Rank the Non-Conference schedules: Big Ten

Tmee for the third power conference. One of three 14-team conferences that also inexplicably play an 8-game conference schedule. Let's take a look.

Illinois: Youngstown State, Western Kentucky, @ Washington, Texas State
Indiana: Indiana State, @ Bowling Green, @ Missouri, North Texas
Iowa: Northern Iowa, Ball State, Iowa State, @ Pittsburgh
Maryland: James Madison, @ South Florida, West Virginia, @ Syracuse
Michigan: Appalachian State, @ Notre Dame, Miami (OH), Utah
Michigan State: Jacksonville State, @ Oregon, Eastern Michigan, Wyoming
Minnesota: Eastern Illinois, Middle Tennessee, @ TCU, San Jose State
Nebraska: Florida Atlantic, McNeese State, @ Fresno State, Miami (FL)
Northwestern: California, Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, @ Notre Dame
Ohio State: @ Navy, Virginia Tech, Kent State, Cincinnati
Penn State: UCF*, Akron, Massachusetts, Temple
Purdue: Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Notre Dame*, Southern Illinois
Rutgers: @ Washington State, Howard, @ Navy, Tulane
Wisconsin: LSU*, Western Illinois, Bowling Green, South Florida
* denotes game played at neutral site

Nobody really stands out here, but I think I'd give Maryland the toughest schedule of the group. Penn State is my choice for easiest.

As a conference, they play 30.3% (17/56) of their games away from home.

1. Michigan State: Only one challenging game, but it's at Autzen.
2. Wisconsin: They play LSU in a big early season matchup at a neutral location, though the rest of their games are at home.
3. Indiana: One of only three schools to play two OOC road games, including @ Missouri.
4. Ohio State: A home game against Virginia Tech, and OK games against Cincinnati and @ Navy.
5. Michigan: Road game @ Notre Dame and home game against Utah.
6. Nebraska: They get Miami (FL) at home and play @ Fresno State.
7. Penn State: no true road games, but UCF at a neutral location.
8. Rutgers: Second school to play two road games, one at WSU.
9. Maryland: Two OK road games.
10. Northwestern: @ Notre Dame is somewhat redeeming.
11. Iowa: Playing @ Pittsburgh and rival Iowa State.
12. Illinois: @ Washington, but the rest is a joke.
13. Purdue: Playing ND at a neutral spot.
14. Minnesota: Plays @ TCU.

The lsu game is going to be really tough hopefully someone unseats stave or I think we may straight up lose by a significant margin.

Also its essentially an away game which why we play lsu again in 2 years at Lambeau.