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Big Ten midseason grades: UCLA aces first half, while Penn State has failed every test

UCLA has thrived under first‑year head coach Bob Chesney, securing victories on the road at Oregon and at home against Wisconsin even after starter Nico Iamaleava went down, with backup Ty Dieffenbach stepping in and winning. The Bruins’ defense has improved markedly, positioning them as a strong contender for an Indianapolis bowl bid.

In contrast, Penn State’s new coach Matt Campbell is still searching for his inaugural Big Ten triumph, as the Nittany Lions have stumbled through what seemed a soft Power Four schedule. Senior quarterback Rocco Becht, expected to provide stability, has seen the offense stall week after week.

Meanwhile, Northwestern and Iowa are the only other teams mentioned as exceeding expectations in a conference that also includes underperforming programs like Michigan, Oregon and Washington.

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