Scheduling Quirks Set to Stress Test 2026 Contenders

While the four power conferences have largely moved toward a uniform standard of nine league games—with a few exceptions in the ACC—Sports Illustrated reports, as first reported by the outlet, that nonconference scheduling remains a primary battleground for strength-of-schedule disputes.

According to Sports Illustrated, a small group of teams—including Boston College, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Purdue—are facing an arduous 11 power-conference opponents. Conversely, teams such as Penn State, USC, Washington, and Nebraska are playing only nine.

These disparities lead into a brutal November stretch that could prove decisive for the season's top contenders. Sports Illustrated highlights Nov. 7 as a particularly grueling day, featuring a dense slate of preseason AP Top 25 matchups. These include No. 2 Oregon at No. 1 Ohio State, No. 3 Georgia at No. 9 Mississippi, No. 7 Miami at No. 4 Notre Dame, and No. 13 Alabama at No. 11 LSU, among others.

Ohio State faces what Sports Illustrated describes as the toughest overall schedule. The Buckeyes must travel to Texas on Sept. 12 before closing their season with home games against Oregon and Michigan.

Other logistical hurdles will plague teams early in the season. Sports Illustrated notes that Arizona State will face two consecutive 9 a.m. body-clock games, first at Texas A&M on Sept. 12 and then against Kansas in London a week later.