Their nonconference schedule this year wasn't appreciably weaker than what Tennessee will face next season. Also, Texas, Oklahoma, and USC are better than any nonconference opponents Tennessee has played in the last 20 years, with the exception of the '02 Miami team.
I knew you were going to say that so I'll counter it with... Remind me when Ohio State plays Texas, Oklahoma, USC and Miami in the same year.Remind me when the last time Tennessee played Alabama, Auburn, and LSU in the same season. Also, remind me the last time Vanderbilt and Kentucky weren't on the schedule.
Two different issues. It's not Ohio State's job to worry about how good the rest of the Big 10 is. The bottom line is, they are scheduling better nonconference opponents than Tennessee. Hence, the games where they have control over who they play, they are manning up more than UT.