THIRD AND DATA

Metrics

Penn StateNittany Lions

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. Penn State played 8 such games.

Big Ten, 2015

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
2015Penn State7–60 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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)#46 (of 75 teams · 369.5 yds/g · 2,956 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 75 teams · 23.8 pts/g · 190 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 75 teams · 345.6 yds/g allowed · 2,765 yds · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#20 (of 75 teams · 23.0 pts/g allowed · 184 points · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#34 (of 75 teams · +0.8 /g · +6 in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#43 (of 75 teams · -1 in these games · 14 taken, 15 given · -0.13 /g · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 75 teams · 29:27 /g · 3h 56m in these games · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 128 teams · 98% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#24 (of 128 teams · 79% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#88 (of 128 teams · 53% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#21 (of 128 teams · 732.4 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#46 (of 75 teams · 0.122 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 75 teams · 0.083 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 75 teams · 40% of plays successful · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 75 teams · 38% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 75 teams · 1.331 average PPA on successful plays · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 75 teams · 1.212 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 8 games vs power opponents (regular season))
Medianof 14 Big Ten teams in 20150 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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 2015. 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 2015. 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.)#46 (Total offense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #15–#70. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#46 (Scoring offense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #11–#65. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#17 (Total defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #1–#71. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#20 (Scoring defense: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #2–#69. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#34 (Point margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #2–#70. 4 of 14 in the top 10.)#43 (Turnover margin: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #1–#72. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#40 (Possession: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #5–#70. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#41 (Returning passing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #15–#108. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#84 (Returning receiving: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #24–#120. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#88 (Returning rushing: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #15–#125. 0 of 14 in the top 10.)#46 (Team talent: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #3–#64. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#44 (Offensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #7–#69. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#18 (Defensive EPA: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #4–#66. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#46 (Offensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #4–#72. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)#22 (Defensive success rate: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #4–#59. 3 of 14 in the top 10.)#29 (Offensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #5–#61. 2 of 14 in the top 10.)#40 (Defensive explosiveness: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range #9–#72. 1 of 14 in the top 10.)
2015Michigan10–32 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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: #13 Northwestern · postseason: #19 Florida)#40 (of 75 teams · 381.9 yds/g · 3,819 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 75 teams · 30.8 pts/g · 308 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 303.6 yds/g allowed · 3,036 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 75 teams · 19.9 pts/g allowed · 199 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#10 — top 10 (of 75 teams · +10.9 /g · +109 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 75 teams · -7 in these games · 8 taken, 15 given · -0.70 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#10 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 32:46 /g · 5h 28m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#99 (of 128 teams · 12% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#89 (of 128 teams · 50% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#67 (of 128 teams · 66% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#9 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 851.1 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#26 (of 75 teams · 0.186 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 0.032 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 75 teams · 44% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 33% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#53 (of 75 teams · 1.226 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#60 (of 75 teams · 1.343 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Ohio State12–14 — at or above the median (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range 0–4.)0 (0 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · 1 including the postseason — postseason: #8 Notre Dame)1 (1 regular-season win over top-25 teams · 2 including the postseason — regular: #14 Michigan · postseason: #8 Notre Dame)#20 (of 75 teams · 441.7 yds/g · 3,975 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 75 teams · 36.0 pts/g · 324 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#10 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 327.7 yds/g allowed · 2,949 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 15.9 pts/g allowed · 143 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#2 — top 10 (of 75 teams · +20.1 /g · +181 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 75 teams · +2 in these games · 12 taken, 10 given · +0.22 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 75 teams · 29:06 /g · 4h 22m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 128 teams · 98% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#36 (of 128 teams · 74% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#15 (of 128 teams · 96% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#3 — top 10 (of 128 teams · 907.3 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#7 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 0.295 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 75 teams · 0.061 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 49% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#11 (of 75 teams · 35% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 75 teams · 1.286 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#40 (of 75 teams · 1.276 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Wisconsin10–30 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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 · 1 including the postseason — postseason: #25 USC)#54 (of 75 teams · 351.6 yds/g · 3,164 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 75 teams · 23.4 pts/g · 211 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 282.0 yds/g allowed · 2,538 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 17.1 pts/g allowed · 154 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#17 (of 75 teams · +6.3 /g · +57 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 75 teams · -2 in these games · 15 taken, 17 given · -0.22 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#7 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 33:18 /g · 5h 00m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 128 teams · 99% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#58 (of 128 teams · 64% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#107 (of 128 teams · 42% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#37 (of 128 teams · 635.8 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#64 (of 75 teams · 0.050 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#8 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 0.043 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#49 (of 75 teams · 39% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 33% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 75 teams · 1.195 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 75 teams · 1.220 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Iowa12–20 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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 — #13 Northwestern)#34 (of 75 teams · 393.2 yds/g · 3,932 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#24 (of 75 teams · 31.1 pts/g · 311 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#14 (of 75 teams · 339.3 yds/g allowed · 3,393 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#10 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 19.4 pts/g allowed · 194 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#8 — top 10 (of 75 teams · +11.7 /g · +117 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#1 — top 10 (of 75 teams · +14 in these games · 22 taken, 8 given · +1.40 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#14 (of 75 teams · 32:15 /g · 5h 22m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#92 (of 128 teams · 21% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#94 (of 128 teams · 47% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#108 (of 128 teams · 40% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#51 (of 128 teams · 573.1 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#23 (of 75 teams · 0.198 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 75 teams · 0.065 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 75 teams · 43% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 75 teams · 39% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#33 (of 75 teams · 1.272 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 75 teams · 1.207 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Michigan State12–20 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range 0–4.)2 (2 regular-season wins over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason — #5 Iowa, #7 Ohio State)4 (4 regular-season wins over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason — #5 Iowa, #7 Ohio State, #14 Michigan, #15 Oregon)#28 (of 75 teams · 410.3 yds/g · 3,693 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 75 teams · 33.2 pts/g · 299 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 75 teams · 337.7 yds/g allowed · 3,039 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#16 (of 75 teams · 22.0 pts/g allowed · 198 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 75 teams · +11.2 /g · +101 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#3 — top 10 (of 75 teams · +9 in these games · 19 taken, 10 given · +1.00 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 34:05 /g · 5h 07m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#86 (of 128 teams · 51% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#118 (of 128 teams · 31% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#23 (of 128 teams · 715.3 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#28 (of 75 teams · 0.183 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#18 (of 75 teams · 0.086 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#24 (of 75 teams · 43% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 75 teams · 40% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 75 teams · 1.311 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 75 teams · 1.281 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Northwestern10–30 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range 0–4.)1 (1 regular-season win over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason — #6 Stanford)1 (1 regular-season win over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason — #6 Stanford)#70 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 294.9 yds/g · 2,949 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#60 (of 75 teams · 18.3 pts/g · 183 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 322.9 yds/g allowed · 3,229 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#6 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 17.8 pts/g allowed · 178 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#35 (of 75 teams · +0.5 /g · +5 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#13 (of 75 teams · +6 in these games · 18 taken, 12 given · +0.60 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 75 teams · 29:06 /g · 4h 51m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#102 (of 128 teams · 12% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#84 (of 128 teams · 52% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#55 (of 128 teams · 74% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#48 (of 128 teams · 595.8 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#69 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · -0.000 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#4 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 0.005 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 32% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 35% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 75 teams · 1.264 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 75 teams · 1.216 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Nebraska6–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. Range 0–4.)1 (1 regular-season win over top-10 teams · none added in the postseason — #3 Michigan State)1 (1 regular-season win over top-25 teams · none added in the postseason — #3 Michigan State)#27 (of 75 teams · 410.4 yds/g · 3,694 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 75 teams · 30.9 pts/g · 278 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 75 teams · 390.9 yds/g allowed · 3,518 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#45 (of 75 teams · 29.2 pts/g allowed · 263 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#31 (of 75 teams · +1.7 /g · +15 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · -13 in these games · 8 taken, 21 given · -1.44 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#22 (of 75 teams · 31:20 /g · 4h 42m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 128 teams · 99% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#56 (of 128 teams · 64% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#87 (of 128 teams · 53% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#24 (of 128 teams · 699.9 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#40 (of 75 teams · 0.129 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 75 teams · 0.138 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 75 teams · 40% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 75 teams · 39% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 1.372 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 (of 75 teams · 1.363 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Minnesota6–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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 75 teams · 346.2 yds/g · 3,116 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 75 teams · 23.4 pts/g · 211 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#27 (of 75 teams · 383.0 yds/g allowed · 3,447 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#44 (of 75 teams · 29.1 pts/g allowed · 262 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 75 teams · -5.7 /g · -51 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 75 teams · -2 in these games · 13 taken, 15 given · -0.22 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 27:22 /g · 4h 06m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 128 teams · 98% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#120 — bottom 10 (of 128 teams · 24% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#114 (of 128 teams · 33% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#64 (of 128 teams · 516.1 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#50 (of 75 teams · 0.109 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#32 (of 75 teams · 0.146 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#56 (of 75 teams · 39% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 75 teams · 44% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#44 (of 75 teams · 1.245 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#9 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 1.139 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Illinois5–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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 