Toughest 2013 Big 12 Non-Conference Football Schedules

We head east in our non-conference schedule rankings as we tackle the Big 12 — or ten, whichever you prefer — and rank them from least to most challenging.

Toughest 2013 Pac-12 Non-Conference Football Schedules

A few Pac-12 schools made an appearance on some Big Ten non-conference schedules, so naturally we’ll go out West to rank the Pac-12 and their own 2013 non-conference schedules.

Colin Cowherd Rips Alabama’s 2013 Football Schedule

ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd ripped Alabama and head coach Nick Saban yesterday over the quality of their 2013 football schedule.

Toughest 2013 Big Ten Non-Conference Football Schedules

To some, non-conference schedules don’t mean much. To others, it means a lot. The others being referred to tend to have to rely on pivotal out of conference games to boost their resume versus those that play in tougher conferences.

SEC to Discuss Nine-Game Football Schedule

With the announcement of the upcoming SEC Network on Thursday, discussion and speculation about a nine-game SEC football schedule is heating up.

Big Ten Conference to stop scheduling FCS Teams

The Big Ten Conference will stop scheduling FCS teams for non-conference football games, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez told WIBA-AM radio in Madison.

“The nonconference schedule in our league is ridiculous,” Alvarez said. “It’s not very appealing.” Alvarez went on to say that Big Ten officials have “…made an agreement that our future games will all be Division I schools. It will not be FCS schools.”

Final 2012 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

National Champion Alabama's schedule ended up being ranked 33rd by the NCAA. Their highest strength of schedule ranking was from Kenneth Massey, who rated the Tide 3rd.

Notre Dame was rated first in Phil Steele's preseason rankings. Their schedule was rated 8th by the NCAA and Colley Matrix and 7th by Kenneth Massey.

Strength of Schedule: 2012 Mid-Season Review

Most FBS teams have played six games already, which means we’ve reached the mid-point of the 2012 college football season. Let’s review the strength of schedule rankings (SOS) as they stand now.

There are several sources for strength of schedule, including four of the six BCS computer components and the NCAA itself. Note that these rankings are for schedules played and will differ from preseason rankings.

For comparison purposes, we will use Phil Steele’s preseason strength of schedule rankings.

Big Ten to keep Eight-Game Conference Football Schedule

Commissioner Jim Delany said at the Big Ten media days this week that the conference will keep an eight-game football schedule.

The decision comes on the heels of the suspension of the long-term scheduling agreement between the Big Ten and Pac-12. Delany said that the Pac-12′s nine-game conference schedule and “previous non-conference commitments” made the task of matching up 24 teams across two conferences “too difficult.”

Phil Steele’s 2012 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Phil Steele has published his 2012 college football strength of schedule rankings. Notre Dame has the toughest schedule in 2012, while UTSA has the easiest.

How does Steele arrive at his preseason schedule ratings? Steele combines his “9 sets of Power Ratings” with the amount of home and away games. This differs from the NCAA method which is strictly based on the opponent winning percentage from the previous year.

Final 2011 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of schedule (SOS) is a component of college football that spurs much debate. With the 2011 college football regular season completed, let’s take a look at the final SOS rankings from several resources.

There are several sources for strength of schedule, including four of the six BCS computer components and the NCAA itself. Note that these rankings are for schedules played and will differ from preseason rankings. Also, the final SOS rankings do not include bowl games.

Sporting News 2011 Top 10 Non-Conference Football Schedules

The LSU Tigers have the toughest 2011 non-conference football schedule according to Sporting News. The publication ranks Mississippi State’s schedule as the worst.

LSU’s season opener against the Oregon Ducks at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas is ranked as one of the five best non-conference games in 2011. The other four are Boise State vs. Georgia (at Atlanta, GA), Oklahoma at Florida State, Ohio State at Miami (FL) and Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (at Arlington, TX).

Phil Steele’s 2011 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Phil Steele has published his 2011 college football strength of schedule rankings. Colorado has the toughest schedule in 2011, while Ohio has the easiest.

In 2010, the Iowa State Cyclones had the toughest schedule. They finished the season 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Big 12. The easiest schedule in 2010? The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, and they finished 6-7 overall and 5-3 in the Sun Belt.

Phil Steele’s 2010 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Phil Steele has published his 2010 college football strength of schedule rankings. Iowa State has the toughest schedule in 2010, while Middle Tennessee has the easiest.

How does Steele rank the college football schedules? Here is what he had to say on his blog:

Sagarin’s College Football Strength of Schedule Ratings – Week 10

Through week 10 of the 2009 college football season, the Washington Huskies have the toughest strength of schedule in Jeff Sagarin’s ratings. Last weeks strength of schedule rating is listed in parentheses: