The Big 10 Conference Schedule

Much of a college football team's success is based on their schedule. How many cupcakes are on the schedule and the circle this date it's going to be on primetime type games. Here's a look at the way the 2009 Big 10 conference schedule sets up. The two teams listed are not playing the corresponding team.

Penn State: Purdue, Wisconsin

Ohio State: Michigan State, Northwestern

Illinois: Iowa, Wisconsin

Michigan State: Indiana, Ohio State

Northwestern: Michigan, Ohio State

Minnesota: Indiana, Michigan

Iowa: Illinois, Purdue

Wisconsin: Illinois, Penn State

Michigan: Minnesota, Northwestern

Purdue: Iowa, Penn State

Indiana: Michigan State, Minnesota

Ohio State gets a break not having to face Michigan State or Northwestern, two of the conference's better defenses. The likely preseason conference favorite, Penn State, will have to earn another championship missing Purdue and Wisconsin. My bottom four teams don't play each other, making their schedules difficult and and more seperation between the top tier and bottom tier of the conference.