College Football Rankings: Ranking Big Ten Teams Based on Schedule

The Big Ten Conference only plays eight conference games every year. This gives all 11 teams four out-of-conference games. Most of the conference picks up Notre Dame as one extra game. The other three games are usually Mid American Conference or FCS opponents.

This year, several Big Ten teams went outside their geographical region to find opponents. Other teams did not take any chances and scheduled "weaker" opponents.

With the Big Ten season starting on Saturday, here is a look at each team's schedule and how they rank. The rankings of each opponent are based on Week 4 Rankings.

The Big Ten schedules were ranked based on a point system. Here is how the points break down:

+1 = neutral site game

+2 = away game

+3 = major conference opponent

+4 = ranked Big Ten opponent

+5 = ranked non-Big Ten opponent

-1 = FCS games

The only time an opinion was needed was when there was a tie.

11. Michigan State: 24 Points

photo courtesy of msuspartans.com

Here is a look at Michigan State's schedule:

Western Michigan

at Florida Atlantic (Ford Field)

Notre Dame

Northern Colorado

No. 11 Wisconsin

at No. 20 Michigan

Illinois

at Northwestern

at No. 17 Iowa

Minnesota

Purdue

at No. 22 Penn State

They only have, arguably, three difficult games at Michigan, Iowa, and Penn State. Yes, Wisconsin will be tough, but the Spartans get them at home.

This year, the Spartans only leave the state of Michigan for three games. They got "dinged" for the Florida Atlantic game because it was at Ford Field, only an hour away from campus. They also lost a point for the Northern Colorado game.

For Big Ten play, the Spartans do not have to play Ohio State or Indiana. They have lost seven in a row against Ohio State.

10. Purdue: 25 Points

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Robert Marve #9 of the Purdue Boilermakers rolls out to look for a receiver against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by

Here is a look at Purdue's schedule:

at Notre Dame

Western Illinois

Ball State

Toledo

at Northwestern

Minnesota

at No. 2 Ohio State

at Illinois

No. 11 Wisconsin

No. 20 Michigan

at No. 24 Michigan State

Indiana

Purdue did go on the road to play Notre Dame, but they have turned out not to be a very good team so far. Purdue lost a point for their FCS opponent, Western Illinois.

The Boilermakers have a semi-tough Big Ten schedule, travelling to Ohio State and Michigan State. They do get Wisconsin and Michigan at home.

Purdue does not play Iowa and Penn State this year, so they really escaped in their scheduling.

9. Wisconsin: 28 Points

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Montee Ball #28 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

Here is Wisconsin's schedule:

at UNLV

San Jose State

Arizona State

Austin Peay

at No. 24 Michigan State

Minnesota

No. 2 Ohio State

at No. 17 Iowa

at Purdue

Indiana

at No. 20 Michigan

Northwestern

Wisconsin got some points for scheduling a Pac-10 opponent in Arizona State. They also travelled to UNLV, giving them an extra road game outside the Big Ten schedule. The Badgers were another team to lose a point for an FCS opponent.

The Badgers begin their Big Ten Conference play on the road at Michigan State. They also travel to Iowa and Michigan and host Ohio State. This is a pretty tough Big Ten schedule.

They do not play Purdue and Illinois this year.

8. Indiana: 29 Points

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Bryan Payton #27 of the Indiana Hooisers carries the ball during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Indiana's Schedule:

Towson

at Western Kentucky

Akron

No. 20 Michigan

at No. 2 Ohio State

Arkansas State

at Illinois

Northwestern

No. 17 Iowa

at No. 11 Wisconsin

No. 22 Penn State

at Purdue

Indiana travelled to Western Kentucky for an extra road game. They got knocked down a point for their opening game against Towson.

Indiana opens up Big Ten play at home against a ranked Michigan team. They also travel to Ohio State and Wisconsin, both tough road games. Indiana will host two other ranked teams in Iowa and Penn State.

The Hoosiers do not play Michigan State or Illinois.

7. Northwestern: 30 Points

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Wide receiver Andrew Brewer #12 of the Northwestern Wildcats celebrates a touchdown pass with split back Mark Woodsum #44 against the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl January 1, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Ph

Here is a look at Northwestern's schedule:

at Vanderbilt

Illinois State

at Rice

Central Michigan

at Minnesota

Purdue

No. 24 Michigan State

at Indiana

at No. 23 Penn State

No. 17 Iowa

Illinois

at No. 11 Wisconsin

Northwestern has six away games this season after travelling to Vanderbilt and Rice. While Vanderbilt is traditionally a lowly-SEC school, they did travel to SEC country.

Northwestern opens up Big Ten play on the road at Minnesota, who has struggled a bit this season. The Wildcats play a number of ranked teams including Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Wisconsin and Penn State are always tough places to play.

The Wildcats escape playing Michigan and Ohio State this year.

