Michigan's Non-conf schedule vs Iowa's

[Iowa Hog]

Here's Michigan's non-conference schedule for this year compared to Iowa's:

* @ Utah / Illinois State

* Oregon State / @ Iowa State

* UNLV / Pittsburgh

* BYU / North Texas State

It's difficult for me to see why Iowa couldn't play a similar schedule, including when the BIG goes to 9 conference games. Michigan's schedule is just about right in terms of difficulty, and it's also interesting to note that ALL four non-conference games are teams from the west, and we all know that KF has a special aversion to playing such teams, especially on the road. Just something else to consider as we wait for practice to get under way tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp.

 

[Iowa Hog]

Iowa has never done well playing schools from the West

 

[whoboppin]

I think Iowa is in a tough spot when it comes to the non conference schedule, especially in the 9 game conference era. They have to play ISU every year, every team needs at least 7 home games a year, in the 5 conference game rotation ISU has to be a road game, and in the 4 conference game rotation ISU has to be a home game.

That doesn't leave a lot of room for a marquee team on the schedule for a home-home. So unless Iowa can some how make their budget work with a 6 game home schedule, good games are going to be hard to schedule, unless some neutral site games are lined up.

All that said maybe the NCAA sanctions a 13 game schedule soon. I could see that happening.