Tonight the CFSL schedule will be unveiled for season 10. With the regular season moving in quickly, we’ve got everything you need to know ahead of season 10’s full schedule release. It’s a big milestone season, and the schedule reflects that. Here’s what you need to know ahead of tonight’s schedule reveal.
1) Three Conferences
With expansion comes the need to divy up the conferences, and going into season 10, there are three conferences, each consisting of six teams. The SEC, Big 12, and Big Ten will stick with their eight game season, leaving them five conference games and three-non-conference games. For example, an SEC team will play a team from the Big 12, Big 10, and the MAC. Last season, it was the teams who played in the semifinals who did not have to play a MAC team, but with the expansion both of the CFSL and the MAC, only the National Championship teams will not have to play a MAC team this season.
2) Early Season MAC-Up
Much like last season, the MAC will be facing CFSL teams in the first two weeks of the season. However, here’s an interesting factoid for you. Of the six teams in the SEC, only Miami will not be facing a MAC team in week one. The Big Ten, on the other hand, will face all CFSL opponents in week one. The Big 12 is a bit more of a mixed back with Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and LSU facing CFSL opponents, while Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Texas will be facing MAC teams.
3) Week Five
As we all know, every game in the CFSL matters. But each team will get non-conference matchups sprinkled in throughout the season and then week five hits. Week five is when every matchup through the end of the season is solely conference based. The second half of the season is when the rubber really meets the road as these teams make their playoff push. Don’t mistake me, teams will have conference games prior to week five, but the bulk of their conference schedule will really start in week five on.
4) Rivals
Week eight has always been historic, and has always been a deciding factor in the playoff push in the CFSL. Last season’s matchup between Auburn and Alabama determined which of the two teams got in. Clemson’s matchup with Florida saw the Gators knock the Tigers out of the playoffs. Miami’s win granted them the top spot in the SEC. Week eight has always mattered and this season sees Bedlam taking place in week eight for the Big 12, with Clemson and Florida remaining as rivalry in the SEC, and a showdown out west for the Big Ten with the Broncos and the Ducks squaring off.
5) Opening Week
Week one has some very interesting matchups. As mentioned, several teams face MAC opponents, but let’s take a walk down the CFSL matchups you’ll see in week one. As is tradition, we’ll see a rematch of last season’s National Championship game between the Miami Hurricanes and the LSU Tigers. We’ll also see the traditional Stern Bowl between Ohio State and USC. The Oregon Ducks kickoff their season with the Michigan Wolverines while the Notre Dame Fighting Irish begin their season against the Texas A&M Aggies. And, perhaps one of the larger matchups is the CFSL debut of the Oklahoma Sooners, squaring off against the Boise State Broncos to open up week one.
We’re only a few weeks away from the start of the regular season, but don’t miss the Inside Blitz Podcast tonight to see the full schedule breakdown!
