THIRD AND DATA

Metrics

IllinoisFighting Illini

Season
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Big Ten

Includes regular season games against power-conference opponents + Notre Dame. Conference championships are excluded. Teams with fewer than 3 such games are not ranked. Illinois played 9 such games.

Big Ten, 2014

Rank within the division. Teal is top 10, orange is bottom 10. Sorted by top-10 ranks minus bottom-10 ranks. The three count columns (top-10 classes, top-10 wins, top-25 wins) are not ranks and are not scored. Hover a team for its score, a rank for the numbers.

SeasonTeamTop-10 clsprior 5T10 WregT25 WregTotal offenseScoring offenseTotal defenseScoring defensePoint marginTurnover marginPossessionReturning passingof last yrReturning receivingof last yrReturning rushingof last yrTeam talentOffensive EPADefensive EPAOffensive success rateDefensive success rateOffensive explosivenessDefensive explosiveness
2014Illinois6–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)1 (1 regular-season win over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason — #25 Minnesota)#65 (of 76 teams · 328.3 yds/g · 2,955 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 76 teams · 23.0 pts/g · 207 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#69 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 479.7 yds/g allowed · 4,317 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#60 (of 76 teams · 35.7 pts/g allowed · 321 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 76 teams · -12.7 /g · -114 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 76 teams · -1 in these games · 14 taken, 15 given · -0.11 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 (of 76 teams · 27:27 /g · 4h 07m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#108 (of 128 teams · 5% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#99 (of 128 teams · 46% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#47 (of 128 teams · 74% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#50 (of 76 teams · 0.072 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#60 (of 76 teams · 0.247 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 76 teams · 38% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 76 teams · 46% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 76 teams · 1.271 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 76 teams · 1.300 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
Medianof 14 Big Ten teams in 20140 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (Regular-season wins over teams ranked 1–10 in the final Playoff Committee Rankings: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Regular season only, with each opponent's rank frozen at the final regular-season poll — so a team you pin is measured against games it could also have played.)0 (Regular-season wins over teams ranked 1–25 in the final Playoff Committee Rankings: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Regular season only, with each opponent's rank frozen at the final regular-season poll — so a team you pin is measured against games it could also have played.)#47 (Total offense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #10–#71. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#37 (Scoring offense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #4–#70. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#22 (Total defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #2–#69. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#30 (Scoring defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #2–#60. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#42 (Point margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #3–#66. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#40 (Turnover margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #6–#75. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#32 (Possession: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #4–#67. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#52 (Returning passing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #1–#108. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#42 (Returning receiving: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #1–#124. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#28 (Returning rushing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #1–#90. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)— (No team has a rank for this)#44 (Offensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #4–#74. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#31 (Defensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #1–#65. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#39 (Offensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #7–#72. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#34 (Defensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #3–#62. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#33 (Offensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #11–#73. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#35 (Defensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range #2–#75. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)
2014Michigan State11–20 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · 1 including the postseason — postseason: #5 Baylor)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · 1 including the postseason — postseason: #5 Baylor)#10 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 484.9 yds/g · 4,364 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 38.1 pts/g · 343 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 317.4 yds/g allowed · 2,857 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 76 teams · 22.7 pts/g allowed · 204 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 76 teams · +15.4 /g · +139 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 76 teams · +9 in these games · 21 taken, 12 given · +1.00 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 34:02 /g · 5h 06m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 128 teams · 92% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#1 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#1 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#8 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 0.276 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 0.037 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 76 teams · 46% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 35% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 76 teams · 1.287 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#70 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 1.399 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Wisconsin11–30 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)1 (1 regular-season win over top-25 teams · 2 including the postseason — regular: #25 Minnesota · postseason: #19 Auburn)#16 (of 76 teams · 457.7 yds/g · 4,119 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 76 teams · 35.3 pts/g · 318 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 271.8 yds/g allowed · 2,446 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 19.0 pts/g allowed · 171 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 76 teams · +16.3 /g · +147 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 76 teams · -3 in these games · 11 taken, 14 given · -0.33 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 76 teams · 32:20 /g · 4h 51m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#37 (of 128 teams · 96% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#124 — bottom 10 (of 128 teams · 20% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#70 (of 128 teams · 56% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#4 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 0.297 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 0.005 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 76 teams · 46% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 34% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#24 (of 76 teams · 1.300 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 76 teams · 1.280 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Ohio State14–14 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)1 (1 regular-season win over top-10 teams · 3 including the postseason — regular: #8 Michigan State · postseason: #1 Alabama, #2 Oregon)3 (3 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · 5 including the postseason — regular: #8 Michigan State, #18 Wisconsin, #25 Minnesota · postseason: #1 Alabama, #2 Oregon)#12 (of 76 teams · 475.9 yds/g · 4,283 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 42.1 pts/g · 379 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#14 (of 76 teams · 340.9 yds/g allowed · 3,068 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 76 teams · 25.6 pts/g allowed · 230 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 76 teams · +16.6 /g · +149 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 76 teams · +6 in these games · 21 taken, 15 given · +0.67 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#24 (of 76 teams · 31:16 /g · 4h 41m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#55 (of 128 teams · 71% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#42 (of 128 teams · 71% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#90 (of 128 teams · 45% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#11 (of 76 teams · 0.263 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 76 teams · 0.106 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 48% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#24 (of 76 teams · 39% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 76 teams · 1.343 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 76 teams · 1.295 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Iowa7–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#35 (of 76 teams · 392.4 yds/g · 3,924 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 76 teams · 29.1 pts/g · 291 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 76 teams · 339.0 yds/g allowed · 3,390 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 76 teams · 25.2 pts/g allowed · 252 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 76 teams · +3.9 /g · +39 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 (of 76 teams · -5 in these games · 12 taken, 17 given · -0.50 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 76 teams · 31:39 /g · 5h 16m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#32 (of 128 teams · 77% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#1 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#36 (of 76 teams · 0.137 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 76 teams · 0.127 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#39 (of 76 teams · 40% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 76 teams · 41% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 76 teams · 1.230 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 76 teams · 1.211 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Penn State7–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#71 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 267.5 yds/g · 2,140 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#70 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 14.0 pts/g · 112 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 274.8 yds/g allowed · 2,198 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 20.6 pts/g allowed · 165 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 76 teams · -6.6 /g · -53 in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#43 (of 76 teams · -1 in these games · 14 taken, 15 given · -0.13 /g · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#37 (of 76 teams · 30:04 /g · 4h 01m in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 128 teams · 96% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#113 (of 128 teams · 37% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#6 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 99% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#74 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · -0.110 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 76 teams · -0.051 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 31% of plays successful · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 37% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 (of 76 teams · 1.165 average PPA on successful plays · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 0.972 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Maryland7–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#57 (of 76 teams · 343.5 yds/g · 3,435 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#37 (of 76 teams · 27.3 pts/g · 273 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 (of 76 teams · 469.8 yds/g allowed · 4,698 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 76 teams · 32.3 pts/g allowed · 323 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 76 teams · -5.0 /g · -50 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 76 teams · +3 in these games · 17 taken, 14 given · +0.30 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#67 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 27:15 /g · 4h 32m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#26 (of 128 teams · 77% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#4 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 99% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#52 (of 76 teams · 0.068 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#43 (of 76 teams · 0.149 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 76 teams · 37% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 76 teams · 43% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 76 teams · 1.311 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 76 teams · 1.240 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Purdue3–90 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#62 (of 76 teams · 335.7 yds/g · 3,021 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 76 teams · 21.2 pts/g · 191 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 76 teams · 430.3 yds/g allowed · 3,873 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#54 (of 76 teams · 32.8 pts/g allowed · 295 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 76 teams · -11.6 /g · -104 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 76 teams · -5 in these games · 15 taken, 20 given · -0.56 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#60 (of 76 teams · 28:34 /g · 4h 17m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 128 teams · 64% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#9 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 87% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#31 (of 128 teams · 81% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#56 (of 76 teams · 0.060 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 76 teams · 0.146 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 (of 76 teams · 36% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 76 teams · 44% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#16 (of 76 teams · 1.319 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 76 teams · 1.215 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Minnesota8–50 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#49 (of 76 teams · 355.1 yds/g · 3,196 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 76 teams · 27.9 pts/g · 251 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 76 teams · 360.4 yds/g allowed · 3,244 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 76 teams · 25.6 pts/g allowed · 230 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 76 teams · +2.3 /g · +21 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 76 teams · +4 in these games · 17 taken, 13 given · +0.44 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 76 teams · 31:53 /g · 4h 47m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#83 (of 128 teams · 29% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#38 (of 128 teams · 73% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#28 (of 128 teams · 83% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#33 (of 76 teams · 0.148 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 76 teams · 0.147 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 76 teams · 42% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 76 teams · 42% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#54 (of 76 teams · 1.197 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 76 teams · 1.242 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Nebraska9–40 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#34 (of 76 teams · 396.9 yds/g · 3,572 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 76 teams · 34.2 pts/g · 308 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 76 teams · 398.8 yds/g allowed · 3,589 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 76 teams · 27.6 pts/g allowed · 248 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#20 (of 76 teams · +6.7 /g · +60 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 76 teams · -1 in these games · 21 taken, 22 given · -0.11 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 76 teams · 29:48 /g · 4h 28m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#79 (of 128 teams · 36% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#55 (of 128 teams · 66% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#23 (of 128 teams · 88% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#37 (of 76 teams · 0.136 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 76 teams · 0.124 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 76 teams · 45% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 76 teams · 40% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 (of 76 teams · 1.178 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#43 (of 76 teams · 1.271 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Indiana4–80 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)1 (1 regular-season win over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason — #16 Missouri)#56 (of 76 teams · 346.6 yds/g · 3,119 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 76 teams · 20.2 pts/g · 182 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#60 (of 76 teams · 457.3 yds/g allowed · 4,116 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#57 (of 76 teams · 35.0 pts/g allowed · 315 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 (of 76 teams · -14.8 /g · -133 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 76 teams · -2 in these games · 13 taken, 15 given · -0.22 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 (of 76 teams · 27:31 /g · 4h 08m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 (of 128 teams · 69% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#115 (of 128 teams · 33% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#76 (of 128 teams · 54% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#51 (of 76 teams · 0.071 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#55 (of 76 teams · 0.202 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#69 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 34% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 76 teams · 42% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 76 teams · 1.305 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 76 teams · 1.345 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Northwestern5–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)1 (1 regular-season win over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason — #18 Wisconsin)#47 (of 76 teams · 356.0 yds/g · 3,560 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 76 teams · 23.7 pts/g · 237 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 76 teams · 383.4 yds/g allowed · 3,834 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 76 teams · 27.2 pts/g allowed · 272 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 76 teams · -3.5 /g · -35 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 76 teams · +3 in these games · 23 taken, 20 given · +0.30 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 76 teams · 30:12 /g · 5h 02m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 128 teams · 79% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#41 (of 128 teams · 71% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#81 (of 128 teams · 50% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#57 (of 76 teams · 0.059 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 76 teams · 0.097 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 76 teams · 40% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 76 teams · 41% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#73 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 1.121 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 76 teams · 1.238 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Rutgers8–50 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#45 (of 76 teams · 361.3 yds/g · 3,252 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 76 teams · 23.0 pts/g · 207 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 76 teams · 460.1 yds/g allowed · 4,141 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 76 teams · 35.1 pts/g allowed · 316 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 (of 76 teams · -12.1 /g · -109 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 76 teams · -4 in these games · 13 taken, 17 given · -0.44 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 76 teams · 29:26 /g · 4h 25m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 128 teams · 70% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#47 (of 128 teams · 70% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#11 (of 128 teams · 94% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#44 (of 76 teams · 0.111 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 (of 76 teams · 0.273 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 76 teams · 41% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#54 (of 76 teams · 44% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 76 teams · 1.219 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#75 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 1.417 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2014Michigan5–73 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2014. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason)#68 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 297.6 yds/g · 2,976 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#67 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 16.5 pts/g · 165 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 325.8 yds/g allowed · 3,258 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 76 teams · 24.5 pts/g allowed · 245 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 76 teams · -8.0 /g · -80 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#75 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · -13 in these games · 9 taken, 22 given · -1.30 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 76 teams · 30:41 /g · 5h 07m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#16 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#101 (of 128 teams · 45% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#69 (of 128 teams · 57% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))— (— composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#62 (of 76 teams · 0.036 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 76 teams · 0.109 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 76 teams · 40% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 76 teams · 41% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#68 — bottom 10 (of 76 teams · 1.143 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 76 teams · 1.115 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))

