THIRD AND DATA

Metrics

Michigan StateSpartans

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. Michigan State played 7 such games.

Big Ten, 2020

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
2020Michigan State2–50 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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 — #14 Northwestern)#60 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 331.0 yds/g · 2,317 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 18.0 pts/g · 126 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 66 teams · 398.1 yds/g allowed · 2,787 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 66 teams · 35.1 pts/g allowed · 246 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · -17.1 /g · -120 in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · -10 in these games · 10 taken, 20 given · -1.43 /g · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 27:14 /g · 3h 11m in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#108 (of 127 teams · 5% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#108 (of 127 teams · 45% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#53 (of 127 teams · 72% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#33 (of 127 teams · 673.4 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#64 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 0.003 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 66 teams · 0.119 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 32% of plays successful · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 66 teams · 39% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#8 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 1.389 average PPA on successful plays · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 66 teams · 1.272 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))
Medianof 14 Big Ten teams in 20200 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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 2020. 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 2020. 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.)#45 (Total offense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #4–#60. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#39 (Scoring offense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #2–#62. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#28 (Total defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #1–#59. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#33 (Scoring defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #1–#56. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#38 (Point margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #3–#62. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#31 (Turnover margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #2–#64. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#42 (Possession: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #1–#65. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#31 (Returning passing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #1–#115. 5 of 14 in the top 10.)#68 (Returning receiving: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #7–#108. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#48 (Returning rushing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #1–#112. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#38 (Team talent: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #3–#62. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#37 (Offensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #3–#64. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#18 (Defensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #1–#64. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#36 (Offensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #2–#64. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#18 (Defensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #1–#63. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#38 (Offensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #2–#64. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#25 (Defensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range #7–#58. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)
2020Northwestern7–20 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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 Iowa)#54 (of 66 teams · 354.3 yds/g · 2,480 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 66 teams · 25.3 pts/g · 177 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 308.7 yds/g allowed · 2,161 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 14.6 pts/g allowed · 102 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 66 teams · +10.7 /g · +75 in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 66 teams · +5 in these games · 16 taken, 11 given · +0.71 /g · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 66 teams · 31:03 /g · 3h 37m in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#10 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 93% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#10 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 97% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#46 (of 127 teams · 629.8 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#51 (of 66 teams · 0.121 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 66 teams · -0.008 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 66 teams · 39% of plays successful · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 35% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 66 teams · 1.212 average PPA on successful plays · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 66 teams · 1.249 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Ohio State7–14 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · 1 including the postseason — postseason: #3 Clemson)2 (2 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · 3 including the postseason — regular: #11 Indiana, #14 Northwestern · postseason: #3 Clemson)#4 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 531.4 yds/g · 2,657 yds · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 46.6 pts/g · 233 points · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 66 teams · 359.4 yds/g allowed · 1,797 yds · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 66 teams · 23.2 pts/g allowed · 116 points · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 66 teams · +23.4 /g · +117 in these games · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 66 teams · +6 in these games · 12 taken, 6 given · +1.20 /g · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 34:03 /g · 2h 50m in these games · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 127 teams · 89% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#104 (of 127 teams · 48% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#88 (of 127 teams · 50% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#3 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 976.5 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#3 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 0.388 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 66 teams · 0.109 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 53% of plays successful · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#14 (of 66 teams · 38% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 66 teams · 1.292 average PPA on successful plays · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 1.401 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Iowa6–20 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#50 (of 66 teams · 368.8 yds/g · 2,950 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 66 teams · 31.8 pts/g · 254 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 314.6 yds/g allowed · 2,517 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 16.0 pts/g allowed · 128 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#8 — top 10 (of 66 teams · +15.8 /g · +126 in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 66 teams · +9 in these games · 18 taken, 9 given · +1.13 /g · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 66 teams · 29:16 /g · 3h 54m in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#115 (of 127 teams · 3% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#7 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 94% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#61 (of 127 teams · 67% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#43 (of 127 teams · 631.8 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#37 (of 66 teams · 0.163 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 0.038 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#24 (of 66 teams · 44% of plays successful · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 66 teams · 38% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 1.101 average PPA on successful plays · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#8 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 1.155 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Wisconsin4–30 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#52 (of 66 teams · 358.8 yds/g · 2,153 yds · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#55 (of 66 teams · 22.3 pts/g · 134 points · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 264.0 yds/g allowed · 1,584 yds · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 15.7 pts/g allowed · 94 points · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#19 (of 66 teams · +6.7 /g · +40 in these games · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 66 teams · -3 in these games · 8 taken, 11 given · -0.50 /g · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 36:45 /g · 3h 41m in these games · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 127 teams · 99% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#68 (of 127 teams · 62% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#102 (of 127 teams · 45% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#32 (of 127 teams · 676.5 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#53 (of 66 teams · 0.116 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 66 teams · -0.005 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 66 teams · 43% of plays successful · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 33% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 1.156 average PPA on successful plays · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#23 (of 66 teams · 1.242 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Penn State4–51 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#17 (of 66 teams · 429.7 yds/g · 3,867 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 66 teams · 29.8 pts/g · 268 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 328.2 yds/g allowed · 2,954 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 66 teams · 27.7 pts/g allowed · 249 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 66 teams · +2.1 /g · +19 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 66 teams · -8 in these games · 9 taken, 17 given · -0.89 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 33:39 /g · 5h 03m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#92 (of 127 teams · 53% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#27 (of 127 teams · 86% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#11 (of 127 teams · 850.7 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#32 (of 66 teams · 0.183 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#14 (of 66 teams · 0.110 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 66 teams · 44% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 66 teams · 39% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#49 (of 66 teams · 1.213 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 66 teams · 1.239 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Purdue2–40 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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 Iowa)#39 (of 66 teams · 390.3 yds/g · 2,342 yds · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#39 (of 66 teams · 27.2 pts/g · 163 points · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 66 teams · 399.2 yds/g allowed · 2,395 yds · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 66 teams · 29.8 pts/g allowed · 179 points · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 66 teams · -2.7 /g · -16 in these games · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 66 teams · +0 in these games · 7 taken, 7 given · +0.00 /g · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 66 teams · 27:40 /g · 2h 46m in these games · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#27 (of 127 teams · 81% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#1 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 100% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#40 (of 127 teams · 644.0 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#28 (of 66 teams · 0.192 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 66 teams · 0.168 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 66 teams · 44% of plays successful · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 66 teams · 43% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#55 (of 66 teams · 1.186 average PPA on successful plays · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 1.149 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Indiana6–20 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#51 (of 66 teams · 359.6 yds/g · 2,517 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 66 teams · 30.1 pts/g · 211 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 66 teams · 363.1 yds/g allowed · 2,542 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 19.4 pts/g allowed · 136 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 66 teams · +10.7 /g · +75 in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 66 teams · +11 in these games · 20 taken, 9 given · +1.57 /g · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 66 teams · 30:11 /g · 3h 31m in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#85 (of 127 teams · 35% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#45 (of 127 teams · 73% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#48 (of 127 teams · 74% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#52 (of 127 teams · 611.2 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#55 (of 66 teams · 0.103 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 66 teams · 0.094 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 38% of plays successful · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#16 (of 66 teams · 39% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 66 teams · 1.282 average PPA on successful plays · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 66 teams · 1.326 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Maryland2–30 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#33 (of 66 teams · 401.2 yds/g · 2,006 yds · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 66 teams · 23.6 pts/g · 118 points · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 66 teams · 430.0 yds/g allowed · 2,150 yds · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 66 teams · 32.0 pts/g allowed · 160 points · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 66 teams · -8.4 /g · -42 in these games · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · -7 in these games · 4 taken, 11 given · -1.40 /g · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 24:19 /g · 2h 02m in these games · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#67 (of 127 teams · 67% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#72 (of 127 teams · 61% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#112 (of 127 teams · 32% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#38 (of 127 teams · 646.3 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#38 (of 66 teams · 0.160 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 66 teams · 0.216 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 