Phil Steele Ranks Big Ten 2025 Football Schedules Easiest Nebraska, Hardest Wisconsin

Phil Steele's 2025 college football schedule rankings highlight Nebraska as having the easiest schedule in the Big Ten, while Wisconsin endures the toughest. Michigan State's schedule is ranked near the middle at No. 10, featuring many toss-up games but fewer top-heavy matchups than the previous season. The Sporting News also ranks Wisconsin with the hardest Big Ten schedule, cautioning that this could put head coach Luke Fickell under pressure, while Illinois enjoys the easiest schedule. In the SEC, the upcoming season's schedules are similarly assessed, with Florida facing one of the toughest paths, and Arkansas confronting a challenging slate with many away games and difficult opponents. These analyses set high expectations and pressure for several coaches across both conferences as teams prepare for a competitive 2025 season.