Season by season
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.
| # | Date | Matchup | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,061 | September 12, 1981 | Michigan at Wisconsin | 14–21 | New champion: Wisconsin |
| 1,062 | September 19, 1981 | UCLA at Wisconsin | 31–13 | New champion: UCLA |
| 1,063 | September 26, 1981 | UCLA at Iowa | 7–20 | New champion: Iowa |
| 1,064 | October 3, 1981 | Iowa at Northwestern | 64–0 | Defended · #1 |
| 1,065 | October 10, 1981 | Indiana at Iowa | 28–42 | Defended · #2 |
| 1,066 | October 17, 1981 | Iowa at Michigan | 9–7 | Defended · #3 |
| 1,067 | October 24, 1981 | Minnesota at Iowa | 12–10 | New champion: Minnesota |
| 1,068 | October 31, 1981 | Michigan at Minnesota | 34–13 | New champion: Michigan |
| 1,069 | November 7, 1981 | Illinois at Michigan | 21–70 | Defended · #1 |
| 1,070 | November 14, 1981 | Michigan at Purdue | 28–10 | Defended · #2 |
| 1,071 | November 21, 1981 | Ohio State at Michigan | 14–9 | New champion: Ohio State |
| 1,072 | December 30, 1981 | Navy vs. Ohio State | 28–31 | Defended · #1 |
Season Detail
Reigns That Started This Season
| Team | Since | How | Held 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 |