- Big Ten Conference Football Rivalries
- Illinois–Indiana
- Illinois–Northwestern
- Illinois–Ohio State
- Illinois–Purdue
- Indiana–Michigan State
- Indiana–Purdue
- Iowa–Minnesota
- Iowa–Nebraska
- Iowa–Wisconsin
- Maryland–Penn State
- Michigan State–Penn State
- Michigan–Michigan State
- Michigan–Minnesota
- Michigan–Northwestern
- Michigan–Ohio State
- Minnesota–Nebraska
- Minnesota–Penn State
- Minnesota–Wisconsin
- Nebraska–Wisconsin
- Ohio State–Penn State
- Oregon–Washington
- UCLA–USC
The Big Ten Conference is one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Established in 1896, it has a rich history and tradition in college football. Comprising 18 member schools predominantly located in the Midwest and eastern United States, the Big Ten is known for its competitive spirit, passionate fan bases, and iconic football rivalries that span over a century.
Big Ten Conference Football Rivalries
The Big Ten Conference is home to some of the most storied and intense football rivalries in college sports. Notable rivalries include the Michigan–Ohio State rivalry, often referred to as "The Game," which is considered one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. The Michigan State–Michigan rivalry, known as the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, and the Indiana–Purdue rivalry, featuring the Old Oaken Bucket, are also key matchups that draw significant attention and excitement.
Illinois–Indiana
The Illinois–Indiana football rivalry features games between Illinois and Indiana, which began in 1899. Although there is no specific trophy awarded to the winner.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Illinois–Indiana | N/A | Illinois vs Indiana | 1899 | 2023 | 73 |
Illinois–Northwestern
The Illinois–Northwestern football rivalry is contested for the Land of Lincoln Trophy. This rivalry began in 1892 and has been played 116 times, as of 2024 and the last game was played in 2022.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Illinois–Northwestern | Land of Lincoln Trophy | Illinois vs Northwestern | 1892 | 2022 | 116 |
Illinois–Ohio State
The Illinois–Ohio State football rivalry involves the teams competing for the Illibuck trophy. It started in 1902.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Illinois–Northwestern | Land of Lincoln Trophy | Illinois vs Northwestern | 1892 | 2017 | 103 |
Illinois–Purdue
The Illinois–Purdue football rivalry, which began in 1890 and has been played 98 times, as of 2024, features the teams battling for the Purdue Cannon.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Illinois–Purdue | Purdue Cannon | Illinois vs Purdue | 1890 | 2022 | 98 |
Indiana–Michigan State
The Indiana–Michigan State football rivalry is played for the Old Brass Spittoon. This rivalry started in 1922.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Indiana–Michigan | Old Brass Spittoon | Indiana vs Michigan | 1922 | 2022 | 69 |
Indiana–Purdue
The Indiana–Purdue football rivalry involves the teams competing for the Old Oaken Bucket. This rivalry began in 1891.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Indiana–Purdue | Old Oaken Bucket | Indiana vs Purdue | 1891 | 2022 | 124 |
Iowa–Minnesota
The Iowa–Minnesota football rivalry, known as the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry, started in 1891 and has been played 116 times, as of 2024.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Iowa–Minnesota | Floyd of Rosedale | Iowa vs Minnesota | 1891 | 2022 | 116 |
Iowa–Nebraska
The Iowa–-Nebraska football rivalry features the teams competing for the Heroes Trophy. This rivalry began in 1891 and has been played 53 times, as of 2024, and the last game was played in 2022.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Iowa–-Nebraska | Heroes Trophy | Iowa vs Nebraska | 1891 | 2022 | 53 |
Iowa–Wisconsin
The Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry is contested for the Heartland Trophy and this rivalry started in 1894 and has seen 96 meetings, the last game was played in 2022.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Iowa–Wisconsin | Heartland Trophy | Iowa vs Wisconsin | 1894 | 2022 | 96 |
Maryland–Penn State