6. Illinois: 30 Points

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: A.J. Jenkins #8 of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini scores a touchdown against the University of Missouri Tigers during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missour

Here is Illinois's schedule:

at Missouri

Southern Illinois

Northern Illinois

No. 2 Ohio State

at No. 22 Penn State

at No. 24 Michigan State

Indiana

Purdue

at No. 20 Michigan

Minnesota

at Northwestern

at Fresno State

Illinois begins and ends their season on the road. They got the edge over Northwestern because Missouri is arguably a tougher opponent than Vanderbilt. They also travel across the country to Fresno State at the end of the season.

Illinois has to host the No. 2 Buckeyes in their Big Ten opener. Their other ranked opponents are all road games, at Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan.

The Fighting Illini do not have to play the other ranked Big Ten teams in Iowa and Wisconsin.

5. Michigan: 32 Points

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ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 25: Cameron Truss #30 of Bowling Green tackles Denard Robison #16 of the Michigan Wolverines on September 25, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Robison left the game after this play with a reported leg injury. (P

Michigan's schedule:

Connecticut

at Notre Dame

Massachusetts

Bowling Green

at Indiana

No. 24 Michigan State

No. 18 Iowa

at No. 23 Penn State

Illinois

at Purdue

No. 11 Wisconsin

at No. 2 Ohio State

Michigan played UConn to start the season. Last year, this looked like a better game than it was. They also travelled to Notre Dame. They got minus a point for their FCS opponent, UMass.

Michigan will open Big Ten play at Indiana before playing three ranked opponents in a row. They host Michigan State and Iowa, then play a night game at Penn State. The Wolverines also get to host Wisconsin before playing "The Big Game" in the Horseshoe.

Michigan does not play Northwestern and Minnesota (no brown jug this year).

4. Ohio State: 32 Points

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Head Coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes directs his team during a game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ohio Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-20. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty

Ohio State's schedule:

Marshall

No. 12 Miami (FL)

Ohio

Eastern Michigan

at Illinois

Indiana

at No. 11 Wisconsin

Purdue

at Minnesota

No. 22 Penn State

at No. 18 Iowa

No. 20 Michigan

Ohio State got the edge over Michigan because they do not play an FCS opponent and play, instead, a ranked ACC opponent. While they did not leave the state of Ohio, they started the season with a tough game.

Ohio State will travel to Illinois for opening weekend. The really tough part of their schedule comes at the end of the season when they host Penn State, travel to Iowa, and host Michigan. Any of those games could be a potential trap game.

The Buckeyes do not play Michigan State or Northwestern this year.

3. Penn State: 33 Points

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Chaz Powell #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Here is Penn State's schedule:

Youngstown State

at No. 1 Alabama

Kent State

Temple

at No. 17 Iowa

Illinois

at Minnesota

No. 20 Michigan

Northwestern

at No. 2 Ohio State

at Indiana

No. 24 Michigan State

Any time you play the defending National Champion at their house, you deserve props. Penn State did that this year at Alabama. They did, however, play their typical FCS opponent, which docked them a point.

Penn State has a decent Big Ten schedule. They travel to Iowa and Ohio State and host Michigan and Michigan State. These will all be tests.

Penn State does not play Wisconsin or Minnesota this season.

2. Minnesota: 37 Points

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Jon McKnight #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball into the endzone for a touchdown after catching a pass during the game against the USC Trojans on September 18, 2010 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minne

Minnesota's schedule:

at Middle Tennessee

South Dakota

No. 18 USC

Northern Illinois

Northwestern

at No. 11 Wisconsin

at Purdue

No. 22 Penn State

No. 2 Ohio State

at No. 24 Michigan State

at Illinois

No. 17 Iowa

Minnesota did start out on the road to a Sun Belt opponent before hosting an FCS team and USC. While they do play four home games in a row, they play six ranked teams this season.

Minnesota will have to travel to Wisconsin and Michigan State, both tough games. They lucked out with Penn State, Ohio State, and Iowa all at home.

The Gophers do not play Michigan for the Little Brown Jug or Indiana.

1. Iowa: 40 Points

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes prepares to snap the ball during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the H

Iowa's schedule:

Eastern Illinois

Iowa State

at No. 14 Arizona

Ball State

No. 23 Penn State

at No. 20 Michigan

No. 11 Wisconsin

No. 24 Michigan State

at Indiana

at Northwestern

No. 2 Ohio State

at Minnesota

Iowa played two Big Six opponents this season. Yes, Iowa State is a rivalry and they play every year. Iowa also travelled to Pac-10 country to take on a ranked Arizona team.

As for Big Ten opponents, Iowa has to play every ranked Big Ten team they could possibly play. They play most at home, hosting Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State. These are all tough home games. They only travel to the Big House to face Michigan.

Iowa does not play Illinois and Purdue this season, which basically means Iowa plays just about the toughest Big Ten schedule they can.