The Big Ten opened the 2018 season with a reasonable opportunity to assert itself as one of college football's best two conferences. In only three weeks, that possibility has evaporated.
Along with it did Wisconsin's dreams of the College Football Playoff.
Though the Badgers won't officially be eliminated from contention until their second loss, their 24-21 letdown at home against BYU suggested 2018 won't bring another sensational season. The evidence simply isn't there.
Nebraska's won't have the magical one-year turnaround under new coach Scott Frost, either. Northwestern collapsed late against a MAC opponent, and Purdue dropped to 0-3.