By: Kolten Powell (@409Kay)
As we enter Season 20 of the CFSL we looked into every program’s schedule seeing who has the easiest and toughest schedule in the league. However, we did this in a different way than normal SOS. Each team’s record from last season determines the normal strength of schedule. In the CFSL a lot can change in a season (look at Auburn).
So we gathered every team’s schedule and used a point system, based on the preseason rankings, to determine the strength of the schedule.
The Top 15 ranked teams in the polls were scored from 16 to 2 points. Every other team not ranked was given a score of 1 point. The more points you have, the tougher your schedule is. Here are the results.
The Top Ten
*Including ties
#1 Ohio State – 69 Points
Ohio State has the hardest schedule (according to our metrics) and it wasn’t close. Their toughest opponent is #2 Florida State while their easiest opponents were Oregon and Michigan State. The Buckeyes face five teams inside the top eight this season.
#2 Auburn – 54 Points
Auburn came in with their highest preseason ranking since the 4th week of Season 13 thanks to a great offseason. However, they won’t have it easy this season. They will face four teams ranked inside the top 10 as they will try to work their way back to glory.
#3(t) Illinois – 53 Points
It is no secret that the Big10 is stacked. The conference got even tougher this season with the addition of Michigan State. Illinois will have to face that gauntlet and a tough out-of-conference schedule. Their hardest game comes against conference foe #3 Penn State and a brutal OOC matchup with #1 Kentucky.
#3(t) Texas – 53 Points
After winning a weak BIG12 conference (the first conference title since Season 14 for the Longhorns) they will try to win their first back-to-back conference titles since Season 5 and Season 6. Under a new AD in Ryan Moreland, they will have their fair share of tests. Texas faces four teams ranked inside the top seven.
#5(t) Miami – 51 Points
Miami is coming off an 8-0 The regular season record last season and will try to continue their winning, despite a very tough schedule. With two games against #1 Kentucky and #2 Florida State it will be a tough road ahead.
#5(t) Georgia – 51 Points
Georgia snuck into the playoffs last season despite a 3-5 record. They reloaded for Season 20 and will try to get over the hump and make a run at a deep playoff run. However, that is easier said than done with their schedule. They will have three games against teams ranked inside the top six.
#7 Michigan – 50 Points
Like Illinois, Michigan has a tough conference schedule. They will face four top-eight opponents this season. They will attempt to overcome a tough schedule and get back to the title game, as they did in Season 17.
#8(t) Tennessee – 48 Points
Tennessee is coming off an 0-8 season, but are poised to be much improved this season. The Volunteers had a good recruiting class, highlighted by a top-25 QB recruit. Ending the CFSL’s longest losing streak will not be easy, however. More than half of their games come against ranked opponents, including #1 Kentucky and #4 Auburn.
#8(t) Oregon – 48 Points
Oregon was the Cinderella of Season 19, but if they want to continue the success they had last season they will have to be great. The Ducks will have four games against top 11 opponents. They only have two games against unranked teams, which is tied for the lowest of any schedule.
#8(t) Texas A&M – 48 Points
Texas A&M has come back into the league after being away since Season 15. The Aggies will try to rewrite the program’s rough history with a brand new AD Kade Padgett. The Big XII certainly got better this offseason and Texas A&M has some tough OOC opponents too. This gives them the 8th hardest schedule with games against the likes of #2 FSU, #6 Cincinnati, and #9 Texas.
#8(t) Michigan State – 48 Points
Brand new to the league is Michigan State under the likes of a new AD Antonio McDaniel. And they didn’t get handed an easy schedule. The Spartans had a great first offseason, but it will take some work to overcome the odds. Their key games coming against #3 Penn State, #5 USC, and #8 Illinois.
The Bottom 16
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 12 | Kentucky | 47 |
| 13(t) | Florida | 45 |
| 13(t) | LSU | 45 |
| 15 | USC | 42 |
| 16 | Alabama | 41 |
| 17 | Notre Dame | 39 |
| 18(t) | Colorado | 38 |
| 18(t) | North Carolina | 38 |
| 20(t) | Penn State | 36 |
| 20(t) | West Virginia | 36 |
| 22 | Syracuse | 34 |
| 23 | Baylor | 33 |
| 24 | Florida State | 32 |
| 25 | Cincinnati | 25 |
| 26 | Clemson | 21 |
With some tough games and plenty of new faces, it should be an exciting Season 20!