75 teams · 361.3 yds/g · 3,252 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#65 (of 75 teams · 16.6 pts/g · 149 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#28 (of 75 teams · 384.0 yds/g allowed · 3,456 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 75 teams · 27.9 pts/g allowed · 251 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 (of 75 teams · -11.3 /g · -102 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#25 (of 75 teams · +2 in these games · 14 taken, 12 given · +0.22 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#48 (of 75 teams · 28:53 /g · 4h 20m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#78 (of 128 teams · 51% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#34 (of 128 teams · 75% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#104 (of 128 teams · 42% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#60 (of 128 teams · 531.0 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#66 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 0.035 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#20 (of 75 teams · 0.101 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 36% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#38 (of 75 teams · 42% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#29 (of 75 teams · 1.278 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#19 (of 75 teams · 1.196 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Maryland3–90 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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 75 teams · 363.2 yds/g · 3,269 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 75 teams · 20.4 pts/g · 184 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#49 (of 75 teams · 420.7 yds/g allowed · 3,786 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#63 (of 75 teams · 36.3 pts/g allowed · 327 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#69 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · -15.9 /g · -143 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · -13 in these games · 15 taken, 28 given · -1.44 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 75 teams · 27:38 /g · 4h 09m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#104 (of 128 teams · 11% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#111 (of 128 teams · 36% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#80 (of 128 teams · 60% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#46 (of 128 teams · 603.8 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#68 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 0.015 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 75 teams · 0.155 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#67 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 34% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#41 (of 75 teams · 43% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#5 — top 10 (of 75 teams · 1.408 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#47 (of 75 teams · 1.292 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Purdue2–100 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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)#60 (of 75 teams · 333.7 yds/g · 3,003 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#52 (of 75 teams · 22.7 pts/g · 204 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 75 teams · 467.8 yds/g allowed · 4,210 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#69 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 38.7 pts/g allowed · 348 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#70 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · -16.0 /g · -144 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 (of 75 teams · -6 in these games · 13 taken, 19 given · -0.67 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#70 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 26:24 /g · 3h 58m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#73 (of 128 teams · 62% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#95 (of 128 teams · 47% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#125 — bottom 10 (of 128 teams · 22% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#59 (of 128 teams · 534.3 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#62 (of 75 teams · 0.053 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#61 (of 75 teams · 0.229 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#64 (of 75 teams · 36% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 75 teams · 43% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#57 (of 75 teams · 1.206 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#62 (of 75 teams · 1.344 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Indiana6–70 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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)#15 (of 75 teams · 468.4 yds/g · 4,216 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#12 (of 75 teams · 34.7 pts/g · 312 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#71 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 494.9 yds/g allowed · 4,454 yds · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 37.9 pts/g allowed · 341 points · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#42 (of 75 teams · -3.2 /g · -29 in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#21 (of 75 teams · +3 in these games · 12 taken, 9 given · +0.33 /g · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#58 (of 75 teams · 27:56 /g · 4h 11m in these games · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#15 (of 128 teams · 100% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#119 — bottom 10 (of 128 teams · 25% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#122 — bottom 10 (of 128 teams · 23% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#54 (of 128 teams · 559.1 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#20 (of 75 teams · 0.201 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#60 (of 75 teams · 0.228 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#36 (of 75 teams · 42% of plays successful · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#37 (of 75 teams · 42% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#23 (of 75 teams · 1.304 average PPA on successful plays · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))#72 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 1.445 allowed on opponent successes · lower is better · 9 games vs power opponents (regular season))
2015Rutgers4–80 (Top-10 classes in the 5 recruiting cycles before that season: median of 14 Big Ten teams in 2015. 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 75 teams · 362.6 yds/g · 3,626 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#50 (of 75 teams · 23.1 pts/g · 231 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#70 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 494.7 yds/g allowed · 4,947 yds · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#68 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 38.5 pts/g allowed · 385 points · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#68 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · -15.4 /g · -154 in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#54 (of 75 teams · -4 in these games · 13 taken, 17 given · -0.40 /g · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#20 (of 75 teams · 31:38 /g · 5h 16m in these games · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#108 (of 128 teams · 8% of last season's passing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#31 (of 128 teams · 77% of last season's receiving plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#21 (of 128 teams · 94% of last season's rushing plays returning (CFBD usage, a share of plays, not yards))#47 (of 128 teams · 602.4 composite · a squad total, so not comparable across seasons)#44 (of 75 teams · 0.126 predicted points added per play · not opponent-adjusted · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 0.261 allowed per play · lower is better, so #1 is the best defense · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#46 (of 75 teams · 40% of plays successful · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#59 (of 75 teams · 46% of opponent plays successful · lower is better · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#54 (of 75 teams · 1.216 average PPA on successful plays · 10 games vs power opponents (regular season))#66 — bottom 10 (of 75 teams · 1.406 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, 20152015 Penn StateBig Ten medianVertical position is spacing only — it carries no meaning.
