2021 B1G Composite Football Schedule
Hey there my B1G peeps. ;-)
Here's a link to a Google sheet that has the entire 2021 Big Ten schedule printable on a single page (or you can simply save the link and refer to it as it pleases you):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19IQWronUIJ08BlHDyI7nGFW2qqQ9jPgDje7xZaunFro/edit?usp=sharing (hopefully the hyperlink works?)
SOME NOTES:
- Nebraska & Illinois playing each other a week ahead of everybody else essentially gives them a 2nd bye week during B1G play.
- Kicking off the first full Saturday slate of games with PSU vs. Wisconsin is niiiiiice! What a way to get kicked in the teeth right away. ...plus they each have a monster non-conference game just two games later: PSU vs. Auburn; Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame. Penn State's start to the season is the more difficult, getting a decent Ball St team in between (compared to UW having EMU), having no bye prior to Auburn (as Wisc does vs ND), and playing the Wisconsin game on the road. (Hang in there, NittanyFan.)
- Wisconsin's gotta hate seeing a service academy in place of their B1G bye week. Army week is also surrounded by conference road games.
- Nebraska has a 7-week stretch in the middle of the season in which they only travel once.
- Iowa getting a bye week prior to their de facto West Division title game vs. Wisconsin: also niiiiiice!
- Indiana plays @ Western Kentucky. Really?!? ...AT Western Kentucky!?! How Indiana of you.
- Michigan has a stretch of 7 conference games of which 5 are on the road. It's time to be Road Warriors!
POTENTIAL TRAP GAMES FOR...
- Indiana: @ Maryland, sandwiched between OSU & UM
- Michigan: @ Maryland, sandwiched between PSU & OSU
- PSU: already mentioned Ball St. Also @ Maryland, sandwiched between OSU & UM (Boy, if Maryland shows any sign of decent life, they're bound to get a nice upset somewhere along the way)
- Northwestern: vs. Minnesota, sandwiched between Michigan & Iowa
TEAM WHO MIGHT APPEAR TO BE HANGING AROUND IN THE DIVISION STANDINGS, BUT IS NOT REALLY "IN IT"
- West Division:
- Minnesota - even if they lose their conference opener, they still may have a decent chance to win every other conference game before finishing @ Iowa, @ Indiana & vs. Wisconsin.
- Nebraska - even if they get through their first 6 conference games with only 1 or 2 losses, they finish with OSU, @ Wisc & Iowa.
- East Division:
- MSU - they might have a shot to start 3-0, before losing 4+ games afterwards
TEAM WHO MIGHT APPEAR TO BE KNOCKED OUT OF THE DIVISION RACE EARLY ON, BUT COULD STILL BE "IN IT"
- West Division:
- Iowa could lose 2 of their first 3 games, and then run the table if they get a win over Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin could lose either (or both) of their first 2 games (PSU & UM), but only Iowa might stand in their way of finishing with 7 straight wins
- Being that Iowa & Wisconsin are the clear top 2 favorites in the West, if both of them lose 1 or 2 games early on, it will look like the West Division will be wide open and up for grabs...until we get to the end and realize it was really only between Iowa & Wisconsin all along
- East Division:
- Penn St - Starting @ Wisc, vs. Indiana & @ Iowa, they could lose twice and thus be written off...but if they run the table they can still have a shot at a share of the division title
- Indiana could start 0-2 (@ Iowa & @ PSU), but a win against OSU could allow them to finish with 7 straight wins (will also have to beat Michigan)
...other observations? (other than my cooler has a distinctly atrocious odor)
August 10th, 2021 at 6:08 PM ^
EMU @ Wisconsin is the trap game for Wisconsin. Let's not forget: the Eagles have a 3-game winning streak going right now against B1G teams!
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Since you mentioned me specifically (just noticing that now), PSU is 4-1 in the last decade against Wisconsin. It is a tough opener, but I also think it is winnable. I think Paul Chryst is one of the most overrated coaches in the country, but that's a whole other subject (which I have shared here before).
The B1G has scheduled PSU's conference opener to be on the road 10 times in the last 11 years. At least that evens out in future years: the next 4 years are a 2-2 split.
