Rough road: The 12 toughest September schedules
We’re nine days away from the start of the season. So, admit it: While you like spicy early-season games, you want your team to have an easy September schedule so it can start fast.
In that scenario, you play overmatched foes in September to get the kinks out, then you’re – presumably – ready to play better teams as the season progresses.
Alas, that’s not doable for everyone. Here are 12 teams whose September schedules mean there is hard work to do right out of the gate.
12. UTSA
The games: S3 vs. Houston; S10 at Army; S17 at Texas; S24 vs. Texas Southern
The buzz: The defending Conference USA champs won 12 games last season but don’t have it easy in September. Houston, ranked 24th in the AP preseason poll, also was a 12-win team last season. Traveling halfway across the country to play a high-level triple-option offense in Week 2 is not ideal. And Game 3 is a trip to play the Longhorns for the first time. At least Game 4 is a gimme.
11. Texas
The games: S3 vs. ULM, S10 vs. Alabama; S17 vs. UTSA; S24 at Texas Tech
The buzz: The opener is a win. But the other three September games for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns? Teams breaking in a new quarterback don’t need to see Alabama in Week 2, a feisty little brother in Week 3 and a conference road game (and in Lubbock, at that) in Week 4.
10. BYU
The games: S3 at USF; S10 vs. Baylor; S17 at Oregon; S24 vs. Wyoming
The buzz: USF is coming off a two-win season, but, man, it’s going to be extremely hot and humid in Tampa on September 3 for a team from Utah. Then come back-to-back games against Power 5 teams expected to legitimately compete for their league titles (and the Baylor matchup features a future Big 12 foe). Wyoming should be somewhat of a breather, but the Cowboys – like BYU – plays physical football and loves to run.
9. Texas Tech
The games: S3 vs. Murray State; S10 vs. Houston; S17 at NC State; S24 vs. Texas
The buzz: New coach Joey McGuire gets to open with a victory. But the rest of the month is a grinder. Houston won 12 games last season and is 24th in the AP preseason poll. NC State, which is ranked 13th in the poll, features star QB Devin Leary and might be the best team in the ACC. And Week 4 is a visit from the Longhorns.
8. Arizona
The games: S3 at San Diego State; S10 vs. Mississippi State; S17 vs. North Dakota State; S24 at California
The buzz: The Wildcats were horrible last season, but while this season’s team should be noticeably better, the record might not reflect it because of the schedule. Yes, there is an FCS opponent in September – but it’s North Dakota State, which is the best program in the FCS ranks. The opener is at defense-oriented San Diego State, which won 12 games last season. Mississippi State comes in a week after the SDSU game, which means the defense goes from facing a run-oriented offense to facing a Mike Leach offense a week later. And there’s also a conference road game at defense-minded Cal.
7. Oregon
The games: S3 vs. Georgia in Atlanta; S10 vs. Eastern Washington; S17 vs. BYU; S24 at Washington State
The buzz: New Ducks coach Dan Lanning doesn’t get a chance to ease into his first season. First up is basically a road game against Georgia, his previous employer. Week 2 will be easier, though Eastern Washington was an FCS playoff team last season. Then come games against BYU and Washington State, teams with good quarterbacks (BYU’s Jaren Hall and Washington State’s Cameron Ward) who play a different style. BYU prefers to run it down your throat, while Washington State will throw it and throw it and throw it and – well, you get the idea.
6. Colorado
The games: S2 vs. TCU; S10 at Air Force; S17 at Minnesota; S24 vs. UCLA
The buzz: The Buffs are the only team in the nation playing 11 games against Power 5 opponents. And the one non-Power 5 on its schedule is Air Force, which won 10 games last season and whose option offense is difficult to defend. TCU, the opening opponent, figures to test Colorado’s rebuilt secondary, while the second, third and fourth opponents feature run-based offenses against a Buffs defense that was 96th nationally in rush defense last season.
5. Arkansas
The games: S3 vs. Cincinnati; S10 vs. South Carolina; S17 vs. Missouri State; S24 vs. Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas
The buzz: One positive – none of these is a true road game. The opener is against a Cincinnati team that lost a lot from last season’s playoff team, but still is ranked in the preseason top 25. Spencer Rattler and South Carolina head to Fayetteville in Week 2, and surely will test Arkansas’ rebuilt secondary. Missouri State is an FCS team – but it’s an FCS team that made the playoffs last season. Oh, yeah, the Bears also are coached by Bobby Petrino, who should get a warm welcome from Hogs fans. (Heh-heh.) Then comes an early-season showdown with SEC West rival Texas A&M. A&M and Arkansas are picked to finish second and third in the West in most preseason polls, so it’s a mighty important game for September.
4. Georgia Tech
The games: S5 vs. Clemson in Atlanta; S10, vs. Western Carolina; S17 vs. Ole Miss; S24 at UCF
The buzz: Coach Geoff Collins is on the hot seat, and the seat likely ain’t going to cool in the first month. Clemson and Ole Miss are in the AP preseason top 25, and UCF also could be ranked when the Yellow Jackets play them. And while the Clemson game is in Atlanta, technically it’s a neutral-site affair and there will be more Tigers fans than Yellow Jackets supporters.
3. Texas A&M
The games: S3 vs. Sam Houston State; S10 vs. Appalachian State; S17 vs. Miami; S24 vs. Arkansas in Arlington, Texas
The buzz: This is a sneaky tough schedule. Sam Houston State won the FCS title in 2020 and was a playoff team in 2021. App State might be the best team in the Sun Belt and has won double-digit games in three of the past four seasons. Miami is preseason No. 16 and the favorite in the ACC Coastal Division. And Arkansas is preseason No. 19 and beat A&M last season.
2. Florida
The games: S3 vs. Utah; S10 vs. Kentucky; S17 vs. USF; S24 at Tennessee
The buzz: Florida plays six of its first seven at home under new coach Billy Napier. But the first two games are against ranked teams, including the opener against defending Pac-12 champ Utah. And the one road game in that stretch will be against Tennessee, which – like Game 2 opponent Kentucky – thinks it can finish second in the SEC East. It’s not an easy first-month schedule for a new coach. And given that the Gators play two games against SEC East opponents, they’re either going to be in good shape in the division race or out of it at the end of the season’s first month.
1. Kent State
The games: S3 at Washington; S10 at Oklahoma; S17 vs. Long Island; S24 at Georgia
The buzz: OK, we understand the need for MAC teams to play Power 5 teams on the road to fund their athletic program, but come on! Kent State is the only non-Power 5 team in a conference that plays three Power 5 foes – and all are on the road. Georgia is No. 3 and Oklahoma No. 9 in the preseason AP poll.