Quote:They aren't backing out simply because we are having success. The only reason they would back out is if they go 12-1 this year, win the Big 10 and get left out of the final 4. Then they might decide to try to find a game that could help their case for the committee next season over us.
I could see that as a reason, but it's "too late" for that to happen, really. They'd have to shell out a lot of money to us for it. Plus, if they wanted to strengthen the schedule, they'd ditch the CMU game (at home) -- a weaker team (no Rawls/Davis either).
Their schedule is tougher next year, by a bit though too -- they'll have less worry to tweak.
(1) They NIX a D1AA team out of their schedule and replace with CMU (+.5)
(2) They REPLACE EMU from schedule and replace with Air Force (+1)
(3) They REPLACE Wyoming from schedule and replace with @WMU (+.5)
(4) They Play Oregon HOME, not away (-1)
(5) They Play Nebraska AWAY, not home (+1)
(6) They Play Purdue HOME, not away (-1)
(7) They Play Indiana HOME, not away (-.5)
(8) They Play UofM AWAY, not home (+1)
(9) They Play OSU AWAY, not home (+1.5)
(10) They Play Mary HOME, not away (-1)
(11) They Play Rutgers AWAY, not home (+1)
(12) They Play PSU HOME, not away (-1)
+2 -- Enough to have an edge VS themselves the previous year.