Deace describes ISU schedule this season as brutal?
This is year 5 for the wonder coach. (Rhoads) The non-conference part of ISU's schedule is weak. (Iowa and UNI at home and at a bad Tulsa team.) They play a total of 4 ranked teams the rest of the season. Shoulda/coulda been a banner year for ISU. (by their standards, 6 or 7 wins)
I would contend that Iowa's non-conference schedule, playing at ISU and Northern Ill at home was tougher than what ISU had.
Iowa also plays 4 teams currently ranked. Northern Illinois will soon be in the rankings and one would assume Nebraska will creep back in there by the time Iowa plays them.
The reality is that the ISU schedule is no more brutal than that of Iowa's.