The Maryland–Penn State football rivalry began in 1917 and has been played 46 times, as of 2024. There is no specific trophy awarded to the winner.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Maryland–Penn State | N/A | Maryland vs Penn State | 1917 | 2022 | 46 |
Michigan State–Penn State
The Michigan State–Penn State football rivalry features games for the Land Grant Trophy and the rivalry began in 1914.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Michigan State–Penn State | Land Grant Trophy | Michigan State vs Penn State | 1914 | 2022 | 37 |
Michigan–Michigan State
The Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry is played for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. This rivalry began in 1898 and has been contested 116 times, last played in 2023.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Michigan–Michigan State | Paul Bunyan Trophy | Michigan vs Michigan State | 1898 | 2023 | 116 |
Michigan–Minnesota
The Michigan–Minnesota football rivalry involves the teams competing for the Little Brown Jug.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Michigan–Minnesota | Little Brown Jug | Michigan vs Minnesota | 1892 | 2020 | 104 |
Michigan–Northwestern
The Michigan–Northwestern football rivalry features games for the George Jewett Trophy. This rivalry began in 1892 and has been played 76 times.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Michigan–Northwestern | George Jewett Trophy | Michigan vs Northwestern | 1892 | 2021 | 76 |
Michigan–Ohio State
The Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry, often referred to as "The Game," is one of the most storied rivalries in college football, began in 1897 and has seen 119 meetings, as of the last game played in 2023.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| The Game | N/A | Michigan vs Ohio State | 1892 | 2021 | 119 |
Minnesota–Nebraska
The Minnesota–Nebraska football rivalry is contested for the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy. This rivalry began in 1900.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Minnesota–Nebraska | $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy | Minnesota vs Nebraska | 1900 | 2022 | 63 |
Minnesota–Penn State
The Minnesota–Penn State football rivalry features games for the Governor's Victory Bell. This rivalry began in 1993 and has seen 15 meetings, and the last game was played in 2019.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Minnesota–Penn State | Governor's Victory Bell | Minnesota vs Penn State | 1993 | 2019 | 15 |
Minnesota–Wisconsin
The Minnesota–Wisconsin football rivalry is played for Paul Bunyan's Axe. This rivalry started in 1890 and has been contested 133 times.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Minnesota–Wisconsin | Paul Bunyan's Axe | Minnesota vs Wisconsin | 1890 | 2022 | 133 |
Nebraska–Wisconsin
The Nebraska–Wisconsin football rivalry involves games for the Freedom Trophy. This rivalry began in 1901 and has seen 16 meetings, as of 2024.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Nebraska–Wisconsin | Freedom Trophy | Nebraska vs Wisconsin | 1901 | 2022 | 16 |
Ohio State–Penn State
The Ohio State–Penn State football rivalry started in 1912 and has been played 38 times, as of the last game played in 2022.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Ohio State-Penn State | N/A | Ohio State vs Penn State | 1912 | 2022 | 38 |
Oregon–Washington
The Oregon–Washington football rivalry began in 1900 and has been contested 114 times, as the last game was played in 2022.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| Oregon–Washington | N/A | Oregon vs Washington | 1900 | 2022 | 114 |
UCLA–USC
The UCLA–USC football rivalry is played for the Victory Bell. This rivalry began in 1929, and the last game was played in 2022.
| Rivalry Name | Trophy | Teams | First Year | Latest Year | Meetings |
| UCLA–USC | Victory Bell | Oregon vs Washington | 1929 | 2022 | 92 |
FAQs on Big Ten Conference Football Rivalries
A. The most famous rivalry in the Big Ten Conference is The Game between Michigan and Ohio State.
A. The Paul Bunyan Trophy is awarded in the Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry.
A. The trophy for the Illinois–Purdue football rivalry is called the Purdue Cannon.
A. As of 2024, the Big Ten consists of 18 member schools.
