Last night was merely the first step. Purdue opened Big Ten play with a nice 22 point win against Iowa. The 18-game Big Ten season is often a grind with very few easy nights. Last night was one of those rare ones. Winning the league is still one of the top goals this season and it looks achievable. What will it take though? First, let’s look at the league records of the conference title winners the last few seasons since the 18-game schedule took effect (2007-08 season):
2016: Indiana 15-3
2015: Wisconsin 16-2
2014: Michigan 15-3
2013: Indiana 14-4
2012: Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan 13-5
2011: Ohio State 16-2
2010: Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State 14-4
2009: Michigan State 15-3
2008: Wisconsin 16-2
No team that finished at least 15-3 in this time has failed to win at least a share of the Big Ten except for Purdue in 2008 (and Purdue handed Wisconsin both of its losses).