2024 College Football Strength Of Schedule: A Preview

With the 2023 college football season still a few months away, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to 2024. And for many teams across the country, one of the things they’ll be keeping a close eye on is their strength of schedule.

The strength of a team’s schedule is determined by the combined record of all their opponents. A team with a strong schedule will typically have a higher ranking in the polls and will be considered a more legitimate contender for the College Football Playoff. On the other hand, a team with a weak schedule will often be overlooked, even if they have a good record.

So, which teams will have the strongest schedules in 2024? Here’s a look at the top 10:

2024 College Football Strength Of Schedule

The strength of a team’s schedule is determined by the combined record of all their opponents. A strong schedule can boost a team’s ranking and playoff chances, while a weak schedule can hurt a team’s reputation.

Top 10 Toughest Schedules: Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin
Key Matchups: Alabama vs. Ohio State, Clemson vs. Georgia, Oklahoma vs. Texas, Notre Dame vs. USC, Michigan vs. Ohio State
Impact of New Playoff Format: The expanded 12-team playoff could make it easier for teams with strong schedules to make the postseason.
Strength of Non-Conference Schedules: Some teams have more difficult non-conference schedules than others. For example, Alabama will play Texas and Oklahoma in 2024.
Importance of Home-Field Advantage: Teams with strong home-field advantages can often overcome a tough schedule. For example, Penn State has a 12-2 record at home since 2016.
Potential Upsets: Even the best teams can lose to an underdog. For example, Appalachian State upset Michigan in 2007.
Predicting the 2024 Schedule: It’s still too early to say which teams will have the strongest schedules in 2024, but there are some early contenders.

The strength of a team’s schedule is just one factor that will determine their success in 2024. Other factors, such as injuries, coaching changes, and player development, will also play a role. But a strong schedule can give a team a significant advantage in the race for the College Football Playoff.

Top 10 Toughest Schedules: Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin

The following teams are projected to have the toughest schedules in the 2024 college football season:

Alabama: The Crimson Tide will play eight teams that finished in the top 25 of the final AP Poll in 2023, including four top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, and Texas A&M.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes will also play eight teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including five top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Michigan.
Clemson: The Tigers will play seven teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including four top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Notre Dame.
Georgia: The defending national champions will play eight teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including five top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Texas A&M.
Oklahoma: The Sooners will play seven teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including four top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas.
Texas A&M: The Aggies will play eight teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including five top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and LSU.
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish will play six teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including three top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Clemson, Ohio State, and USC.
Michigan: The Wolverines will play seven teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including four top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Ohio State, Alabama, Penn State, and Wisconsin.
Penn State: The Nittany Lions will play seven teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including four top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Auburn.
Wisconsin: The Badgers will play six teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including three top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and Notre Dame.

These teams will all have to navigate a gauntlet of tough opponents in order to reach the College Football Playoff. The strength of their schedules will make every game a challenge, but it will also give them a chance to prove that they are the best teams in the country.

The 2024 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With so many great teams and so many tough schedules, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement from start to finish.

Key Matchups: Alabama vs. Ohio State, Clemson vs. Georgia, Oklahoma vs. Texas, Notre Dame vs. USC, Michigan vs. Ohio State

In addition to having the toughest overall schedules, the teams listed above will also play some of the most anticipated matchups of the 2024 college football season.

Alabama vs. Ohio State: This game will be a rematch of the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, which Alabama won 52-24. Both teams are expected to be among the best in the country again in 2024, so this game could be a preview of the national championship game once again.
Clemson vs. Georgia: This is one of the most heated rivalries in college football, and it’s always a close game. The two teams have met in the College Football Playoff three times in the past six years, with Georgia winning twice. This game will be played in Athens, Georgia, which will give the Bulldogs a slight home-field advantage.
Oklahoma vs. Texas: This is another classic rivalry in college football, and it’s always a big game, no matter where it’s played. The two teams will meet in Dallas, Texas, in 2024, which is a neutral site. This game could have a big impact on the Big 12 championship race.
Notre Dame vs. USC: This is a new rivalry that has quickly become one of the most intense in college football. The two teams have met twice in the past three years, with each team winning once. This game will be played in Los Angeles, California, which will give USC a slight home-field advantage.
Michigan vs. Ohio State: This is the biggest rivalry in the Big Ten, and it’s always a sellout crowd. The two teams have met every year since 1918, and Michigan holds a slight edge in the all-time series. This game will be played in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which will give the Wolverines a slight home-field advantage.

These are just a few of the key matchups that will be played during the 2024 college football season. With so many great teams and so many exciting games, it’s sure to be a season that fans will remember for years to come.

Impact of New Playoff Format: The expanded 12-team playoff could make it easier for teams with strong schedules to make the postseason.

The College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams in 2024, which will give more teams a chance to compete for a national championship. This is good news for teams with strong schedules, because they will now have a better chance of making the playoff even if they lose a game or two during the regular season.

