The top five Big Ten games of 2008

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

With the regular season in the books, it’s time to look back at the best Big Ten games from the 2008 season. What puts a game on this list? Great endings certainly help, and short- and long-term significance also increases a game’s appeal.

My only condition was that the game occurred between Big Ten teams. It was a fairly forgettable nonconference slate for the Big Ten, so I decided to confine the list to conference play.

Here’s my top five (OK, six). Please feel free to send me your nominations. Remember, conference games only.

1. Penn State at Iowa, Nov. 8, Kinnick Stadium

Not only did the game impact the national title race, but it featured a fairly dramatic shift and a thrilling finish. After falling behind early, Penn State controlled the clock and the game for most of the way, taking a 23-14 lead into the fourth quarter. But Iowa came alive late behind quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who overcame some early mistakes to attack the Big Ten’s top defense. Stanzi led the game-winning scoring drive, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Daniel Murray, an Iowa City native who hadn’t attempted a field goal since Sept. 20. Though the game took Penn State out of the national title mix, it might have turned around an Iowa program that had fallen off the last three years.

2. Penn State at Ohio State, Oct. 25, Ohio Stadium

Much like the Big Ten itself, the Penn State-Ohio State clash lacked the sexy offensive numbers and defense-optional feel that seemed to dominate college football this season. But this was a smart, well-played football game. Both defenses came to play and showed things that might not impress the average college fan but certainly made an impression on NFL scouts. In the end, it came down to the first major mistake, a fourth-quarter fumble by Ohio State freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had played a solid game until that point. Despite losing starting quarterback Daryll Clark to a concussion, Penn State capitalized for the win.

3. Northwestern at Minnesota, Nov. 1, Metrodome

It’s pretty rare when you see a walk-off interception, but Northwestern safety Brendan Smith essentially pulled one off against the surging Golden Gophers. After several deflections, Smith intercepted an Adam Weber pass and raced to the end zone with 12 seconds left to give Northwestern a 24-17 victory. The game featured another defensive touchdown — on a Traye Simmons interception return — and a Big Ten record for quarterback rushing, as Northwestern backup Mike Kafka racked up 217 yards on the ground.

4. Ohio State at Wisconsin, Oct. 4, Camp Randall Stadium

When Terrelle Pryor’s college career is over, many will look back to this night as the start of something special. After Wisconsin took a 17-13 lead with 6:31 left, Pryor led a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive. He converted two third downs and a second-and-15, and also benefited from two fumble recoveries. Pryor scored the game-winning touchdown on a Badgers defensive breakdown with 1:08 left. Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells turned in a big performance (168 rush yards), and the Buckeyes snapped Wisconsin’s 16-game home win streak.

T-5 . Wisconsin at Michigan, Sept. 27, Michigan Stadium

After covering this game, I figured it would end up much higher on the end-of-year list, but both teams ended up going downhill. Still, the greatest comeback in Michigan Stadium history deserves a place here. Wisconsin totally dominated the first half, building a 19-0 lead on a hapless Michigan team that got booed by its own fans at halftime. But Michigan transformed after the break and Wisconsin lost its edge on defense. A Wolverines defensive touchdown proved to be the game-winner, though Wisconsin had a chance to tie at the end.

T-5 Minnesota at Wisconsin, Nov. 15, Camp Randall Stadium

The Badgers were on the wrong end of several heartbreaking losses this year, but they rallied to beat rival Minnesota in dramatic fashion. After Minnesota dominated the first half, Wisconsin responded behind running back P.J. Hill (117 rush yards, 2 TDs). The Badgers broke a 24-24 tie with back-to-back safeties and scored another touchdown before Minnesota struck back late. But a Niles Brinkley interception sealed an emotional win for Wisconsin and kept Paul Bunyan’s Axe in Madison.

Go to Source