For a conference dying to get its respect back, the Big Ten is not doing itself any favors. Its projected top four teams—Ohio State, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Michigan State—will be feasting on cupcakes this year. Ohio State plays Buffalo, San Diego State, at Cal and Florida A&M for its non-conference slate. Its conference schedule is Wisconsin, at Northwestern, Iowa, Penn State, at Purdue, at Illinois, Indiana and at Michigan. Columbus, we have a problem. The most dangerous team on Ohio State’s schedule is Northwestern. The Wildcats return 17 starters after posting a 10-3 record that included a 34-20 Gator Bowl victory over Mississippi State. Phil Steele ranked the Buckeyes’ schedule difficulty at No. 67. Their schedule includes only two teams that finished the 2012 season with an AP Top 25 ranking: No. 17 Northwestern and No. 24 Michigan. A team should not be downgraded due to being forced to play its conference…
Continue Reading: The Big Ten Does Itself No Favors With Weak Schedules For Its Top Teams
