185,11085,42685,64185,11585,595596,87185,267105%
NorthwesternRyan Field47,13028,04247,33040,00426,88626,21527,137195,61432,60269.1%
Ohio StateOhio Stadium102,329105,001105,016105,096105,306105,511105,159105,493736,582105 226102.8%
Penn StateBeaver Stadium107,28296,461107,84695,636103,497100,82097,828107,193709,281101,32694.4%
PurdueRoss–Ade Stadium62,50042,11046,11661,55538,20745,14643,33440,106316,57445,22572.3%
WisconsinCamp Randall Stadium80,31277,08580,33778,88081,38480,73279,708478,12679,68899.2%

Post-season awards and honors

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Individual Big Ten Award Winners

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All-Big Ten

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The following players were named by the coaches.:[3]

HONORABLE MENTION: Illinois: Jeff Allen, Jonathan Brown, Derek Dimke, Terry Hawthorne, Ian Thomas; Indiana: Mitch Ewald, Jeff Thomas; Iowa: Broderick Binns, James Ferentz, Eric Guthrie, Micah Hyde, James Morris, Markus Zusevics; Michigan: Kenny Demens, J.T. Floyd, Kevin Koger, Junior Hemingway, Denard Robinson, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Ryan Van Bergen; Michigan State: Denicos Allen, Le'Veon Bell, Kenshawn Martin, Trenton Robinson, Marcus Rush; Minnesota: Kim Royston; Nebraska: Will Compton, Ben Cotton, Spencer Long, Marcel Jones, Baker Steinkuhler; Northwestern: Jeremy Ebert, Jordan Mabin, Brian Mulroe, Al Netter, Dan Persa, Brian Peters; Ohio State: Johnathan Hankins, Dan Herron, Jack Mewhort, Jake Stoneburner; Penn State: Drew Astorino, Anthony Fera, Jordan Hill, D'Anton Lynn, Derek Moye, Chima Okoli, Chaz Powell, Johnnie Troutman; Purdue: Joe Holland, Dennis Kelly; Wisconsin: Jared Abbrederis, Patrick Butrym, Antonio Fenelus, Peter Konz, Brad Nortman, Jacob Pedersen, Ricky Wagner.

The following players were named by the media panel.

HONORABLE MENTION: Illinois: Derek Dimke, Terry Hawthorne, Travon Wilson; Indiana: Mitch Ewald; Iowa: Mike Daniels, James Ferentz, Adam Gettis, Eric Guthrie, James Morris, Tyler Nielsen, Shaun Prater, Markus Zusevics; Michigan: Kenny Demens, J.T. Floyd, Kevin Koger, Jordan Kovacs, Taylor Lewan, Craig Roh, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Ryan Van Bergen; Michigan State: Le'Veon Bell, Max Bullough, Dan Conroy, Kirk Cousins, Darqueze Dennard, Brian Linthicum, Chris McDonald, Chris Norman, Kevin Pickelman, Marcus Rush; Minnesota: Chris Bunders, Kim Royston; Nebraska: Mike Caputo, Austin Cassidy, Will Compton, Ben Cotton, Marcel Jones, Cameron Meredith, Daimion Stafford, Baker Steinkuhler; Northwestern: Kain Colter, Jordan Mabin, Brian Mulroe, Al Netter, Dan Persa; Ohio State: C.J. Barnett, Mike Brewster, Johnathan Hankins, Jack Mewhort, Tyler Moeller, Andrew Norwell, Jake Stoneburner, Andrew Sweat; Penn State: Drew Astorino, Quinn Barham, Jack Crawford, Jordan Hill, D'Anton Lynn, Chima Okoli, Chaz Powell, Nate Stupar, Johnnie Troutman; Purdue: Ricardo Allen, Dwayne Beckford, Joe Holland, Dennis Kelly, Carson Wiggs; Wisconsin: Jared Abbrederis, Patrick Butrym, Aaron Henry, Brad Nortman, Nick Toon, Ricky Wagner, Philip Welch.

National Award Winners

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First Team All-Americans

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There are many outlets that award All-America honors in football. The NCAA uses five official selectors to also determine Consensus and Unanimous All-America honors. The five teams used by the NCAA to compile the consensus team are from the Associated Press, the AFCA, the FWAA, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. A point system is used to calculate the consensus honors. The point system consists of three points for first team, two points for second team and three points for third team. No honorable mention or fourth team or lower are used in the computation.

The teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named a Consensus All-American. If there is a tie at a position in football for first team then the players who are tied shall be named to the team. A player named first-team by all five of the NCAA-recognized selectors is recognized as a Unanimous All-American.[4]

PlayerSchoolPositionSelectorConsensus/Unanimous
Montee BallWisconsinRBAFCA, FWAA, AP, Sporting News, CBS Sports, ESPN, Scout.com, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo! SportsConsensus
Jay ProschIllinoisFBPro Football Weekly 
Riley ReiffIowaOTPro Football Weekly 
Kevin ZeitlerWisconsinOGAFCA, AP, Pro Football WeeklyConsensus
Peter KonzWisconsinCAFCA, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly 
David MolkMichiganCAP, FWAA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, Scout.comConsensus
Whitney MercilusIllinoisDEAFCA, AP, FWAA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, ESPN, Scout.com, Yahoo! SportsUnanimous
Devon StillPenn StateDTAP, FWAA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, ESPN, Pro Football Weekly, Scout.com, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo! SportsConsensus
Jerel WorthyMichigan StateDTAFCA, AP, Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, Scout.com, Yahoo! SportsConsensus
Lavonte DavidNebraskaLBAFCA, CBS Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports 
Brett MaherNebraskaPKYahoo! Sports 

Academic All-American

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The Big Ten led all conferences with 7 Academic All-America selections: 1st team – Rex Burkhead (Nebraska), Austin Cassidy (Nebraska), Patrick Ward (Northwestern) and Joe Holland (Purdue); 2nd team – Mike Sadler (Michigan State), Sean Fisher (Nebraska) and Jacob Schmidt (Northwestern). Cassidy was one of four repeat first-team winners, while Holland was a 2010 second-team selection.[5]

Bowl games

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Big Ten Bowl Games
No.GameDateLocation/Time*TelevisionBig Ten Team+ScoreOpponent+ScorePayout (US$) per team
1.Little Caesars BowlDec. 27, 2011Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
4:30 pm
ESPNPurdue (6–6)37Western Michigan (7–5)32$750,000
2.Insight BowlDec. 30, 2011Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe, Arizona
10:00 pm
ESPNIowa (7–5)14#19 Oklahoma (9–3)31$1,200,000
3.Meineke Car Care Bowl of TexasDec. 31, 2011Reliant Stadium
Houston Texas
12:00 pm
ESPNNorthwestern (6–6)22Texas A&M (6–6)33$1,700,000
4.Kraft Fight Hunger BowlDec. 31, 2011AT&T Park
San Francisco, California
3:30 pm
ESPNIllinois (6–6)20UCLA (6–7)14$750,000–$825,000
5.TicketCity BowlJan. 2, 2012Cotton Bowl
Dallas, Texas
12:00 pm
ESPNU#24 Penn State (9–3)14#20 Houston (12–1)30$1,200,000
6.Outback BowlJan. 2, 2012Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
1:00 pm
ABC#12 Michigan State (10–3)33#18 Georgia (10–3)30$3,400,000
7.Capital One BowlJan. 2, 2012Citrus Bowl
Orlando, Florida
1:00 pm
ESPN#21 Nebraska (9–3)13#10 South Carolina (10–2)30$4,250,000
8.TaxSlayer.com Gator BowlJan. 2, 2012EverBank Field
Jacksonville, Florida
1:00 pm
ESPN2Ohio State (6–6)17Florida (6–6)24$2,500,000
9.Rose BowlJan. 2, 2012Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
5:10 pm
ESPN#9 Wisconsin (11–2)38#6 Oregon (11–2)45$18,000,000
10.Allstate Sugar BowlJan. 3, 2012Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana
8:30 pm
ESPN#13 Michigan (10–2)23#17 Virginia Tech (11–2)20$17,000,000
*Time given is Eastern Time (UTC-5).
+Winning team is bolded.
Rankings are AP.

2012 NFL Draft

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The conference lost 4 players in the first round of the NFL Draft:[6] A total of 41 Big Ten players were drafted.[7]

TeamRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7Total
Illinois224
Indiana0
Iowa1112117
Michigan123
Michigan State12216
Minnesota0
Nebraska1124
Northwestern22
Ohio State1124
Penn State1214
Purdue112
Wisconsin1111116
Rnd.Pick No.NFL teamPlayerPos.CollegeConf.Notes
123Detroit LionsRiley Reiff OTIowaBig Ten
126Houston TexansWhitney Mercilus DEIllinoisBig Ten
127Cincinnati BengalsKevin Zeitler OGWisconsinBig Ten
130San Francisco 49ersA. J. Jenkins WRIllinoisBig Ten
244Kansas City ChiefsJeff Allen OGIllinoisBig Ten
248New England PatriotsTavon Wilson SIllinoisBig Ten
251Green Bay PackersJerel Worthy DTMichigan StateBig Ten
253Cincinnati BengalsDevon Still DTPenn StateBig Ten
255Atlanta FalconsPeter Konz CWisconsinBig Ten
256Pittsburgh SteelersMike Adams OTOhio StateBig Ten
258Tampa Bay BuccaneersLavonte David LBNebraskaBig Ten
from Houston
368Houston TexansDeVier Posey WROhio StateBig Ten
375Seattle SeahawksRussell Wilson QBWisconsinBig Ten
382Tennessee TitansMike Martin DTMichiganBig Ten
4102Washington RedskinsKirk Cousins QBMichigan StateBig Ten
4121Houston TexansKeshawn Martin WRMichigan StateBig Ten
4122New Orleans SaintsNick Toon WRWisconsinBig Ten
4126Houston TexansJared Crick DENebraskaBig Ten
4*132Green Bay PackersMike Daniels DTIowaBig Ten
5141Washington RedskinsAdam Gettis OGIowaBig Ten
5149San Diego ChargersJohnnie Troutman OGPenn StateBig Ten
5153Philadelphia EaglesDennis Kelly OTPurdueBig Ten
5156Cincinnati BengalsShaun Prater CBIowaBig Ten
5157Atlanta FalconsBradie Ewing FBWisconsinBig Ten
5158Oakland RaidersJack Crawford DEPenn StateBig Ten
6180San Francisco 49ersTrenton Robinson SMichigan StateBig Ten
6183Miami DolphinsB.J. Cunningham WRMichigan StateBig Ten
6191Cincinnati BengalsDan Herron RBOhio StateBig Ten
6194Philadelphia EaglesMarvin McNutt WRIowaBig Ten
6195Houston TexansNick Mondek OTPurdueBig Ten
6*207Carolina PanthersBrad Nortman PWisconsinBig Ten
7217Washington RedskinsJordan Bernstine CBIowaBig Ten
from Buffalo
7224New England PatriotsAlfonzo Dennard CBNebraskaBig Ten
7226San Diego ChargersDavid Molk CMichiganBig Ten
7230Detroit LionsNathan Stupar OLBPenn StateBig Ten
7233Tampa Bay BuccaneersDrake Dunsmore TENorthwestern UniversityBig Ten
from Houston
7234New Orleans SaintsMarcel Jones OTNebraskaBig Ten
7235New England PatriotsJeremy Ebert WRNorthwestern UniversityBig Ten
7238Kansas City ChiefsJunior Hemingway WRMichiganBig Ten
7*250San Diego ChargersEdwin Baker RBMichigan StateBig Ten

