Here’s how ESPN’s FPI ranks every B1G team’s 2020 strength of schedule

Some teams have a harder road to a bowl game, conference championship or national title than others.

With the college football season gaining plenty of momentum and the scheduled kickoff scheduled less than three months away, now is a good time to look at some of the most challenging schedules of 2020 — as well as some of the easiest.

Several B1G teams will have a tough road to bowl eligibility and a conference title this year, but no team’s schedule is more difficult than Maryland. That’s according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI).

ESPN’s FPI ranks Maryland’s schedule as the toughest in college football. Iowa and Nebraska aren’t far behind at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

All but three teams from the B1G have a strength of schedule that ranks inside the top 30 toughest. The three on the outside are Northwestern, Rutgers and Minnesota. Below is a look at where each B1G team’s strength of schedule ranks according to ESPN’s FPI:

• No. 1: Maryland
• No. 5: Iowa
• No. 6: Nebraska
• No. 12: Michigan
• No. 15: Michigan State
• No. 19: Illinois
• No. 22: Purdue
• No. 24: Wisconsin
• No. 26: Penn State
• No. 27: Indiana
• No. 29: Ohio State
• No. 36: Northwestern
• No. 43: Rutgers
• No. 53: Minnesota

You can view the complete strength of schedule rankings at ESPN.com.

Dustin Schutte

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