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Ohio State Football: Buckeyes have 4th toughest schedule in the Big Ten

By Thomas Scurlock

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ryan Day looks at notes during the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ryan Day looks at notes during the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 27: David Blough #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers drops back to pass the ball during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 27: David Blough #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers drops back to pass the ball during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Here is a look at five Big Ten teams that have very difficult schedules in 2019 and Ohio State’s is ranked No. 4.

Strength of schedule is a hot topic heading into any season and Ohio State is always under intense scrutiny, rightfully so given its heavyweight status.

The Big Ten is under the microscope too.  Its teams are often perceived as having easier schedules compared to other Power Five conferences.

I am not buying that. With six legitimate Big Ten title contenders, the conference is tougher than it has been in decades.

Here are the 5 most difficult schedules for Big Ten teams this season.

The criteria used for evaluation include difficult non-conference games, challenging road games, cross-division opponents and back-to-back conference road games.

Purdue

Jeff Brohm’s success his first two seasons cannot be understated.  He has done a fabulous job in leading the Purdue Boilermakers to bowl seasons while changing the culture and attitude of the program.

While Brohm’s roster is getting better, especially with Rondale Moore making things difficcult for opposing defenses, the bowl streak might end this year.

In non-conference play, Purdue opens with a road game at Nevada, then plays Vanderbilt and TCU at home. That is a challenging slate and the Boilermakers could easily be 1-2 heading into the Big Ten season.

Purdue’s conference road schedule includes games at Penn State, Iowa, Northwestern and Wisconsin. The last two are back-to-back before heading into the rivalry game against Indiana.

Playing Minnesota and Nebraska in West Lafayette will help ease the burden, but this looks like another 6-6 or 5-7 type season.

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