Ohio State football: Who are the Big Ten’s 3 most disappointing football teams?

The Ohio State football team is clearly one of the most impressive teams in the Big Ten. Which are the three most disappointing teams?

When I began thinking about this article, one team jumped out right away. The second one really wasn’t that hard to decide on either. There were a few I considered for my third choice, but after some thinking, it became clear who I should pick. Two should be much better than they have been, while the third missed an opportunity to move their program forward. These are my most disappointing teams in the Big Ten.

Michigan – This one is just too easy and obvious. To say they are a disappointment is a colossal understatement. Under Jim Harbaugh the Wolverines have won one bowl game and beaten just two top-ten teams. Recruiting has not been the problem. Michigan has twice had top-ten recruiting classes and one top five. The recruiting success has certainly not transferred to the field. Player development at Michigan is obviously a problem and is most glaring at quarterback. They have lost at least four games in three of the last four seasons. The Wolverines are one of the most visible programs in the Big Ten. When they are good, it reflects well on the conference. They haven’t been that good under Harbaugh and there isn’t an excuse for it.

Nebraska – I did not choose the Cornhuskers because they hired a high-profile coach who created a lot of buzz and expectations for the program. I chose them because in four of the last five years they have recruited better than anyone in their division, but haven’t come close to playing in the conference championship game. They’ve finished in the top-25 twice and top-twenty twice of the recruiting rankings. Head coach Scott Frost inherited some talent (not a lot, but some) when he arrived in 2018 and has recruited talent since he’s been there, but you’d never know it looking at the Huskers’ on-field performance. After a 9-4 record in 2016, they are 16-28 since. Frost is just 12-20 in his three seasons and countless players have transferred out of the program. Just like Michigan, player development is not good at Nebraska. Wisconsin, Iowa, and now Minnesota are doing more with lower-rated recruits.

Purdue – When Jeff Brohm took over as head coach in 2017, the Boilermakers had won only nine games in four seasons. Brohm led them to a winning record and bowl win in his first year. In 2018, Purdue beat three ranked teams in the regular season, including a blowout of the Ohio State football team.

Most believed the program had taken a very large step toward being a team to be reckoned with in the coming years. Then came an ugly bowl loss to Auburn when Brohm’s team looked unprepared and disinterested. Things have not been good since. Instead of using the win over the Buckeyes as a springboard to bigger and better things, the Boilermakers are only 6-12 over the last two seasons. Purdue is on this list because they let a golden opportunity slip away to move the program forward.

There are my choices for the Big Ten’s most disappointing teams. Two should be better than they are, while the third missed an opportunity to improve. Think of how much better the conference would be if just two of these teams were where they should or could be?

I’m not counting on much, if any, improvement out of them in 2021.