I always thought that the Big 10 intentionally gave Nebraska the toughest schedule possible their first year in the conference. 2nd year also featured all the heavyweights. Tax levied on the new guy to ensure they wouldn't come in and dominate the Big 10?
After that OSU/UW came off the rotation. Eventually they reshuffled the divisions sending MSU/MU to the east. Pelini dominating the **** teams of the Big 10 (Purdue, Indiana, Illinois types) by wide margins. Pelini was losing routinely to the best teams in the B1G his last 2 seasons.
Going back through Riley tenure and currently Frost, Nebraska has had AT LEAST 4 conf games each season against the likes of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Rutgers, Purdue, Maryland, NW.
Granted MN is on the way up, and NW during their good seasons can be really formidable, but here's what NU gets the next 3 years. 2020 includes a freebie W vs freaking Rutgers.
2020 they get IL, Rutgers, Purdue, NW, MIN Avoids Michigan/MSU
2021 they get IL, Purdue, NW, MN Avoids Penn State
2022 Rutgers, IU, NW, MN, Purdue, IL Avoids Penn State, OSU, MSU
NU does have Oklahoma coming up in 21 & 22.