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.