66 teams · 39% of plays successful · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 66 teams · 42% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 1.530 average PPA on successful plays · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 66 teams · 1.262 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 5 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Michigan2–43 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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 66 teams · 381.5 yds/g · 2,289 yds · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 66 teams · 28.3 pts/g · 170 points · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#44 (of 66 teams · 433.7 yds/g allowed · 2,602 yds · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 66 teams · 34.5 pts/g allowed · 207 points · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 66 teams · -6.2 /g · -37 in these games · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 66 teams · -4 in these games · 2 taken, 6 given · -0.67 /g · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 25:31 /g · 2h 33m in these games · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#104 (of 127 teams · 7% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#103 (of 127 teams · 48% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#42 (of 127 teams · 77% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#14 (of 127 teams · 832.6 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#23 (of 66 teams · 0.213 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 66 teams · 0.243 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 66 teams · 42% of plays successful · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 66 teams · 43% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 66 teams · 1.369 average PPA on successful plays · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 66 teams · 1.282 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 6 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Minnesota3–40 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#38 (of 66 teams · 392.0 yds/g · 2,744 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 66 teams · 27.3 pts/g · 191 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 66 teams · 413.9 yds/g allowed · 2,897 yds · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 66 teams · 30.1 pts/g allowed · 211 points · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#39 (of 66 teams · -2.9 /g · -20 in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 66 teams · +0 in these games · 7 taken, 7 given · +0.00 /g · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 66 teams · 33:58 /g · 3h 58m in these games · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 127 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#76 (of 127 teams · 58% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#105 (of 127 teams · 41% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#60 (of 127 teams · 594.7 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#17 (of 66 teams · 0.239 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 0.329 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 66 teams · 45% of plays successful · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 50% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 66 teams · 1.256 average PPA on successful plays · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 66 teams · 1.208 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 7 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Nebraska3–50 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#41 (of 66 teams · 389.4 yds/g · 3,115 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 66 teams · 23.1 pts/g · 185 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 66 teams · 387.8 yds/g allowed · 3,102 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 66 teams · 29.4 pts/g allowed · 235 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#49 (of 66 teams · -6.3 /g · -50 in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · -11 in these games · 7 taken, 18 given · -1.38 /g · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 66 teams · 28:25 /g · 3h 47m in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#57 (of 127 teams · 82% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#98 (of 127 teams · 50% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#37 (of 127 teams · 79% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#25 (of 127 teams · 733.4 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#34 (of 66 teams · 0.171 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#39 (of 66 teams · 0.192 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 66 teams · 47% of plays successful · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 66 teams · 42% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 1.076 average PPA on successful plays · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 66 teams · 1.273 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Rutgers3–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#58 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 338.7 yds/g · 3,048 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 66 teams · 26.7 pts/g · 240 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 66 teams · 449.9 yds/g allowed · 4,049 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 66 teams · 32.1 pts/g allowed · 289 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#44 (of 66 teams · -5.4 /g · -49 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#16 (of 66 teams · +6 in these games · 19 taken, 13 given · +0.67 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 66 teams · 27:57 /g · 4h 12m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#19 (of 127 teams · 84% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#16 (of 127 teams · 93% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#62 (of 127 teams · 588.6 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#58 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 0.063 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#37 (of 66 teams · 0.186 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 36% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 66 teams · 44% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 66 teams · 1.262 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 66 teams · 1.258 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2020Illinois2–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2020. 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)#55 (of 66 teams · 347.8 yds/g · 2,782 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 20.1 pts/g · 161 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 466.3 yds/g allowed · 3,730 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 66 teams · 34.9 pts/g allowed · 279 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · -14.8 /g · -118 in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 66 teams · +6 in these games · 15 taken, 9 given · +0.75 /g · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 27:03 /g · 3h 36m in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 127 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#39 (of 127 teams · 77% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#106 (of 127 teams · 41% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#39 (of 127 teams · 644.1 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#48 (of 66 teams · 0.129 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 0.319 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 37% of plays successful · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 — bottom 10 (of 66 teams · 50% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 66 teams · 1.369 average PPA on successful plays · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 66 teams · 1.196 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 8 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, 20202020 Michigan StateBig Ten medianVertical position is spacing only — it carries no meaning.
