# 2009 Big Ten Conference football season

The 2009 Big Ten Conference football season was the 114th for the conference, and saw Ohio State conclude the regular season as Big Ten Conference champion for the 5th consecutive time, their 34th Big Ten title. This earned them the conference's automatic selection to a Bowl Championship Series game in which it emerged victorious in the January 1, 2010 Rose Bowl against Oregon Ducks. Co-runner-up, Iowa, earned the conference's at-large BCS invitation to the January 5, 2010 Orange Bowl. The season started on Thursday, September 3, as conference member Indiana hosted Eastern Kentucky. The conference's other 10 teams began their respective 2009 season of NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) competition two days later. All teams started their season at home except Illinois who started their season on neutral turf for the third consecutive season against Missouri and Minnesota who traveled to Syracuse.
Although several players had post season All-star games remaining, the season concluded for Big Ten teams with the 2010 Orange Bowl in which Iowa defeated Georgia Tech. This was the seventh bowl game for the conference which compiled a 4–3 record. Over the course of 77 home games, the conference set a new attendance record. During the season, Minnesota opened a new athletic stadium, TCF Bank Stadium, and Purdue welcomed a new head coach, Danny Hope.
The season saw John Clay selected as offensive player of the year by both the coaches and the media. Jared Odrick and Greg Jones won defensive player of the year awards from the coaches and media, respectively. Chicago Tribune Silver Football recipients as the Big Ten co-MVPs were Daryll Clark and Brandon Graham. Jones was the conferences only consensus 2009 College Football All-America Team representative. The Big Ten Conference enjoyed two national statistical championships. Graham led the nation in tackles for a loss (TFL). Ray Fisher earned the national statistical championship in kickoff return average and established a new Big Ten single-season record with his performance. The Big Ten led the nation with six first team Academic All-Americans. After the season, 34 athletes were selected in the 2010 NFL draft including three in the first round and six each by Iowa and Penn State.

## Previous season

During the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, Ohio State won its fourth consecutive Big Ten championship while co-champion Penn State won its second in four years. Although the two teams tied with 7–1 conference records, Penn State earned the conference's automatic Bowl Championship Series selection due to a head-to-head victory. The two teams have been the only teams from the conference to win a Big Ten championship in the past four seasons.
During the season, every home game was televised nationally and 98 percent of the Big Ten's games were nationally aired far exceeding all other conferences, none of whom had even 75 percent of their games televised.

## Preseason

In a given year, each Big Ten team will play eight of the other Big Ten teams. Thus for any given team in a given year, there are two others which will not be competed against. Below is the breakdown of each team and its two "no-plays" for 2009:
* Illinois: Iowa, Wisconsin
* Indiana: Michigan State, Minnesota
* Iowa: Illinois, Purdue
* Michigan: Minnesota, Northwestern
* Michigan State: Indiana, Ohio State
* Minnesota: Indiana, Michigan
* Northwestern: Michigan, Ohio State
* Ohio State: Michigan State, Northwestern
* Penn State: Purdue, Wisconsin
* Purdue: Iowa, Penn State
* Wisconsin: Illinois, Penn State
The Big Ten Conference announced on July 27 that the big ten media had elected Ohio State as the preseason favorite for the 2009 football season. It had ranked Penn State second and Michigan State third. It chose Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
In the Preseason Coaches' Poll released on August 7, the Big Ten was one of only three conferences with multiple teams ranked in the top ten.
The College Football Hall of Fame has selected Iowa's Larry Station (1982–85), Ohio State's Chris Spielman (1984–87) and Penn State's Curt Warner (1979–82) for December induction. 28 Big Ten athletes were selected in the 2009 National Football League Draft in late April, including four first-round picks. Two additional players were selected in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.

## Watchlists

According to the Big Ten Conference at the beginning of the season: "The Big Ten now features 51 student-athletes on preseason watch lists for 19 different national awards. Among the honored conference players, 27 appear on more than one list and five Big Ten standouts lead the way by appearing on five different lists. Every Big Ten team has at least one player appearing on a watch list. Iowa, Ohio State and Penn State top all Big Ten schools with seven different players appearing on watch lists, followed by six nominees from Illinois and Michigan and five selections for Michigan State and Wisconsin.
On the offensive side of the ball, returning first-team All-Big Ten quarterback Daryll Clark of Penn State appears on the watch lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Manning, Maxwell, Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards. Illinois signal caller Juice Williams, a second-team All-Big Ten choice last year, appears on four different lists for the Manning, Maxwell, Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards. Illini wideout Arrelious Benn (Biletnikoff, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell) and Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor (Manning, Maxwell, Davey O'Brien) appear on three different watch lists. Players appearing on two lists include Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, Michigan running back Brandon Minor and offensive lineman David Molk, Michigan State center Joel Nitchman, Minnesota wideout Eric Decker and quarterback Adam Weber, Northwestern center Ben Burkett, Ohio State center Mike Brewster, Penn State running back Evan Royster and offensive lineman Stefan Wisniewski and the Wisconsin trio of running back John Clay, tight end Garrett Graham and center John Moffitt.
On the defensive side of the ball, four standouts appear on five different watch lists. Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and returning first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Greg Jones of Michigan State has been named to the watch lists for the Bednarik, Butkus and Rotary Lombardi Awards and the Lott and Nagurski Trophies. Fellow linebacker Sean Lee of Penn State, who missed last season due to injury after earning second-team All-Big Ten accolades in 2007, appears on the same five watch lists as Jones. Defensive ends Brandon Graham of Michigan and Corey Wootton of Northwestern were both tabbed for the Bednarik, Ted Hendricks, Rotary Lombardi, Lott and Nagurski watch lists. Wootton was a first-team All-Big Ten choice last year while Graham was named to the second team. Two more Nittany Lion standouts were named to four watch lists in linebacker NaVorro Bowman (Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi, Nagurski) and defensive tackle Jared Odrick (Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski, Outland). Other defensive standouts to appear on multiple lists include Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson, Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew, Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer and Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman."

