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B1G team labeled with easiest schedule of 2018 by ESPN
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The B1G has become one of the toughest conferences in college football. There aren’t many easy games on the schedule for any team in the league.
But while the B1G is being revered as one of the top conferences in college football, there’s one team that is being knocked for its strength of schedule for the 2018 season.
According to ESPN’s Power Football Index (FPI), Wisconsin owns the easiest schedule of the 2018 season among Power Five programs, owning the 65th toughest schedule of the year. The weakest schedule was previously owned by Oregon, but an update to ESPN’s FPI recently has changed that.
Wisconsin doesn’t have a difficult matchup in non-conference play this season, playing Western Kentucky, New Mexico and BYU, all of which will be held in Madison.
The Badgers also reside in the B1G West, the easier of the two divisions in the conference. The toughest matchups will come in road trips to Iowa (Sept. 22), Michigan (Oct. 13), and Penn State (Nov. 10).
Sure, there are some tough matchups in there, but the weak non-conference slate really hinders Wisconsin.
Could that weak schedule hurt the Badgers later in the year? Remember, Wisconsin was knocked weekly for its easy schedule and lack of marquee victories last year as the College Football Playoff committee was hesitant to give Paul Chryst and Co. any love.
Although it’s the weakest schedule in the Power Five, if Wisconsin tallies wins against Iowa, Michigan and Penn State, all on the road, the Badgers should have no trouble getting some love from the committee.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB