close
close

topicnews · August 28, 2024

College football schools with the toughest schedules ranked

College football schools with the toughest schedules ranked

play

The best part about being in the SEC is the money, and a few miles later comes the fame and notoriety that comes with playing in the Bowl Subdivision’s most elite conference.

The worst thing about the SEC is that you have an SEC schedule that has gone from bad to downright diabolical with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma this summer. There are few if any easy Saturdays in the SEC unless you are lucky enough to draw Vanderbilt.

That’s why this year’s toughest schedule includes several SEC teams, and no team in the FBS faces a tougher opponent than Florida — that’s bad news for coach Billy Napier, who is looking to move the Gators in the right direction in his third season.

Given the large number of opponents in the SEC and the equally competitive Big Ten, these are the most difficult schedules this season:

Florida

Most difficult games: in Tennessee (October 12), against Georgia (November 2), in Texas (November 9)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 106-50

On paper, this is one of the toughest schedules in recent FBS history. The Gators face Miami, Central Florida and Florida State in non-conference games, begin the regular season at home against the Hurricanes and finish it in Tallahassee in November. The Gators’ final six games are against the Volunteers, Kentucky, the Bulldogs, the Longhorns, LSU, Mississippi and the Seminoles. This schedule is an absolute beast.

Southern California

Most difficult games: against LSU (September 1), in Michigan (September 21), against Notre Dame (November 30)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 106-53

Outside of the conference, the Trojans will play LSU and Notre Dame for the first time and will experience a whirlwind run through the Big Ten that will see USC face defending national champions Minnesota, Maryland, Washington and UCLA on the road and home games against Wisconsin, Penn State, Rutgers and Nebraska. It’s possible, though not entirely likely, that every Power Four opponent the Trojans face this season will achieve bowl eligibility.

OMITTED: Five teams skipped in preseason top 25 rankings

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Prospects for each team in the preseason poll

Michigan

Most difficult games: against Texas (September 7), against Oregon (November 2), at Ohio State (November 30)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 98-59

The Wolverines will be challenged more than they were in last year’s schedule. There are some easy stretches of games for Michigan, including a series against Minnesota, Washington, Illinois and Michigan State in late September into October, and games against Indiana and Northwestern in November. But even that late two-game series is sandwiched by the Ducks and Buckeyes, on paper the two best teams in the Big Ten and two strong national championship contenders. And then there’s the big game against the Longhorns, followed by the Trojans two weeks later. The Wolverines are missing Penn State, though.

University of California

Most difficult games: at LSU (September 21), against Oregon (September 28), at Penn State (October 5)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 99-59

The three opponents listed above will play in three consecutive weeks — the toughest unbroken three-game series of any team in the Big Ten and possibly the entire Bowl Subdivision. It gets easier, but only to a point: UCLA faces Nebraska (away), Iowa, Washington (away) and USC, also without a break. This schedule will make it very difficult for the Bruins and their new coach DeShaun Foster to avoid finishing at the bottom of the Big Ten.

Georgia Tech Institute

Most difficult games: against Florida State (August 24), against Notre Dame (October 19), in Georgia (November 30)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 103-54

The good news is that the Yellow Jackets will miss Clemson, which has won nine straight in its series. The bad news is that they will play away sites such as Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Georgia, not to mention a neutral-site opener in Ireland against Florida State. The Yellow Jackets will also face the Fighting Irish and Miami at home.

Vanderbilt

Most difficult games: vs. Alabama (Oct. 5), vs. Texas (Oct. 26), at LSU (Nov. 23)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 97-57

The Commodores could go 3-1 in nonconference games against Virginia Tech, Alcorn State, Georgia State and Ball State. (They could also go 1-3.) But it’s unlikely they can end their five-year postseason drought against an SEC squad that includes the Crimson Tide, Longhorns, Tigers, Tennessee and Missouri.

Purdue

Most difficult games: against Notre Dame (September 14), against Oregon (October 18), at Ohio State (November 9)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 84-67

Purdue will face the projected top three teams in the Big Ten – the Ducks, OSU and Penn State – as well as teams from Nebraska and Wisconsin that could be at the top of the second division. There are also road games against Illinois, Michigan State and rival Indiana. The Boilermakers will also face Notre Dame and Oregon State in September, while the Beavers will play on the road.

Oklahoma

Most difficult games: vs. Texas (Oct. 12), vs. Alabama (Nov. 23), at LSU (Nov. 30)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 96-58

Four of Oklahoma’s final five games are against Mississippi, Missouri, Alabama and LSU; all but the Crimson Tide are on the road. Hey, welcome to the SEC. This stretch follows the neutral-site rivalry with Texas, a road game against Auburn and the Sooners’ SEC debut against Tennessee on Sept. 21. OU also gets two tough nonconference opponents in Houston and Tulane.

Alabama

Most difficult games: against Georgia (September 28), in Tennessee (October 19), in LSU (November 9)

Opponents’ record in 2023: 97-58

It’s an expectedly tough schedule for new coach Kalen DeBoer, capped off with a four-game series at LSU, Mercer’s home opener, Oklahoma and the Iron Bowl to close the regular season. There’s also a road trip to Wisconsin in a non-conference game that will be the first test of the DeBoer era. But one thing to keep in mind: Alabama plays many of the top teams in the FBS, but has an off week before playing the Bulldogs and Tigers. The Crimson Tide also face Vanderbilt and South Carolina before facing the Volunteers.

You may also like...