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This stat shows how tough a B1G schedule really is
By Paul Harvey
Published:
There’s no denying the B1G is one of the toughest conferences in college football, and this stat shows just how tough the schedule is for B1G teams.
According to Scott Dochterman with The Athletic, the B1G leads all conferences in terms of scheduling Power 5 opponents. By his numbers, 11 teams in the B1G will play 10 Power 5 opponents this season (not counting BYU). Additionally, three B1G teams will play 11 Power 5 opponents.
By contrast, no other conference has more than nine teams with at least 10 Power 5 opponents on the schedule (not counting BYU). The SEC does not have any teams with 10 Power 5 opponents on the schedule.
CFB schedule facts:
11 B1G teams play at least 10 Power 5 foes, 12 if counting BYU as P5; 3 play 11
9 B12 teams play 10 P5 foes
8 P12 teams play 10/more P5, 10 if counting BYU
5 ACC teams play 10 P5; Notre Dame plays 10 P5
0 SEC teams play 10 P5 games; Arkansas plays 8 P5
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) August 20, 2018
One thing that makes playing in the B1G so tough is the fact that teams play nine conference games. The Big 12 and Pac-12 also play nine conference games while the SEC and ACC play eight. That extra conference game alone makes for a tough enough schedule, and that is without adding in any high-profile, non-conference opponents.
The debate over which conference is the toughest in college football will continue to rage on. However, the B1G looks to be leading the way this season in terms of toughest schedules around.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.