What clusters, and what does not

One dot per team, placed by its rank within that season's division. A tight cluster is something they share; a spread is something they do not.

Big Ten, 20142014 IllinoisBig Ten medianVertical position is spacing only — it carries no meaning.
Total offensemedian #47
Total offense. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Michigan State #10 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #12 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #16 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #34 of 76; 2014 Iowa #35 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #45 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #47 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #49 of 76; 2014 Indiana #56 of 76; 2014 Maryland #57 of 76; 2014 Purdue #62 of 76; 2014 Michigan #68 of 76; 2014 Penn State #71 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 65 of 76. Big Ten median rank 47.
Scoring offensemedian #37
Scoring offense. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Ohio State #4 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #7 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #13 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #15 of 76; 2014 Iowa #31 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #35 of 76; 2014 Maryland #37 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #51 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #53 of 76; 2014 Purdue #58 of 76; 2014 Indiana #62 of 76; 2014 Michigan #67 of 76; 2014 Penn State #70 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 53 of 76. Big Ten median rank 37.
Total defensemedian #22
Total defense. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Wisconsin #2 of 76; 2014 Penn State #3 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #7 of 76; 2014 Michigan #9 of 76; 2014 Iowa #11 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #14 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #22 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #27 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #35 of 76; 2014 Purdue #51 of 76; 2014 Indiana #60 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #61 of 76; 2014 Maryland #66 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 69 of 76. Big Ten median rank 22.
Scoring defensemedian #30
Scoring defense. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Wisconsin #2 of 76; 2014 Penn State #7 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #13 of 76; 2014 Michigan #22 of 76; 2014 Iowa #27 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #30 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #30 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #38 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #42 of 76; 2014 Maryland #53 of 76; 2014 Purdue #54 of 76; 2014 Indiana #57 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #58 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 60 of 76. Big Ten median rank 30.
Point marginmedian #42
Point margin. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Ohio State #3 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #4 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #7 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #20 of 76; 2014 Iowa #26 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #30 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #42 of 76; 2014 Maryland #46 of 76; 2014 Penn State #50 of 76; 2014 Michigan #52 of 76; 2014 Purdue #58 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #59 of 76; 2014 Indiana #66 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 61 of 76. Big Ten median rank 42.
Turnover marginmedian #40
Turnover margin. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Michigan State #6 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #13 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #17 of 76; 2014 Maryland #21 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #21 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #40 of 76; 2014 Penn State #43 of 76; 2014 Indiana #47 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #53 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #56 of 76; 2014 Iowa #59 of 76; 2014 Purdue #61 of 76; 2014 Michigan #75 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 40 of 76. Big Ten median rank 40.
Possessionmedian #32
Possession. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Michigan State #4 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #13 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #17 of 76; 2014 Iowa #22 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #24 of 76; 2014 Michigan #30 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #32 of 76; 2014 Penn State #37 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #41 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #46 of 76; 2014 Purdue #60 of 76; 2014 Indiana #63 of 76; 2014 Maryland #67 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 65 of 76. Big Ten median rank 32.
Returning passingmedian #52
Returning passing. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Iowa #1 of 128; 2014 Maryland #1 of 128; 2014 Michigan #16 of 128; 2014 Penn State #34 of 128; 2014 Wisconsin #37 of 128; 2014 Michigan State #41 of 128; 2014 Northwestern #52 of 128; 2014 Ohio State #55 of 128; 2014 Rutgers #56 of 128; 2014 Indiana #59 of 128; 2014 Purdue #62 of 128; 2014 Nebraska #79 of 128; 2014 Minnesota #83 of 128. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 108 of 128. Big Ten median rank 52.
