Strength of Schedule for College Football Playoff Top 10
The College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night and the top 10 took shape. But, there’s always an argument about strength of schedule.
The strength of schedule ratings vary from team to team, especially for some of the higher ranked football programs. But, the remaining SOS rating is fascinating as well for the CFP teams and how it could change the rankings.
Let’s dive into the strength of schedule for each of the top 10 teams in the College Football Playoff rankings, via ESPN.
1. Ohio State – 15th
Remaining SOS: 10th
Ohio State is No. 1 in the current rankings and it helps that the Buckeyes played Notre and Penn State, both wins. Moving forward, it’s not that easy. There’s still that looming game in Ann Arbor against arch rival Michigan. The other three? At Rutgers, home against Michigan State and Minnesota.
2. Georgia – 100th
Remaining SOS: 6th
Some may want to cite that Georgia is getting better or at least just looking dominant again. But the strength of schedule is not good. Moving forward, it gets a lot more difficult. Three ranked opponents in Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee highlight the final third of the schedule. Talk about earning back respect.
3. Michigan – 112th
Remaining SOS: 1st
The bulk of the Michigan discussion, besides the sign stealing and NCAA investigations, is the Wolverines’ weak schedule. Ranked 112th? For a top-three team? Oh man. But, Michigan plays Penn State on the road and hosts Ohio State in two of its last four games. So 1st now? Got it.
4. Florida State – 49th
Remaining SOS: 51st
Florida State’s schedule is basically middle of the road. The LSU and Duke wins highlight the first eight games, but the Clemson win looks less and less impressive each week. The rest of the way? Meh. Miami and Florida highlight the in-state matchups.
5. Washington – 75th
Remaining SOS: 11th
It wasn’t a good schedule early on, but the Huskies have the home win over Oregon to boost their resume. But now, it remaps up. At USC, versus Utah, at Oregon State and home against Washington State. Good luck navigating that minefield. If they do, maybe the Huskies have a case for No. 1 overall.
6. Oregon – 65th
Remaining SOS: 40th
Oregon’s SOS does improve moving forward with ranked games against USC and Oregon State. The home game against Cal is meh but going to Arizona State could be a trap game. But then again, these Ducks are built differently than teams of the past.
7. Texas – 9th
Remaining SOS: 22nd
The Longhorns started out hot with ranked wins over Alabama on the road and home against Kansas. Yes, there’s a loss to Oklahoma, but Texas basically controls its destiny, we think. The end of the season isn’t as strong, but hosting a ranked Kansas State team is definitely one to boost the resume.
8. Alabama – 8th
Remaining SOS: 18th
Alabama might as well be the mirror image of Texas, except the Crimson Tide are undefeated in conference play. The rest of the way is difficult if you just single out the LSU game at home. At Kentucky is interesting, but Alabama finishes with Chattanooga and a road date with Auburn. But don’t discount the Iron Bowl.
9. Oklahoma – 40th
Remaining SOS: 34th
Oklahoma’s top game came against Texas in a win and its lone loss was to Kansas, which is now ranked in the CFP. Moving forward, it’s a little more difficult with a road date against Oklahoma State. Other than that, more of the same for the Sooners to end the 2023 season.
10. Ole Miss – 10th
Remaining SOS: 20th
Ole Miss had quite the schedule to start the year: top 10! Wins over Tulane and LSU boosted the Rebels’ resume. Unfortunately, they play in the same division as Alabama, which is their only loss of the season. Ole Miss will end the year with Georgia on the road amid two other SEC games and UL Monroe. Imagine if this team is 11-1 at the end of the year.
Now that the remaining strength of schedules are revealed, it could change things in the rankings by the time we get to the end of the season. How much will it change the CFP? Tune in!