Total offensemedian #45
Total offense. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Ohio State #4 of 66; 2020 Penn State #17 of 66; 2020 Maryland #33 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #38 of 66; 2020 Purdue #39 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #41 of 66; 2020 Michigan #45 of 66; 2020 Iowa #50 of 66; 2020 Indiana #51 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #52 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #54 of 66; 2020 Illinois #55 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #58 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 60 of 66. Big Ten median rank 45.
Scoring offensemedian #39
Scoring offense. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Ohio State #2 of 66; 2020 Iowa #21 of 66; 2020 Indiana #27 of 66; 2020 Penn State #29 of 66; 2020 Michigan #35 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #38 of 66; 2020 Purdue #39 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #42 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #47 of 66; 2020 Maryland #50 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #53 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #55 of 66; 2020 Illinois #61 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 62 of 66. Big Ten median rank 39.
Total defensemedian #28
Total defense. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Wisconsin #1 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #3 of 66; 2020 Iowa #4 of 66; 2020 Penn State #9 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #15 of 66; 2020 Indiana #18 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #28 of 66; 2020 Purdue #30 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #36 of 66; 2020 Maryland #41 of 66; 2020 Michigan #44 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #52 of 66; 2020 Illinois #59 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 29 of 66. Big Ten median rank 28.
Scoring defensemedian #33
Scoring defense. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Northwestern #1 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #2 of 66; 2020 Iowa #3 of 66; 2020 Indiana #6 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #12 of 66; 2020 Penn State #29 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #33 of 66; 2020 Purdue #34 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #36 of 66; 2020 Maryland #45 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #46 of 66; 2020 Michigan #52 of 66; 2020 Illinois #53 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 56 of 66. Big Ten median rank 33.
Point marginmedian #38
Point margin. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Ohio State #3 of 66; 2020 Iowa #8 of 66; 2020 Indiana #12 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #12 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #19 of 66; 2020 Penn State #26 of 66; 2020 Purdue #38 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #39 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #44 of 66; 2020 Michigan #48 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #49 of 66; 2020 Maryland #52 of 66; 2020 Illinois #61 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 62 of 66. Big Ten median rank 38.
Turnover marginmedian #31
Turnover margin. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Indiana #2 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #5 of 66; 2020 Iowa #6 of 66; 2020 Illinois #12 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #13 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #16 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #31 of 66; 2020 Purdue #31 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #47 of 66; 2020 Michigan #53 of 66; 2020 Penn State #56 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #62 of 66; 2020 Maryland #63 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 64 of 66. Big Ten median rank 31.
Possessionmedian #42
Possession. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Wisconsin #1 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #3 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #5 of 66; 2020 Penn State #6 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #21 of 66; 2020 Indiana #36 of 66; 2020 Iowa #42 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #47 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #52 of 66; 2020 Purdue #56 of 66; 2020 Illinois #59 of 66; 2020 Michigan #63 of 66; 2020 Maryland #65 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 58 of 66. Big Ten median rank 42.
Returning passingmedian #31
Returning passing. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Illinois #1 of 127; 2020 Northwestern #1 of 127; 2020 Penn State #1 of 127; 2020 Purdue #1 of 127; 2020 Rutgers #1 of 127; 2020 Minnesota #17 of 127; 2020 Wisconsin #31 of 127; 2020 Ohio State #51 of 127; 2020 Nebraska #57 of 127; 2020 Maryland #67 of 127; 2020 Indiana #85 of 127; 2020 Michigan #104 of 127; 2020 Iowa #115 of 127. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 108 of 127. Big Ten median rank 31.
Returning receivingmedian #68
Returning receiving. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Iowa #7 of 127; 2020 Northwestern #10 of 127; 2020 Rutgers #19 of 127; 2020 Purdue #27 of 127; 2020 Illinois #39 of 127; 2020 Indiana #45 of 127; 2020 Wisconsin #68 of 127; 2020 Maryland #72 of 127; 2020 Minnesota #76 of 127; 2020 Penn State #92 of 127; 2020 Nebraska #98 of 127; 2020 Michigan #103 of 127; 2020 Ohio State #104 of 127. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 108 of 127. Big Ten median rank 68.
