Best and worst moments for all Big Ten teams

With the college football regular season complete and the playoffs now upon us, it becomes a time for teams to reflect on their seasons.

The Big Ten has been a whirlwind this season, It has seen a team be ranked the best in the country and one ranked near the bottom of the country. So let’s go through the teams and delve into their best and worst moments. Starting with the team at the bottom of the conference.

Purdue

Best: Nothing

Yes, that’s right, there is no upside or silver lining to a season in which you went 1-11 with your only win against an FCS team.

Worst: Losing 66-0 to Indiana

Losing 66-0 in any game is embarrassing, but losing to your in-state rival 66-0, now that's a different story.

Maryland

Best: Win Over USC

The Terrapins gave USC a warm welcome when the Trojans traveled to College Park only to be met with a 29-28 defeat to the Terps.

Worst: Losing Their Last Five Games

After beating USC however, the Terps would go on to lose the last five games they played. Including a loss to Penn State in which the Nittany Lions scored in the final seconds up double digits.

Northwestern

Best: The Use of the Temporary Stadium

The temporary stadium the Wildcats use is awesome, a stadium on a lake is an incredibly cool concept.

Worst: Mike Wright Not Panning Out

Northwestern brought in former Mississippi State quarterback Mike Wright to solve their problems at the position. Wright would only play two games before being benched.

Wisconsin

Best: Their Performance Against Oregon

The Badgers played the Ducks tough until the final down. That is something to be proud of even in a rough season.

Worst: Their Performance Against Alabama

Though early in the season, the Tide came into Madison and dismantled Wisconsin. This game also saw the loss of Wisconsin’s quarterback Tyler Van Dyke

UCLA

Best: Win Over Rutgers

A struggling Bruin team marched into Piscataway and came out with a 35-32 win, which many deemed an upset.

Worst: Loss to USC

A loss to in-state rival USC would be one of the multiple losses the Bruins suffered this season.

Michigan State

Best: Victory Over Iowa

The Spartans accounted for one of Iowa’s three conference losses this season.

Worst: Loss to Indiana

Indiana blitzed the Spartans scoring 47 points and only allowing Michigan State to score 10.

Nebraska

Best: Dylan Raiola Weeks 1-5

Raiola threw for nine touchdowns and only two interceptions through the first five weeks of the season.

Worst: Dylan Raiola the Rest of the Season

After that Raiola would throw eight interceptions and three touchdowns for the rest of the year.

Washington

Best: Win Over Michigan

The Huskies would find their signature win in their first year in the Big Ten by beating the Wolverines when they were ranked.

Worst: Whiteout Against Penn State

Washington found out how quickly a November night in Happy Valley could go wrong losing 36-9.

USC

Best: Opening Week Victory Over LSU

The Trojans defeated the LSU Tigers in a primetime matchup 27-20.

Worst: Loss to Penn State

The Trojans led by multiple scores before losing in overtime to a walk-off field goal.

Rutgers

Best: Win Over Washington

The Scarlet Knights welcomed the Huskies to the Big Ten and handed them their first conference loss.

Worst: Loss to Wisconsin

Rutgers was blown out in front of their own crowd by a mediocre Badger team.

Minnesota

Best: Win over USC

The Golden Gophers defeated the Trojans who were ranked inside the top 25

Worst: Loss to Penn State

Although a valiant effort, the Golden Gophers couldn’t hang onto a lead against the Nittany Lions.

Michigan

Best: Win Over Ohio State

The Wolverines shocked the nation by defeating the Buckeyes in “The Game”

Worst: Loss to Texas

Texas demolished Michigan 31-12, setting the tone for the Wolverines season.

Iowa

Best: Win Over Wisconsin

The Hawkeyes took down the Badgers 42-10.

Worst: Loss to Iowa State

A close loss to an in-state rival is always brutal. The Hawkeyes would fall by one point to the Cyclones.

Illinois

Best: OT Win over Nebraska

The Fighting Illini won a thriller over the Cornhuskers 31-24.

Worst: Loss to Minnesota

The Golden Gophers went on the road and dealt Illinois a loss on their own turf.

Ohio State

Best: Beating Penn State In Happy Valley

Will Howard got his revenge against the school he once considered himself a fan of. The Buckeyes would win 20-13.

Worst: Losing to Michigan in the Shoe.

Ohio State would lose 13-10 to their rival, Michigan, costing themselves a spot in the Big Ten Championship game.

Indiana

Best: Curt Cignetti Signing His Contract

Curt Cignetti took a three-win team to 11 wins. Indiana fans should consider the day he signed the contract a local holiday.

Worst: Loss to Ohio State

Although the Hoosiers would lose to the one ranked team they played amidst questions about their schedule’s strength.

Penn State

Best: Tyler Warren

The Senior returning for his final season as a Nittany Lion has been unbelievable. He has been the shining star of a Penn State team that is a national title contender

Worst: Loss to Ohio State

The Nittany Lions lost a winnable game to the Buckeyes in what could have been their biggest win in the last decade.

Oregon

Best: Win Over Ohio State

The Ducks took down the Buckeyes on their own turf, taking firm control over the Big Ten with the win.

Worst: Nothing . . . Yet

Oregon is currently undefeated, but with the playoffs ahead, anything is possible.

Luke Stefanisko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ljs6415@psu.edu.