x-overs and their unfairness to West Division teams.

[The Big LeHAWKski]

One thing I'm certain we can ALL agree on...Sept 2nd can't get here fast enough.

 

[guffus]

Um, I think MSU in 2016 was a huge anomaly. That overall record could easily be 22-5. That MSU year was a fluke compared to the previous 5 years before it.

Yes, but that's the flaw in your thinking. Assuming that in typical years, all 3 power teams you are facing in crossovers will be "up". In reality the odds are not good that all 3 teams will be at their peak. In reality at least 1 of 3 will have a down year.

 

[Unknownbadger]

Couple of assumptions we should challenge

The first big misconception we should fix is that Wisc's 2016 cross-over was so much harder than everybody else in the west. Lets compare Iowa and Wisc

Wisc 2016 crossover schedule
@MSU 1-8
@Mich 7-2
OSU 8-1
Overall 16-11

Iowa 2016 crossover schedule
@Rut 0-9
@PSU 8-1
Mich 7-2
Overall 15-12

Or Iowa and Wisc are about the same

Next is it true that Iowa has the hardest crossover in 2017. Lets compare Iowa and Nebraska.

Iowa 2017 schedule
@MSU 1-8
PSU 8-1
OSU 8-1
Overall 17-10

Neb 2017 schedule
RUT 0-9
OSU 8-1
@PSU 8-1
Overall 16-11

So Iowa and Neb are about the same except Iowa gets PSU at home and Neb has to play @PSU.

And Wisconsin's over all is 14-13 in 2017, but playing Indiana away and Maryland and Michigan at home is a whole lot easier row to hoe than the rocky one's Iowa and Nebraska will find in their field.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Yes, but that's the flaw in your thinking. Assuming that in typical years, all 3 power teams you are facing in crossovers will be "up". In reality the odds are not good that all 3 teams will be at their peak. In reality at least 1 of 3 will have a down year.

Oh I agree with that for sure. Rare that all 3 will be up but I don't think anyone imagined MSU was only going to win 1 conference game. Also, those that schedule can't really predict who may be strong years down the road, especially with teams like MSU and Iowa. Those teams can have peaks and valleys. No one can assume OSU will be tough every year and Michigan now as well.