THIRD AND DATA

Metrics

Michigan StateSpartans

Season
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›Current

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 10 such games.

Big Ten, 2023

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
2023Michigan State4–80 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#70 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 255.9 yds/g · 2,559 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 11.5 pts/g · 115 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#55 (of 73 teams · 426.4 yds/g allowed · 4,264 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#55 (of 73 teams · 31.9 pts/g allowed · 319 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#67 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · -20.4 /g · -204 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 73 teams · -6 in these games · 14 taken, 20 given · -0.60 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 73 teams · 28:08 /g · 4h 41m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#107 (of 133 teams · 5% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#113 (of 133 teams · 31% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#93 (of 133 teams · 45% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#27 (of 133 teams · 747.3 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#72 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · -0.017 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#54 (of 73 teams · 0.264 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#69 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 35% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#57 (of 73 teams · 46% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#68 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 1.123 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#20 (of 73 teams · 1.217 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
Medianof 14 Big Ten teams in 20230 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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 2023. 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 2023. 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 2023. Range #24–#73. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#52 (Scoring offense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #3–#72. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#18 (Total defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #1–#55. 5 of 14 in the top 10.)#24 (Scoring defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #1–#56. 5 of 14 in the top 10.)#45 (Point margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #1–#67. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#37 (Turnover margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #1–#73. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#34 (Possession: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #2–#68. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#94 (Returning passing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #36–#125. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#72 (Returning receiving: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #3–#117. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#37 (Returning rushing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #5–#125. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#41 (Team talent: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #3–#63. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#51 (Offensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #8–#73. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#20 (Defensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #1–#64. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#34 (Offensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #6–#72. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#29 (Defensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #1–#68. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#63 (Offensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #14–#72. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#12 (Defensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range #1–#58. 6 of 14 in the top 10.)
2023Michigan15–03 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range 0–4.)2 (2 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · 4 including the postseason — regular: #7 Ohio State, #10 Penn State · postseason: #2 Washington, #4 Alabama)3 (3 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · 5 including the postseason — regular: #7 Ohio State, #10 Penn State, #17 Iowa · postseason: #2 Washington, #4 Alabama)#29 (of 73 teams · 392.0 yds/g · 3,528 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 39.4 pts/g · 355 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 254.7 yds/g allowed · 2,292 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 11.9 pts/g allowed · 107 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 73 teams · +27.6 /g · +248 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 73 teams · +15 in these games · 17 taken, 2 given · +1.67 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 33:32 /g · 5h 02m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#49 (of 133 teams · 90% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#74 (of 133 teams · 50% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#8 — top 10 (of 133 teams · 96% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#14 (of 133 teams · 850.4 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#8 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 0.329 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 0.034 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 51% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 35% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 1.164 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 73 teams · 1.247 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Ohio State11–24 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. Range 0–4.)1 (1 regular-season win over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason — #10 Penn State)2 (2 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason — #10 Penn State, #16 Notre Dame)#24 (of 73 teams · 405.6 yds/g · 4,056 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 73 teams · 29.6 pts/g · 296 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 260.2 yds/g allowed · 2,602 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 11.5 pts/g allowed · 115 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 73 teams · +18.1 /g · +181 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 73 teams · -4 in these games · 6 taken, 10 given · -0.40 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 73 teams · 30:18 /g · 5h 03m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#102 (of 133 teams · 7% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#3 — top 10 (of 133 teams · 94% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#17 (of 133 teams · 91% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#3 — top 10 (of 133 teams · 974.8 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#14 (of 73 teams · 0.284 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 0.003 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 73 teams · 47% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 35% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 73 teams · 1.198 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 1.115 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Penn State10–32 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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 — #17 Iowa)#41 (of 73 teams · 374.3 yds/g · 3,743 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 73 teams · 32.0 pts/g · 320 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 243.0 yds/g allowed · 2,430 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 13.0 pts/g allowed · 130 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 73 teams · +19.0 /g · +190 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 73 teams · +17 in these games · 21 taken, 4 given · +1.70 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 32:42 /g · 5h 27m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#91 (of 133 teams · 15% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#72 (of 133 teams · 50% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#28 (of 133 teams · 81% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#13 (of 133 teams · 858.1 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#27 (of 73 teams · 0.214 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 0.020 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 73 teams · 44% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 33% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 1.139 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 73 teams · 1.324 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Maryland8–50 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#40 (of 73 teams · 374.6 yds/g · 3,746 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 73 teams · 27.9 pts/g · 279 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 73 teams · 345.3 yds/g allowed · 3,453 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 73 teams · 25.3 pts/g allowed · 253 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 73 teams · +2.6 /g · +26 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 73 teams · +0 in these games · 18 taken, 18 given · +0.00 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#68 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 27:33 /g · 4h 36m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 133 teams · 98% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#38 (of 133 teams · 60% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#5 — top 10 (of 133 teams · 98% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#43 (of 133 teams · 685.8 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#30 (of 73 teams · 0.208 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#20 (of 73 teams · 0.144 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 73 teams · 42% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 73 teams · 42% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#14 (of 73 teams · 1.358 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 1.123 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Iowa10–40 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#73 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 229.7 yds/g · 2,297 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#68 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 15.1 pts/g · 151 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 279.1 yds/g allowed · 2,791 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 12.2 pts/g allowed · 122 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 73 teams · +2.9 /g · +29 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 73 teams · -1 in these games · 13 taken, 14 given · -0.10 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 73 teams · 28:08 /g · 4h 41m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#105 (of 133 teams · 7% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#80 (of 133 teams · 48% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#37 (of 133 teams · 76% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#41 (of 133 teams · 692.6 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#73 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · -0.033 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 73 teams · -0.017 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 33% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 34% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 1.034 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 1.077 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Northwestern8–50 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#64 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 295.8 yds/g · 2,958 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 73 teams · 21.2 pts/g · 212 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#23 (of 73 teams · 356.9 yds/g allowed · 3,569 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 73 teams · 25.9 pts/g allowed · 259 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 73 teams · -4.7 /g · -47 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#8 — top 10 (of 73 teams · +7 in these games · 16 taken, 9 given · +0.70 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 73 teams · 28:44 /g · 4h 47m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#37 (of 133 teams · 97% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#109 (of 133 teams · 32% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#101 (of 133 teams · 41% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#52 (of 133 teams · 657.9 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#58 (of 73 teams · 0.079 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 73 teams · 0.164 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 73 teams · 39% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 73 teams · 45% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#67 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 1.131 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 1.127 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Illinois5–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#36 (of 73 teams · 380.8 yds/g · 3,808 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 73 teams · 24.1 pts/g · 241 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 73 teams · 377.0 yds/g allowed · 3,770 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 73 teams · 30.8 pts/g allowed · 308 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 73 teams · -6.7 /g · -67 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · -7 in these games · 13 taken, 20 given · -0.70 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 (of 73 teams · 28:14 /g · 4h 42m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#123 (of 133 teams · 1% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#20 (of 133 teams · 69% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#123 (of 133 teams · 20% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#63 (of 133 teams · 631.0 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#31 (of 73 teams · 0.200 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 73 teams · 0.178 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 73 teams · 43% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 73 teams · 45% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 73 teams · 1.231 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 73 teams · 1.175 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Nebraska5–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#65 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 295.2 yds/g · 2,952 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#67 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 15.3 pts/g · 153 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 315.5 yds/g allowed · 3,155 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 19.4 pts/g allowed · 194 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 73 teams · -4.1 /g · -41 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#73 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · -18 in these games · 12 taken, 30 given · -1.80 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 73 teams · 30:15 /g · 5h 03m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#94 (of 133 teams · 14% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#117 (of 133 teams · 29% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#38 (of 133 teams · 73% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#21 (of 133 teams · 765.2 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#61 (of 73 teams · 0.069 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 73 teams · 0.110 