Total offensemedian #46
Total offense. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Indiana #15 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #20 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #27 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #28 of 75; 2015 Iowa #34 of 75; 2015 Michigan #40 of 75; 2015 Maryland #49 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #50 of 75; 2015 Illinois #51 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #54 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #56 of 75; 2015 Purdue #60 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #70 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 46 of 75. Big Ten median rank 46.
Scoring offensemedian #46
Scoring offense. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Ohio State #11 of 75; 2015 Indiana #12 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #15 of 75; 2015 Iowa #24 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #25 of 75; 2015 Michigan #27 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #47 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #47 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #50 of 75; 2015 Purdue #52 of 75; 2015 Maryland #58 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #60 of 75; 2015 Illinois #65 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 46 of 75. Big Ten median rank 46.
Total defensemedian #17
Total defense. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Wisconsin #1 of 75; 2015 Michigan #5 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #9 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #10 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #12 of 75; 2015 Iowa #14 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #27 of 75; 2015 Illinois #28 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #32 of 75; 2015 Maryland #49 of 75; 2015 Purdue #62 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #70 of 75; 2015 Indiana #71 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 17 of 75. Big Ten median rank 17.
Scoring defensemedian #20
Scoring defense. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Ohio State #2 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #4 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #6 of 75; 2015 Iowa #10 of 75; 2015 Michigan #11 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #16 of 75; 2015 Illinois #36 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #44 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #45 of 75; 2015 Maryland #63 of 75; 2015 Indiana #66 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #68 of 75; 2015 Purdue #69 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 20 of 75. Big Ten median rank 20.
Point marginmedian #34
Point margin. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Ohio State #2 of 75; 2015 Iowa #8 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #9 of 75; 2015 Michigan #10 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #17 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #31 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #35 of 75; 2015 Indiana #42 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #47 of 75; 2015 Illinois #63 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #68 of 75; 2015 Maryland #69 of 75; 2015 Purdue #70 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 34 of 75. Big Ten median rank 34.
Turnover marginmedian #43
Turnover margin. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Iowa #1 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #3 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #13 of 75; 2015 Indiana #21 of 75; 2015 Illinois #25 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #25 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #48 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #48 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #54 of 75; 2015 Purdue #59 of 75; 2015 Michigan #62 of 75; 2015 Maryland #72 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #72 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 43 of 75. Big Ten median rank 43.
Possessionmedian #40
Possession. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Michigan State #5 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #7 of 75; 2015 Michigan #10 of 75; 2015 Iowa #14 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #20 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #22 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #45 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #46 of 75; 2015 Illinois #48 of 75; 2015 Indiana #58 of 75; 2015 Maryland #62 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #66 of 75; 2015 Purdue #70 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 40 of 75. Big Ten median rank 40.
Returning passingmedian #41
Returning passing. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Indiana #15 of 128; 2015 Michigan State #21 of 128; 2015 Wisconsin #25 of 128; 2015 Nebraska #32 of 128; 2015 Ohio State #38 of 128; 2015 Minnesota #41 of 128; 2015 Purdue #73 of 128; 2015 Illinois #78 of 128; 2015 Iowa #92 of 128; 2015 Michigan #99 of 128; 2015 Northwestern #102 of 128; 2015 Maryland #104 of 128; 2015 Rutgers #108 of 128. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 41 of 128. Big Ten median rank 41.
Returning receivingmedian #84
Returning receiving. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Rutgers #31 of 128; 2015 Illinois #34 of 128; 2015 Ohio State #36 of 128; 2015 Nebraska #56 of 128; 2015 Wisconsin #58 of 128; 2015 Northwestern #84 of 128; 2015 Michigan State #86 of 128; 2015 Michigan #89 of 128; 2015 Iowa #94 of 128; 2015 Purdue #95 of 128; 2015 Maryland #111 of 128; 2015 Indiana #119 of 128; 2015 Minnesota #120 of 128. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 24 of 128. Big Ten median rank 84.
Returning rushingmedian #88
Returning rushing. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Ohio State #15 of 128; 2015 Rutgers #21 of 128; 2015 Northwestern #55 of 128; 2015 Michigan #67 of 128; 2015 Maryland #80 of 128; 2015 Nebraska #87 of 128; 2015 Illinois #104 of 128; 2015 Wisconsin #107 of 128; 2015 Iowa #108 of 128; 2015 Minnesota #114 of 128; 2015 Michigan State #118 of 128; 2015 Indiana #122 of 128; 2015 Purdue #125 of 128. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 88 of 128. Big Ten median rank 88.
Team talentmedian #46
Team talent. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Ohio State #3 of 128; 2015 Michigan #9 of 128; 2015 Michigan State #23 of 128; 2015 Nebraska #24 of 128; 2015 Wisconsin #37 of 128; 2015 Maryland #46 of 128; 2015 Rutgers #47 of 128; 2015 Northwestern #48 of 128; 2015 Iowa #51 of 128; 2015 Indiana #54 of 128; 2015 Purdue #59 of 128; 2015 Illinois #60 of 128; 2015 Minnesota #64 of 128. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 21 of 128. Big Ten median rank 46.
Offensive EPAmedian #44
Offensive EPA. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Ohio State #7 of 75; 2015 Indiana #20 of 75; 2015 Iowa #23 of 75; 2015 Michigan #26 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #28 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #40 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #44 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #50 of 75; 2015 Purdue #62 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #64 of 75; 2015 Illinois #66 of 75; 2015 Maryland #68 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #69 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 46 of 75. Big Ten median rank 44.
Defensive EPAmedian #18
Defensive EPA. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Northwestern #4 of 75; 2015 Michigan #7 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #8 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #11 of 75; 2015 Iowa #13 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #18 of 75; 2015 Illinois #20 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #29 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #32 of 75; 2015 Maryland #36 of 75; 2015 Indiana #60 of 75; 2015 Purdue #61 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #66 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 17 of 75. Big Ten median rank 18.
Offensive success ratemedian #46
Offensive success rate. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Ohio State #4 of 75; 2015 Michigan #22 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #24 of 75; 2015 Iowa #29 of 75; 2015 Indiana #36 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #42 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #46 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #49 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #56 of 75; 2015 Purdue #64 of 75; 2015 Illinois #66 of 75; 2015 Maryland #67 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #72 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 47 of 75. Big Ten median rank 46.
Defensive success ratemedian #22
Defensive success rate. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Wisconsin #4 of 75; 2015 Michigan #5 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #9 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #11 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #21 of 75; 2015 Iowa #22 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #31 of 75; 2015 Indiana #37 of 75; 2015 Illinois #38 of 75; 2015 Maryland #41 of 75; 2015 Purdue #42 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #47 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #59 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 18 of 75. Big Ten median rank 22.
Offensive explosivenessmedian #29
Offensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Maryland #5 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #9 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #22 of 75; 2015 Indiana #23 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #27 of 75; 2015 Illinois #29 of 75; 2015 Iowa #33 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #36 of 75; 2015 Minnesota #44 of 75; 2015 Michigan #53 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #54 of 75; 2015 Purdue #57 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #61 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 15 of 75. Big Ten median rank 29.
Defensive explosivenessmedian #40
Defensive explosiveness. Big Ten, 2015, best rank first: 2015 Minnesota #9 of 75; 2015 Illinois #19 of 75; 2015 Iowa #21 of 75; 2015 Northwestern #25 of 75; 2015 Wisconsin #28 of 75; 2015 Ohio State #40 of 75; 2015 Michigan State #42 of 75; 2015 Maryland #47 of 75; 2015 Michigan #60 of 75; 2015 Purdue #62 of 75; 2015 Nebraska #64 of 75; 2015 Rutgers #66 of 75; 2015 Indiana #72 of 75. Marked: 2015 Penn State, ranked 22 of 75. Big Ten median rank 40.