Visting The Big Boys

While only IU has released it's 2007 schedule, in reviewing the slates of non-conference schools, we can see that a few Big Ten institutions are taking on some of college baseball's big names next year.

Purdue leads the charge with a tour of The Peach State. The Boilermakers will visit the Georgia Bulldogs from February 23 - February 25. Little over a week later, Purdue continues it's tour of the SEC with a stop in Alabama to take on Auburn, March 9 - 11.

Coach Schreiber and the Purdue Atheltic Department deserve some extra credit. Their non-conference schedule has been rather impressive in recent years. The Boilers administration isn't afraid to visit anyone. In the position the Big Ten schools find themselves in, especially in terms of RPI, it's very important for the conference's schools to schedule quality non-conference opposition and Purdue has done that as well as anyone in the Big Ten.

Illinois isn't ducking the elite schools, either. The Illini are loading up the bus (or plane) and heading to Knoxville to play Tennessee from March 2 - 4.

Finally, last year's conference Cinderella, Northwestern, is going to the Lone Star State to play Texas Tech, February 9 - 11.

Now, if we can just get some of the traditional big boys to dig out their jackets and travel north.

(Hat tip: College Baseball Blog.)