Few thoughts with the schedule:
1. I like the fact that when Ohio State plays Illinois (every 3 years or so) it is often being put the week before Michigan. That is our only trophy game and was a big game for a long time even if forgotten now by most. If it is going to be reserved to a once every 3 years things, I at least like giving it a good spot.
2. Last round of schedules I was kind of expecting the west partners to switch up a bit, but was not expecting it after they didn't do it then. Even then though, I was not expecting to see Nebraska/Minnesota end together. Minnesota over the years has ended with both Wisconsin and Iowa (although much more Wisconsin). Meanwhile, in the first couple of years of Nebraska in the conference, the Wisconsin/Nebraska series seemed to get some bad blood and started to feel like it might become their biggest rivalry. Thought they might switch to a rotation where one of Wisconsin/Iowa was facing Minnesota and other facing Nebraska on a rotating basis. Never guessed we would end up with a Nebraska/Minnesota final. That said, Minnesota is Nebraska's most played game in the conference so there is something there.
3. I will echo that I do not like early season conference games. I will at least applaud that they are not making any team play more than one in the first three weeks. I would be a lot happier though if they at least waited to week 2 for anyone.
4. Definitely an effort to put the crossover games earlier in the year to the extent possible (with 7 team divisions, you always need one crossover game if everyone is playing).
5. Still despise the parity based scheduling. From a scheduling perspective it actually flows nicely (letting you have 6 year periods where everyone basically has one locked opponent and rotates through everyone else twice) and I get why they like it. I hate how long these games are apart now though.
