How many Big 10 teams would be undefeated if they played Michigan‘s current schedule?

Submitted by rs207200 on October 7th, 2021 at 2:37 PM

I’m try to temper my expectations for this season and was wondering how many of the 13 other teams would be undefeated if they played Michigan’s schedule to this point. 
 

For Rutgers/Wisconsin, just assume they play each other. 
 

I would figure these teams would be in the same current spot as Michigan at 5-0:

  1. Ohio State
  2. Penn State
  3. Iowa
  4. Wisconsin (they beat Rutgers head to head)
  5. Michigan State
  6. Maryland

any team I’m missing or any of which you disagree?

 

blueblooded14

October 7th, 2021 at 2:39 PM ^

Not sure how Wisconsin would be 5-0...

In this hypothetical, are they playing Michigan or themselves for their fifth game? Seems like that would be a loss or a tie.

maizenblue92

October 7th, 2021 at 2:41 PM ^

If we sub Wisconsin out for a team of equal value in SP+ or Vegas rankings then I think the only teams we can say for certain are undefeated are Ohio State, Penn State, and Iowa. Iowa I'm not for sure sold on because they would be an underdog at Wisconsin right now.

1VaBlue1

October 7th, 2021 at 2:51 PM ^

Why do you think Iowa would be an underdog against UW, even in Madison?  At this point, 1-3 Wisconsin is nationally known to have no offense and an injured QB.  Never mind that they lost two close games to top 10 teams - they just got rolled at home and its fresh in the nations collective mind.  I'd think that would have more weight considering their overall record than anything else...

Don

October 7th, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^

Iowa I'm not for sure sold on because they would be an underdog at Wisconsin right now.

So you're saying that an unranked 1-3 team that just got beaten soundly 38-17 in its own stadium by the #9 team in the country would still be favored over the undefeated and #3 ranked team in the country.

maizenblue92

October 7th, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^

Wisconsin is10th in SP+ and ahead of Iowa. SP+ and Vegas are notoriously close in lines (Vegas casinos admit they adjust for SP+), so yes, on a neutral field and at Wisconsin, Wisconsin would be favored over Iowa. 

Most of Iowa's biggest margins are from turnovers which are largely considered random and unsustainable. Their offense is poop.

MGoChippewa

October 7th, 2021 at 2:44 PM ^

I disagree with Maryland for sure, and maybe Wisconsin.  I'm not even 100% sold that Maryland would only have one loss against our current schedule.

NittanyFan

October 7th, 2021 at 2:44 PM ^

I'd take Maryland off that list.

With the "turtle-coaster", they are very liable to beat anybody if they play them in Game 1 or 2 of the season.

Get to Game 4 or 5 of the season though?  That's when the free-fall begins.  

I'd guess they would have beat Washington by FIFTY, but lost to Wisconsin by FOURTY.

MGoFoam

October 7th, 2021 at 2:47 PM ^

So your take is that our schedule hasn't been so hard because it seems Washington and Wisconsin aren't actually good. And a bunch of other teams would be undefeated if they had played the same teams we have.  OK, whatever. And if worms had machine guns, they wouldn't be afraid of birds. 

Just because the thought crossed your mind does not mean you need to post it.