Head coaches

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Joe Paterno was fired as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 9 in the wake of the Penn State sex abuse scandal. Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[8]

Notes

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  • July 28–29, 2011 – Media Days in Chicago.

References

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  1. ^ "Big Ten divisions: Legends, Leaders". ESPN College Football. Associated Press. December 13, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
  2. ^ Big Ten spring dates update
  3. ^ "All-Big Ten Honors". Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  4. ^ "NCAA Consensus All-America selection". Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  5. ^ "Big Ten Leads All Conferences With Seven Academic All-Americans: Big Ten Tops All FBS Conferences in Honorees for Seventh Straight Season". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. January 8, 2012. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  6. ^ Bennett, Brian (April 27, 2012). "Illinois leads late arriving B1G first round". ESPN. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  7. ^ "2012 NFL Draft Central". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. April 28, 2012. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "Paterno fired over Penn St. child abuse scandal". CBS News. November 9, 2011. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  1. ^ No. 27: multiple trades:
    No. 27: New Orleans → New England (PD). New Orleans traded this selection and their 2011 second-round selection (No. 56, New England selected Shane Vereen) to New England for New England's first-round selection in the 2011 Draft (No. 28, New Orleans selected Mark Ingram II).[source 1]
    No. 27: New England → Cincinnati (D). see No. 21: Cincinnati → New England.[citation needed]
  1. ^ No. 48: Oakland → New England (PD). Oakland traded this selection and a 2011 seventh-round selection (No. 219, New England selected Malcolm Williams) to New England for New England's third- and fourth-round selections in 2011 (Nos. 92 and 125, Oakland selected Joseph Barksdale and Taiwan Jones, respectively).[source 2]
  2. ^ No. 51: Arizona → Philadelphia (PD). Arizona traded this selection and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia for QB Kevin Kolb.[source 3]
  1. ^ No. 126: multiple trades:
    No. 126: New England → Denver (D). see No. 25: Denver → New England.
    No. 126: Denver → Tampa Bay (D). see No. 31: Denver → Tampa Bay.
  1. ^ No. 194: Denver → Philadelphia (PD). Denver traded this selection to Philadelphia for linebacker Joe Mays. Denver originally sent running back J. J. Arrington to Philadelphia, with the condition that if Arrington did not make Philadelphia's 53-man roster, Denver would instead send the sixth-round selection.[source 4]
  1. ^ No. 224: New York Jets → Green Bay (PD). The Jets traded this selection to Green Bay in exchange for guard Caleb Schlauderaff.[source 5]
  2. ^ No. 238: New England → Kansas City (PD). New England traded this conditional selection to Kansas City for safety Jarrad Page.[source 6]

Sources

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  1. ^ Reiss, Mike (April 28, 2011). "Patriots trade 28th pick to Saints". ESPN. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  2. ^ PFW Staff (April 29, 2011). "Patriots make third trade; get Raiders' '12 second-round pick". Pro Football Weekly. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  3. ^ McLane, Jeff (July 28, 2011). "Kolb-for-Rodgers-Cromartie trade done". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  4. ^ "Eagles trade Mays for RB or draft pick". ESPN. July 30, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  5. ^ Silverstein, Tom (September 3, 2011). "Packers trade Johnson, Schlauderaff for draft picks". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  6. ^ Reiss, Mike (September 4, 2010). "Patriots trade for safety Jarrad Page". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved September 4, 2010.