### Award watch lists

| Award | School | Player |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | IND | Jammie Kirlew |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | IOWA | Pat Angerer |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | MICH | Brandon Graham |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | MSU | Greg Jones |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | NU | Corey Wootton |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | PSU | Sean Lee |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | PSU | Jared Odrick |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) | PSU | NaVorro Bowman |
| Fred Biletnikoff Award (Best Wide Receiver) | ILL | Arrelious Benn |
| Fred Biletnikoff Award (Best Wide Receiver) | MINN | Eric Decker |
| Butkus Award (Best Linebacker) | ILL | Martez Wilson |
| Butkus Award (Best Linebacker) | MICH | Obi Ezeh |
| Butkus Award (Best Linebacker) | MSU | Greg Jones |
| Butkus Award (Best Linebacker) | PSU | Sean Lee |
| Butkus Award (Best Linebacker) | PSU | NaVorro Bowman |
| Butkus Award (Best Linebacker) | IOWA | Pat Angerer |
| Butkus Award (Best Linebacker) | IOWA | A.J. Edds |
| Walter Camp Award (Top College Player) | ILL | Arrelious Benn |
| Walter Camp Award (Top College Player) | PSU | Daryll Clark |
| Walter Camp Award (Top College Player) | PSU | Evan Royster |
| Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Place Kicker) | MSU | Brett Swenson |
| Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Place Kicker) | OSU | Aaron Pettrey |
| Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Place Kicker) | PUR | Carson Wiggs |
| Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Place Kicker) | WIS | Philip Welch |
| Ray Guy Award (Outstanding Punter) | IOWA | Ryan Donahue |
| Ray Guy Award (Outstanding Punter) | MICH | Zoltan Mesko |
| Ted Hendricks Award (Outstanding Defensive End) | ILL | Doug Pilcher |
| Ted Hendricks Award (Outstanding Defensive End) | IND | Jammie Kirlew |
| Ted Hendricks Award (Outstanding Defensive End) | IND | Greg Middleton |
| Ted Hendricks Award (Outstanding Defensive End) | MICH | Brandon Graham |
| Ted Hendricks Award (Outstanding Defensive End) | MSU | Trevor Anderson |
| Ted Hendricks Award (Outstanding Defensive End) | NU | Corey Wootton |
| Ted Hendricks Award (Outstanding Defensive End) | OSU | Lawrence Wilson |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | ILL | Martez Wilson |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | IND | Jammie Kirlew |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | IOWA | Bryan Bulaga |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | MICH | Brandon Graham |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | MICH | David Molk |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | MICH | Stephen Schilling |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | MSU | Greg Jones |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | MSU | Joel Nitchman |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | NU | Ben Burkett |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | NU | Corey Wootton |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | OSU | Mike Brewster |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | PSU | NaVorro Bowman |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | PSU | Sean Lee |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | PSU | Jared Odrick |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | PSU | Stefen Wisniewski |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | WIS | Gabe Carimi |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | WIS | Garrett Graham |
| Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman) | WIS | John Moffitt |
| Lott Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year) | IOWA | Pat Angerer |
| Lott Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year) | MICH | Brandon Graham |
| Lott Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year) | MSU | Greg Jones |
| Lott Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year) | NU | Corey Wootton |
| Lott Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year) | OSU | Kurt Coleman |
| Lott Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year) | PSU | Sean Lee |
| John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End) | OSU | Jake Ballard |
| John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End) | MSU | Charlie Gantt |
| John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End) | WIS | Garrett Graham |
| John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End) | ILL | Michael Hoomanawanui |
| John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End) | IOWA | Tony Moeaki |
| John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End) | PSU | Andrew Quarless |
| Manning Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | ILL | Juice Williams |
| Manning Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | IOWA | Ricky Stanzi |
| Manning Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | MINN | Adam Weber |
| Manning Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | OSU | Terrelle Pryor |
| Manning Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | PSU | Daryll Clark |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | ILL | Arrelious Benn |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | ILL | Juice Williams |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | MICH | Brandon Minor |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | MINN | Eric Decker |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | OSU | Terrelle Pryor |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | PSU | Daryll Clark |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | PSU | Evan Royster |
| Maxwell Award (Top College Player) | WIS | John Clay |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player) | OSU | Kurt Coleman |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player) | MICH | Brandon Graham |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player) | MSU | Greg Jones |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player) | NU | Corey Wootton |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player) | PSU | Sean Lee |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player) | PSU | Jared Odrick |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Top Defensive Player) | PSU | NaVorro Bowman |
| Davey O'Brien Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | PSU | Daryll Clark |
| Davey O'Brien Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | OSU | Terrelle Pryor |
| Davey O'Brien Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | MINN | Adam Weber |
| Davey O'Brien Award (Outstanding Quarterback) | ILL | Juice Williams |
| Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman) | ILL | Jon Asamoah |
| Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman) | IOWA | Bryan Bulaga |
| Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman) | PSU | Jared Odrick |
| Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman) | PSU | Stefen Wisniewski |
| Dave Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center) | MICH | David Molk |
| Dave Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center) | MSU | Joel Nitchman |
| Dave Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center) | OSU | Mike Brewster |
| Dave Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center) | NU | Ben Burkett |
| Dave Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center) | WIS | John Moffitt |
| Jim Thorpe Award (Outstanding Defensive Back) | OSU | Kurt Coleman |
| Jim Thorpe Award (Outstanding Defensive Back) | IOWA | Amari Spievey |
| Doak Walker Award (Outstanding Running Back) | OSU | Dan Herron |
| Doak Walker Award (Outstanding Running Back) | MICH | Brandon Minor |
| Doak Walker Award (Outstanding Running Back) | WIS | John Clay |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Top Senior Quarterback) | ILL | Juice Williams |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Top Senior Quarterback) | NU | Mike Kafka |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Top Senior Quarterback) | PSU | Daryll Clark |
Lott Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Jim Thorpe Award watchlist candidate Kurt Coleman of Ohio State, was suspended by the Big Ten Conference for one game. The suspension was for a violation of the new 2009 NCAA football playing rule that required mandatory conference video review of an act where a player initiates helmet-to-helmet contact and targets a defenseless opponent. The incident occurred during the September 26 game against Illinois.

### Midseason

Obi Ezeh, Jones and Lee were among the sixteen selected to the midseason Butkus watchlist and Clark was named as one of ten finalists for the Unitas award. Eight Big Ten athletes were named as semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy: Illinois' Jon Asamoah, Indiana's Jammie Kirlew, Michigan's Zoltan Mesko, Minnesota's Eric Decker, Northwestern's Andrew Brewer, Ohio State's Jim Cordle, Penn State's Josh Hull and Wisconsin's Mickey Turner on October 1. Four Big Ten Players midseason watch list for the John Mackey Award: Moeaki, Gantt, Quarless and Graham. Three were quarterfinalists for the Lott Award: Angerer, Jones and Coleman. The Big Ten had two O'Brien Award semifinalists: Stanzi and Clark. Eric Decker was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award. Jones has been selected as a semifinalists for the Bednarik Award along with Angerer, Bowman and Wisconsin defensive end O'Brien Schofield. Hawkeyes' Tyler Sash was chosen as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Swenson and Northwestern's Stefan Demos were named semifinalists for the Groza Award. Mesko, Blair White, and Andrew Brewer were among the 12 finalists for the Wuerffel Trophy. Mesko, and Donahue were among 10 semifinalists for the Guy Award. Mesko was named one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award. Michigan's Graham was a finalist for the Henricks Award.

