Big Ten Football: Biggest Potential Trap Games in Legends Division

College football is nothing if not fraught with upsets, letdowns, surprises and heartbreak. Nowhere is that more evident than the staple of every team's schedule: the trap game.

Here's a look at the Legends division and each team's potential pratfall heading into 2012.

Iowa: vs. Northern Illinois. This isn't your daddy's MAC, and this year NIU's likely to be one of the MAC daddies in 2012 (I'm so sorry). NIU is coming off two straight 11-win seasons, this game's at Soldier Field, and Iowa will be breaking in a new defensive scheme against NIU head coach Dave Doeren's complicated attack. Iowa could easily start the year 0-1.

Michigan: at Purdue. Do not sleep on this Purdue team. Its offensive line is good enough to cause problems for Michigan's defensive front, and the secondary is good enough to limit Denard Robinson's passing numbers. With Michigan coming off a trip to Notre Dame, the Boilermakers could give the Wolverines 60 minutes of hell at Ross-Ade.

Michigan State: vs. Iowa. MSU has a hellacious schedule in 2012, and the Big Ten schedule peaks with a three-game stretch of @Michigan, @Wisconsin, and vs. Nebraska. Right before that Michigan game is a home date with a feisty Iowa team that'll be looking for revenge. If the Spartans are looking ahead to their gauntlet, Iowa could steal a win and derail the Spartans' season.

Minnesota: vs. Northwestern. Minnesota should be improved in 2012, and there's a chance the Gophers go into a tough last two games at 5-5 with a bowl bid on the line, but the first key component to regaining respectability is winning home conference games. Then again, Minnesota isn't exactly automatic against FCS competition, so perhaps it should worry more about New Hampshire first.

Nebraska: vs. Penn State. Ordinarily, the trip to Northwestern coming off a bye week would SCREAM trap game for Nebraska. Nebraska won't make that mistake twice in a row. Coming off a trip to Michigan State with division title implications, however, Nebraska faces a Penn State team that should be rapidly improving. PSU matches up well, and this could be a dogfight.

Northwestern: at Minnesota. Wait but isn't Northwestern Minnesota's trap? Yes, well, so it goes. This game is sandwiched between two monster matchups vs. Nebraska and at Penn State; Northwestern players expecting a respite should think again about Minnesota and its young but rising stars.