| 1979 Big Ten Conference football season | |
|---|---|
| Sport | American football |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Top draft pick | Curtis Greer |
| Champion | Ohio State |
| Runners-up | Purdue |
| Season MVP | Tim Clifford |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 4 Ohio State $ | 8 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 10 Purdue | 7 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18 Michigan | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 19 Indiana | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 3 | – | 5 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan State | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wisconsin | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 1 | – | 6 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 8 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 0 | – | 9 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 10 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1979 Big Ten Conference football season was the 84th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season.
The 1979 Ohio State Buckeyes football team compiled an 11–1 record, won the Big Ten championship, lost to USC in the 1980 Rose Bowl, and was ranked No. 4 in the final AP and UPI polls. Quarterback Art Schlichter led the team with 2,246 yards of total offense, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, and was selected as a first-team All-American by the NEA and The Sporting News . Offensive guard Ken Fritz was a consensus All-American. Earl Bruce, in his first year as head coach, was selected as the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Doug Donley led the Big Ten with 800 receiving yards, and Vlade Janakievski led the conference with 97 points scored. Defensive lineman Jim Laughlin was selected as the team's most valuable player.
The 1979 Purdue Boilermakers football team, under head coach Jim Young, finished in second place in the Big Ten, compiled a 10–2 record, defeated Tennessee in the 1979 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, led the conference in both scoring offense (32.5 points per game) and scoring defense (10.5 points allowed per game), and was ranked No. 10 in the final AP and UPI polls. Quarterback Mark Herrmann led the conference with 2,377 passing yards and finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Tight end Dave Young was selected as the team's most valuable player.
The 1979 Michigan Wolverines football team, under head coach Bo Schembechler, compiled an 8–4 record, finished third in the Big Ten, lost to North Carolina in the 1979 Gator Bowl, and was ranked No. 18 in the final AP poll. Linebacker Ron Simpkins was selected as the team's most valuable player and as a consensus All-American. Defensive end Curtis Greer was also selected as a first-team All-American by multiple selectors. Butch Woolfolk ranked second in the Big Ten with 990 rushing yards.
| Conf. Rank | Team | Head coach | AP final | AP high | Overall record | Conf. record | PPG | PAG | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | Earle Bruce | #4 | #1 | 11–1 | 8–0 | 32.5 | 10.5 | Jim Laughlin |
| 2 | Purdue | Jim Young | #10 | #5 | 10–2 | 7–1 | 23.9 | 18.8 | Dave Young |
| 3 | Michigan | Bo Schembechler | #18 | #6 | 8–4 | 6–2 | 26.0 | 12.6 | Ron Simpkins |
| 4 | Indiana | Lee Corso | #19 | #19 | 8–4 | 5–3 | 26.2 | 21.0 | Tim Clifford |
| 5 | Iowa | Hayden Fry | NR | NR | 5–6 | 4–4 | 21.7 | 19.6 | Dennis Mosley |
| 6 | Minnesota | Joe Salem | NR | NR | 4–6–1 | 3–5–1 | 24.0 | 24.6 | Mark Carlson |
| 7 (tie) | Michigan State | Darryl Rogers | NR | #7 | 5–6 | 3–5 | 21.8 | 23.0 | Danny Bass |
| 7 (tie) | Wisconsin | Dave McClain | NR | NR | 4–7 | 3–5 | 18.9 | 28.3 | Tom Stauss |
| 9 | Illinois | Gary Moeller | NR | NR | 2–8–1 | 1–6–1 | 14.2 | 24.2 | L. McCullough |
| 10 | Northwestern | Rick Venturi | NR | NR | 1–10 | 0–9 | 10.5 | 35.1 | Chuck Kern |
Key
AP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1979 season [1]
AP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1979 season [1]
PPG = Average of points scored per game; conference leader's average displayed in bold [1]
PAG = Average of points allowed per game; conference leader's average displayed in bold [1]
MVP = Most valuable player as voted by players on each team as part of the voting process to determine the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy; trophy winner in bold [2]
On September 8, 1979, the Big Ten football teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two wins.
On September 15, 1979, the Big Ten teams played one conference games and eight non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in four wins and four losses, giving the Big Ten a 6–4 record to that point in the season.
On September 22, 1979, the Big Ten teams played 10 non-conference games, resulting in six wins and four losses. The results gave the Big Ten a 12–8 record to that point in the season
On September 29, 1979, the Big Ten teams played one conference game and eight non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in four wins and four losses, giving the Big Ten a 16–12 record to that point in the season.
