Ohio State Football: Ranking Buckeyes’ 2020 opponents by toughness

When Iowa is No. 4 on the list of toughest opponents and the Hawkeyes are considered one of the top contenders in the Big Ten for 2020, you know the Buckeyes have a tough schedule.

Iowa loses Nate Stanley at quarterback but that might not be the worst thing and they return a solid backfield as well as one of the best receivers in the Big Ten in Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The Hawkeyes also have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, but getting them in Columbus is a massive break for the Buckeyes.

How the heck could Michigan be just No. 3 in the list of toughness? Because the Wolverines haven’t been much of an issue for the Buckeyes over the past decade and that likely won’t change in 2020 with Michigan losing Shea Patterson and some top receivers as well as trying to retool a defense that has struggled against Ohio State for two straight years.

Jim Harbaugh has a talented team, but he needs to prove that it’s prepared for Ohio State by actually putting up a fight this year. That’s right, this needs to be closer than three touchdowns for anyone to start believing the Wolverines have turned the corner.