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

Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-3): C-

So here’s the thing, Minnesota’s record is not surprising to me. Yes, it won 11 games last year and had a big bowl win over Auburn but the Gophers lost five starters on defense and one of their best receivers on offense. It takes time to sustain success like that but they are not far off the path from being able to do just that.

Minnesota’s only win was against Illinois, which comes as no surprise, but it’s the Gophers’ three losses that speak volumes. Losses to Michigan and Maryland are understandable, but their performance against Iowa was pathetic and if that’s what we should expect, they may not win another game in 2020.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-2): D+

Thankfully for the Cornhuskers, their win over the Nittany Lions bailed them out of receiving an F. Their only win is against an 0-4 team, while their two losses have been to teams with a 7-0 combined record. And thankfully for them, their game versus Wisconsin was canceled.

Yes, they beat Penn State but this is not the same type of Penn State team we are used to seeing.

Nebraska needs to win big games and need to stop being content with average seasons. You had a lot of fire on wanting to play this season but that fire and fight has yet to be seen on the field. These last four games are all winnable games and if you lose more than one, consider this a lost season.

Michigan State Spartans (1-3): D-

The Spartans started off the season with a loss to Rutgers and then followed it up with a win over Michigan and that’s probably one of the most 2020 things to happen in college football this season. But the Spartans have lost by a combined score of 73-7 in their last two games.

The Spartans are no longer a powerhouse in the Big Ten, and I don’t see them resurfacing in the near future. Get ready, Spartan Nation, it is going to be a rough couple of years — or more.

Penn State Nittany Lions (0-4): F

I cannot even begin to tell you what is going on in Happy Valley. I’m a Penn State fan and it’s honestly embarrassing. Week 1, OK I get it; close overtime loss to a team that is still undefeated. Week 2, you lose to Ohio State — one of the top teams in the country but still play pretty well.

But what in the world has happened in the last two games versus Maryland and Nebraska? Offense and defense both get off to slow starts and provide second-half deficits that are too much to overcome.

Either way, it is unacceptable and the most shocking story of 2020.

Michigan Wolverines (1-3): F

The Wolverines may have a win, but their performance in 2020 may be worse than that of Penn State. First, you lose to your in-state rival, then you get handled by Indiana, losing by 17. And then you lose to Wisconsin 49-11 and pass for just 172 yards, rush for just 47 but allow 468 yards?

I still think Jim Harbaugh should return next season but doing a clean sweep of his coaching staff would go a very long way.

The Wolverines and Nittany Lions matchup on Nov. 28 was said to be pivotal and it still is, but now it’s to see who is the most disappointing, under-performing team not just the Big Ten, but in all of college football.

So what do you think? Are these grades fair? Does anyone deserve a better grade? A worse grade? Well, one thing is for sure, if the second half of the Big Ten season is anything like the first half, then buckle up because it is going to be a rollercoaster of emotions for all fans and teams involved.