Can't Wait For Saturday Who gets a break in Big Ten scheduling? One site ranks Illinois among the most fortunate

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Jan. 31—***

When the 2026 Big Ten football scheduled was released earlier in the week, first thing I did was check the dates for Illinois.

I knew the opponents already, but the timing of the games matters. In 2025, Illinois opened the Big Ten season against Indiana, which looking back was the worst possible opponent for a team thinking about contending for the conference title. Indiana won by 53 points on the way to the national title. Few saw that one coming.

The good folks at CBS Sports took more of a deep dive into the Big Ten schedule, coming up with rankings from the easiest to the most difficult.

So, who gets good draws. According to this rating, the most favorable schedule belongs to Wisconsin, followed by No. 2 Penn State (welcome aboard Matt Campbell) and No. 3 Illinois,

The rankings are based in part using the site's way-too-early preseason Top 25. Wisconsin, for instance, plays just two in rankings. The Badgers miss Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana and Michigan. The first three were in the 2025 College Football Playoff.

Penn State has three ranked teams on the schedule. It somehow misses Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State.

Illinois faces just two in the preseason Top 25: Oregon and Ohio State. And as I have pointed out, nonconference Duke has been hit hard by the transfer portal.

Which Big Ten teams should you feel sorry for? Well, if you are so inclinced, that would Ohio State, Northwestern and Oregon.

The Buckeyes have five ranked teams on the schedule, including trips to Indiana and Texas. Michigan and Oregon visit Columbus. Ryan Day is going to have his hands full.

Northwestern plays only three ranked teams. But they are Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon … all on the road.

Oregon draws four ranked team. Fortunately, Indiana isn't one of them. The Hoosiers beat the Ducks twice on their way to the title.

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