August 10th, 2021 at 6:16 PM ^
Rynearson Stadium is where champions are built #thefactory. Gotta finally get past those pesky Toledo Rockets and compete for a trip to Ford Field.
Keep an eye out for Preston Hutchinson and Hassan Beydoun in that one. In all seriousness, their defense will definitely struggle against Wisconsin's line.
August 10th, 2021 at 6:29 PM ^
Yeah, it is a fun streak that EMU has put together, but Wisconsin is not Rutgers, Purdue or Illinois (their first 3 victims, 2017 to 2019).
Although that Purdue win in 2018 --- let's never forget they were able to win at Ross-Ade while some other B1G East team that wears Scarlet & Gray went into Ross-Ade and lost by 4 touchdowns. :-)
August 10th, 2021 at 6:33 PM ^
Thus EMU > OSU, right? ;-)
August 10th, 2021 at 6:39 PM ^
Considering that OSU only played 1 game in 2018 (at least only 1 game that I can remember), I think the transitive property HAS to hold in this instance. What other data points do we have as regards the 2018 Buckeyes?
:-)
August 10th, 2021 at 6:42 PM ^
PSU is 4-1 in the last decade against Wisconsin.
Since 2008, UM is 5-18 against OSU & PSU.
Since 2008, UW is 2-15 against OSU & PSU.
Since 2011, UM is 5-12 against OSU & PSU.
Since 2011, UW is 1-12 against OSU & PSU.
Since 2015, UM is 3-8 against OSU & PSU.
Since 2015, UW is 0-6 against OSU & PSU.
If you ever wondered what UM would look like in the B1G West, they'd be a better version of Wisconsin. Full stop.
August 10th, 2021 at 7:58 PM ^
No offense to you personally, but I hate when records versus two teams are lumped together like this. In this case, the pattern is completely driven by the results vs. OSU.
Since 2008, UM is 5-18 against OSU & PSU
Or we could say:
UM is 1-11 against OSU
UM is 4-7 against PSU
Since 2011, UM is 5-12 against OSU & PSU
Or,
UM is 1-8 against OSU
UM is 4-4 against PSU
Since 2015, UM is 3-8 against OSU & PSU
Alternatively,
UM is 0-5 against OSU
UM is 3-3 against PSU
August 10th, 2021 at 11:07 PM ^
This is true.
The point I was going for was that, if they were in the East, Wisconsin would have two all-but-guaranteed B1G losses on a yearly basis. And would never make a B1G Championship Game.
August 10th, 2021 at 9:03 PM ^
I see Wisconsin beating PSU and Notre Dame. I also see PSU losing against both Wisconsin and Auburn this year.
August 11th, 2021 at 9:15 AM ^
I like this helmet schedule, and print it out every year.
August 11th, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
I'm not sure why you think Chryst is overrated. He's about the most unassuming coach in football. They consistently recruit in the top 20's but with equal consistence are in the mix for the west every year. They have a distinct football identity. He seems to attract and recruit, - not a lot of flash, put in the work, get the job done, Paul Chryst type players, who put in the work and get the job done without a lot of flash.
They scare us more than you because Harbaugh seems to play his very worst games against UW (ok second worst) but football is seldom transitive. I doubt previous records are much in play.
They're ranked above you in the preseason poll for a reason: Camp Randell is a tough place to play. Franklin is notoriously bad in season openers. He's lost to Temple and Indiana and went to OT to beat App State. Sean Clifford is a mid-level Big Ten QB at best.
So, my money is squarely on overrated Paul Chryst.
August 11th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^
Chryst didn't elevate/hasn't elevated either Pittsburgh or Wisconsin above what they were prior to his arrival --- and he hasn't really won any big conference games in his career either (ACC or B1G). What is his biggest conference win in his 6 years in the B1G? Probably the 2019 de-facto B1G West title game in the snow at Minnesota.
I mean, that was a nice win, but it's not an elite-level win either. His 3 wins over U-M were (1&2) either at home over good but not great U-M teams, or (3) on the road against a U-M team just going through the motions in a COVID season. Nice wins, but not big wins. And then he's 0-for against both OSU & PSU.