Returning rushingmedian #48
Returning rushing. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Purdue #1 of 127; 2020 Northwestern #10 of 127; 2020 Rutgers #16 of 127; 2020 Penn State #27 of 127; 2020 Nebraska #37 of 127; 2020 Michigan #42 of 127; 2020 Indiana #48 of 127; 2020 Iowa #61 of 127; 2020 Ohio State #88 of 127; 2020 Wisconsin #102 of 127; 2020 Minnesota #105 of 127; 2020 Illinois #106 of 127; 2020 Maryland #112 of 127. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 53 of 127. Big Ten median rank 48.
Team talentmedian #38
Team talent. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Ohio State #3 of 127; 2020 Penn State #11 of 127; 2020 Michigan #14 of 127; 2020 Nebraska #25 of 127; 2020 Wisconsin #32 of 127; 2020 Maryland #38 of 127; 2020 Illinois #39 of 127; 2020 Purdue #40 of 127; 2020 Iowa #43 of 127; 2020 Northwestern #46 of 127; 2020 Indiana #52 of 127; 2020 Minnesota #60 of 127; 2020 Rutgers #62 of 127. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 33 of 127. Big Ten median rank 38.
Offensive EPAmedian #37
Offensive EPA. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Ohio State #3 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #17 of 66; 2020 Michigan #23 of 66; 2020 Purdue #28 of 66; 2020 Penn State #32 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #34 of 66; 2020 Iowa #37 of 66; 2020 Maryland #38 of 66; 2020 Illinois #48 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #51 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #53 of 66; 2020 Indiana #55 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #58 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 64 of 66. Big Ten median rank 37.
Defensive EPAmedian #18
Defensive EPA. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Northwestern #1 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #2 of 66; 2020 Iowa #5 of 66; 2020 Indiana #11 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #13 of 66; 2020 Penn State #14 of 66; 2020 Purdue #31 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #37 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #39 of 66; 2020 Maryland #46 of 66; 2020 Michigan #50 of 66; 2020 Illinois #62 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #64 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 18 of 66. Big Ten median rank 18.
Offensive success ratemedian #36
Offensive success rate. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Ohio State #2 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #15 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #22 of 66; 2020 Iowa #24 of 66; 2020 Penn State #27 of 66; 2020 Purdue #28 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #36 of 66; 2020 Michigan #38 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #51 of 66; 2020 Maryland #52 of 66; 2020 Indiana #58 of 66; 2020 Illinois #61 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #62 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 64 of 66. Big Ten median rank 36.
Defensive success ratemedian #18
Defensive success rate. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Wisconsin #1 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #4 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #14 of 66; 2020 Iowa #15 of 66; 2020 Indiana #16 of 66; 2020 Penn State #18 of 66; 2020 Maryland #26 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #28 of 66; 2020 Michigan #33 of 66; 2020 Purdue #34 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #38 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #62 of 66; 2020 Illinois #63 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 17 of 66. Big Ten median rank 18.
Offensive explosivenessmedian #38
Offensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Maryland #2 of 66; 2020 Illinois #12 of 66; 2020 Michigan #13 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #29 of 66; 2020 Indiana #31 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #38 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #40 of 66; 2020 Penn State #49 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #50 of 66; 2020 Purdue #55 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #59 of 66; 2020 Iowa #63 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #64 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 8 of 66. Big Ten median rank 38.
Defensive explosivenessmedian #25
Defensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2020, best rank first: 2020 Purdue #7 of 66; 2020 Iowa #8 of 66; 2020 Illinois #17 of 66; 2020 Minnesota #18 of 66; 2020 Penn State #22 of 66; 2020 Wisconsin #23 of 66; 2020 Northwestern #25 of 66; 2020 Rutgers #27 of 66; 2020 Maryland #29 of 66; 2020 Nebraska #36 of 66; 2020 Michigan #38 of 66; 2020 Indiana #48 of 66; 2020 Ohio State #58 of 66. Marked: 2020 Michigan State, ranked 35 of 66. Big Ten median rank 25.