I don't know about that. We had pretty much every tough conference game at home last year. In fact, last season everyone was talking about how our schedule was one of the reasons why we had a chance at a championship.
Who and where you play is overrated. It comes down to what kind of talent you have on your team and if you can execute late in the game.
Our toughest out of conference game was at Arizona last year and this year its either home against Pitt or at ISU.
OSU and Wisconsin come off the schedule. We have 2 cupcakes (Tenn Tech & LA Monroe) which is the same as last year (EIU & Ball State).
Home conference games last year: OSU, Wisconsin, MSU and Penn State
Home conference games this year: NW, Indiana, MSU and Michigan
Much easier home slate this year and it isnt even close.
Road conference games last year: Michigan, NW, Indiana and Minny.
Road conference games this year: Penn St, Minny, Nebraska and Purdue
Road schedules are pretty comparable from each year. So we have an easier non conf schedule this year and a much easier home conference slate and I would say an easier overall conference schedule. The really nice part of it is how easy the schedule starts off with our first huge test coming in Happy Valley off of a bye week.