On October 6, 1979, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On October 13, 1979, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On October 20, 1979, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On October 27, 1979, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On November 3, 1979, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On November 10, 1979, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On November 17, 1979, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
Passing yards1. Mark Herrmann, Purdue (2,377) Rushing yards1. Dennis Mosley, Iowa (1,267) Receiving yards1. Doug Donley, Ohio State (800) Total offense1. Art Schlichter, Ohio State (2,246) | Passing efficiency rating1. Art Schlichter, Ohio State (145.9) Rushing yards per attempt1. Garry White, Minnesota (6.4) Yards per reception1. Doug Donley, Ohio State (21.6) Points scored1. Vlade Janakievski, Ohio State (97) |
The following players were picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1979 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
Offense
| Position | Name | Team | Selectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Art Schlichter | Ohio State | AP, UPI |
| Running back | Dennis Mosley | Iowa | AP, UPI |
| Running back | Butch Woolfolk | Michigan | AP, UPI |
| Fullback | Dave Mohapp | Ohio State | UPI |
| Split end | Elmer Bailey | Minnesota | AP |
| Flanker | Doug Donley | Wisconsin | AP, UPI |
| Tight end | Dave Young | Purdue | AP |
| Tight end | Mark Brammer | Michigan State | UPI |
| Center | Jay Hilgenberg | Iowa | AP |
| Center | Tom Waugh | Ohio State | UPI |
| Guard | Ken Fritz | Ohio State | AP, UPI |
| Guard | Dale Schwan | Purdue | AP |
| Guard | John Arbeznik | Michigan | UPI |
| Tackle | Steve McKenzie | Purdue | AP, UPI |
| Tackle | Ray Snell | Wisconsin | AP, UPI |
Defense
| Position | Name | Team | Selectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defensive line | Curtis Greer | Michigan | AP, UPI |
| Defensive line | Ken Loushin | Purdue | AP, UPI |
| Defensive line | Keena Turner | Purdue | AP |
| Defensive line | Luther Henson | Ohio State | UPI |
| Defensive line | Calvin Clark | Purdue | AP |
| Defensive line | Jim Laughlin | Ohio State | AP, UPI [linebacker] |
| Defensive line | Mike Trgovac | Michigan | UPI |
| Linebacker | Ron Simpkins | Michigan | AP, UPI |
| Linebacker | Dan Bass | Michigan State | AP, UPI |
| Linebacker | Leven Weiss | Iowa | AP |
| Defensive back | Mike Guess | Ohio State | AP, UPI |
| Defensive back | Mike Jolly | Michigan | AP, UPI |
| Defensive back | Tim Wilbur | Indiana | AP |
| Defensive back | Todd Bell | Ohio State | UPI |
| Defensive back | Vince Skillings | Ohio State | UPI |
At the end of the 1979 season, two Big Ten players were consensus first-team picks for the 1979 College Football All-America Team. [3] The Big Ten's consensus All-Americans were:
| Position | Name | Team | Selectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offensive guard | Ken Fritz | Ohio State | AP, FWAA, UPI, NEA, WCFF |
| Linebacker | Ron Simpkins | Michigan | AP, FWAA, UPI, WCFF |
Other Big Ten players who were named first-team All-Americans by at least one selector were:
| Position | Name | Team | Selectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Art Schlichter | Ohio State | NEA, TSN |
| Offensive guard | Ray Snell | Wisconsin | TSN |
| Defensive end | Curtis Greer | Michigan | AFCA, FWAA, NEA |
The 1980 NFL Draft was held in New York on April 29–30, 1979. [5] The following players were among the first 100 picks: [6]
| Name | Position | Team | Round | Overall pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Greer | Defensive end | Michigan | 1 | 6 |
| Ray Snell | Guard | Wisconsin | 1 | 22 |
| Doug Marsh | Tight end | Michigan | 2 | 33 |
| Angelo Fields | Offensive tackle | Michigan State | 2 | 38 |
| Keena Turner | Linebacker | Purdue | 2 | 39 |
| Ralph Clayton | Wide receiver | Michigan | 2 | 47 |
| Mike Fried | Wide receiver | Indiana | 3 | 62 |
| Mark Brammer | Tight end | Michigan State | 3 | 67 |
| Ray Sydnor | Tight end | Wisconsin | 3 | 83 |
| Jim Laughlin | Linebacker | Ohio State | 4 | 91 |
| Mike Jolly | Defensive back | Michigan | 4 | 96 |
| Elmer Bailey | Wide receiver | Minnesota | 4 | 100 |
The 1964 Big Ten Conference football season was the 69th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1964 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1947 Big Nine Conference football season was the 52nd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Nine Conference and was a part of the 1947 college football season.
The 1939 Big Ten Conference football season was the 44th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1939 college football season.
The 1940 Big Ten Conference football season was the 45th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1940 college football season. The University of Chicago terminated its football program after the 1939 season, leaving only nine conference members fielding football teams. However, Chicago remained a member of the conference and participated in other sports, and the conference remained known generally as the Big Ten.
The 1950 Big Ten Conference football season was the 55th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1950 college football season.
The 1968 Big Ten Conference football season was the 73rd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1968 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1955 Big Ten Conference football season was the 60th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1955 college football season.
The 1954 Big Ten Conference football season was the 59th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1954 college football season.
The 1953 Big Ten Conference football season was the 58th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1953 college football season.
The 1952 Big Ten Conference football season was the 57th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1952 college football season.
The 1951 Big Ten Conference football season was the 56th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1951 college football season.
The 1937 Big Ten Conference football season was the 42nd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1937 college football season.
The 1971 Big Ten Conference football season was the 76th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1971 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1972 Big Ten Conference football season was the 77th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1972 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1973 Big Ten Conference football season was the 78th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1973 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1974 Big Ten Conference football season was the 79th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1974 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1975 Big Ten Conference football season was the 80th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1975 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1977 Big Ten Conference football season was the 82nd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1977 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1978 Big Ten Conference football season was the 83rd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season.
The 1984 Big Ten Conference football season was the 89th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season.