Big Ten Football 2011: Power Ranking the Toughest Overall Schedules

Folks, we are in the midst of dawn in a new era of Big Ten football.

A newly aligned conference gives birth to the Leaders and Legends divisions, while the inaugural conference championship awaits on December 3.

Some new rivalries are born, whereas old ones remain.

All that said, the scheduling becomes slightly altered, which (in the big scheme of things) can cause a vast differential in it's strength.

Twelve teams, but it's still the Big Ten.

So who has the toughest schedule? Answers lie ahead; I promise.

12. Illinois Fighting Illini

Toughest Games: Ohio State, at Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin

Easiest Games: Arkansas State, South Dakota State, Western Michigan

Not since the days of Kurt Kittner have the Fighting Illini won the outright Big Ten title.

Well, there is an outside shot of Illinois winning the conference's Leaders Division, so the fans can get their hopes up.

For one, the schedule is very favorable.

Arizona State at home in Week 3 will be the toughest test until at Penn State in late-October.

They do get Ohio State at home, which won't be easy, but we all know what happened to the Bucks, and the Illini are very capable.

That said, they very well could begin 8-0 and then get two weeks two prepare for Michigan at home with the bye-week.

However, Wisconsin will be no cakewalk, and that could be their most important game.

Overall SOS: 4.5/10

No Michigan State, no Nebraska, OSU on what could be a down year and Michigan/Wisconsin at home.

Could be a lot more difficult.

11. Iowa Hawkeyes

Toughest Games: At Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, at Nebraska

Easiest Games: Tennessee Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Indiana

Until the Hawkeyes open up conference play at Penn State, the first four games should all be wins.

Pittsburgh at home will be somewhat difficult, but nothing like those mentioned above.

That said, they also have a bye-week prior to taking the trip to Happy Valley, so the new inexperienced players will have their feet wet.

The following three (Northwestern, Indiana, at Minnesota) should all be wins as well.

However, the final four-game stretch will be rough (Michigan, Michigan State, at Purdue, at Nebraska), with the Boilermakers as the trap game.

Overall SOS: 5/10

Had Iowa played either Sparty and/or Big Blue on the road, then it would be much more difficult.

10. Indiana Hoosiers

Toughest Games: at Wisconsin, at Iowa, at Ohio State, at Michigan State

Easiest Games: South Carolina State, at North Texas

Last season, Indiana barely beat an Arkansas State team that went 4-8 in the Sun Belt conference.

Not to mention they allowed 83 points to Wisconsin and only managed one Big Ten win.

With games at OSU, Sconnie, Iowa and Sparty, you can expect another long year.

Also, Ball State and North Texas will be chomping at the bit, because they'll be elated at the opportunity to defeat a Big Ten school.

Overall SOS: 5.5/10

Purdue and Northwestern at home look to be the only chance for conference wins, so at least that would be an improvement from 2010.

9. Northwestern Wildcats

Toughest Games: Michigan, at Iowa, at Nebraska, Michigan State

Easiest Games: Eastern Illinois, Rice

If there is a year where Northwestern can do some serious building, 2011 is it.

With Dan Persa coming back (and hopefully he stays healthy), the schedule is rather favorable.

At Boston College and Army through the first three games are not easy, but nothing like playing Iowa or Nebraska on the road.

That said, the Hawkeyes are also rebuilding this year as well, so they are a bit more vulnerable.

Overall SOS: 6/10

There's not a lot of easy or really tough games, but a lot of tweeners (at Army, BC, and Indiana, with Penn State at home).

8. Purdue Boilermakers

Toughest Games: Notre Dame, at Penn State, at Michigan, at Wisconsin, Ohio State

Easiest Games: Middle Tennessee, at Rice, Southeast Missouri State

The good thing is that the Boilermakers should be 3-0 going into the Notre Dame game.

And, they get two weeks to prepare for it.

But, the schedule is a continuous uphill crawl with games at Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Add in the Buckeyes at home, and Purdue may see an encore performance from 2010.

Overall SOS: 6.5/10

Sure they might be 3-0 prior to playing the Irish, but those three games are against Middle Tennessee, Rice and Southeast Missouri State.

7. Ohio State Buckeyes

Toughest Games: at Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, at Nebraska, Wisconsin, at Michigan

Easiest Games: Akron, Toledo, Indiana

Despite the NCAA allegations, expect the Buckeyes to play their now-superior opponents very tough.

The Hurricanes are back on the rise, as are the Wolverines, so going 1-1 there would be appreciated.

However, Michigan State visits the Horseshoe in Week 5, and the Nebraska awaits Ohio State the week after.

