What Is 2017 Big Ten Championship Game

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Big Ten Championship Game was played on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers 27–21 to claim their third Big Ten title in four years.

Key Facts

Game date: December 2, 2017
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Final score: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 21
MVP: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State quarterback
Attendance: 69,690 fans

Overview

The 2017 Big Ten Championship Game marked the seventh edition of the conference's title game, featuring the East Division champion Ohio State Buckeyes against the West Division champion Wisconsin Badgers. Held on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the game determined the Big Ten's representative in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State entered the game ranked No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, while Wisconsin was ranked No. 9. The Buckeyes secured a 27–21 victory, capturing their third Big Ten title since 2014 and earning a spot in the Cotton Bowl Classic as part of the New Year’s Six.

Teams involved: The matchup pitted the Ohio State Buckeyes (10–2, 8–1 Big Ten) against the Wisconsin Badgers (12–1, 8–1 Big Ten), both of whom finished first in their respective divisions.
Final score: Ohio State won 27–21, overcoming a 14–7 halftime deficit with 20 unanswered points in the second half.
Game MVP: Quarterback J.T. Barrett threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards, earning Most Outstanding Player honors.
Attendance: A crowd of 69,690 attended the game, marking one of the highest-attended Big Ten Championship Games to date.
TV audience: The game drew an average of 11.8 million viewers on Fox, making it one of the most-watched conference championship games of the season.

How It Works

The Big Ten Championship Game is an annual postseason event that pits the winners of the conference’s East and West divisions against each other. The format, established in 2011, determines the Big Ten’s automatic qualifier for the College Football Playoff or a New Year’s Six bowl.

Division structure: The Big Ten has two divisions—East and West—each with seven teams, and the champions meet in the title game.
Qualification: Teams qualify by finishing with the best conference record in their division; ties are broken by head-to-head or other criteria.
Championship location: Since 2011, the game has been held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, providing a neutral site.
Playoff implications: The winner earns the Big Ten’s New Year’s Six bid, often leading to a playoff berth if ranked highly.
History: The first Big Ten Championship was in 2011, won by Wisconsin; Ohio State won in 2014, 2017, and 2018.
Player recognition: A Most Outstanding Player is named; in 2017, J.T. Barrett became the third Ohio State player to win it.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Big Ten Championship stacks up against previous editions:

Year	Winner	Score	Runner-up	Location
2011	Wisconsin	70–23	Michigan State	Indianapolis
2012	Wisconsin	70–31	Nebraska	Indianapolis
2014	Ohio State	59–0	Wisconsin	Indianapolis
2017	Ohio State	27–21	Wisconsin	Indianapolis
2018	Ohio State	27–21	Northwestern	Indianapolis

The 2017 game was notable for its tight score compared to blowouts like 2011 and 2014. Unlike Wisconsin’s dominant wins in earlier years, this matchup showcased strong defense and balanced play, reflecting the competitive parity in the conference by the late 2010s.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Big Ten Championship Game had significant implications for college football, influencing postseason outcomes and national perceptions of the conference. It highlighted Ohio State’s resilience and Wisconsin’s continued strength in the West, shaping future recruiting and playoff discussions.

National relevance: The win kept Ohio State in playoff contention, though they ultimately finished ranked No. 6 and played in the Cotton Bowl.
Wisconsin’s rise: Despite the loss, Wisconsin earned a New Year’s Six berth in the Rose Bowl, their first since 2012.
Quarterback legacy: J.T. Barrett’s performance solidified his status as one of Ohio State’s most accomplished quarterbacks in Big Ten play.
Conference reputation: The close score helped counter narratives of Big Ten offensive inferiority compared to the SEC and Big 12.
Recruiting impact: A prime-time win boosted Ohio State’s visibility, aiding in attracting top-tier 2018 recruiting class talent.
Historical context: The victory gave Ohio State three titles in five years, cementing their dominance in the modern Big Ten era.

The 2017 game remains a pivotal moment in Big Ten history, symbolizing the conference’s competitive evolution and the high stakes of its championship format.