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Big Ten Football: Mid-season grades for every team – Ohio State at the head of the class

By Patrick Schmidt

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 29: Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) runs with the ball during the first quarter the Ohio State Buckeyes versus the Penn State Nittany Lions game on September 29, 2018, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 29: Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) runs with the ball during the first quarter the Ohio State Buckeyes versus the Penn State Nittany Lions game on September 29, 2018, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 06: Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) passes the ball in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers on October 06, 2018 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Handing out mid-term grades for every Big Ten football team at the midway point of the season that sees Ohio State excelling while Michigan State isn’t.

Ohio State remains at the head of the class of the Big Ten with a 6-0 record punctuated with a win over TCU in the non-conference part of their schedule and they’ve weathered the storm surrounding the suspension and return of Urban Meyer. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins is the best player in the conference and could win the Heisman Trophy with a stellar second half.

Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin represent the second-tier of the Big Ten but fall shy of the status obtained by Ohio State. At the halfway point in the season, there is still plenty to sort out, but for the most part, after five or six games, it’s pretty clear what each team is at this point.

That said, it’s time to hand out mid-term grades for every Big Ten team as we hit the halfway point of the 2018 college football season. We begin in the East where the Buckeyes have passed every test while Michigan State might need to spend a little extra time hitting the books.

Big Ten East

Ohio State (6-0): A

The Buckeyes had plenty of off-field drama surrounding the suspension of Urban Meyer for the first three games and all the fallout from that decision. Ohio State went 3-0 without their coach, including a big win over TCU in his absence. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins is a Heisman candidate directing the offense that leads the Big Ten in total offense and averaged 49 points per game. The defense is without All-American Nick Bosa but is still as talented as any in the conference. All signs point to The Game vs. Michigan to determine if this will be another playoff team. It will be.

Penn State (4-1): B+

A blown fourth-quarter lead against Ohio State is the lone blemish for Penn State so far this year. They were fortunate to escape their season opener against Appalachian State otherwise they’d have a much lower grade. Nevertheless, the offense leads the Big Ten in scoring as quarterback Trace McSorley might be the most valuable, not necessarily, the best player in college football.

Michigan (5-1): B+

A lot of people were ready to write the obituary for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan after a disappointing offensive showing vs. Notre Dame in their season-opening loss. However, since then, Notre Dame has proven to be a Top-five team, and the Wolverines have rattled off five straight wins as Shea Patterson has gotten more comfortable operating within the offense. Plus, Karan Higdon is running strong and should be a catalyst for the offense when the Big Ten weather kicks in the next two months. Michigan has the best defense in the conference.

Indiana (4-2): B+

Give it up for the Hoosiers. More than just a basketball school, Indiana is only two wins away from bowl-eligibility. Indiana isn’t dominating in any one specific area, they’re just pretty good all around. They lost the games they were supposed to lose to Michigan State and Ohio State and won the games they were supposed to win. If they keep this up, Indiana should be looking at a potential eight-win season.

Maryland (3-2): B-

Much controversy has surrounded the Maryland football program where head coach D.J. Durkin remains on administrative leave pending an investigation into the death of Jordan McNair after a workout. In his absence, interim coach Matt Canada led the Terps to a big win over Texas in the season opener and a blowout win over Minnesota for their first conference win. If not for a loss to Temple, Maryland would have as close to a best-case scenario as far as the on-field product is concerned.

Michigan State (3-2): D

There might not be a bigger disappointment in college football than Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State Spartans. A preseason No. 12 team, the Spartans lost to Arizona State and Northwestern last weekend to fall out of the Top 25. Considering how many starters returned to this team, to rank 10th in total offense and 11th in scoring offense, this is a bad look considering Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan loom large on the remaining schedule.

Rutgers (1-5): F

This is one of the worst teams in the nation, and possibly the worst of any Power 5 teams. Rutgers ranks dead last in the Big Ten in offense, averaging a paltry 16.5 points per game and below 300 yards per game. It doesn’t get a whole lot better on defense where only a winless Nebraska has given up more points than the Scarlet Knights.

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