1982 Big Ten Conference football season


The 1982 Big Ten Conference football season was the 87th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season.
The 1982 Big Ten champion was Michigan. The Wolverines lost two of their first three games, then won seven consecutive games before losing to Ohio State and also losing to UCLA in the 1983 Rose Bowl. Michigan wide receiver Anthony Carter received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the conference's most valuable player.

Season overview

Results and team statistics

Key
AP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1982 season
AP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1982 season
PPG = Average of points scored per game
PAG = Average of points allowed per game

Pre-season

Regular season

Bowl games

Five Big Ten teams played in bowl games as follows:
The Big Ten's individual statistical leaders include the following:

Passing yards

1. Tony Eason, Illinois
2. Sandy Schwab, Northwestern
3. Scott Campbell, Purdue
4. Babe Laufenberg, Indiana
5. Mike Hohensee, Minnesota

Rushing yards

1. Tim Spencer, Ohio State
2. Lawrence Ricks, Michigan
3. Mel Gray, Purdue
4. Eddie Phillips, Iowa
5. Ricky Edwards, Northwestern

Receiving yards

1. Mike Martin, Illinois
2. Anthony Carter, Michigan
3. Jon Harvey, Northwestern
4. Duane Gunn, Indiana
5. Cliff Benson, Purdue

Total offense

1. Tony Eason, Illinois
2. Sandy Schwab, Northwestern
3. Scott Campbell, Purdue
4. Mike Hohensee, Minnesota
5. Babe Laufenberg, Indiana

Passing efficiency rating

1. Tony Eason, Illinois
2. Mike Tomczak, Ohio State
3. Steve Smith, Michigan
4. Chuck Long, Iowa
5. Babe Laufenberg, Indiana

Rushing yards per attempt

1. Troy King, Wisconsin
2. Tony Hunter, Minnesota
3. Tim Spencer, Ohio State
4. Lawrence Ricks, Michigan
5. Owen Gill, Iowa

Yards per reception

1. Duane Gunn, Indiana
2. Anthony Carter, Michigan
3. John Boyd, Indiana
4. Gary Williams, Ohio State
5. Lonnie Farrow, Minnesota

Points scored

1. Mike Bass, Illinois
2. Tim Spencer, Ohio State
3. Ali Haji-Sheikh, Michigan
4. Rich Spangler, Ohio State
5. Jim Gallery, Minnesota

All-conference players

All-Americans

1983 NFL Draft

The 1983 NFL Draft was held in April 1983. The following Big Ten players were selected in the first five rounds of the draft:
NamePositionTeamRoundOverall pick
Chris HintonGuardNorthwestern14
Tony EasonQuarterbackIllinois115
Rich StrengerTackleMichigan240
Keith BosticSafetyMichigan242
Steve MaidlowLinebackerMichigan St.4109
Smiley CreswellDefensive endMichigan St.5118
Matt VandenboomDefensive backWisconsin5126
Brett MillerTackleIowa5129
Otis GrantWide receiverMichigan St.5134
Jerome FosterDefensive tackleOhio St.5139