This is nothing new - but this the conference as a whole has limped along in the big out of conference games. This year's big games for each school are:
Ind. vs. Mizz
MSU vs. Oregon
Mich. vs. App. State
Nebraska vs. Miami
Wisconsin vs. LSU (Week 1) WOW this is at a "neutral" site in TX - this is a whole new topic
Ill. vs. Was
A bunch of teams have the Irish on their schedule
If the Big can win these there will be a lot of excuses - but the wins are very necessary to help the entire conference.