## Rankings

Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Two additional polls are released midway through the season; the Harris Interactive Poll is released after the fourth week of the season and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Standings is released after the seventh week. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS Standings.
Legend :
| | Improvement in ranking |
| | Drop in ranking |
| | Not ranked previous week |
| RV | Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll |
| | | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Final |
| Illinois | AP | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Illinois | C | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Illinois | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | | | |
| Indiana | AP | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Indiana | C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Indiana | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | | | |
| Iowa | AP | 22 | RV | RV | RV | 13 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
| Iowa | C | 21 | RV | RV | RV | 17 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 7 |
| Iowa | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 6 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 10 | |
| Michigan | AP | | RV | 25 | 23 | 22 | RV | RV | RV | | | | | | | |
| Michigan | C | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 20 | RV | RV | RV | | | | | | | | |
| Michigan | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | | | |
| Michigan State | AP | RV | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Michigan State | C | RV | RV | | | | | | RV | | | | | | | | |
| Michigan State | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | | | |
| Minnesota | AP | | | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Minnesota | C | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Minnesota | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | | | |
| Northwestern | AP | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | RV | RV | RV | |
| Northwestern | C | RV | RV | RV | | | | | | | | | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV |
| Northwestern | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | | | |
| Ohio State | AP | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Ohio State | C | 6 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
| Ohio State | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 19 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | |
| Penn State | AP | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Penn State | C | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 8 |
| Penn State | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 13 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | |
| Purdue | AP | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Purdue | C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Purdue | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | | | |
| Wisconsin | AP | | | | | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 21 | 17 | RV | RV | 24 | 16 |
| Wisconsin | C | RV | | | RV | RV | 25 | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 20 | 14 | RV | RV | 22 | 16 |
| Wisconsin | BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 21 | | 21 | 20 | 16 | | | 25 | |

## Spring games

April 11
* Michigan
April 18
* Indiana
* Purdue
* Wisconsin
April 25
* Illinois
* Michigan State
* Minnesota
* Northwestern
* Ohio State
* Penn State
Did not have spring game this year
* Iowa

## Season

Purdue head coach Danny Hope began his first season in West Lafayette. On September 12, Minnesota opened the 2009 season its new 50,720-seat home field, TCF Bank Stadium when the team hosted the Air Force Falcons. For the third straight year, each Big Ten home game during the first three weeks of the season was broadcast nationally on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network, which televised more than 20 contests altogether in the opening weeks, including all nine home games in Week 1. Every ABC afternoon telecast was broadcast nationally, either on ABC or simultaneously on ESPN or ESPN2. Note that although the Big Ten is a regional conference the Big Ten Network, which was available in 19 of the 20 largest U.S. media markets, was available to approximately 73 million homes in the U.S. and Canada through agreements with more than 250 cable television or satellite television affiliates.
The season began amidst allegations that Michigan was working its players beyond the extent permissible by the NCAA. Nonetheless, the conference had its fifth ten-win week during the opening weekend. During week 3, the Ohio State-USC game became the most-viewed college football game in ESPN history. After three weeks, the Big Ten Conference was the only Football Bowl Subdivision conference with five 3–0 teams.

### Homecoming games

September 26
* Michigan 36, Indiana 33 (Michigan's record in homecoming games is 83–26)†
October 3
* Northwestern 27, Purdue 21 (Purdue's record in homecoming games is 48–35–4)†
October 10
* Michigan State 24, Illinois 14 (Illinois's record in homecoming games is 42–55–2)†
* Iowa 30, Michigan 28 (Iowa's record in homecoming games is 52–41–5)†
* Minnesota 35, Purdue 20 (Minnesota's record in homecoming games is 54–33–3)†
October 17
* Indiana 27, Illinois 14 (Indiana's record in homecoming games is 43–48–6)†
* Michigan State 24, Northwestern 14 (Michigan State's record in homecoming games is 61–30–3)†
* Penn State 20, Minnesota 0 (Penn State's record in homecoming games is 65–20–5)†
* Iowa 20, Wisconsin 10 (Wisconsin's record in homecoming games is 52–45–5)†
October 24
* Northwestern 29, Indiana 28 11:00 a.m. CT
* Ohio State 38, Minnesota 7 (Ohio State's record in homecoming games is 64–19–5)†
† denotes record after the game

## Schedule

* Index to colors and formatting
* Big 10 member won
* Big 10 member lost
* Big 10 teams in bold

### Week one

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | 8:00 p.m. | Eastern Kentucky | Indiana | Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN | Big Ten Network | W 19–13 | 36,759 |
| September 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Towson | Northwestern | Ryan Field • Evanston, IL | Big Ten Network | W 47–14 | 17,587 |
| September 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Montana State | Michigan State | Spartan Stadium • Lansing, MI | Big Ten Network | W 44–3 | 74,518 |
| September 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Minnesota | Syracuse | Carrier Dome • Syracuse, NY | ESPN2 | W 23–20 | 74,518 |
| September 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Navy | Ohio State | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH | ESPN | W 31–27 | 105,092 |
| September 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Akron | Penn State | Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA | Big Ten Network | W 31–7 | 104,968 |
| September 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Toledo | Purdue | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN | Big Ten Network | W 52–31 | 47,551 |
| September 5 | 12:05 p.m. | Northern Iowa | Iowa | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA | Big Ten Network | W 17–16 | 70,585 |
| September 5 | 3:30 p.m. | Western Michigan | Michigan | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI | ABC | W 31–7 | 109,019 |
| September 5 | 3:40 p.m. | Missouri | Illinois | Edward Jones Dome • St. Louis, MO | ESPN | L 37–9 | 64,215 |
| September 5 | 7:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois | Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI | Big Ten Network | W 28–20 | 80,532 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week two

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 12 | 12:00 p.m. | Eastern Michigan | Northwestern | Ryan Field • Evanston, IL | Big Ten Network | W 27–24 | 19,239 |
| September 12 | 12:00 p.m. | Western Michigan | Indiana | Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN | Big Ten Network | W 23–19 | 35,162 |
| September 12 | 12:00 p.m. | Central Michigan | Michigan State | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI | ESPN2 | L 29–27 | 76,221 |
| September 12 | 12:00 p.m. | Syracuse | Penn State | Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA | Big Ten Network | W 28–7 | 106,387 |
| September 12 | 12:00 p.m. | Fresno State | Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI | ESPN | W 34–31 | 80,353 |
| September 12 | 12:05 p.m. | Iowa | Iowa State | Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA | Fox Sports Net | W 35–3 | 52,089 |
| September 12 | 3:30 p.m. | Notre Dame | Michigan | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI | ABC | W 38–34 | 110,278 |
| September 12 | 7:00 p.m. | Air Force | Minnesota | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN | Big Ten Network | W 20–13 | 50,805 |
| September 12 | 7:00 p.m. | Illinois State | Illinois | Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL | Big Ten Network | W 45–17 | 62,347 |
| September 12 | 8:00 p.m. | USC | Ohio State | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH | ESPN | L 18–15 | 106,033 |
| September 12 | 10:15 p.m. | Purdue | Oregon | Autzen Stadium • Eugene, OR | Fox Sports Net | L 38–36 | 57,772 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |||||||||

