Michigan Football: Does UM have the country’s toughest schedule?

First, let’s acknowledge that the Big Ten is the toughest conference in the country, which is why Michigan football has such a difficult schedule.

Now, a hearty shout-out to Paul Finebaum (who seems to have Michigan football), incessant shill for the SEC and relentless Bama booster, who regularly consigns the Big 10 to the ranks of mediocrity.  Should he check out the latest ranking from Sporting News or Sports Illustrated’s college football issue he will note that five of the top 15 are from the Big Ten conference — the SEC has three dogs in the hunt, Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn; the ACC has Clemson and Florida State, the PAC 12, Washington and Stanford. Big 12? Oklahoma and TCU.

In order of appearance, the Big Ten ’s five in the top 15 are Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan.  Sounds strong from any point of view; Michigan plays four of the top 15 in its own conference and faces Notre Dame, 16th in both polls, in the season opener. Michigan’s in-conference tilts are against Nebraska (a contender, especially as Scott Frost returns to turn up the volume), Northwestern (10 wins in 2017), Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, Rutgers, Indiana, and Ohio State. 

Like Michigan football, Florida State and Nebraska also won’t get off easy.

As for Nebraska, hopes are high in Lincoln as Scott Frost takes up the reins as head coach after having dragged undefeated Central Florida into contention for a playoff spot last season.  He’s got a tough job in reestablishing Nebraska as a contender in the ahead, and in order to better last season’ 4-8 record, Nebraska has to get by Troy, Colorado, Michigan, Purdue, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Minnesota, Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan State, and Iowa.  

That’s four of the top 15, Colorado, and a Troy team that beat LSU last year.  Nebraska’s only break comes in not facing Penn State, but they’ll meet a much improved Michigan team in the Big House.

FSU  opens with VA Tech followed by three relatively safe games against Samford, Syracuse, and Northern Illinois.  The Seminoles are on the road at Louisville and Miami, home vs Clemson and Wake Forest, away at NC State and Notre Dame, back home for BC and Florida.  Top 15 games vs Clemson (1 Sporting News / 1 SI), Miami (10 Sporting News / 13 SI), and Notre Dame (16 Sporting News/ 16 SI).

It’s obvious that none of the teams in the Power Conferences get a free pass.  Top-ranked Clemson has a tough game against Texas A&M, a challenging game against NC State in October, as well as a true test vs Florida State near the end of the season. But the Tigers can coast a bit against Furman, Georgia Southern, Syracuse, Wake Forest, BC, and South Carolina.  

Alabama opens with Louisville, Arkansas State and Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Louisiana Lafayette. Their tougher stretch is at the end of the season when they face LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn, but then close the season against The Citadel. Highly ranked Washington takes on Auburn outside of conference play, Stanford in November, and the not yet highly respected soft core of the PAC 12.

Based on pre-season polling, the Big Ten is the conference to fear this season; two or three teams will likely be contending for a playoff spot in December. Michigan football probably has the toughest road to travel, but all bets are off in the conference when Iowa gets feisty (Iowa 55 – Ohio State 24), Minnesota finds the juice (Minnesota 54 – Nebraska 21), or Purdue is on a roll (Purdue 35 – Missouri 3).

Penn State plays Appalachian State, Pitt, and Kent State out of conference and has to deal with Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.  Wisconsin does not play Ohio State, or Michigan State and takes on Western Kentucky, New Mexico, and BYU. Ohio State faces Oregon State, TCU, and Tulane.  Michigan State’s out of conference games are with Utah State, Arizona State, and Central Michigan, but does not play Wisconsin or Ohio State.

Of course, the rigor of the schedule counts for little unless victories mount up, so Michigan needs to battle hard in meeting Notre Dame on Sept. 2 and keep its motor revving all the way to December.