I think the Legends division will be a 4 team race between Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State and Michigan. I don’t see Northwestern or Minnesota competing for the division crown this fall.
Based on that, here are some points to consider in analyzing the Big 10 schedules for each of the contenders for the Legends division crown:
Nebraska: I think they have the toughest Big 10 slate of any team. Their first 2 Big 10 games are at Wisconsin and Ohio State at home, so there is a legit chance that the Huskers could open 0-2 in the conference. In addition to the tough first 2 games, the Huskers also have to go to Penn State and Michigan and of course have Iowa at home the day after Thanksgiving. Predict 5-3.
Michigan State: The Spartans have to go to Ohio State, Nebraska and Iowa and have home games against Michigan and Wisconsin. I don’t see Sparty winning any of their tough 3 road games. Predict: 4-4
Michigan: I think Michigan has the easiest Big 10 schedule of the contenders. The Wolverines have road games at Michigan State and Iowa, but have Nebraska and Ohio State at home. The Nebraska and OSU games are the final 2 games for Michigan, so they might be riding pretty high going in to those games, but will come back to earth in a hurry after those 2 games. Predict: 5-3
Iowa: The Hawks open up at Penn State and also have road games at Purdue and in Nebraska. The Hawks have Michigan and Michigan State at home. The Hawks do not have to play Ohio State or Wisconsin next year. I am a homer, but I really think that a 6-2 conference record is very feasible for the Hawks this fall.
Overall Predicted Breakout:
Iowa 6-2
Nebraska 5-3
Michigan 5-3
MSU 4-4
Hawks will get to play OSU in the inaugural Big 10 Championship game in Indy.
Based on that, here are some points to consider in analyzing the Big 10 schedules for each of the contenders for the Legends division crown:
Nebraska: I think they have the toughest Big 10 slate of any team. Their first 2 Big 10 games are at Wisconsin and Ohio State at home, so there is a legit chance that the Huskers could open 0-2 in the conference. In addition to the tough first 2 games, the Huskers also have to go to Penn State and Michigan and of course have Iowa at home the day after Thanksgiving. Predict 5-3.
Michigan State: The Spartans have to go to Ohio State, Nebraska and Iowa and have home games against Michigan and Wisconsin. I don’t see Sparty winning any of their tough 3 road games. Predict: 4-4
Michigan: I think Michigan has the easiest Big 10 schedule of the contenders. The Wolverines have road games at Michigan State and Iowa, but have Nebraska and Ohio State at home. The Nebraska and OSU games are the final 2 games for Michigan, so they might be riding pretty high going in to those games, but will come back to earth in a hurry after those 2 games. Predict: 5-3
Iowa: The Hawks open up at Penn State and also have road games at Purdue and in Nebraska. The Hawks have Michigan and Michigan State at home. The Hawks do not have to play Ohio State or Wisconsin next year. I am a homer, but I really think that a 6-2 conference record is very feasible for the Hawks this fall.
Overall Predicted Breakout:
Iowa 6-2
Nebraska 5-3
Michigan 5-3
MSU 4-4
Hawks will get to play OSU in the inaugural Big 10 Championship game in Indy.