Returning receivingmedian #42
Returning receiving. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Michigan State #1 of 128; 2014 Purdue #9 of 128; 2014 Maryland #26 of 128; 2014 Iowa #32 of 128; 2014 Minnesota #38 of 128; 2014 Northwestern #41 of 128; 2014 Ohio State #42 of 128; 2014 Rutgers #47 of 128; 2014 Nebraska #55 of 128; 2014 Michigan #101 of 128; 2014 Penn State #113 of 128; 2014 Indiana #115 of 128; 2014 Wisconsin #124 of 128. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 99 of 128. Big Ten median rank 42.
Returning rushingmedian #28
Returning rushing. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Iowa #1 of 128; 2014 Michigan State #1 of 128; 2014 Maryland #4 of 128; 2014 Penn State #6 of 128; 2014 Rutgers #11 of 128; 2014 Nebraska #23 of 128; 2014 Minnesota #28 of 128; 2014 Purdue #31 of 128; 2014 Michigan #69 of 128; 2014 Wisconsin #70 of 128; 2014 Indiana #76 of 128; 2014 Northwestern #81 of 128; 2014 Ohio State #90 of 128. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 47 of 128. Big Ten median rank 28.
Team talent
Team talent. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: . Marked: 2014 Illinois, which has no value for this metric.
Offensive EPAmedian #44
Offensive EPA. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Wisconsin #4 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #8 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #11 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #33 of 76; 2014 Iowa #36 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #37 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #44 of 76; 2014 Indiana #51 of 76; 2014 Maryland #52 of 76; 2014 Purdue #56 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #57 of 76; 2014 Michigan #62 of 76; 2014 Penn State #74 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 50 of 76. Big Ten median rank 44.
Defensive EPAmedian #31
Defensive EPA. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Penn State #1 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #5 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #9 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #22 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #25 of 76; 2014 Michigan #26 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #31 of 76; 2014 Iowa #32 of 76; 2014 Purdue #40 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #41 of 76; 2014 Maryland #43 of 76; 2014 Indiana #55 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #65 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 60 of 76. Big Ten median rank 31.
Offensive success ratemedian #39
Offensive success rate. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Ohio State #7 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #12 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #13 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #18 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #33 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #36 of 76; 2014 Iowa #39 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #40 of 76; 2014 Michigan #41 of 76; 2014 Maryland #56 of 76; 2014 Purdue #63 of 76; 2014 Indiana #69 of 76; 2014 Penn State #72 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 53 of 76. Big Ten median rank 39.
Defensive success ratemedian #34
Defensive success rate. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Wisconsin #3 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #6 of 76; 2014 Penn State #9 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #24 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #26 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #33 of 76; 2014 Iowa #34 of 76; 2014 Michigan #36 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #38 of 76; 2014 Indiana #40 of 76; 2014 Maryland #45 of 76; 2014 Purdue #51 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #54 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 62 of 76. Big Ten median rank 34.
Offensive explosivenessmedian #33
Offensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Ohio State #11 of 76; 2014 Purdue #16 of 76; 2014 Maryland #21 of 76; 2014 Indiana #22 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #24 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #28 of 76; 2014 Iowa #45 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #47 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #54 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #59 of 76; 2014 Penn State #63 of 76; 2014 Michigan #68 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #73 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 33 of 76. Big Ten median rank 33.
Defensive explosivenessmedian #35
Defensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2014, best rank first: 2014 Penn State #2 of 76; 2014 Michigan #7 of 76; 2014 Iowa #26 of 76; 2014 Purdue #28 of 76; 2014 Northwestern #33 of 76; 2014 Maryland #34 of 76; 2014 Minnesota #35 of 76; 2014 Nebraska #43 of 76; 2014 Wisconsin #46 of 76; 2014 Ohio State #51 of 76; 2014 Indiana #61 of 76; 2014 Michigan State #70 of 76; 2014 Rutgers #75 of 76. Marked: 2014 Illinois, ranked 52 of 76. Big Ten median rank 35.