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 36% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 73 teams · 38% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#26 (of 73 teams · 1.313 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 1.153 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Purdue4–80 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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 73 teams · 381.4 yds/g · 4,196 yds · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 73 teams · 22.9 pts/g · 252 points · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#30 (of 73 teams · 372.6 yds/g allowed · 4,098 yds · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 73 teams · 29.6 pts/g allowed · 326 points · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 73 teams · -6.7 /g · -74 in these games · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#37 (of 73 teams · -1 in these games · 17 taken, 18 given · -0.09 /g · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#23 (of 73 teams · 31:04 /g · 5h 42m in these games · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#125 — bottom 10 (of 133 teams · 0% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#71 (of 133 teams · 50% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#40 (of 133 teams · 73% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#48 (of 133 teams · 671.1 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#45 (of 73 teams · 0.131 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 73 teams · 0.185 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 73 teams · 42% of plays successful · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 73 teams · 40% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 73 teams · 1.181 average PPA on successful plays · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 73 teams · 1.359 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 11 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Rutgers7–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#69 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 280.1 yds/g · 2,801 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 73 teams · 18.3 pts/g · 183 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 73 teams · 336.7 yds/g allowed · 3,367 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#24 (of 73 teams · 24.2 pts/g allowed · 242 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 73 teams · -5.9 /g · -59 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 73 teams · +3 in these games · 15 taken, 12 given · +0.30 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 73 teams · 30:40 /g · 5h 07m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 133 teams · 85% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#97 (of 133 teams · 41% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#18 (of 133 teams · 89% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#61 (of 133 teams · 636.4 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#63 (of 73 teams · 0.062 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 73 teams · 0.157 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 73 teams · 38% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 48% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 (of 73 teams · 1.170 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 73 teams · 1.004 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Wisconsin7–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#47 (of 73 teams · 349.7 yds/g · 3,497 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 73 teams · 20.1 pts/g · 201 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 73 teams · 320.6 yds/g allowed · 3,206 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 73 teams · 19.6 pts/g allowed · 196 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 73 teams · +0.5 /g · +5 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 73 teams · -4 in these games · 10 taken, 14 given · -0.40 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 73 teams · 29:03 /g · 4h 51m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#109 (of 133 teams · 5% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#29 (of 133 teams · 64% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#36 (of 133 teams · 77% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#30 (of 133 teams · 741.6 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#52 (of 73 teams · 0.116 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#16 (of 73 teams · 0.119 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 73 teams · 43% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 73 teams · 41% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#70 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 1.091 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 73 teams · 1.199 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Indiana3–90 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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)#56 (of 73 teams · 316.4 yds/g · 3,164 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 73 teams · 19.6 pts/g · 196 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 73 teams · 411.4 yds/g allowed · 4,114 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 73 teams · 32.5 pts/g allowed · 325 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 73 teams · -12.9 /g · -129 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 73 teams · -6 in these games · 9 taken, 15 given · -0.60 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 73 teams · 29:04 /g · 4h 51m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#97 (of 133 teams · 11% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#72 (of 133 teams · 50% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#81 (of 133 teams · 50% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#47 (of 133 teams · 677.6 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#51 (of 73 teams · 0.116 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 0.301 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#39 (of 73 teams · 41% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#68 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 49% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 1.141 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 73 teams · 1.222 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2023Minnesota6–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2023. 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 — #17 Iowa)#68 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 287.1 yds/g · 2,871 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 (of 73 teams · 18.2 pts/g · 182 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 73 teams · 398.5 yds/g allowed · 3,985 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 73 teams · 29.3 pts/g allowed · 293 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 73 teams · -11.1 /g · -111 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 73 teams · +3 in these games · 16 taken, 13 given · +0.30 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 73 teams · 30:35 /g · 5h 06m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#73 (of 133 teams · 43% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#22 (of 133 teams · 68% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#125 — bottom 10 (of 133 teams · 18% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#57 (of 133 teams · 640.5 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#67 — bottom 10 (of 73 teams · 0.055 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#51 (of 73 teams · 0.243 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 73 teams · 37% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 73 teams · 45% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 73 teams · 1.184 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 73 teams · 1.254 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, 20232023 Michigan StateBig Ten medianVertical position is spacing only — it carries no meaning.
