By this logic, shouldn't next year be just about as easy? PSU/WI/Neb/IA flip which games are home/away compared to 2019, but the schedule is the same.
On that note, next year will have a better-than-average non-conference home slate with Oregon St & CSU, but a pretty ho-hum slate of conference games in Iowa, Rutgers, Purdue, and Northwestern. Bleh. Either way, I'd hope that both 2016 and 2019 are years we can make the title game given the schedules missing MSU, OSU, and Mich.
Well the rose bowl will end up being a playoff bowl here and there so it is pretty random on how / when you get it.
Plus in addition to having the "team" one needs a lot of luck as far as injuries go. A lot of things have to go right.