Est. 1869 · Lineal Championship The College Football Belt

The 1981 Season: 1981

Opened the season with Michigan holding the belt; Ohio State closed it out. 12 belt games this season: 6 title changes and 6 defenses.

#DateMatchupScoreResult
1,058 September 12, 1981 Michigan at Wisconsin 14–21 New champion: Wisconsin
1,059 September 19, 1981 UCLA at Wisconsin 31–13 New champion: UCLA
1,060 September 26, 1981 UCLA at Iowa 7–20 New champion: Iowa
1,061 October 3, 1981 Iowa at Northwestern 64–0 Defended · #1
1,062 October 10, 1981 Indiana at Iowa 28–42 Defended · #2
1,063 October 17, 1981 Iowa at Michigan 9–7 Defended · #3
1,064 October 24, 1981 Minnesota at Iowa 12–10 New champion: Minnesota
1,065 October 31, 1981 Michigan at Minnesota 34–13 New champion: Michigan
1,066 November 7, 1981 Illinois at Michigan 21–70 Defended · #1
1,067 November 14, 1981 Michigan at Purdue 28–10 Defended · #2
1,068 November 21, 1981 Ohio State at Michigan 14–9 New champion: Ohio State
1,069 December 30, 1981 Navy vs. Ohio State 28–31 Defended · #1
Season Detail

Reigns That Started This Season

TeamSinceHowHeld It
Wisconsin September 12, 1981 took it from Michigan 7 days
UCLA September 19, 1981 took it from Wisconsin 7 days
Iowa September 26, 1981 took it from UCLA 28 days
Minnesota October 24, 1981 took it from Iowa 7 days
Michigan October 31, 1981 took it from Minnesota 21 days
Ohio State November 21, 1981 took it from Michigan 308 days

← The 1980 season · All seasons · The 1982 season →