Total offensemedian #47
Total offense. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Ohio State #24 of 73; 2023 Michigan #29 of 73; 2023 Purdue #34 of 73; 2023 Illinois #36 of 73; 2023 Maryland #40 of 73; 2023 Penn State #41 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #47 of 73; 2023 Indiana #56 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #64 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #65 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #68 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #69 of 73; 2023 Iowa #73 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 70 of 73. Big Ten median rank 47.
Scoring offensemedian #52
Scoring offense. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Michigan #3 of 73; 2023 Penn State #18 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #26 of 73; 2023 Maryland #31 of 73; 2023 Illinois #41 of 73; 2023 Purdue #45 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #52 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #56 of 73; 2023 Indiana #58 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #61 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #63 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #67 of 73; 2023 Iowa #68 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 72 of 73. Big Ten median rank 52.
Total defensemedian #18
Total defense. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Penn State #1 of 73; 2023 Michigan #2 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #3 of 73; 2023 Iowa #4 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #9 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #12 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #18 of 73; 2023 Maryland #21 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #23 of 73; 2023 Purdue #30 of 73; 2023 Illinois #32 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #40 of 73; 2023 Indiana #48 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 55 of 73. Big Ten median rank 18.
Scoring defensemedian #24
Scoring defense. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Ohio State #1 of 73; 2023 Michigan #2 of 73; 2023 Iowa #3 of 73; 2023 Penn State #4 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #9 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #11 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #24 of 73; 2023 Maryland #28 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #30 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #45 of 73; 2023 Purdue #48 of 73; 2023 Illinois #50 of 73; 2023 Indiana #56 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 55 of 73. Big Ten median rank 24.
Point marginmedian #45
Point margin. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Michigan #1 of 73; 2023 Penn State #4 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #5 of 73; 2023 Iowa #26 of 73; 2023 Maryland #30 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #35 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #45 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #46 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #48 of 73; 2023 Illinois #50 of 73; 2023 Purdue #51 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #56 of 73; 2023 Indiana #61 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 67 of 73. Big Ten median rank 45.
Turnover marginmedian #37
Turnover margin. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Penn State #1 of 73; 2023 Michigan #2 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #8 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #17 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #17 of 73; 2023 Maryland #32 of 73; 2023 Purdue #37 of 73; 2023 Iowa #38 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #52 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #52 of 73; 2023 Indiana #61 of 73; 2023 Illinois #65 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #73 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 61 of 73. Big Ten median rank 37.
Possessionmedian #34
Possession. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Michigan #2 of 73; 2023 Penn State #7 of 73; 2023 Purdue #23 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #27 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #28 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #33 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #34 of 73; 2023 Indiana #41 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #42 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #48 of 73; 2023 Illinois #59 of 73; 2023 Iowa #62 of 73; 2023 Maryland #68 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 61 of 73. Big Ten median rank 34.
Returning passingmedian #94
Returning passing. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Maryland #36 of 133; 2023 Northwestern #37 of 133; 2023 Michigan #49 of 133; 2023 Rutgers #53 of 133; 2023 Minnesota #73 of 133; 2023 Penn State #91 of 133; 2023 Nebraska #94 of 133; 2023 Indiana #97 of 133; 2023 Ohio State #102 of 133; 2023 Iowa #105 of 133; 2023 Wisconsin #109 of 133; 2023 Illinois #123 of 133; 2023 Purdue #125 of 133. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 107 of 133. Big Ten median rank 94.
Returning receivingmedian #72
Returning receiving. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Ohio State #3 of 133; 2023 Illinois #20 of 133; 2023 Minnesota #22 of 133; 2023 Wisconsin #29 of 133; 2023 Maryland #38 of 133; 2023 Purdue #71 of 133; 2023 Indiana #72 of 133; 2023 Penn State #72 of 133; 2023 Michigan #74 of 133; 2023 Iowa #80 of 133; 2023 Rutgers #97 of 133; 2023 Northwestern #109 of 133; 2023 Nebraska #117 of 133. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 113 of 133. Big Ten median rank 72.
