It is interesting to note that only one team in the top 14 has one of
the 10 toughest schedules.  #4 Wisconsin's schedule is the toughest of
the the top 10 with a schedule stength rated the 9th best.  Here is a
quick look at the toughest schedules rated by TCHCR.
 
SCHEDULE----TCHCR-----------------------------------
STRENGTH----RANK-----TEAM-------------RECORD--------
 
30.34        43      Air Force         0-8-0
20.60        23      Michigan Tech     5-10-4
19.77        35      Illinios-Chicago  3-14-1
17.97        32      Miami-OH          3-8-1
17.47        39      Ohio State        1-9-2
16.24        21      Alaska-Anchorage  6-9-1
14.05        15      Minnesota         6-7-3
13.46        22      North Dakota      6-9-1
12.49         4      Wisconsin         10-5-1
10.33        30      Ferris State      7-12-0
 
Only one team in this top ten has a winning record.  I understand how
the best teams (by record) have lower schedule strength rating affected
by the fact they play teams of lessor records, but it still seems to
reflect how we really have no idea who may have the inside track toward
the national championship.
 
Michigan, the #1 ranked team for example, has a schedule strength ranked
24th.  I think it's safe to say that we have a very interesting winter
shaping up.
 
Ben,
UMaine-1993 NCAA HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPIONS  (and the 19th toughest
       schedule.... GULP.)