Nebraska Football: Ranking the 2012 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest

Nebraska had a very successful season in its first year in the Big Ten, finishing with a 9-4 record and earning victories against some of the better teams in the conference. It's safe to say that the Cornhuskers quickly earned the respect of the conference and are ready to build on that success in year two.

This season, Nebraska returns seven starters on both sides of the ball and is without question one of the most talented teams in the Big Ten. The problem is that the schedule isn't exactly easy and will really show us just how good this team is in the second season.

With the college football season right around the corner, here are the easiest and most difficult games on the 2012 Nebraska Cornhuskers schedule.

12. Vs. Idaho State

Last year's record: 2-9

Returning starters: N/A

Playing a bottom feeder usually results in a victory for the more talented team, but when that team finished with only two wins in the Big Sky Conference, we have ourselves a game not even worth watching here. Idaho State stands no chance in this game, as Nebraska will steamroll the Bengals in this matchup.

11. Vs. Arkansas State

Last year's record: 10-3

Returning starters: Nine

Arkansas State had a solid season in the Sun Belt last season and picked up an offensive genius for a head coach in Gus Malzahn. But this is still a team in one of the worst conferences and in no way, shape or form can compete with a team such as Nebraska. The Red Wolves will give it their all, but it simply won't be enough.

10. Vs. Minnesota

Last year's record: 3-9

Returning starters: 11

Although it is fun to watch MarQueis Gray play, Minnesota simply does not have enough on either side of the ball to stay in this game. After all, we are talking about a team that only won three games last season and has lost the last 15 meetings against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers won last year's matchup 41-14, and you should expect similar results in 2012.

9. At Northwestern

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: 10

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has done a great job with this Northwestern program and was able to find a way to knock off Nebraska last season. Still, this team doesn't have enough talent to play with any type of consistency and lost many key contributors on both sides of the ball.

8. At UCLA

Last year's record: 6-8

Returning starters: 14

It's not clear how this UCLA team will respond under the new coaching staff, led by Jim Mora. The Bruins return seven starters on each side of the ball and could surprise a few people this season if everything clicks. This will be an early road test for the Cornhuskers, as they get to travel 1,500 miles to Los Angeles.

7. Vs. Southern Miss

Last year's record: 12-2

Returning starters: 11

Southern Mississippi shocked us all last season, upsetting heavily-favored Houston and winning the C-USA. This season, the Golden Eagles return five starters from an underrated defense, but lose their star quarterback in Austin Davis. This should result in a victory for the Cornhuskers, but Southern Miss is a well-coached team that shouldn't be overlooked. 

6. Vs. Penn State

Last year's record: 9-4

Returning starters: 10

This game should be pretty similar to how last year's matchup was, a lot of running the football and limited points being scored. Penn State only returns five starters on each side of the ball, but that defense will remain a tough group. Good thing for Nebraska is that this game will be played in Lincoln, which should give the Cornhuskers a slight advantage in a grind-it-out type of game.

5. At Iowa

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 11

Iowa has the potential to really turn some heads this season, as it returns six starters on offense, including quarterback James Vandenberg. Last year's meeting resulted in a 20-7 victory for Nebraska, but this season, this matchup takes place in Kinnick Stadium, where the Hawkeyes are 17-4 during the last three seasons.

4. Vs. Wisconsin

Last year's record: 11-3

Returning starters: 10

The worst loss of the season for Nebraska came at the hands of Wisconsin, when the Badgers gained 486 yards and won by a score of 48-17. Good news is that the Badgers do have several holes to fill, including the quarterback position. The bad news is that running back Montee Ball is still on the team, and he slaughtered this defense last year (touched the ball 30 times, for 151 yards and four touchdowns).

3. Vs. Michigan

Last year's record: 11-2

Returning starters: 14

Another bad loss for the Cornhuskers last season was when Michigan racked up 418 total yards and won the game, 45-17. This time, the game will be played at Memorial Stadium, but the Wolverines do return seven starters on both sides of the ball. Both teams will remain relatively the same heading into the matchup; Nebraska just has to do a much better job of slowing down Denard Robinson and company. 

2. At Ohio State

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: 16

Nebraska won last year's meeting by outscoring the Buckeyes 28-7 in the second half. This season, Ohio State will be a completely different team under head coach Urban Meyer. The offense should produce more points, and with them returning nine starters on defense, it should remain a great defensive team as well. This will be the first conference home game for the Buckeyes, and with it taking place in the middle of the season, this team should be clicking and ready to go.

1. At Michigan State

Last year's record: 11-3

Returning starters: 12

Where the Spartans will get offensive production is a serious question for this team heading into 2012. But Michigan State will remain a ridiculous team defensively, returning eight starters from a squad that finished ranked sixth in the country. Nebraska somehow managed to drop 24 points on the Spartans last season, and it's going to be interesting to see if they can do it again, this time in East Lansing.