Returning rushingmedian #37
Returning rushing. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Maryland #5 of 133; 2023 Michigan #8 of 133; 2023 Ohio State #17 of 133; 2023 Rutgers #18 of 133; 2023 Penn State #28 of 133; 2023 Wisconsin #36 of 133; 2023 Iowa #37 of 133; 2023 Nebraska #38 of 133; 2023 Purdue #40 of 133; 2023 Indiana #81 of 133; 2023 Northwestern #101 of 133; 2023 Illinois #123 of 133; 2023 Minnesota #125 of 133. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 93 of 133. Big Ten median rank 37.
Team talentmedian #41
Team talent. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Ohio State #3 of 133; 2023 Penn State #13 of 133; 2023 Michigan #14 of 133; 2023 Nebraska #21 of 133; 2023 Wisconsin #30 of 133; 2023 Iowa #41 of 133; 2023 Maryland #43 of 133; 2023 Indiana #47 of 133; 2023 Purdue #48 of 133; 2023 Northwestern #52 of 133; 2023 Minnesota #57 of 133; 2023 Rutgers #61 of 133; 2023 Illinois #63 of 133. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 27 of 133. Big Ten median rank 41.
Offensive EPAmedian #51
Offensive EPA. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Michigan #8 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #14 of 73; 2023 Penn State #27 of 73; 2023 Maryland #30 of 73; 2023 Illinois #31 of 73; 2023 Purdue #45 of 73; 2023 Indiana #51 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #52 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #58 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #61 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #63 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #67 of 73; 2023 Iowa #73 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 72 of 73. Big Ten median rank 51.
Defensive EPAmedian #20
Defensive EPA. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Iowa #1 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #2 of 73; 2023 Penn State #3 of 73; 2023 Michigan #4 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #15 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #16 of 73; 2023 Maryland #20 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #25 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #27 of 73; 2023 Illinois #32 of 73; 2023 Purdue #35 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #51 of 73; 2023 Indiana #64 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 54 of 73. Big Ten median rank 20.
Offensive success ratemedian #34
Offensive success rate. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Michigan #6 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #11 of 73; 2023 Penn State #25 of 73; 2023 Illinois #26 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #32 of 73; 2023 Purdue #33 of 73; 2023 Maryland #34 of 73; 2023 Indiana #39 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #53 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #56 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #58 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #65 of 73; 2023 Iowa #72 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 69 of 73. Big Ten median rank 34.
Defensive success ratemedian #29
Defensive success rate. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Penn State #1 of 73; 2023 Iowa #3 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #5 of 73; 2023 Michigan #6 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #17 of 73; 2023 Purdue #22 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #29 of 73; 2023 Maryland #31 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #45 of 73; 2023 Illinois #46 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #48 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #65 of 73; 2023 Indiana #68 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 57 of 73. Big Ten median rank 29.
Offensive explosivenessmedian #63
Offensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Maryland #14 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #26 of 73; 2023 Illinois #52 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #58 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #61 of 73; 2023 Purdue #62 of 73; 2023 Rutgers #63 of 73; 2023 Michigan #64 of 73; 2023 Indiana #65 of 73; 2023 Penn State #66 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #67 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #70 of 73; 2023 Iowa #72 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 68 of 73. Big Ten median rank 63.
Defensive explosivenessmedian #12
Defensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2023, best rank first: 2023 Rutgers #1 of 73; 2023 Iowa #2 of 73; 2023 Ohio State #3 of 73; 2023 Maryland #4 of 73; 2023 Northwestern #5 of 73; 2023 Nebraska #9 of 73; 2023 Illinois #12 of 73; 2023 Wisconsin #17 of 73; 2023 Indiana #21 of 73; 2023 Michigan #27 of 73; 2023 Minnesota #29 of 73; 2023 Penn State #50 of 73; 2023 Purdue #58 of 73. Marked: 2023 Michigan State, ranked 20 of 73. Big Ten median rank 12.