Best Big Ten Football Games Since 2000

The Big Ten will change with the addition of Nebraska in 2011. More expansion could follow. But the Big Ten hardly needs new teams to produce a quality product. The Big Ten has seen some memorable games in its history. Since 2000, the conference has added to that list of memorable games. Here is a look at the five greatest Big Ten football games since 2000.

2000 - Northwestern 54, Michigan 51

Long thought of as a league of running and defense, this game throws the book at that theory. This game had a lot of rushing, but it also had a lot of passing. The Northwestern Wildcats accumulated over 600 yards of offense, with over 300 each on the ground and through the air. That dwarfed 535 yards gained by Michigan. Michigan's Anthony Thomas ran for 199 yards, but fell short of Damien Anderson's 268 yards on the ground for Northwestern. Michigan lead 28-10 before a Northwestern run cut the halftime score to 28-23. After three quarters the score was 45-36 in favor of Michigan. The Wolverines lead 51-46 before Zak Kustok late touchdown gave the Wildcats the upset.

2002 - Iowa 42, Penn State 35

Penn State was coming off two down years for Joe Paterno. The 2002 team was much improved. When they faced Iowa in late September, the Nittany Lions were coming off a thrashing of Nebraska that cemented their return to the upper echelon of Big Ten teams. Iowa, another upstart team, took the wind out of the State College faithful by building a 26-7 lead at halftime. Iowa lead 35-13 after three quarters. Penn State woke up in the 4th quarter, as Zack Mills directed three touchdown drives, including a score that tied the game with under two minutes left. Iowa scored in overtime, then stopped Penn State on their 5 yard line to preserve the win.

2005 - Penn State 17, Ohio State 10

Penn State was dreadful in 2003 and 2004. But Michael Robinson took over at quarterback in 2005, and Penn State suddenly regained their swagger. The students in State College staged a now famous White Out at Beaver Stadium for the prime time game. It seemed to work, distracting the Buckeyes. An early field goal and touchdown at the end of the 1st half was the only offense Ohio State could manage. Both defenses were stellar, but two turnovers by Ohio State helped make the difference. Penn State lead 14-10 at the half, then shut down Ohio State to claim a huge win en route to a Big Ten title.

2006 - Michigan State 41, Northwestern 38

Any game that sets the record for biggest comeback in FBS history has to make this list. The Spartans were dead in the water playing on the road. Northwestern built a 38-3 lead in the third quarter. Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton directed two third quarter TD drives to give Michigan State a pulse heading in to the fourth quarter. The wheels continued to fall off for the Wildcats. Michigan State returned a blocked punt early in the 4th quarter to cut the deficit to 14 points. Stanton hit T.J. Williams with under 4 minutes left to tie the game. A field goal by Brett Swenson with seconds left sealed the memorable comeback for Michigan State.

2007 - Illinois 28, Ohio State 21

The 2007 college football season is remembered for the massive chaos atop the polls. Eventual national champion LSU had two losses, a first for a team finishing at the top. Late in the season, Ohio State held the top ranking and was in position to return to the BCS Championship Game. An exciting first quarter saw each team score two touchdowns. Illinois lead 21-14 at the half and 28-21 after 3 quarters. Illinois held off the Buckeyes in the 4th quarter to complete the shocker in Columbus. The loss ended a streak of 20 Big Ten wins in a row for Ohio State. Despite the efforts of Illinois and quarterback Juice Williams, Ohio State would recover and wind up in the BCS Championship Game after a wild series of events over the final weeks of the season.

SOURCES

Michigan - Northwestern

Iowa - Penn State

Michigan State - Northwestern

Penn State - Ohio State

Illinois - Ohio State