### Week three

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 19 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Eastern Michigan Eagles | Michigan Wolverines | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan | Big Ten Network | W 45–17 | 107,903 |
| September 19 | 12:00 p.m. ET | California Golden Bears | Minnesota Golden Gophers | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota | ESPN | L 35–21 | 50,805 |
| September 19 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Temple Owls | Penn State Nittany Lions | Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania | Big Ten Network | W 31–6 | 105,514 |
| September 19 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Wofford Terriers | Wisconsin Badgers | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin | Big Ten Network | W 44–14 | 78,253 |
| September 19 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Northern Illinois Huskies | Purdue Boilermakers | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana | Big Ten Network | L 28–21 | 53,240 |
| September 19 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Ohio State Buckeyes | Toledo Rockets | Cleveland Browns Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio | | W 38–0 | 71,727 |
| September 19 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Michigan State Spartans | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, Indiana | NBC | L 33–30 | 80,795 |
| September 19 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Indiana Hoosiers | Akron Zips | InfoCision Stadium • Akron, Ohio | ESPNU | W 38–21 | 18,340 |
| September 19 | 3:35 p.m. ET | Arizona Wildcats | Iowa Hawkeyes | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa | ABC | W 27–17 | 70,585 |
| September 19 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Northwestern Wildcats | Syracuse Orange | Carrier Dome • Syracuse, New York | | L 37–34 | 40,251 |

### Week four

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 26 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Minnesota Golden Gophers | Northwestern Wildcats | Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois | Big Ten Network | MINN 35–24 | 22,091 |
| September 26 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Indiana Hoosiers | Michigan Wolverines | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan | ESPN2 | MICH 36–33 | 108,118 |
| September 26 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Michigan State Spartans | Wisconsin Badgers | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin | ESPN | WIS 38–30 | 80,123 |
| September 26 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Illinois Fighting Illini | Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio | ABC | OSU 30–0 | 105,219 |
| September 26 | 8:00 p.m. ET | Iowa Hawkeyes | Penn State Nittany Lions | Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania | ABC | IOWA 21–10 | 109,316 |
| September 26 | 8:00 p.m. ET | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Purdue Boilermakers | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana | ESPN | L 24–21 | 56,452 |

### Week five

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 3 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Michigan Wolverines | Michigan State Spartans | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | Big Ten Network | MSU 26–20 | 78,629 |
| October 3 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Wisconsin Badgers | Minnesota Golden Gophers | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota | ESPN | WIS 31–28 | 50,805 |
| October 3 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Northwestern Wildcats | Purdue Boilermakers | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana | Big Ten Network | NU 27–21 | 47,163 |
| October 3 | 12:05 p.m. ET | Arkansas State Red Wolves | Iowa Hawkeyes | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa | ESPN2 | W 24–21 | 67,989 |
| October 3 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Penn State Nittany Lions | Illinois Fighting Illini | Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois | ABC | PSU 35–17 | 62,870 |
| October 3 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Ohio State Buckeyes | Indiana Hoosiers | Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, Indiana | Big Ten Network | OSU 33–14 | 51,500 |

### Week six

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 10 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Miami RedHawks | Northwestern Wildcats | Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois | Big Ten Network | W 16–6 | 23,085 |
| October 10 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Purdue Boilermakers | Minnesota Golden Gophers | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota | ESPN2 | MINN 35–20 | 50,805 |
| October 10 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Eastern Illinois Panthers | Penn State Nittany Lions | Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania | ESPN Classic | PSU 52–3 | 104,488 |
| October 10 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Michigan State Spartans | Illinois Fighting Illini | Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois | Big Ten Network | MSU 24–14 | 62,870 |
| October 10 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Wisconsin Badgers | Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio | ABC | OSU 31–13 | 105,301 |
| October 10 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Indiana Hoosiers | Virginia Cavaliers | Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, Virginia | | L 47–7 | 45,371 |
| October 10 | 8:05 p.m. ET | Michigan Wolverines | Iowa Hawkeyes | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa | ABC | IOWA 30–28 | 70,585 |

### Week seven

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 17 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Northwestern Wildcats | Michigan State Spartans | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | ESPN2 | MSU 24–14 | 71,726 |
| October 17 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Delaware State Hornets | Michigan Wolverines | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan | Big Ten Network | W 63–6 | 106,304 |
| October 17 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Iowa Hawkeyes | Wisconsin Badgers | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin | ESPN | IOWA 20–10 | 81,043 |
| October 17 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Ohio State Buckeyes | Purdue Boilermakers | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana | Big Ten Network | PUR 26–18 | 50,404 |
| October 17 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Minnesota Golden Gophers | Penn State Nittany Lions | Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania | ABC | PSU 20–0 | 107,981 |
| October 17 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Illinois Fighting Illini | Indiana Hoosiers | Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, Indiana | Big Ten Network | IND 27–14 | 42,358 |

### Week eight

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 24 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Indiana Hoosiers | Northwestern Wildcats | Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois | Big Ten Network | NU 29–28 | 24,364 |
| October 24 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Minnesota Golden Gophers | Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio | ESPN | OSU 38–7 | 105,011 |
| October 24 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Illinois Fighting Illini | Purdue Boilermakers | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana | ESPN2 | PUR 24–14 | 47,349 |
| October 24 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Penn State Nittany Lions | Michigan Wolverines | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan | ABC | PSU 35–10 | 110,377 |
| October 24 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Iowa Hawkeyes | Michigan State Spartans | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | Big Ten Network | IOWA 15–13 | 74,411 |

### Week nine

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 31 | 12:00 p.m. ET | New Mexico State Aggies | Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio | Big Ten Network | W 45–0 | 104,719 |
| October 31 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Indiana Hoosiers | Iowa Hawkeyes | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa | ESPN | IOWA 42–24 | 70,585 |
| October 31 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Purdue Boilermakers | Wisconsin Badgers | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin | ESPN2 | WIS 37–0 | 79,920 |
| October 31 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Michigan Wolverines | Illinois Fighting Illini | Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois | ABC | ILL 38–13 | 60,119 |
| October 31 | 4:30 p.m. ET | Penn State Nittany Lions | Northwestern Wildcats | Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois | ESPN | PSU 34–13 | 30,546 |
| October 31 | 8:00 p.m. ET | Michigan State Spartans | Minnesota Golden Gophers | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Big Ten Network | MINN 42–34 | 50,805 |

### Week ten

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| November 7 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Wisconsin Badgers | Indiana Hoosiers | Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, Indiana | Big Ten Network | WIS 31–28 | 36,611 |
| November 7 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Western Michigan Broncos | Michigan State Spartans | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | Big Ten Network | W 49–14 | 73,910 |
| November 7 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Purdue Boilermakers | Michigan Wolverines | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan | Big Ten Network | PUR 38–36 | 108,543 |
| November 7 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Illinois Fighting Illini | Minnesota Golden Gophers | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Big Ten Network | ILL 35–32 | 50,805 |
| November 7 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Northwestern Wildcats | Iowa Hawkeyes | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa | ESPN | NW 17–10 | 70,585 |
| November 7 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Ohio State Buckeyes | Penn State Nittany Lions | Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania | ABC | OSU 24–7 | 110,033 |

