Big 10 Recruiting Statistics

BIG CRUITING STATISTICS * SINCE 2002 * Every year fans clamor over the fate of their program the most dominant team. However, those stats don't hold wondering if "the next big thing" will be coming to their school to lead them to victory for years to come. true from top to bottom when you break down recruiting data and compare it to wins in the past decade. We've Conventional wisdom tells you that to win you need the examined recruiting data based on the averages compiled best players. Not surprisingly, Ohio State has dominated by Rivals.com and compared it across the Big Ten and we've Big Ten recruiting in the past decade and have also been found some very interesting results. RIVALS.COM RECRUITING AVERAGES OHIO STATE 3.75 3.47 3.25 3.50 3.60 3.80 3.85 3.76 3.32 3.42 3.72 3.58 3.57 MICHIGAN 3.63 3.82 3.59 3.48 3.63 3.40 3.67 3.59 3.19 3.25 3.56 3.53 3.52 NEBRASKA 3.17 3.05 2.55 3.12 3.27 3.33 2.96 3.25 3.09 3.45 3.35 3.15 3.13 WISCONSIN 2.48 2.82 2.48 2.77 2.70 3.06 2.83 3.00 2.88 3.11 3.08 2.84 2.81 PURDUE 2.50 2.72 2.77 3.00 2.30 2.68 2.38 2.50 2.65 2.73 3.00 2.66 2.62 IOWA 2.59 2.77 2.48 3.22 2.71 2.95 2.52 2.45 2.95 2.96 2.96 2.78 2.76 MICHIGAN STATE 3.16 2.50 2.93 2.69 2.84 2.82 2.71 3.30 3.10 3.00 2.95 2.91 2.91 PENN STATE 3.36 3.27 3.00 3.05 3.62 3.14 3.00 2.96 3.61 3.12 2.79 3.18 3.22 NORTHWESTERN 2.24 2.36 2.15 2.50 2.24 2.74 2.30 2.67 2.94 2.88 2.76 2.53 2.50 ILLINOIS 2.73 2.77 2.29 2.60 2.89 3.29 3.00 3.10 2.65 2.85 2.74 2.81 2.82 INDIANA 2.14 2.30 2.12 2.12 2.24 2.15 2.15 2.68 2.44 2.65 2.72 2.34 2.30 MINNESOTA 2.13 2.67 2.25 2.60 2.23 2.50 3.07 3.05 2.85 2.76 2.70 2.62 2.61 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 AVG AVG TO 2011 Traditional powers Ohio State and Michigan have dominated the recruiting trail in the past decade, but as the decade long victory totals below show, things haven't worked out as well in terms of victories compared to schools with substantially more modest recruiting numbers. WINS PER SEASON OHIO STATE 14 11 10 12 11 10 11 12 10.50 MICHIGAN 10 10 11 11 8.20 NEBRASKA 10 10 10 8.20 WISCONSIN 10 12 9. 10 11 11 9.40 PURDUE 8. 6.40 IOWA 11 10 10 11 8. 8.50 MICHIGAN STATE 4. 11 11 7.00 PENN STATE 11 11 11 8.30 NORTHWESTERN 6 6. 6.20 ILLINOIS 7. 4.40 INDIANA 4. 3.70 MINNESOTA 10 31 5.80 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 AVG AVERAGE RIVAL WINS RECRUITING CLASS PER RIVALS 2002-2011 STAR AVERAGE AVERAGE WINS PER YEAR 3.57 OHIO STATE 2.94 OHIO STATE OO 10.50 3.52 MICHIGAN 2.326 MICHIGAN 8.20 3.13 NEBRASKA 2.624 NEBRASKA 8.20 2.81 WISCONSIN 00OA 3.344 WISCONSIN 9.40 2.62 PURDUE 2.439 PURDUE 6.40 2.76 IOWA 3.079 IOWA. 8.50 2.91 MICHIGAN STATE &O 2.409 MICHIGAN STATE 7.00 3.22 M PENN STATE 2.581 PENN STATE 8.30 2.50 NORTHWESTERN O0 2.478 NORTHWESTERN 6.20 2.82 ILLINOIS 1.562 ILLINOIS 4.40 2.30 INDIANA 1.609 INDIANA 3.70 2.61 MINNESOTA 2.222 MINNESOTA 5.80 Comparing full year data (excluding 2012 where we don't have data for wins) shows us some interesting numbers, particularly in the wins per Rivals star average. While the talent into the most wins, while Indiana and Illinois have faired the worst. common assumption is that talent equals wins, a few TEAM BY TEAM Again, common perception would be that big time recruiting classes would lead to big seasons in 1-3 years. The graphs teams have bucked that trend in opposite directions. To an extent, this graph could be seen as which programs are getting the most out of their talent In that regard, since 2002 Wisconsin and lowa's programs have turned their below allow you to judge the impact on recruiting in the years following for each team in the Big Ten. YEAR BY YEAR STATS WINS II AVERAGE STARS OHIO STATE MICHIGAN 16 16 14 14 12 12 10 10 08 08 06 06 04 04 02 02 00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 O Lloyd Carr's departure in 2007 did little to slow down Michigan's recruiting, but the wins became fewer and Consistency has been the order of the day with Ohio State in terms of winning and bringing in top notch talent. Aside from the post-Tressel debacle in 2011, the Buckeyes have been the most consistent program in the Big Ten. far between when Rich Rodriguez came to town. In 2011 Brady Hoke took over the reigns with a BCS Bowl Win. NEBRASKA WISCONSIN 16 16 14 14 12 12 10 10 08 08 06 06 04 04 02 02 00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 O A long standing power in the Big 12, Nebraska's recruiting received a nice bump in 2011 after joining the Big Ten. Whether the Cornhuskers can continue After Barry Alvarez passed the torch to Brett Bielema in 2006, little changed with the Wisconsin program. While the recruiting numbers aren't flashy, the Badgers continue to grind out wins year after year. their winning ways in their new conference remains to be seen. PURDUE IOWA 16 16 14 14 12 12 10 10 08 08 illae 06 06 04 04 02 02 00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 It's been tough sledding for the Boilermakers since the departure of offensive innovator Joe Tiller from the head coaching position in 2008. However, a bowl victory in 2011 may signal a return to form. Kirk Ferentz's lowa Hawkeyes, much like Wisconsin, have been one of the Big Ten's more successful programs over the last decade without pulling down the monster recruiting classes of some of their conference foes. MICHIGAN STATE PENN STATE 16 16 14 14 12 12 10 10 08 08 06 06 04 04 02 02 00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 After a four win season in 2006 Mark Dantonio's A Another recruiting powerhouse, Penn State has Spartans have improved their recruiting and their results, transforming into a contender on the national secured top recruits for decades. How recent scandals affect both recruiting and on field performance scene. remains to be seen. NORTHWESTERN ILLINOIS 16 16 14 14 12 12 10 10 08 08 06 06 04 04 02 02 00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Historically known for academics, Northwestern is not If there were a model for inconsistency in the Big Ten it would be Illinois. An unstable coaching situation for known as a tremendous recruiter, but has continued to reel in above average classes since 2009. the past decade has led to big swings in victories despite landing solid recruiting classes. INDIANA MINNESOTA 16 16 14 14 12 12 10 10 08 08 tutlllutt 06 06 04 04 02 02 00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 00 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Everything seems to be a struggle for the Hoosiers, from bringing in top notch talent to getting out of the Big Ten cellar. Since 2002 Indiana has been without Despite some successes in the early 2000s, the Gophers have trended downhill ever since. Oddly, as recruiting numbers have improved victories have not followed. question the worst program in the league.