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Big Ten Football: Grading each team halfway through the 2020 season

By Richard Kimball

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) prepares to lead the Buckeyes onto the field before a NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.Ohio State Faces Penn State In Happy Valley
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) prepares to lead the Buckeyes onto the field before a NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.Ohio State Faces Penn State In Happy Valley /
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Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini place kicker James McCourt (17) celebrates his game winning field goal against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini place kicker James McCourt (17) celebrates his game winning field goal against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois Illini (1-3): C

Illinois went 6-7 last season and made their first bowl appearance in five years but for the Fighting Illini, sustaining success can be tough. Their losses to Wisconsin, Purdue and Minnesota were expected, while their lone win over Rutgers was also expected.

And barring any monumental upsets, the Illini probably will not win another game this season. But expect them to continue to run the ball as they have one of the conference’s best rushing attacks, averaging over 206 yards a game.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-3): C

The Scarlet Knights had a winning record at one point this season after opening their 2020 season campaign with a 38-27 win over Michigan State. But since then, they have lost their last three games. Granted, the first two were to Indiana and Ohio State, who are a combined 7-0 but their loss to Illinois was concerning.

Rutgers wants to get out of the bottom of the conference but they cannot do that if this is how they show up against lesser opponents. Maybe they should not have exhausted all their trick plays against the Buckeyes and maybe they could have pieced together another scoring drive against the Illini.

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