Big 10 Football: Over-Performers and Under-Performers Through Week 12

When it comes to the best conference in college football, the SEC is the most popular answer, but the conference realignment may lead to a change of opinion. As of November 10th, the Big Ten held four of the top five spots in the AP poll. 

Here is how the entire Big Ten has shaken out through 12 weeks:

Over-Performers

Illinois – The Fighting Illini have a good chance to win nine games for just the third time in the last 35 years.

Indiana – Head coach Curt Cignetti got his pay day after leading Indiana to ten wins for the first time in program history. 

Oregon – Not many people expected them to come into the Big Ten and run the table in year one.

Penn State – Even with the (yearly) loss to Ohio State, they still should end up with one loss and safely in the CFP for the first time. 

Under-Performers

Michigan – They lost Jim Harbaugh, J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and more, but there is still way too much talent on the roster to be sitting at .500.

USC – After beating LSU in the season-opener, the Trojans have lost five games by 19 total points. 

Nebraska – The Cornhuskers looked like they were making a big leap with Raiola early in the season, but they’ve been disappointing down the stretch. 

MSU – Whenever you pay six to seven figures for a QB, you can’t be fighting to make a bowl game.

Maryland – The Terrapins are 0-4 in “toss-up” games this year (MSU, Northwestern, Minnesota & Rutgers).

Iowa – Two years later, they’re still waiting for Cade McNamara to get that offense going. 

Purdue – Everyone must be stealing Ryan Walters’ signs because the Boilermakers can’t do anything right. 

As Expected

Ohio State – With a roster worth $20 million in NIL, you should be at the top of the playoff hunt. 

Rutgers – With a chance at 8-4 in the new Big Ten, Greg Schiano has done a phenomenal job this season.

Washington – After turning over nearly the entire program, this was always going to be a rebuilding year for the Huskies. 

Minnesota – The Golden Gophers beat some teams they shouldn’t have, but they’ve also lost games they should have won. 

Wisconsin – The 5-5 record doesn’t look great, but three of those losses are against Oregon, Penn State, and Alabama.

Northwestern – This is a bottom-of-the barrel program since Pat Fitzgerald was fired.

UCLA – They probably could’ve been left out of the move to the Big Ten. 

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms