Worst case on Jan. 7 puts us at 9-8 and 0-4 in conference. That's also very possible.
@ MSU
Minnesota
@ Crayton
Kansas
UTSA
DSU
Hatters
@ Northwestern
@ Purdue
That means an 8-6 finish just to get to 17.
That written, any unexpected W's or L's over the next nine games could turn the season in a completely unexpected direction. Of course, last year's conference start turned to mush very quickly.