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Big Ten Football Trivia Quiz

Trivia tidbits from the oldest conference in intercollegiate football.

A multiple-choice quiz by bomber1013. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
bomber1013

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
134,513

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1166

Last 3 plays: Guest 68 (4/10), Guest 172 (1/10), Guest 76 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Big Ten has been known by several names over the years. It crowned it's first champion in football in 1896, and this school repeated their championship in 1897. What school won the conferences first two championships? Hint

Michigan

Wisconsin

Purdue

Northwestern

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which member of the conference has won or shared in the most championships in the 20th century? Hint

Michigan

Ohio State

Illinois

Purdue

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. During the 1970's, Michigan or Ohio State won or shared in every Big 10 football championship. Only one other school managed a share of the football title during this decade. What school was it? Hint

Illinois

Purdue

Michigan State

Iowa

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Question 4 of 10

4. Every school in the Big Ten has won the football championship at least once. However, only one school has gone undefeated and beaten every team in the conference in the same year. What school accomplished this feat? Hint

Ohio State

Illinois

Michigan

Iowa

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. In 1935, the first Heisman Trophy was awarded to a player from a Big 10 school. Who won the first Heisman Trophy? Hint

Bruce Smith from Minnesota

Nile Kinnick from Iowa

Jay Berwanger from University of Chicago

Tom Harmon from Michigan

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Question 6 of 10

6. Many Big 10 teams battled for traditional trophies against conference rivals. What two schools compete for the "Floyd of Rosedale" trophy? Hint

Michigan vs Michigan State

Iowa vs Iowa State

Michigan vs Ohio State

Iowa vs Minnesota

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Bronko Nagurski was the first player in NCAA history to be voted an All-American at 2 different positions in the same season. What Big 10 team did Bronko Nagurski play for? Hint

Minnesota

Iowa

Northwestern

Ohio State

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In 1999, ESPN ran a 'End of the Century' fan poll to determine the 10 greatest rivalries in sports. What position did the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry occupy in this poll? Hint

3rd

8th

5th

1st

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Perhaps the most infamous coaching rivalry in Big 10 football history was Bo Schembechler of Michigan, versus Woody Hayes of Ohio State. The two legendary coaches faced off 10 times between 1969 (Bo's first year as Michigan's coach), and 1978 (Woody's final year as Ohio State coach). Woody won more games in this period?

Yes

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Question 10 of 10

10. One of the most famous helmet designs in college football is Michigans blue helmet, with the maize 'winged' design on the front. In what year did Michigan debut their 'winged' helmet? Hint

1946

1935

1938

1941

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Nov 04 2024 : Guest 68: 4/10
Nov 02 2024 : Guest 172: 1/10
Oct 31 2024 : Guest 76: 4/10
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Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Wisconsin

Wisconsin went 2-0-1 in 1896, and 3-0 in 1897, to grab the first two championships in Big Ten history.

2. Which member of the conference has won or shared in the most championships in the 20th century?

Answer: Michigan

Michigan had won or shared 40 Big Ten titles. Ohio State was second in conference with 28 championships.

Answer: Michigan State

In 1978, The Michigan State Spartans went 7-1 in conference play to tie the Michigan Wolverines for the conference title. The most famous player on the team was Kirk Gibson. Gibson went on to who play baseball with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Answer: Illinois

In 1983, the Big Ten played a round robin football schedule where all the schools played each other. This was the only year the conference has done this. Illinois went undefeated (9-0) in conference play, and earned their place in Big Ten history.

5. In 1935, the first Heisman Trophy was awarded to a player from a Big 10 school. Who won the first Heisman Trophy?

Answer: Jay Berwanger from University of Chicago

All 4 players listed won the Heisman Trophy and played at Big 10 schools. Niles Kinnick won the award in 1939, Tom Harmon was the 1940 winner, and Bruce Smith was the 1941 winner. The trophy wasn't named the Heisman Trophy until 1936 in honor of John W.

Heisman, a former college coach and athletic director of the Downtown Athletic Club, the organization that presents the Heisman Trophy.

6. Many Big 10 teams battled for traditional trophies against conference rivals. What two schools compete for the "Floyd of Rosedale" trophy?

Answer: Iowa vs Minnesota

The Floyd of Rosedale trophy is a statue of a bronze pig, 21 inches long by 15 inches high. The statue is a replica of an actual pig lost in a friendly wager between Iowa Governor Clyde Herring and Minnesota Governor Floy B. Olson.

7. Bronko Nagurski was the first player in NCAA history to be voted an All-American at 2 different positions in the same season. What Big 10 team did Bronko Nagurski play for?

Answer: Minnesota

Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski played at the University of Minnesota from 1927-1929. He was an All-American tackle and fullback, who later went on to play for the Chicago Bears in the pros. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

8. In 1999, ESPN ran a 'End of the Century' fan poll to determine the 10 greatest rivalries in sports. What position did the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry occupy in this poll?

Answer: 1st

The teams first played in 1897, but Ohio State didn't win it's first game against Michigan until 1919.

Answer: No

Michigan went 5-4-1 over the ten years of this series. Both teams represented the Big 10 in the Rose Bowl 5 times over this ten year period, because Ohio State won a controversial vote of conference athletic directors the year they tied. Bo played for Woody in college at Miami, Ohio, and was one of Woody's assistant coaches in the early 60's.

10. One of the most famous helmet designs in college football is Michigans blue helmet, with the maize 'winged' design on the front. In what year did Michigan debut their 'winged' helmet?

Answer: 1938

Michigan beat Michigan State 14-0 in new coach 'Fritz' Crislers debut in 1938. Michigan was coming off 4 straight losing seasons, and Crisler wanted to do something to improve morale. He also felt the wing design would be easier to see than the schools old black helmets, which would help the passing game.

It apparantly worked. Michigan went 6 wins-1 loss-1 tie in 1938, and passing yardage nearly doubled, interceptions were cut nearly in 1/2, and completion percentage was up 9%.

Source: Author bomber1013

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