Who’s greatest player from each Big Ten school?
When news broke of Maryland and Rutgers joining the Big Ten in 2014, most conference fan bases blasted the decision as falling somewhere between dumb and stupid.
The disappointment — “What about Notre Dame?” — wasn’t only that the two East Coast programs are located outside the traditional Big Ten footprint, but that neither added much firepower to a conference that in perception or reality already was struggling to keep up with the Southeastern Conference. Maryland wasn’t exactly Florida, and Rutgers was closer to Akron than Alabama.
But some of the frustration could be attributed to
lack of knowledge. The only thing many Big Ten fans knew about the Terrapins, outside of being decent at basketball, was their nickname. Rutgers? That was somewhere in New Jersey. Or was it New York?
Most of us knew little of the newbies’ history, specifically as it related to famous football alumni. Purdue has Drew Brees. Illinois has Red Grange. Ohio State has Archie Griffin. Michigan has Brady Hoke. (sorry, couldn’t resist). And on and on. Even Nebraska, which joined the conference in 2011, offered such household names as Tom Osborne, Ndamukong Suh and Johnny Rodgers (for us graybeards).
Ohio State hosting Maryland on Saturday got me wondering whether Big Ten fans in flyover country still know much about the Terrapins’ football history. For that matter, how much do we really know about the biggest names who have come through Minnesota and Northwestern? Through Indiana and Iowa?
Consider the following a refresher, or first-time educator, on the best player to represent each of the 14 conference schools. Selections are subjective, but based on research of ratings and rankings tied to the schools, their fan bases and media outlets.
Also, selections are limited to college performance; professional success was considered only to break ties.
Illinois: Red Grange, halfback. The three-time Allamerican is considered one of the early-era players in history and one of only two Illini to have his jersey retired. Runner-up: Dick Butkus, linebacker. The second retired jersey and good enough that his name is on the trophy given to the best linebacker each season.
Indiana: Antwaan Randle El, quarterback. The first player in NCAA history to gain 2,500 yards or more of total offense four consecutive seasons. Runner-up: Anthony Thompson, running back. Won the Walter Camp and Maxwell awards.
Iowa: Nile Kinnick, quarterback. The only Hawkeyes player to win the Heisman Trophy (1939). Bonus points: Iowa’s stadium is named after him. Runner-up: Chuck Long, quarterback. First Big Ten quarterback to pass for more than 10,000 yards. 1985 Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Maryland: Randy White, defensive tackle. Some college football historians contend White remains the best DT in college history. Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year in 1974. Runner-up: Bob Pellegrini, center. Fifth in 1955 Heisman Trophy voting. As a center.
Michigan: Charles Woodson, cornerback. Only defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy (1997). Enough said. Runner-up: Tom Harmon, halfback. Won the 1940 Heisman and Maxwell.
Michigan State: Bubba Smith, defensive end. Smith became an actor (appearing in Police Academy and Miller Lite commercials) later in life, but he was a real-deal beast for the Spartans. Runner-up: Charles Rogers, wide receiver. The 2002 Biletnikoff winner set an NCAA record with a touchdown catch in 13 consecutive games.
Minnesota: Bronco Nagurski, fullback/tackle. You could argue his name alone makes him No. 1, but Nagurski (1927-29) would be a force in any era. Runnerup: Bruce Smith, halfback. The Golden Gophers’ only Heisman winner (1941).
Nebraska: Johnny Rodgers, wide receiver. The first wide receiver to win the Heisman (1972), Rodgers also returned kicks, returning seven punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. Runner-up: Ndamukong Suh. The 2009 Associated Press player of the year also won the Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik and Outland trophies and finished fourth in the Heisman voting.
Northwestern: Otto Graham, tailback/quarterback. The uber-talented Wildcat finished third in the 1943 Heisman voting. He set a school record for total offense that stood for 20 years. Runner-up: Pat Fitzgerald, linebacker. The first player to win the Nagurski and Bednarik awards two years in a row.
Ohio State: Archie Griffin, tailback. Of course. The only two-time winner of the Heisman. Set an NCAA mark by rushing for 100 yards or more in 31 consecutive games. Runner-up: Orlando Pace, offensive tackle. Did not allow a sack his last two years with the Buckeyes, and finished fourth in the 1996 Heisman voting.
Penn State: Lavar Arrington, linebacker. At Linebacker U, the pick has to be an LB. But it’s a close call. Arrington won the Butkus, Bednarik and Lambert awards as a junior. Runner-up: John Cappelletti, running back. Joe Paterno called the 1973 Heisman winner the best player he ever coached.
Purdue: Drew Brees, quarterback. The best in a long line of Boilermakers quarterbacks, he set Big Ten records for completions and attempts, yards and touchdowns. Runner-up: Rod Woodson, defensive back. Set 13 defensive records for PU.
Rutgers: Ray Rice, running back. Finished with 4,926 yards and 49 touchdowns in just three seasons. Runner-up: Marco Battaglia, tight end. Consensus first-team All-american led the nation’s tight ends with 69 catches and 10 touchdowns as a senior.
Wisconsin: Ron Dayne, running back. The 1999 Heisman winner set the NCAA career rushing record (7,125 yards). Runner-up: Alan Ameche, fullback/linebacker. Won the 1954 Heisman and set the NCAA career rushing mark with 3,212 yards.
You don’t like my picks? Who would you choose instead? roller@dispatch.com
@rollercd