Arkansas coach Bret Bielema takes jabs at Ohio State's schedule

Bret Bielema is not a fan of the Big Ten.

Despite spending 18 years in the conference in various coaching positions, including seven seasons as the head coach at Wisconsin, Bielema, now the coach at Arkansas, is taking issue with Big Ten scheduling.

"I spent a lot of time in that other conference," Bielema said of the Big Ten during the SEC teleconference Wednesday. "Ohio State's ranked No. 1 and they have one game remaining on their schedule that has anybody ranked right now — Michigan State. We're going to play eight straight opponents that are ranked."

Arkansas does play eight ranked teams (not straight, but whatever) thanks to the fact that the SEC has a record 10 teams ranked in this week’s Associated Press poll. But that’s today. That number could decrease (or perhaps increase) as the season moves on. Similarly, the Big Ten could have more teams in the rankings as well.

Still, Bielema does have a point about Ohio State’s lackluster scheduling. Last Monday’s game against Virginia Tech is the only Power Five team on the Buckeyes’ nonconference schedule and as of right now they won’t face a ranked opponent until late November.

Bielema said strength of schedule should provide an interesting argument for the College Football Playoff committee, which doesn’t start releasing its rankings until later in the year.

"Jeff Long and his committee has a huge task in front of them because if you truly do put a weight on strength of schedule, to get through this conference, everybody can make a joke about it but it's truly unprecedented what every team in this league can bring," Bielema said. "If anybody tries to argue with it, they're completely nonsense. It's a whole other level when it comes to competitive nature and balance."

For more Arkansas news, HawgSports.com.

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