Big Ten football teams ranked by number of Silver Football Awards for conference Player of the Year

A ranking of Big Ten football programs by the most Chicago Tribune Silver Football’s won (Player of the Year). #GoBucks

In case you have noticed, Ohio State is pretty good at this American football thing. While the Buckeyes stack up among other elite teams in the country, it has downright dominated the Big Ten over the last couple of decades (yeah, yeah, Michigan, we’ll give you your once-in-a-decade win).

As you would imagine, and as you have seen, Ohio State has also dominated the Big Ten Awards recently, as well as throughout history at other times. One of those awards is the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award, handed out annually to the player judged to be the Big Ten’s best.

But other teams in the league have had their fair share as well, while others have had a few brief moments in the sun.

As we get closer to another season on the gridiron in the Big Ten, we thought it would be interesting to go back and see how each program in the conference stacks up when it comes to boasting about having the best player in the league. Which team has won it the most times? Who is in second place? And what teams have struggled to field the player dynamic enough consistently to add the Silver Football to a trophy case?

We’re here to shed some light on it for you by ranking the Big Ten programs by most Silver Football’s won since the first one was awarded in 1924 (it was the venerable Red Grange by the way).

Off we go …

Justin Fields wins Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has won the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award as the best player in the Big Ten.

For the third-straight year, an Ohio State football player has won the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award that goes to the player judged to be the best in the Big Ten Conference. This time, Buckeye quarterback Justin Fields will take home the honor. The award, presented since 1924, is voted on by the conference’s 14 head coaches.

The OSU program has had a significant run with the award. Ohio State players have won seven of the last nine Silver Football Awards. The Buckeyes also lead all conference teams with a total of 22 awards with Fields’ now added to the list. Michigan is second with 17.

For the season, Fields is fourth nationally in completion percentage (73.4 percent) and fifth in passer efficiency rating (186.6). In just seven games, he’s thrown for 1,906 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. In last Friday’s win over Clemson, he moved into second place all-time on Ohio State’s career touchdown passes list with 62 (in just his 21st career game).

This isn’t the first award for Fields. He is a two-time Griese-Brees Big Ten Conference Quarterback of the Year and Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year. He is also a finalist for the 2020 Manning Award, which honors the top quarterback in the nation.

Now, if only he’s able to add one more MVP award, this time in the national championship game against Alabama Monday night.

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young wins Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young has won the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award that recognizes the best player in the Big Ten.

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young has been awarded the Chicago Tribune’s prestigious Silver Football Award that goes to the best football player in the Big Ten annually. It has been handed out annually since 1924 and is a result of a vote by all of the Big Ten head coaches.

Young is still up for a slew of national awards after already taking home the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year earlier this week. With 16.5 sacks on the season, and highlight after highlight of dominating moments so far in 2019, Young is still a finalist for the Walter Camp, Bronko Nagurski, Bednarik, Maxwell, and Ted Hendricks Awards.

By winning the 2019 Silver Football Award, Young adds to a run of six of the last eight awards going to Ohio State.

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Here’s a complete listing of all the Buckeye players that have taken home the Silver Football:

Ohio State Silver Football Award Winners

  • 2019 – DE Chase Young
  • 2018 – QB Dwayne Haskins
  • 2016 – QB J.T. Barrett
  • 2015 – RB Ezekiel Elliott
  • 2013 – QB Braxton Miller
  • 2012 – QB Braxton Miller
  • 2006 – QB Troy Smith
  • 1998 – QB Joe Germaine
  • 1996 – OT Orlando Pace
  • 1995 – RB Eddie George
  • 1984 – RB Keith Byars
  • 1981 – QB Art Schlichter
  • 1975 – QB Cornelius Greene
  • 1974 – RB Archie Griffin
  • 1973 – RB Archie Griffin
  • 1955 – HB Howard Cassady
  • 1950 – HB Vic Janowicz
  • 1945 – FB Ollie Cline
  • 1944 – HB Les Horvath
  • 1941 – FB Jack Graf
  • 1930 – E Wes Fesler

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