ESPN: Which teams have the toughest, easiest BT schedules in 2016? (MN: 2nd easiest)

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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per ESPN:

For the first time in league history, the Big Ten will move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2016. That means the road to a Big Ten title will be even more difficult, as one more league gauntlet is thrown in each team's way.

It's never too early to look ahead to next season. And since every Big Ten team is done with bowl season, now seems as good a time as any to start thinking about what comes next. Which teams have the toughest league schedule, and which ones have the easiest in 2016? Here's a rundown of each teams' Big Ten slate, including the 2015 combined conference records of their opponents in parentheses:

Wisconsin (42-30)

Illinois (40-32)

Rutgers (39-33)

Michigan (38-34)

Northwestern (38-34)

Indiana (36-36)

Ohio State (36-36)

Michigan State (35-37)

Nebraska (35-37)

Penn State (35-37)

Purdue (34-38)

Maryland (33-39)

Minnesota (32-40)

Iowa (31-41)

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...he-toughest-easiest-big-ten-schedules-in-2016

Go Gophers!!
 

It's crazy how easy the Hawkeyes schedule continues to be. Creampuff NC games and no OSU or MSU games through 2019. They can virtually sleep their way to 8 wins a season for the foreseeable future.
 


I think the methodology here is a little bit flawed, ranking a teams strength of schedule by wins in the 2015 season, and not just because any given team could be significantly better or worse next year than they were this year. Iowa would be considered the best team in the Big Ten, ahead of Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan, because they went 8-0. It would also have Michigan, Northwestern, and Wisconsin all tied at 6-2. I'm not sure there's a better method for point out schedule strength, unless you were going to use more statistically based rankings, but that would probably be too much for the average ESPN reader.
 

Cayman said:
I think the methodology here is a little bit flawed, ranking a teams strength of schedule by wins in the 2015 season, and not just because any given team could be significantly better or worse next year than they were this year. Iowa would be considered the best team in the Big Ten, ahead of Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan, because they went 8-0. It would also have Michigan, Northwestern, and Wisconsin all tied at 6-2. I'm not sure there's a better method for point out schedule strength, unless you were going to use more statistically based rankings, but that would probably be too much for the average ESPN reader.
Click to expand...

It's not a sure bet, but if you take the top and the bottom you'll see some differences that should hold true, particularly with crossovers that include perennial recruiting power houses.

I mean when our crossovers were Michigan and Ohio St .... and TCU out of conference. That was pretty sure to be more difficult than other folks.

In the middle things might change but at the extremes these are pretty good lists.
 


There was a 9-game schedule from 1979 through 1984.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
 

Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0 said:
It's crazy how easy the Hawkeyes schedule continues to be. Creampuff NC games and no OSU or MSU games through 2019. They can virtually sleep their way to 8 wins a season for the foreseeable future.
Click to expand...

I think Stanford did a pretty good job of exposing how easy their schedule was this past season.
 

BleedGopher said:
per ESPN:

For the first time in league history, the Big Ten will move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2016. That means the road to a Big Ten title will be even more difficult, as one more league gauntlet is thrown in each team's way.

It's never too early to look ahead to next season. And since every Big Ten team is done with bowl season, now seems as good a time as any to start thinking about what comes next. Which teams have the toughest league schedule, and which ones have the easiest in 2016? Here's a rundown of each teams' Big Ten slate, including the 2015 combined conference records of their opponents in parentheses:

Wisconsin (42-30)

Illinois (40-32)

Rutgers (39-33)

Michigan (38-34)

Northwestern (38-34)

Indiana (36-36)

Ohio State (36-36)

Michigan State (35-37)

Nebraska (35-37)

Penn State (35-37)

Purdue (34-38)

Maryland (33-39)

Minnesota (32-40)

Iowa (31-41)

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...he-toughest-easiest-big-ten-schedules-in-2016

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

From 1979-1985, all Big 10 schools played 9 conference games, which, at that time, meant that all schools played every other member of the league.
 

Iowa's toughest nonconference game is a fcs school. (NDSU)
 



Another dream season for Iowa next year. Until it all comes crashing down in the post-season.
 

How are the crossover match ups determined? Seems strange that some have to play multiple teams that are top of the other division, while others play multiple lower teams. This of course is a little tough, since teams are up and down, but it seems wacky
 

Also, when is the B1G done playing the FCS teams? I thought that was over, but then heard that Iowa is playing NDSU next year
 

55309DRB said:
Also, when is the B1G done playing the FCS teams? I thought that was over, but then heard that Iowa is playing NDSU next year
Click to expand...

Can't schedule new ones. That was already on the books.
 



55309DRB said:
Also, when is the B1G done playing the FCS teams? I thought that was over, but then heard that Iowa is playing NDSU next year
Click to expand...

The fcs games that were scheduled before the big ten decided to no longer allowing fcs opponents weren't cancelled.
 

Thanks, makes sense.

Anyone know how the crossover games are scheduled?
 

55309DRB said:
Also, when is the B1G done playing the FCS teams? I thought that was over, but then heard that Iowa is playing NDSU next year
Click to expand...

Wow... Who do you root for in that one???

Hate Iowa, but hate to feed the beast that are the Bison's fans.
 


The only reason their schedule is easier is because they play us whilst we play them. Otherwise ours is tougher. We can fix that next year.
 

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