Among those games against PSU & OSU --- 2 of them were in the B1G Championship game where Chryst's team blew a 2-score halftime lead. Good teams and good coaches don't blow opportunities like that.
I don't hate the guy, but I simply don't think he's as good as most people make him out to be. The common consensus here (and most other places) would be to place Chryst above both Harbaugh and Franklin. I don't think his resume proves that out. Franklin at least elevated a Vanderbilt, Harbaugh did it at at least 2 college stops (USD & Stanford, + I'd argue he's elevated U-M too despite some of the disappointments). Where is that on Chryst's resume?
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Now, your points about Franklin in season openers are valid. There is nothing for me to attack there!
But, that still doesn't address what was my primary point --- Chryst's reputation does not, IMO, match his resume and body of work.
August 11th, 2021 at 6:09 PM ^
I can't counter your points other than to say it might just come down to semantics and perception.
How high is Paul Chryst rated for him to be overrated? They always seem to have a big well coached Oline and an excellent run game. They're usually behind Nebraska in recruiting but always ahead of them on the field.
It's also easy for me to understand why you think he's not so good, having beaten him. Although that Barkley, McSorley team in the CCG was pretty explosive so he can't be faulted too much.
Conversely the last two years they have just bullied us. In 2019 the first half against Wisconsin was one of the worst in UM history.
I still stand by my opinion Wisc will win the opener. The betting line opened at 3.5 and has moved a point in Whisky's direction indicting bettors agree with me too.
August 10th, 2021 at 6:16 PM ^
- Penn St - Starting @ Wisc, vs. Indiana & @ Iowa, they could lose twice and thus be written off...but if they run the table they can still have a shot at a share of the division title
So you're saying there's a chance that OSU loses 2 games? Please tell me more...
August 10th, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^
Sure there's a chance OSU can lose 2 games. I haven't seen a QB on the roster throw a pass yet. Plus, there's questions about the back 7 on defense.
OSU's a much better team than Minniesoda, but QB jitters in that opener on the road are inevitable.
@ Indiana? It's possible.
@ Michigan? Gotta happen sometime, amirite?
There will be opportunities for OSU to get beat.
August 10th, 2021 at 7:35 PM ^
@ Michigan? Gotta happen sometime, amirite?
Be real and stop pandering.
August 10th, 2021 at 10:58 PM ^
Hey, what was all that one in a million talk?
August 11th, 2021 at 10:07 AM ^
I'd go with Purdue ;)
August 10th, 2021 at 6:17 PM ^
For your TEAM WHO MIGHT APPEAR TO BE HANGING AROUND IN THE DIVISION STANDINGS, BUT IS NOT REALLY "IN IT" category, MSU is definitely the pick. Finishing with OSU and PSU will almost definitely be 2 losses to close the season. Silver lining here is that it'll be nice not having a mid-season OSU curb-stomping to derail any momentum we might be able to muster up (if there is any, that is).
August 10th, 2021 at 6:37 PM ^
Of course, MSU might also lose any of their first 3 conference games, and thus not really appear to ever be hanging around in the division standings.
August 10th, 2021 at 6:45 PM ^
Of course, which is why I added the (if there is any) part.
In conference games, I expect to lose @IU, @OSU, and PSU. Until I see what the team looks like, I think the rest of them are toss-ups at this point. We can definitely win each of them, and we can also definitely lose each of them. The first 3 (@NW, Neb, @Rutgers) are the 3 I feel best about right now.
August 10th, 2021 at 8:32 PM ^
Good stuff.
One of the factors I look at, especially early on in the season, is how much returning production/talent a team has. Last year UM returned something like the 125th-most production (and that was before Ambry and Collins opted out) and NW (#1) and IU (#11) returned some of the most, and that played out sort of how you expected. This year UM returns an average amount of production (49th) while both Maryland (10th) and IU (24th) return a good amount each. If you're looking for a sleeper in the East I agree it's probably Maryland.
I am intrigued to see how OSU looks without Fields. He really did save them last year considering their rush offense wasn't nearly as terrifying as it usually was, and while I have no doubt they'll be really good offensively it's still a (largely) unknown guy taking over at QB. They're still likely to be the prohibitive favorite to win the division and conference, but if you told me IU tripped them up and maybe PSU sneaks one out I wouldn't be shocked.
