Quite frankly I'd rather be in a division with Penn State and Michigan than Iowa and Wisconsin in terms of how hard it will be. You should have an easier time making it to the championship game. But you are right, playing 2 of the West 3, Michigan and Penn State half of the time is a brutal trek. Plus another of the West 3 in the championship game. You could conceivably go through a year playing Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska en route to a Conference Title. That is 6 teams that are generally ranked or close to ranked at all times.