Under first-year coordinator Joe Moorhead, the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions have experienced one of the biggest offensive conference turnarounds since 2000.

Last season, Penn State ranked No. 101 in scoring offense and averaged just 23.2 points per game. This season, the Nittany Lions have risen 71 spots and are averaging nearly two additional touchdowns per contest (35.8 ppg).

That got us thinking -- where does this offensive turnaround rank in modern Big Ten history? How unusual is a rise of 70-plus spots, and how exactly does that happen?

We looked at the numbers from 2000 and on to find where Penn State’s current rise ranks among the great B1G offensive turnarounds this century. (Here’s a closer look at how Penn State’s happened.) Only four teams have risen more from one year to the next in scoring offense.

Take a look at those squads and how their turnarounds began; maybe some Big Ten teams that won’t be mentioned could take some notes:

1. 2000 Northwestern Wildcats (Rose 101 spots)

The previous year: No. 110 scoring offense (12.8 ppg)

The next year: No. 9 scoring offense (38.5 ppg)

What changed: The scheme. Randy Walker took over as coach in 1999 and, after a dismal offensive showing, he visited other coaches in the offseason, such as Clemson coordinator Rich Rodriguez and St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz. Walker essentially realized that he could run his current offense out of spread sets so, in one short offseason, his unexciting offense became a no-huddle, spread system that saw numbers rise across the board.

Offensive star: Damien Anderson. One season after averaging 3.7 yards per carry, Anderson became one of the top running backs in the nation. He rushed for 2,063 yards -- averaging 6.6 yards per carry -- and finished fifth in the Heisman voting.

How the season went: Northwestern finished 8-4 -- it went 3-8 the season before -- and earned a share of the Big Ten title. The Wildcats won six conference games that season, more than the three previous years combined.

2. 2001 Iowa Hawkeyes (Rose 77 spots)

The previous year: No. 99 scoring offense (16.9 ppg)

The next year: No. 22 scoring offense (33.8 ppg)

What changed: The schedule. As the blog “Black Heart Gold Pants” pointed out, the 2001 offense was a beneficiary of pounding some not-so-good defenses. The Hawkeyes' offense scored 217 of their 343 points against Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Indiana, Northwestern and Minnesota.

There were plenty of other reasons, too, such as more stability at quarterback, an improved offensive line and a powerful running game. But the schedule definitely helped, especially when compared to the nonconference slate the year before.

Offensive star: Ladell Betts. The senior running back paced Iowa with 1,060 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 15 balls for 137 yards and another score. He was the team’s co-captain and co-MVP that year.

How the season went: Iowa went 7-5 -- it was 3-9 the previous season -- and equaled the wins from the past three years combined. The Hawkeyes shared the conference championship in two of the next three seasons.

3. 2005 Penn State (Rose 96 spots)

The previous year: No. 109 (17.7 ppg)

The next year: No. 13 (34.5 ppg)

What changed/Offensive star: Michael Robinson. These categories are combined for good reason. Robinson took over at quarterback in 2005, and he made sure this offense wasn’t the same. His dual-threat ability frustrated opposing defenses, as he threw for 2,350 yards and rushed for 806 yards. He also posted 28 total TDs (17 passing, 11 rushing) and came through at clutch times.

It also didn’t hurt that true freshmen Derrick Williams and Justin King added some much-needed playmaking ability. But there’s no question that the change on offense started and stopped with M-Rob. He finished fifth in the Heisman voting.

How the season went: The Nittany Lions finished 11-1 -- they were 4-7 the year before -- and ended the season at No. 3 in both the AP and coaches polls. Penn State beat Florida State in the Orange Bowl, 26-23, in triple overtime.

4. 2008 Iowa Hawkeyes (Rose 77 spots)

The previous year: No. 110 (18.5 ppg)

The next year: No. 33 (30.31 ppg)

What changed: Experience. Iowa returned nine of 11 starters in 2008, and the biggest loss was expected to be running back Albert Young. Well, it turned out that position got a big upgrade. In fact, Iowa’s offensive star might’ve been the biggest reason for the team’s turnaround.

Offensive star: Shonn Greene. The senior tailback missed the previous season due to academic troubles, but he came on in a big way in 2008. Greene finished second nationally in rushing yards (1,805) and won the Doak Walker Award. He averaged 6 yards a carry and had 20 touchdowns.

How the season went: The Hawkeyes were 9-4 -- they finished 6-6 in 2007 -- and finished the season at No. 20 in both the AP and coaches polls. They beat South Carolina in the Outback Bowl, 31-10.