### Week eleven

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| November 14 | 12:00 p.m. ET | South Dakota State Jackrabbits | Minnesota Golden Gophers | TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Big Ten Network | W 16–13 | 50,805 |
| November 14 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Indiana Hoosiers | Penn State Nittany Lions | Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania | Big Ten Network | PSU 31–20 | 107,379 |
| November 14 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Michigan Wolverines | Wisconsin Badgers | Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin | Big Ten Network | WIS 45–24 | 80,540 |
| November 14 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Northwestern Wildcats | Illinois Fighting Illini | Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois | ESPN Classic | NU 21–16 | 60,523 |
| November 14 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Michigan State Spartans | Purdue Boilermakers | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana | ESPN | MSU 40–37 | 48,408 |
| November 14 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Iowa Hawkeyes | Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio | ABC | OSU 27–24 | 105,455 |

### Week twelve

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| November 21 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Wisconsin Badgers | Northwestern Wildcats | Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois | Big Ten Network | NU 33–31 | 32,150 |
| November 21 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Purdue Boilermakers | Indiana Hoosiers | Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, Indiana | Big Ten Network | PUR 38–21 | 48,607 |
| November 21 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Penn State Nittany Lions | Michigan State Spartans | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan | ABC | PSU 42–14 | 73,771 |
| November 21 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Ohio State Buckeyes | Michigan Wolverines | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan | ABC | OSU 21–10 | 110,922 |
| November 21 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Minnesota Golden Gophers | Iowa Hawkeyes | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa | ESPN | IOWA 12–0 | 70,585 |

### Week thirteen

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
| November 27 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Illinois Fighting Illini | Cincinnati Bearcats | Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio | ABC | L 49–36 | 35,106 | |

### Week fourteen

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
| December 5 | 11:30 p.m. ET | Wisconsin Badgers | Hawaii Warriors | Aloha Stadium • Honolulu, Hawaii | ESPN2 | W 55–10 | 40,069 | |
| December 5 | 12:30 p.m. ET | Fresno State Bulldogs | Illinois Fighting Illini | Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois | Big Ten Network | L 53–52 | 48,538 | |

## Records against other conferences

The following summarizes the Big Ten's record this season vs. other conferences.
| Conference | Wins | Losses |
| ACC | 2 | 1 |
| Big 12 | 1 | 3 |
| Big East | 2 | 2 |
| Big Sky | 1 | 0 |
| Colonial Athletic | 1 | 0 |
| MEAC | 1 | 0 |
| Independents | 2 | 2 |
| MAC | 12 | 2 |
| Missouri Valley | 3 | 0 |
| Mountain West | 1 | 0 |
| Ohio Valley | 2 | 0 |
| Pac-10 | 2 | 3 |
| SEC | 1 | 1 |
| Southern | 1 | 0 |
| Sun Belt | 1 | 0 |
| WAC | 3 | 1 |
| Overall | 36 | 15 |

### Big Ten vs. BCS matchups

During the season, Big Ten teams played several games against BCS conference opponents. Some of these games are regularly contested rivalry games.
| Date | Visitor | Home | Significance | Winning Team |
| September 5 | Missouri | Illinois | Arch Rivalry | Missouri |
| September 5 | Minnesota | Syracuse | | Minnesota |
| September 12 | Iowa | Iowa State | Cy-Hawk Trophy | Iowa |
| September 12 | Notre Dame | Michigan | Michigan – Notre Dame rivalry | Michigan |
| September 12 | USC | Ohio State | Both ranked in the top 10 | USC |
| September 12 | Syracuse | Penn State | | Penn State |
| September 12 | Purdue | Oregon | | Oregon |
| September 19 | Arizona | Iowa | | Iowa |
| September 19 | Michigan State | Notre Dame | Megaphone Trophy | Notre Dame |
| September 19 | Cal | Minnesota | | Cal |
| September 19 | Northwestern | Syracuse | | Syracuse |
| September 26 | Notre Dame | Purdue | Shillelagh Trophy | Notre Dame |
| October 10 | Indiana | Virginia | | Virginia |
| November 27 | Illinois | Cincinnati | | Cincinnati |

### Bowl games

On December 6, the Bowl matchups were announced. It marked the fifth consecutive season that at least seven Big Ten teams earned bowl game invitations and the ninth time in twelve-year history of the Bowl Championship Series that the conference was awarded two BCS invitations.
| Bowl Game | Date | Stadium | City | Television | Matchups/Result | Payout (US$) |
| Champs Sports Bowl | December 29, 2009 8:00 p.m. ET | Citrus Bowl | Orlando, Florida | ESPN | Wisconsin 20, Miami 14 | $2,130,000 |
| Insight Bowl | December 31, 2009 6:00 p.m. ET | Sun Devil Stadium | Tempe, Arizona | NFL Network | Iowa State 14, Minnesota 13 | $1,200,000 |
| Outback Bowl | January 1, 2010 11:00 a.m. ET | Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, Florida | ESPN | Auburn 38, Northwestern 35 (OT) | $3,100,000 |
| Capital One | January 1, 2010 1:00 p.m. ET | Citrus Bowl | Orlando, Florida | ABC | Penn State 19, LSU 17 | $4,250,000 |
| Rose Bowl* | January 1, 2010 5:10 p.m. ET | Rose Bowl | Pasadena, California | ABC | Ohio State 26, Oregon 17 | $17,000,000 |
| Alamo Bowl | January 2, 2010 9:00 p.m. ET | Alamodome | San Antonio, Texas | ESPN | Texas Tech 41, Michigan State 31 | $2,250,000 |
| Orange Bowl* | January 5, 2010 8:00 p.m. ET | Land Shark Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida | FOX | Iowa 24 vs. Georgia Tech 14 | $17,000,000 |
    (*) denotes BCS game
    Big Ten team and score in bold
    Winning team and score listed first in italics

## Players of the week

Throughout the conference regular season, the Big Ten offices named offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week each Sunday.
| Week | Offensive | Offensive | Defensive | Defensive | Special teams | Special teams |
| Week | Player | Team | Player | Team | Player | Team |
| 9/6/09 | Daryll Clark Ralph Bolden | PSU PUR | Lee Campbell | MINN | Jeremiha Hunter Eric Ellestad | IOWA MINN |
| 9/13/09 | Tate Forcier | MICH | Tyler Sash Nate Triplett | IOWA MINN | Darryl Stonum | MICH |
| 9/20/09 | Carlos Brown Mike Kafka | MICH NU | Sean Lee | PSU | Ryan Donahue Chris Borland | IOWA WIS |
| 9/27/09 | Scott Tolzien | WIS | Pat Angerer | IOWA | Adrian Clayborn | IOWA |
| 10/4/09 | John Clay | WIS | O'Brien Schofield | WIS | Stefan Demos Jeremy Boone | NU PSU |
| 10/11/09 | Tony Moeaki | IOWA | Ross Homan | OSU | Zoltan Mesko | MICH |
| 10/18/09 | Ben Chappell Blair White | IND MSU | Ryan Kerrigan | PUR | Carson Wiggs | PUR |
| 10/25/09 | Daryll Clark (2) | PSU | Adrian Clayborn | IOWA | Thaddeus Gibson Stefan Demos (2) | OSU NU |
| 11/1/09 | Adam Weber | MINN | Garrett Brown Chris Borland | MINN WIS | Keshawn Martin | MSU |
| 11/8/09 | Joey Elliott | PUR | Cameron Heyward | OSU | Ray Small | OSU |
| 11/15/09 | Scott Tolzien (2) | WIS | NaVorro Bowman | PSU | Brett Swenson | MSU |
| 11/22/09 | Mike Kafka (2) Daryll Clark (3) | NU PSU | Troy Johnson NaVorro Bowman (2) | IOWA PSU | Stefan Demos (3) | NU |
| 11/29/09 | Juice Williams | ILL | -- | -- | Derek Dimke | ILL |
| 12/06/09 | Mikel Leshoure John Clay (2) | ILL WIS | J. J. Watt | WIS | David Gilreath | WIS |

## Big Ten Conference football individual honors

At the conclusion of week 12, the coaches and media made Big Ten Conference football individual honors selections. John Clay was selected as offensive player of the year by both the coaches and the media. Jared Odrick and Greg Jones won defensive player of the year awards from the coaches and media, respectively. Bryan Bulaga and Odrick were selected as offensive and defensive linemen of the year. Chris Borland was freshman of the year and Kirk Ferentz was Coach of the Year. The Chicago Tribune Silver Football recipients as the Big Ten co-MVPs were Daryll Clark and Brandon Graham, marking the first time the award has been shared.

### All-Conference

The following players were selected as All-Big Ten at the conclusion of the season.
| | Coaches | | | | Media | | | |
| OFFENSE | FIRST TEAM | | SECOND TEAM | | FIRST TEAM | | SECOND TEAM | |
| Quarterback | Daryll Clark | PSU | Mike Kafka | NU | Daryll Clark | PSU | Mike Kafka | NU |
| Running Back | Evan Royster | PSU | Brandon Saine | OSU | Evan Royster | PSU | Brandon Saine | OSU |
| Running Back | John Clay | WIS | Ralph Bolden | PUR | John Clay | WIS | Ralph Bolden | PUR |
| Receiver | Eric Decker | MINN | Tandon Doss* | IND | Tandon Doss | IND | Blair White | MSU |
| Receiver | Blair White | MSU | Derrell Johnson-Koulianos* | IOWA | Keith Smith | PUR | Zeke Markshausen | NU |
| | | | Keith Smith* | PUR | | | | |
| Center | Stefen Wisniewski | PSU | Rafael Eubanks* | IOWA | Stefen Wisniewski | PSU | Rafael Eubanks | IOWA |
| | | | Joel Nitchman* | MSU | | | | |
| Guard | Dace Richardson | IOWA | Jon Asamoah | ILL | Justin Boren | OSU | Jon Asamoah | ILL |
| Guard | John Moffitt | WIS | Justin Boren | OSU | John Moffitt | WIS | Dace Richardson | IOWA |
| Tackle | Bryan Bulaga | IOWA | Rodger Saffold | IND | Bryan Bulaga | IOWA | Kyle Calloway | IOWA |
| Tackle | Dennis Landolt | PSU | Gabe Carimi | WIS | Gabe Carimi | WIS | Dennis Landolt | PSU |
| Tight End | Tony Moeaki | IOWA | Garrett Graham | WIS | Garrett Graham | WIS | Tony Moeaki | IOWA |
| Kicker | Brett Swenson | MSU | Stefan Demos | NU | Brett Swenson | MSU | Stefan Demos | NU |
| DEFENSE | FIRST TEAM | | SECOND TEAM | | FIRST TEAM | | SECOND TEAM | |
| Line | Adrian Clayborn | IOWA | Jammie Kirlew | | Adrian Clayborn | IOWA | Jammie Kirlew | IND |
| Line | Brandon Graham | MICH | Thaddeus Gibson | OSU | Brandon Graham | MICH | Thaddeus Gibson | OSU |
| Line | Jared Odrick | PSU | Cameron Heyward | OSU | Ryan Kerrigan | PUR | Cameron Heyward | OSU |
| Line | O'Brien Schofield | WIS | Ryan Kerrigan | PUR | O'Brien Schofield | WIS | Jared Odrick | PSU |
| Linebacker | Pat Angerer | IOWA | A. J. Edds | IOWA | Pat Angerer | IOWA | Ross Homan | OSU |
| Linebacker | Greg Jones | MSU | Ross Homan | OSU | Greg Jones | MSU | Josh Hull | PSU |
| Linebacker | NaVorro Bowman | PSU | Sean Lee | PSU | NaVorro Bowman | PSU | Sean Lee | PSU |
| Defensive Back | Tyler Sash | IOWA | Donovan Warren* | MICH | Tyler Sash | IOWA | Brett Greenwood | IOWA |
| Defensive Back | Amari Spievey | IOWA | Sherrick McManis* | NU | Donovan Warren | MICH | Amari Spievey | IOWA |
| Defensive Back | Brad Phillips | NU | Brandon King* | PUR | Sherrick McManis | NU | Brad Phillips | NU |
| Defensive Back | Kurt Coleman | OSU | David Pender* | PUR | Kurt Coleman | OSU | David Pender | PUR |
| | | | Jay Valai* | WIS | | | | |
| Punter | Zoltan Mesko | MICH | Jeremy Boone | PSU | Zoltan Mesko | MICH | Jeremy Boone | PSU |
* Additional honorees due to ties

### Position key

| Back | B | Center | C | Cornerback | CB | Defensive back | DB |
| Defensive end | DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E |
| Fullback | FB | Guard | G | Halfback | HB | Kicker | K |
| Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker | LB |
| Long snapper | LS | Punter | P | Punt returner | PR | Quarterback | QB |
| Running back | RB | Safety | S | Tight end | TE | Wide receiver | WR |

