Rivalry Week is upon us, and the excitement in the air is palpable as the College Football Playoff race heats up! With the latest Top 25 rankings released on Tuesday night, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Teams are racing against time to distinguish themselves and secure their spots in the coveted playoff bracket.
Understanding Strength of Schedule
One of the most critical factors in this race is strength of schedule. This metric plays a pivotal role in how teams are evaluated in the rankings process. While the College Football Playoff (CFP) relies on data from SportSource Analytics, that information remains under wraps. Fortunately, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) offers a glimpse into how each team’s schedule stacks up, ranking them from weakest to strongest. As we approach Week 14, let’s take a closer look at how the playoff contenders are faring in this crucial aspect.
UNLV – SOS: 103
CFP Top 25 Ranking: 22
After making their debut in the College Football Playoff rankings just a week ago, UNLV has climbed two spots to No. 22. The Rebels are on a mission to reach the Mountain West Championship, but first, they must navigate a rivalry game against Nevada this week.
Games Remaining: Nevada
Tulane – SOS: 100
CFP Top 25 Ranking: No. 17
Riding an impressive eight-game winning streak, Tulane is making waves in the College Football Playoff rankings, even with the second-weakest schedule among the Top 25 teams. The Green Wave is eager to finish the regular season strong, with eyes set on the American Athletic Conference Championship against Army.
Games Remaining: Memphis, Army (AAC Championship)
Boise State – SOS: 81
CFP Top 25 Ranking: No. 11
Currently projected as the No. 4 seed in the 12-team bracket, Boise State stands tall as the highest-ranked Group of 5 team. With Heisman Trophy hopeful Ashton Jeanty leading the charge, the Broncos are set to host the Mountain West Championship after this week’s crucial matchup against Oregon State.
Games Remaining: Oregon State, TBD (Mountain West Championship)
Notre Dame – SOS: 78
CFP Top 25 Ranking: No. 5
After a commanding performance in the Shamrock Series against Army, Notre Dame continues to assert its dominance, bouncing back from an unexpected loss to Northern Illinois. The Fighting Irish will wrap up their season with a rivalry showdown against USC, though this matchup may not significantly enhance their strength of schedule as it has in previous years.
Games Remaining: USC
SMU – SOS: 77
CFP Top 25 Ranking: No. 9
In its inaugural year in the ACC, SMU has made quite an impression. The Mustangs are heading to the conference championship and currently rank No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. However, their strength of schedule remains just outside the Top 75, according to ESPN.
Games Remaining: Cal
Iowa State – SOS: 69
CFP Top 25 Ranking: No. 18
It’s been a rollercoaster season for Iowa State, which is currently positioned at No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Cyclones find themselves in the thick of a competitive Big 12 race, making their upcoming games some of the most anticipated of Week 14.
Games Remaining: Kansas State
Arizona State – SOS: 66
CFP Top 25 Ranking: No. 16
Flying high in the rankings, Arizona State has emerged as the highest-ranked Big 12 team. Despite being ranked 16th overall, they are projected to clinch the conference championship, showcasing their strength in a challenging season.
Games Remaining: Arizona
Remaining CFP teams’ strength of schedule
As we look at the overall landscape, here’s how some other contenders stack up in terms of strength of schedule:
Indiana | SOS: 51 | CFP Ranking: No. 10
Kansas State | SOS: 48 | CFP Ranking: No. 24
BYU | SOS: 39 | CFP Ranking: No. 19
Texas | SOS: 36 | CFP Ranking: No. 3
Penn State | SOS: 32 | CFP Ranking: No. 4
Ole Miss | SOS: 27 | CFP Ranking: No. 14
Illinois | SOS: 26 | CFP Ranking: No. 23
Ohio State | SOS: 25 | CFP Ranking: No. 2
Texas A&M | SOS: 23 | CFP Ranking: No. 20
Tennessee | SOS: 22 | CFP Ranking: No. 8
Missouri | SOS: 20 | CFP Ranking: No. 21
South Carolina | SOS: 12 | CFP Ranking: No. 15
Alabama | SOS: 11 | CFP Ranking: No. 13
Georgia | SOS: 1 | CFP Ranking: No. 7
The Road Ahead
As we dive deeper into Rivalry Week, the excitement is palpable. With conference championships on the horizon, the playoff picture is becoming clearer. Will your favorite team rise to the occasion and secure their place in the playoffs? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the drama of college football is just getting started!