August 10th, 2021 at 9:11 PM ^
Yea, considering that the sleeper candidates in the East consist of Maryland, MSU & Rutgers...yea, I suppose Maryland is most likely to make some unexpected noise.
True...Fields >>> 2021 OSU QB. This is the kind of year I'd really like to see the Akron game precede a conference road game & Oregon, just for the sake of QB play getting settled. Once they get past the first 2 games, there's several weeks to fine tune the QB play, but I'm nervous about the QB play in the first 2 games.
August 10th, 2021 at 10:59 PM ^
And IIRC, Northwestern this year is way down near the bottom in returning production. BuckeyeChuck mentioned they have a trap game, but I think every game for them will be a trap. They could be awful this year.
August 11th, 2021 at 9:08 AM ^
Yea, Northwestern I can never figure out from one year to the next. They're probably the most erratic program in the conference. If anybody could go from last to first to last, it's Northwestern.
Plus, they often lose some non-conference game they shouldn't, this year it will be my alma mater OU ;-), and then they go on a run in conference play and make the conference look bad by being a division contender after losing to some slug that they shouldn't.
August 10th, 2021 at 8:42 PM ^
Thanks Chuck.
Before we know it, it will be game week.
August 10th, 2021 at 10:14 PM ^
- Sounds like Maryland has a nice schedule (minus the normal shittyness of being in the East and playing OSU, PSU, & UM every year) because they seem to be a trap game for everyone! They may actually upset some folks this year.
- Wiscy has a brutal run with PSU, ND, and UM all in the first 4 games. (PSU has generally had it's way with Wiscy under Franklin)
- PSU actually has a pretty tough schedule as well since they drew both Wiscy & Iowa from the west in addition to play Auburn this year. But, they don't tend to struggle with them as much as we do.
- Of course OSU's schedule is cake since they drew Purdue (I know I know they beat them that one time) and Nebraska in the west and get PSU at home. They do play Oregon at home early which will be a tough game and they also play Indiana on the road who might be decent again, but they'll be favored by a TD or more in every game.
August 10th, 2021 at 10:56 PM ^
Maryland is an interesting case. Their September schedule is (1) home vs WVU, (2) home vs Howard, (3) at Illinois, and (4) home vs Kent State.
There's no real reason they can't be 4-0 at the end of September.
The game after that is a Friday night at home vs. Iowa.
Well, THAT sounds familiar. Friday night, likely ranked opponent visiting Maryland, right after the fall equinox, Maryland feeling good about themselves and their winning record, Fox Sports 1 TV, probably a sold out stadium. That happened in late September 2019 too!
Maryland lost that game 59-0. And then went 1-7 for the rest of the year.
I can sort of see Maryland doing the same sort of thing this year, because that sort of IS Maryland.
August 11th, 2021 at 9:11 AM ^
Could be. But you probably also have had a thing against Maryland since before the Boomer Esiason days. ;-)
August 11th, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
I also can't remember the last time Maryland had a QB that scared anyone. I'd expect Tag to have a pretty good year if he's healthy.
August 10th, 2021 at 10:29 PM ^
5 Wins
August 10th, 2021 at 10:50 PM ^
Over (barely)
August 10th, 2021 at 11:35 PM ^
Gun to my head agreed. Same scenario with 7 wins-under.
August 10th, 2021 at 11:06 PM ^
Damn we are only 2 and a half weeks away from football.
August 10th, 2021 at 11:11 PM ^
Well done Chuck!
Who did the league give the Bucks this season for cross division games? Illinois and Nebraska?
August 11th, 2021 at 7:57 AM ^
@Nebraska and vs Purdue
A real murderers' row!
August 11th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
And @ Minniesoda.
August 11th, 2021 at 9:35 AM ^
Whoops, forgot about their trip to Goldy.
Combined 2020 records: 8-13
August 11th, 2021 at 9:09 AM ^
Honestly, the first thing that jumps out to me is, Michigan 6-6 and osu 12-0. They don't appear to have a losable game on their schedule. I will admit my attention to Michigan offseason has been lackluster this season, but they look like they will be lucky to break even given the past few years... Is it Bball season yet?