Big Ten Championship History

2011 Big Ten Championship Game Preview:
A trip to the Rose Bowl is at stake for the winner of this classic gridiron showdown between these two historic programs. The inaugural Big Ten Championship will pit the Wisconsin Badgers (10-2; 6-2 Conference), winners of the Leaders division, against the Michigan State Spartans (10-2; 7-1 Conference), who captured the Legends division. This is a rematch of the conference game played on October 22, which Michigan State won 37-31.

The 15th-ranked Badgers bring with them a high flying offense led by Heisman Trophy candidates, quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Montee Ball. The duo, who both earned All-Big Ten honors, scored a combined 57 touchdowns through the air and ground. While Wilson had all the early-season accolades, Ball has now become the face of the offense—scoring the most touchdowns in the country at your position will do that.  However, the high scoring isn’t left to the offense, as the defense boasts the Big Ten’s top scoring defense, as well.

Michigan State, which comes in ranked 13th nationally, will need its top-six defense to show up against the Badgers.  In their first meeting earlier in the season, the Spartans needed a last second, tipped Hail Mary to beat Wisconsin, and hasn’t lost since.



Quarterback Kirk Cousins isn’t any slouch either, as his second-team All-Big Ten honor shows, and his receiving corps led by BJ Cunningham are powerful as well. It will be a wild time in Indy as these two powerhouses try to show why they should be in Pasadena on January 2nd.