### All-Americans

The following players were chosen as All-Americans for the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, ESPN, Football Writers Association of America, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, Rivals.com, Scout.com, College Football News, Walter Camp Football Foundation or the Pro Football Weekly teams.
| Name | School | Pos. | 1st team | 2nd team | other |
| Greg Jones | Michigan State | LB | Associated Press, AFCA-Coaches, ESPN, FWAA-Writers, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, Rivals.com, Scout.com, College Football News | WCFF | Pro Football Weekly |
| Pat Angerer | Iowa | LB | FWAA-Writers, Sports Illustrated, Rivals.com, College Football News | CBS Sports, WCFF, Scout.com, Associated Press | |
| Brandon Graham | Michigan | DE | ESPN, Rivals.com, Scout.com | WCFF, Sporting News, Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, College Football News | Pro Football Weekly |
| Jared Odrick | Penn State | DT | AFCA-coaches, CBS Sports | Rivals.com, Associated Press | Pro Football Weekly |
| Tyler Sash | Iowa | S | CBS Sports | Rivals.com, Sports Illustrated, College Football News | Associated Press |
| Bryan Bulaga | Iowa | OT | Sporting News | WCFF, Rivals.com, Scout.com, Associated Press | Sports Illustrated, College Football News, Pro Football Weekly |
| Kurt Coleman | Ohio State | S | Sporting News | | Sports Illustrated |
| NaVorro Bowman | Penn State | LB | | CBS Sports, Sporting News, Rivals.com, Sports Illustrated | Associated Press, College Football News, Pro Football Weekly |
| Zoltan Mesko | Michigan | P | | WCFF, Rivals.com, Scout.com, Associated Press | Sports Illustrated, College Football News, Pro Football Weekly |
| Jon Asamoah | Illinois | OL | | Sporting News | Pro Football Weekly |
| Ryan Kerrigan | Purdue | DE | | Rivals.com | Sports Illustrated, College Football News |
| Amari Spievey | Iowa | CB | | Rivals.com | Pro Football Weekly |
| O'Brien Schofield | Wisconsin | DL | | Scout.com | Sports Illustrated, College Football News, Pro Football Weekly |
| Dace Richardson | Iowa | OL | | CBS Sports | |
| Dennis Landolt | Penn State | OT | | | Associated Press |
| John Clay | Wisconsin | RB | | | Sports Illustrated, College Football News |
| Adrian Clayborn | Iowa | DL | | | Sports Illustrated |
| Ross Homan | Ohio State | LB | | | Sports Illustrated |
| Sherrick McManis | Michigan State | DL | | | Sports Illustrated |
| Brett Swenson | Michigan State | K | | | Sports Illustrated, College Football News |
| Ray Fisher | Indiana | KR | | | Sports Illustrated, College Football News |
| Stefen Wisniewski | Penn State | C | | | College Football News, Pro Football Weekly |
| Daryll Clark | Penn State | QB | | | College Football News, Pro Football Weekly |
| Keith Smith | Purdue | WR | | | College Football News |
| Garrett Graham | Wisconsin | TE | | | College Football News, Pro Football Weekly |
| Tony Moeaki | Iowa | TE | | | College Football News |
| Keshawn Martin | Michigan State | KR | | | College Football News |
| Ricky Stanzi | Iowa | QB | | | Pro Football Weekly |
| Marvin McNutt | Iowa | WR | | | Pro Football Weekly |
| Cameron Heyward | Ohio State | DE | | | Pro Football Weekly |
| Adrian Clayborn | Iowa | DE | | | Pro Football Weekly |
| Sean Lee | Penn State | LB | | | Pro Football Weekly |

### All-Star Games

The following players were selected to play in post season All-Star Games:

#### January 23, 2010 East-West Shrine Game

* Jim Cordle
* Doug Worthington
* Daryll Clark
* Jeremy Boone
* Andrew Quarless
* Mike Neal
* Kyle Calloway
* O'Brien Schofield
* Blair White
* Rodger Saffold
Kafka earned offensive MVP; Shofield was named defensive MVP, and White led all receivers with seven catches for 93 yards.

#### January 30 2010 Senior Bowl

* Kurt Coleman
* A. J. Edds
* Brandon Graham
* Garrett Graham
* Mike Hoomanawanui
* Zoltan Mesko
* Mike Neal
* Jared Odrick
* Brett Swenson
Brandon Graham earned MVP honors with five tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble.

#### February 6, 2010 Texas vs. The Nation Game

* Dennis Landolt
* A.J. Wallace
* Simoni Lawrence
* Nick Polk
* Josh Hull
* Nathan Triplett
* Aaron Pettrey
All Big Ten Players represented the nation.

## Statistics

The Big Ten had two national statistical leaders: Brandon Graham led the nation with 2.17 tackles for a loss per game ahead of national second-place finisher O'Brien Schofield and Ray Fisher led the nation in kickoff return average with 37.35. Greg Jones ranked third nationally in tackles per game at 11.85 followed closely by Pat Angerer who finished fourth. Ryan Kerrigan finished third in quarterback sacks per game with 1.08.
The Big Ten saw several career and single-season Big Ten records fall. Mike Kafka broke Drew Brees 1998 record for single-season offensive plays (642 vs. 638). Fisher's return average was a Big Ten single-season record, surpassing the 1965 record. Troy Stoudermire accumulated 43 kickoff returns, which tied Earl Douthitt's 1973 single-season total. David Gilreath's 108 career kickoff returns surpassed the 106 set by Brandon Williams (2002–05) and Derrick Mason (1993–96). Other near single-season records were Tyler Sash's 203 interception return yards, which fell short of the 207 set in 2003 by Alan Zemaitis and Ryan Kerrigan's 7 forced fumbles, which was short of the 8 set by Jonal Saint-Dic in 2007. Jim Tressel became the second head coach to secure five consecutive Big Ten championships.

## Attendance

In 2009, the Big Ten established a new overall conference attendance record with 5,526,237 fans attending 77 home games. This surpassed the previous record set in 2002 when a total of 5,499,439 was reached in 78 contests. Below is a table of home game attendances.
| Team | Stadium | Capacity | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 | Game 8 | Total | Average | % of Capacity |
| Illinois | Memorial Stadium | 62,872 | 62,347 | 62,870 | 62,870 | 60,119 | 60,523 | — | — | — | 308,729 | 61,745 | 98.2 |
| Indiana | Memorial Stadium | 52,692 | 36,759 | 35,162 | 51,500 | 42,358 | 36,611 | 48,607 | — | — | 250,997 | 41,832 | 79.3 |
| Iowa | Kinnick Stadium | 70,585 | 70,585 | 70,585 | 67,989 | 70,585 | 70,585 | 70,585 | 70,585 | — | 491,490 | 70,212 | 99.4 |
| Michigan | Michigan Stadium | 106,201 | 109,019 | 110,278 | 107,903 | 108,118 | 106,304 | 110,377 | 108,543 | 110,922 | 871,464 | 108,933 | 102.5 |
| Michigan State | Spartan Stadium | 75,005 | 74,518 | 76,221 | 78,629 | 71,726 | 74,411 | 73,910 | 73,771 | — | 523,186 | 74,740 | 99.6 |
| Minnesota | TCF Bank Stadium | 50,805 | 50,805 | 50,805 | 50,805 | 50,805 | 50,805 | 50,805 | 50,805 | — | 346,635 | 50,805 | 100.0 |
| Northwestern | Ryan Field | 47,130 | 17,857 | 19,239 | 22,091 | 23,085 | 24,364 | 30,546 | 32,150 | — | 169,332 | 24,190 | 51.3 |
| Ohio State | Ohio Stadium | 102,329 | 105,092 | 106,033 | 105,219 | 105,301 | 105,011 | 104,719 | 105,455 | — | 736,830 | 105,261 | 102.8 |
| Penn State | Beaver Stadium | 107,282 | 104,968 | 106,387 | 105,514 | 109,316 | 104,488 | 107,981 | 110,033 | 107,379 | 856,369 | 107,046 | 99.7 |
| Purdue | Ross–Ade Stadium | 62,500 | 47,551 | 53,240 | 59,082 | 47,163 | 50,404 | 47,349 | 48,408 | — | 353,197 | 50,456 | 80.7 |
| Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium | 80,321 | 80,532 | 80,355 | 78,253 | 80,123 | 81,043 | 79,920 | 80,540 | — | 560,746 | 80,106 | 99.7 |

