Ranking Strength of Schedule for penultimate College Football Playoff Top 25 from weakest to strongest

The penultimate edition of the College Football Playoff rankings debuted on Tuesday night, giving fans a pretty good idea how the postseason picture will shape up. Of course, there’s still plenty to discuss and strength of schedule remains a huge factor.

The top of the field has really had the lion’s share of the most difficult schedules, with the SEC schools really taking charge there. Meanwhile, the ACC teams in the field continue to contend with some of the weakest schedule strengths.

On3 stops to take a look at each team in the College Football Playoff ranking in terms of strength of schedule according to the ESPN FPI. Here its each team’s strength of schedule, ranked from weakest to strongest, to this point.

North Texas – SOS: 125

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 24

North Texas enters the College Football Playoff ranking this week ahead of the American title game against Tulane. That will provide a much-needed schedule boost. As is, North Texas has lost to the only really quality opponent on its schedule: South Florida. Still, a win in the conference title game puts the Mean Green in strong consideration for a playoff bid as a Group of Six conference champion.

Games Remaining: vs. Tulane

James Madison – SOS: 118

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 25

James Madison goes into the Sun Belt conference championship game with a 10-game winning streak. Now ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings, the path is clear. James Madison must win and hope it remains one of the five highest-ranked conference champions in the final rankings.

Games Remaining: vs. Troy

Virginia – SOS: 82

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 17

Virginia’s schedule has been pretty light, with the best wins at Louisville and Duke. Close losses to NC State and Wake Forest stung but haven’t ruined the program’s playoff chances just yet. A win in the ACC Championship Game should cement the Cavaliers as a playoff team.

Games Remaining: vs. Duke

Tulane – SOS: 78

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 20

Tulane has lost only two games. One was a blowout to Ole Miss and the other was a lopsided loss to UTSA on the road. The schedule strength isn’t great, but its better than some of the other Group of Six contenders. Tulane should be into the playoffs with a win in the American title game against North Texas.

Games Remaining: vs. North Texas

Houston – SOS: 73

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 21

Houston has no games remaining on the schedule, tapped out after finishing short of a Big 12 Championship Game berth. So the College Football Playoff ranking ultimately doesn’t mean a ton. Still, it was a nice season for the Cougars, one that included a win over Arizona State.

Games Remaining: None

Georgia Tech – SOS: 68

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 22

Georgia Tech’s schedule certainly got more difficult at the end; unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets didn’t do a great job adapting to that fact. The team lost three of the last four and snuck out of Boston College with a narrow win in the other. While the loss to Georgia didn’t bump Georgia Tech that far down the rankings, it did eliminate any remaining playoff hope.

Games Remaining: None

Arizona – SOS: 61

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 18

Arizona is one of the hotter teams in the Big 12, having won its final five games, including road games against ranked Cincinnati and Arizona State teams. That’s helpful for the strength of schedule. The Wildcats aren’t a threat to make the playoff at this point, but it’s been a nice season in Tucson.

Games Remaining: None

Texas Tech – SOS: 59

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 4

Texas Tech’s lone loss came on the road at Arizona State or the Red Raiders would be getting even more love as one of the most dominant teams in the College Football Playoff rankings. As is, Texas Tech finds itself in a position to potentially play its way into a first-round bye with a win over BYU in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Games Remaining: vs. BYU

Utah – SOS: 57

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 15

Utah’s strength of schedule sits in the middle of the pack in the playoff field, but the Utes can no longer do anything to change it. Wins over Arizona State and Cincinnati bolster things, while the team’s two losses to Texas Tech and BYU are both respectable enough. Will Utah get help enough to make it in?

Games Remaining: None

Ohio State – SOS: 46

CFP Top 25 Ranking: 1

Ohio State has run the table through the regular season and now has its toughest matchup yet in the Big Ten Championship Game. The game against Indiana might not have huge stakes, but it could potentially cost the loser a first-round bye in the playoffs. That’s plenty enough to want to play for on Saturday, title aside.

Games Remaining: vs. Indiana

Remaining CFP teams’ strength of schedule

Indiana | SOS: 45 | CFP Ranking: 2
Miami | SOS: 44 | CFP Ranking: 12
Notre Dame | SOS: 42 | CFP Ranking: 10
Ole Miss | SOS: 40 | CFP Ranking: 6
BYU | SOS: 35 | CFP Ranking: 11
USC | SOS: 27 | CFP Ranking: 16
Michigan | SOS: 26 | CFP Ranking: 19
Georgia | SOS: 25 | CFP Ranking: 3
Vanderbilt | SOS: 22 | CFP Ranking: 14
Iowa | SOS: 17 | CFP Ranking: 23
Oregon | SOS: 16 | CFP Ranking: 5
Texas A&M | SOS: 15 | CFP Ranking: 7
Oklahoma | SOS: 12 | CFP Ranking: 8
Alabama | SOS: 11 | CFP Ranking: 9
Texas | SOS: 8 | CFP Ranking: 13