The 1951 Big Ten Conference football season was the 56th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference (also known as the Western Conference and the Big Nine Conference) and was a part of the 1951 college football season. The 1951 Illinois Fighting Illini football team, under head coach Ray Eliot, compiled a 9–0–1 record, won the Big Ten championship, was ranked No. 4 in the final AP poll, and defeated Stanford 40–7 in the 1952 Rose Bowl. The lone setback was a scoreless tie with Ohio State. Halfback Johnny Karras was the Big Ten's only consensus first-team All-American. Linebacker Chuck Boerio was selected as the team's most valuable player. The 1951 Wisconsin Badgers football team, under head coach Ivy Williamson, compiled a 7–1–1 record, led the conference in scoring defense (5.9 points allowed per game), and was ranked No. 8 in the final AP poll. Quarterback John Coatta was the first-team All-Big Ten quarterback. Defensive end Pat O'Donahue was selected as a first-team All-American by multiple selectors. Season overview Results and team statistics Key AP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1951 season AP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1951 season PPG = Average of points scored per game; conference leader's average displayed in bold PAG = Average of points allowed per game; conference leader's average displayed in bold MVP = Most valuable player as voted by players on each team as part of the voting process to determine the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy; trophy winner in bold Preseason Regular season September 29 Illinois 27, UCLA 13. Texas 14, Purdue 0. Wisconsin 22, Marquette 6. Michigan State 25, Michigan 0. Ohio State 7, SMU 0. Northwestern 35, Colorado 14. Washington 25, Minnesota 20. Notre Dame 48, Indiana 6. Iowa 16, Kansas State 0. October 6 Illinois 14, Wisconsin 10. Purdue 34, Iowa 30. Stanford 23, Michigan 13. Michigan State 24, Ohio State 20. Northwestern 20, Army 14. California 55, Minnesota 14. Indiana 13, Pittsburgh 6. October 13 Illinois 41, Syracuse 20. Miami (FL) 7, Purdue 0 (game played Friday, October 12). Ohio State 6, Wisconsin 6. Michigan 33, Indiana 14. Ohio State 6, Wisconsin 6. Northwestern 21, Minnesota 7. Iowa 34, Pittsburgh 17. October 20 Illinois 27, Washington 20. Wisconsin 31, Purdue 7. Michigan 21, Iowa 0. Indiana