## Academic honors

26 Big Ten student-athletes were named to the Academic All-District teams presented by ESPN The Magazine, including 18 first-team selections: Illinois' Jon Asamoah, Indiana's Brandon Bugg, Trea Burgess and Ben Chappell, Michigan's Zoltan Mesko, Michigan State's Blair White, Minnesota's Eric Decker and Jeff Tow-Arnett, Northwestern's Doug Bartels, Stefan Demos and Zeke Markshausen, Penn State's Jeremy Boone, Josh Hull, Andrew Pitz and Stefen Wisniewski, Purdue's Joe Holland and Ryan Kerrigan and Wisconsin's Brad Nortman. The Nittany Lions were one of only six schools nationwide with four or more first-team selections. Second-team picks included the Hawkeyes' Julian Vandervelde, the Wolverines' Jon Conover, the Spartans' Adam Decker and Andrew Hawken and the Buckeyes' Bryant Browning, Todd Denlinger, Andrew Moses and Marcus Williams. To be eligible for the award, a player must be in at least his second year of athletic eligibility, be a first-team or key performer and carry a cumulative 3.30 grade point average. First-team selections will be added to the national ballot and are eligible for Academic All-America honors to be announced on November 24. Penn State's Hull and Pitz are looking to earn Academic All-America accolades for the second straight year.
For the fifth consecutive season the Big Ten had more (8) student-athletes named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America first or second teams in football than any other conference whether they be a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) or the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Big Ten also had six of the fifteen first-team selections, which led the nation. FCS' Missouri Valley Conference was second with five first or second team selections and the FBS' Big 12 Conference had four honorees. Only the Big 12 and Southeastern Conference had two first team selections. The Academic All-America first-team honorees from the Big Ten include Zoltan Mesko, Blair White, Zeke Markshausen, Josh Hull, Andrew Pitz and Stefen Wisniewski. Second-team honors went to Northwestern's Stefan Demos and Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan. Hull and Pitz were repeat first-team selections. The Big Ten conference also recognized 193 football players as fall term 2009-10 Academic All-Conference honorees, including Purdue's Joe Holland who has maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average. The student-athletes honorees were letterwinners in at least their second academic year at their institution and who carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

## 2010 NFL Draft

The 2010 saw 34 Big Ten athletes selected. This included at least one representative from each member school, making the Big Ten one of only two conferences to have each of its members represented among the draft selections. Iowa and Penn State each had six selections. The Big Ten had three first round selections: Big Ten Silver Football co-winner Brandon Graham was selected 13th overall by Philadelphia. Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year Bryan Bulaga 23rd by Green Bay, while Big Ten Defensive Player and Lineman of the Year Jared Odrick was chosen 28th overall by Miami.
| Round # | Pick # | NFL Team | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 13 | Philadelphia Eagles $^{(fromSanFranciscoviaDenver)}$ | Brandon Graham | Defensive end | Michigan |
| 1 | 23 | Green Bay Packers | Bryan Bulaga | Offensive tackle | Iowa |
| 1 | 28 | Miami Dolphins $^{(fromSanDiego)}$ | Jared Odrick | Defensive tackle | Penn State |
| 2 | 33 | St. Louis Rams | Rodger Saffold | Offensive tackle | Indiana |
| 2 | 39 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers $^{(fromOakland)}$ | Arrelious Benn | Wide receiver | Illinois |
| 2 | 55 | Dallas Cowboys $^{(fromPhiladelphia)}$ | Sean Lee | Linebacker | Penn State |
| 2 | 56 | Green Bay Packers | Mike Neal | Defensive tackle | Purdue |
| 2 | 63 | Indianapolis Colts | Pat Angerer | Linebacker | Iowa |
| 3 | 66 | Detroit Lions | Amari Spievey | Cornerback | Iowa |
| 3 | 68 | Kansas City Chiefs | Jon Asamoah | Offensive guard | Illinois |
| 3 | 87 | Denver Broncos $^{(fromPhiladelphia)}$ | Eric Decker | Wide receiver | Minnesota |
| 3 | 91 | San Francisco 49ers $^{(fromSanDiego)}$ | NaVorro Bowman | Linebacker | Penn State |
| 3 | 93 | Kansas City Chiefs $^{(fromMinnesotaviaHouston)}$ | Tony Moeaki | Tight end | Iowa |
| 4 | 109 | Chicago Bears | Corey Wootton | Defensive end | Northwestern |
| 4 | 116 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Thaddeus Gibson | Defensive end | Ohio State |
| 4 | 118 | Houston Texans | Garrett Graham | Tight end | Wisconsin |
| 4 | 119 | Miami Dolphins $^{(fromNewEnglandviaOakland,NewEngland,andDallas)}$ | A. J. Edds | Linebacker | Iowa |
| 4 | 122 | Philadelphia Eagles $^{(fromGreenBay)}$ | Mike Kafka | Quarterback | Northwestern |
| 4 | 130 | Arizona Cardinals $^{(fromNewOrleans)}$ | O'Brien Schofield | Defensive end | Wisconsin |
| 5 | 132 | St. Louis Rams | Michael Hoomanawanui | Tight end | Illinois |
| 5 | 144 | Houston Texans $^{(fromCarolinaviaKansasCity)}$ | Sherrick McManis | Cornerback | Northwestern |
| 5 | 150 | New England Patriots $^{(fromHouston)}$ | Zoltan Mesko | Punter | Michigan |
| 5 | 154 | Green Bay Packers | Andrew Quarless | Tight end | Penn State |
| 5 | 167 | Minnesota Vikings | Nathan Triplett | Linebacker | Minnesota |
| 7 | 214 | Minnesota Vikings $^{(fromClevelandviaDetroit)}$ | Mickey Shuler, Jr. | Tight end | Penn State |
| 7 | 215 | Oakland Raiders | Jeremy Ware | Cornerback | Michigan State |
| 7 | 216 | Buffalo Bills | Kyle Calloway | Offensive tackle | Iowa |
| 7 | 232 | Denver Broncos $^{(fromBaltimoreviaTampaBay)}$ | Jammie Kirlew | Defensive end | Indiana |
| 7 | 242 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Doug Worthington | Defensive end | Ohio State |
| 7 | 244 | Philadelphia Eagles | Kurt Coleman | Safety | Ohio State |
| 7 | 246 | Indianapolis Colts | Ray Fisher | Cornerback | Indiana |
| 7 | 251 | Oakland Raiders | Stevie Brown | Safety | Michigan |
| 7 | 252 | Miami Dolphins | Austin Spitler | Linebacker | Ohio State |
| 7 | 254 | St. Louis Rams | Josh Hull | Linebacker | Penn State |