After a tumultuous offseason and a back-and-forth between university administrators over whether or not to play college football in the Big Ten this year, the 2020 schedule has finally been released.
Highlights include a week two clash between Ohio State and Penn State on Halloween in Happy Valley, a November 28 grudge match between Minnesota and Wisconsin that could decide the Big Ten West, and “The Game” between Michigan and Ohio State in Columbus Dec. 12, a chance for the Wolverines to snap an eight-game losing streak.
Here is a ranking of the toughest schedules, team-by-team, for 2020:
1. Nebraska- The schedule is loaded on the front end, with trips to Ohio State and Northwestern sandwiched by a home game against Wisconsin. Scott Frost lobbied to play, and now he’s got his wish. Can the Huskers toughen up and slog their way into contention against this murderer’s row of a schedule?
Oct. 24- @Ohio State
Oct. 31- Wisconsin
Nov. 7- @Northwestern
Nov. 14- Penn State
Nov. 21- Illinois
Nov. 28- @Iowa
Dec. 5- @Purdue
Dec. 12- Minnesota
2. Indiana- The Hoosiers seem trapped in the middle to lower-tier of the Big Ten East, and odds are they’re not going anywhere soon with a schedule like this one.
Oct. 24- Penn State
Oct. 31- @Rutgers
Nov. 7- Michigan
Nov. 14- @Michigan State
Nov. 21- @Ohio State
Nov. 28- Maryland
Dec. 5- @Wisconsin
Dec. 12- Purdue
3. Maryland- The Terrapins are coming off of a disastrous 1-8 season and the schedule doesn’t do them any favors, with tough games against Penn State, Ohio State, Minnesota and Michigan on the 2020 docket.
Oct. 24- @Northwestern
Oct. 31- vs. Minnesota
Nov. 7- @ Penn State
Nov. 14- Ohio State
Nov. 21- Michigan State
Nov. 28- @Indiana
Dec. 5- @Michigan
Dec. 12- vs. Rutgers
4. Michigan- Defensive end Kwity Paye took a jab at Ohio State when he tweeted, “They gave them boys the easiest schedule” in reference to the Buckeyes.
Michigan itself has a full plate, with games against all four of the league’s top teams last year (Michigan finished with just the sixth best overall record in a stacked conference at 9-4).
Oct. 24- @Minnesota
Oct. 31- Michigan State
Nov. 7- @Indiana
Nov. 14- Wisconsin
Nov. 21- @Rutgers
Nov. 28- Penn State
Dec. 5- Maryland
Dec. 12- @Ohio State
5. Michigan State- The Spartans and new head coach Mel Tucker have to play rival Michigan in the second week, along with difficult games against Ohio State and Penn State to close out the season.
Oct. 24- Rutgers
Oct. 31- @Michigan
Nov. 7- @Iowa
Nov. 14- Indiana
Nov. 21- @Maryland
Nov. 28- Northwestern
Dec. 5- Ohio State
Dec. 12- @Penn State
6. Illinois- The Illini play the top dogs in the Big Ten West along with Ohio State, while missing out on Michigan and Penn State.
Oct. 24- @Wisconsin
Oct. 31- Purdue
Nov. 7- Minnesota
Nov. 14- @Rutgers
Nov. 21- @Nebraska
Nov. 28- Ohio State
Dec.5- Iowa
Dec. 12- @Northwestern
7. Rutgers- The Scarlet Knights are hoping for a resurgence with Greg Schiano back on board as head coach, but the schedule is daunting.
Oct. 24- @Michigan State
Oct. 31- Indiana
Nov. 7- @Ohio State
Nov. 14- Illinois
Nov. 21- Michigan
Nov. 28- @Purdue
Dec. 5- Penn State
Dec. 12- @Maryland
8. Wisconsin- The Badgers won’t have to play Ohio State, but a title game rematch is a distinct possibility.
Oct. 24- Illinois
Oct. 31- @Nebraska
Nov. 7- Purdue
Nov. 14- @Michigan
Nov. 21- @Northwestern
Nov. 28- Minnesota
Dec.5- Indiana
Dec. 12- @Iowa
9. Penn State- James Franklin’s team is loaded and their schedule sets up nicely for a run at the title game. Challenging matchups against Ohio State and on the road at Michigan will decide their fate.
Oct. 24- @Indiana
Oct. 31- Ohio State
Nov. 7- Maryland
Nov. 14- @Nebraska
Nov. 21- Iowa
Nov. 28- @Michigan
Dec. 5- @Rutgers
Dec. 12- Michigan State
10. Iowa- The Hawkeyes dodge Ohio State this year but have tough road matchups at Minnesota and Penn State.
Oct. 24- @Purdue
Oct. 31- Northwestern
Nov. 7- Michigan State
Nov. 14- @Minnesota
Nov. 21- @Penn State
Nov. 28- Nebraska
Dec.5- @Illinois
Dec. 12- Wisconsin
11. Northwestern- The Wildcats have fallen fast from possible contenders to an afterthought.
This year’s relatively easy schedule could put them back in the Big Ten’s upper echelon, if Pat Fitzgerald can recapture some of the program’s magic from recent years.
Oct. 24- Maryland
Oct. 31- @Iowa
Nov. 7- Nebraska
Nov. 14- @Purdue
Nov. 21- Wisconsin
Nov. 28- @MSU
Dec.5- @Minnesota
Dec. 12- Illinois
12. Purdue- The Boilermakers have skill in the passing game, and the schedule could point to a better than expected season if they can upset the Badgers or Golden Gophers.
Oct. 24- Iowa
Oct. 31- @Illinois
Nov. 7- @Wisconsin
Nov. 14- Northwestern
Nov. 21- @Minnesota
Nov. 28- Rutgers
Dec.5- Northwestern
Dec. 12- @Indiana
13. Ohio State- Some have said that the Buckeyes have the easiest schedule in the league this year.
Playing the Nittany Lions in week two is no easy task, but keep in mind that they will get every team’s best shot — unless they happen to knock out their lesser opponents in the first round (i.e. quarter), of course.
Oct. 24- vs. Nebraska
Oct. 31- @ Penn State
Nov. 7- Rutgers
Nov. 14- @Maryland
Nov. 21– Indiana
Nov. 28- @ Illinois
Dec. 5- @Michigan State
Dec. 12- Michigan
14. Minnesota- P.J. Fleck’s team should be favored in most of their games, but the opener against Michigan could be a coin flip and their November 28 showdown with Wisconsin looms large.
Oct. 24- Michigan
Oct. 31- @Maryland
Nov. 7- @Illinois
Nov. 14- Iowa
Nov. 21- Purdue
Nov. 28- @Wisconsin
Dec. 5- Northwestern
Dec. 12- @Nebraska