Illinois usually plays the Bucks tough, but the Illini aren't going to be as much trouble as Sparty, the 'Huskers or Wisky.

Overall SOS: 7/10

The Buckeyes also have to play Penn State, but since it's at home, Ohio State has the slight advantage.

T5. Michigan Wolverines

Toughest Games: Notre Dame, at Michigan State, at Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State

Easiest Games: Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue

Other than Notre Dame at home in Week 2, the Wolverines will have it fairly easy until they travel to East Lansing in mid-October.

After the bye-week, Michigan gets Purdue at home, then they travel to Iowa and Illinois in consecutive weeks.

The Fighting Illini act as the trap game, especially since it's on the road, and also because it precedes Nebraska and Ohio State.

Overall SOS: 7.5/10

Although the Buckeyes will be rebuilding, playing Ohio State right after the Cornhuskers will be rough.

T5. Penn State Nittany Lions

Toughest Games: Alabama, Nebraska, at Ohio State, at Wisconsin

Easiest Games: Indiana State, Eastern Michigan, Purdue

After the beginning of the year (meaning the Alabama game), Penn State has a legitimate shot at being 8-1 heading into the Nebraska game following the bye.

And since the Cornhuskers come to Happy Valley after the bye, the Nittany Lions will just be that much more prepared.

However, the final two games (at Ohio State and Wisconsin) to close out the regular season will be their most important games.

Overall SOS: 7.5/10

Other than Alabama early on, the game at Temple should not go overlooked, as the Owls have significantly improved the past few seasons.

4. Wisconsin Badgers

Toughest Games: Northern Illinois, Nebraska, at Michigan State, at Ohio State

Easiest Games: UNLV, South Dakota, Indiana, Purdue

There aren't too many kinks in the Badgers' 2011 schedule in terms of ease.

In Week 2, they battle Oregon State at home, then Northern Illinois (solid MAC school) at Soldier Field.

Both are not easy games, but Wisconsin should come out on top.

Thereafter, they get to welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers into the Big Ten, and in Madison no less.

Then, there's consecutive road games at Ohio State and Michigan State in late-October.

To close out, Illinois on the road (not a gimme), and Penn State at home (once again, not a gimme).

Overall SOS: 8/10

When the Badgers go on the road to East Lansing, it'll arguably be their biggest game since Sparty upset them last year.

3. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Toughest Games: at USC, at Michigan, Nebraska, at Michigan State, Wisconsin

Easiest Games: New Mexico State, North Dakota State

Opening up against USC on the road to begin the year is extremely tough.

Then, two weeks later, MAC Champion Miami-OH comes for a visit, and although they're no Big Ten school, they're definitely a worthy opponent.

Thereafter begins a pretty rough eight-game stretch to close out the year.

At Michigan and Purdue in consecutive weeks, then a bye.

But, a trip to Lincoln awaits from Nebraska in late-October, as does Michigan State in early-November.

They also see Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois at home, with Northwestern on the road.

Overall SOS: 8.5/10

It would be like a death gauntlet if the Golden Gophers were to play Ohio State, as well as Wisconsin and/or Iowa on the road.

2. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Toughest Games: at Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State, at Penn State, at Michigan

Easiest Games: Chattanooga, Fresno State, at Wyoming

Heading into Madison, WI to face the Badgers for their Big Ten opener is test No. 1.

Right after is Ohio State at home, their bye-week, and then at Minnesota with Sparty following.

Come time for November, and we see the 'Huskers play at Penn State and Michigan in consecutive weeks prior to Iowa in the regular season finale.

Overall SOS: 9/10

Switch both Ohio State and Michigan State to road games, and this is a perfect 10 for 10 SOS.

However, they still get all three schools (Sparty, Wisky, Ohio St.) that shared the conference title in 2010.

Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska.

1. Michigan State Spartans

Toughest Games: at Notre Dame, at Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, at Nebraska, at Iowa

Easiest Games: Youngstown State, Florida Atlantic, Central Michigan, Indiana

After the first two weeks, Michigan State's schedule never really takes a breather.

On the road to South Bend is always filled with drama, then traveling to Ohio State to open up conference play won't be easy.

They then get in-state rival Michigan, and Wisconsin at home after the bye-week, but then versus Nebraska in Lincoln.

Minnesota is the trap game here, because they come after the 'Huskers, but right before Iowa.

And we all know how the Hawkeyes dismantled Sparty last season.

Overall SOS: 9.5/10

If the Spartans were to play Wisconsin on the road then this may have been a 10/10 SOS.