2017 schedule vs. 2016 schedule

[guffus]

When I originally looked at the 2017 schedule a couple years ago, I thought it was brutal. But it may not be much harder than 2016.

2016 vs. 2017

Non-conference
ISU vs. @ISU
NDSU vs. Wyoming
Miami-ohio vs. North Texas

Cross-division
Mich vs. OHIO St
@Rut vs. @MSU
@PSU vs. PSU

Division games
NW vs. @NW
Wisc vs. @Wisc
Neb vs. @Neb
@Minn vs. Minn
@Pur vs. PUR
@ILL vs. ILL

Ok, so 2017 will still be harder, but mostly because division games will be @NW, @Wisc and @Neb. It also depends on whether MSU bounces back from an awful 2016. But all in all, the 2017 schedule won't be dramaticly harder than 2016.

The bad news is that Iowa can't use the schedule as an excuse if Iowa ends up with a worse record in 2017.

 

[Hawknigh]

The schedule always seems a bit easier when winning.

 

[rschneider]

Harder also in the sense that we will have a first year starting QB and unknown WRs.

 

[kameltoez102]

Harder also in the sense that we will have a first year starting QB and unknown WRs.

This can also be used to our advantage because we will have few games to show some tendencies and I hope with the new offensive coaching personnel we add a few wrinkles. The X factor has and always will be the QB that is able to run and make plays with their legs when the initial play is broken down. Also, the other issue for all teams is injuries. You can look at any stat or match-up on paper but if teams lose key players due to injuries etc it can become a crap shoot that is why I tend not to pay attention to the schedules.