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Too many cupcakes: ESPN includes 5 B1G teams with softest non-conference schedules
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The B1G gives the SEC plenty of grief for that one weekend in November when the entire league lines up and bludgeons a slew of FCS opponents before rivalry week. But a few can’t point the finger, according to ESPN.
Recently, ESPN ranked the 10 easiest non-conference schedules of the 2019 season. Five B1G teams made the list, accounting for half of the easiest schedules. The SEC had four teams on the list and one Big XII was mentioned.
Here’s where ESPN ranked the five B1G teams:
- No. 2: Indiana — vs. Ball State*; vs. Eastern Illinois; vs. UConn
- No. 3: Illinois — vs. Akron; at UConn; vs. Eastern Michigan
- No. 7: Ohio State — vs. FAU; vs. Cincinnati; vs. Miami (OH)
- No. 8: Penn State — vs. Idaho; vs. Buffalo; vs. Pitt
- No. 10: Rutgers — vs. UMass; vs. Boston College; vs. Liberty
*Denotes neutral site game
Indiana and Illinois are the only teams on that list that will travel away from their home stadium to play a non-conference opponent. The Hoosiers’ season opener against Ball State will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Illinois will travel to UConn for a true road game early in the year.
Ohio State has a challenge with Cincinnati, which is coming off an 11-win season and Penn State-Pitt is a rivalry game, which could pose some issues for a Nittany Lions team going through some changes.
And while Rutgers’ schedule may be relatively soft on two of those three games, the Scarlet Knights need to pile up wins wherever they can get them.
To view ESPN’s full list, you can view here (subscription required).
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