More opportunities for teams with strong schedules: Under the old four-team playoff format, teams with strong schedules were often left out of the playoff if they lost a game or two during the regular season. This is because the selection committee would often prioritize teams that had undefeated or one-loss records, even if those teams had weaker schedules. With the expanded 12-team playoff, teams with strong schedules will have more opportunities to make the playoff, even if they lose a game or two.
Strength of schedule will be a more important factor in the selection process: Under the new playoff format, the selection committee will be required to consider the strength of a team’s schedule when making its selections. This means that teams with strong schedules will be more likely to be selected for the playoff, even if they have a few losses.
More teams will have a chance to play for a national championship: With the expanded playoff, more teams will have a chance to compete for a national championship. This is good for the sport of college football, because it will give more fans a chance to see their teams play for the biggest prize in the game.

The expanded College Football Playoff is a positive development for teams with strong schedules. It will give these teams a better chance to make the playoff and compete for a national championship. This is good for the sport of college football, because it will make the playoff more competitive and exciting.

Strength of Non-Conference Schedules: Some teams have more difficult non-conference schedules than others. For example, Alabama will play Texas and Oklahoma in 2024.

In addition to their conference schedules, teams also play a number of non-conference games each season. The strength of a team’s non-conference schedule can vary widely. Some teams play cupcakes, while others schedule games against tough opponents from other conferences.

Playing a tough non-conference schedule can be a risky move, but it can also pay off in the long run. A strong non-conference schedule can help a team improve its strength of schedule rating, which can be a factor in the College Football Playoff selection process. It can also help a team prepare for the challenges of conference play.

Alabama is one team that is known for playing a tough non-conference schedule. In 2024, the Crimson Tide will play two of the toughest non-conference games in the country: Texas and Oklahoma. Both of these teams are expected to be ranked in the top 10 in the preseason polls, and they will provide Alabama with a major challenge.

Other teams with tough non-conference schedules in 2024 include:

Ohio State: The Buckeyes will play Notre Dame and Oregon in non-conference play.
Clemson: The Tigers will play Georgia Tech and South Carolina in non-conference play.
Georgia: The Bulldogs will play Florida State and UCLA in non-conference play.
Oklahoma: The Sooners will play Alabama and Nebraska in non-conference play.
Texas: The Longhorns will play Alabama and LSU in non-conference play.

These teams are all hoping that their tough non-conference schedules will help them prepare for the challenges of conference play and ultimately make a run at the College Football Playoff.

The strength of a team’s non-conference schedule is just one factor that will be considered when selecting the teams for the College Football Playoff. However, it can be a significant factor, especially for teams that are trying to improve their strength of schedule rating or prepare for the challenges of conference play.

Importance of Home-Field Advantage: Teams with strong home-field advantages can often overcome a tough schedule. For example, Penn State has a 12-2 record at home since 2016.

Home-field advantage is a real thing in college football. Teams that play in front of their own fans are more likely to win, even if they are playing a tougher opponent. There are a number of factors that contribute to home-field advantage, including crowd noise, familiarity with the stadium, and the comfort of playing in front of friends and family.

Some teams have a particularly strong home-field advantage. Penn State is one example. The Nittany Lions have a 12-2 record at home since 2016. This includes wins over Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Penn State’s home-field advantage is so strong that they are often considered to be a national championship contender, even when they have a tough schedule.

Other teams with strong home-field advantages include:

Alabama: The Crimson Tide have a 68-5 record at home since 2010.
Clemson: The Tigers have a 39-0 record at home since 2015.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes have a 42-6 record at home since 2012.
Georgia: The Bulldogs have a 33-2 record at home since 2017.
Michigan: The Wolverines have a 35-5 record at home since 2015.

These teams are all hoping that their strong home-field advantage will help them overcome their tough schedules and make a run at the College Football Playoff.

Home-field advantage is not a guarantee of victory, but it can be a significant factor in a team’s success. Teams with strong home-field advantages are more likely to win games, even against tough opponents. This is something that teams will need to consider when making their schedules.

Potential Upsets: Even the best teams can lose to an underdog. For example, Appalachian State upset Michigan in 2007.

Even the best teams in college football are vulnerable to upsets. This is because there are no easy games in college football. Every team has talented players and every team is capable of winning on any given day.

Any team can win on any given day: This is the beauty of college football. Even the worst team can beat the best team on any given day. This is why it’s important for teams to never overlook their opponents, no matter how good or bad they may be.
Upsets happen more often than you think: In the past 10 years, there have been an average of 10 upsets per season in which a team ranked in the top 10 lost to an unranked team. This means that upsets are not as rare as you might think.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to an upset: These factors include injuries, bad weather, poor officiating, and simply being caught off guard. If a team is not prepared for its opponent, they are more likely to be upset.

The following are some potential upsets that could happen in the 2024 college football season:

Appalachian State over Alabama
Coastal Carolina over Clemson
Georgia State over Georgia
Kansas over Oklahoma
Liberty over Texas

These are just a few examples of potential upsets that could happen in 2024. Any team can win on any given day, so it’s important for fans to be prepared for anything.

Predicting the 2024 Schedule: It’s still too early to say which teams will have the strongest schedules in 2024, but there are some early contenders.

It’s still too early to say for sure which teams will have the strongest schedules in 2024, but there are a few teams that are already looking like they will have tough slates.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide will play eight teams that finished in the top 25 of the final AP Poll in 2023, including four top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, and Texas A&M.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes will also play eight teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including five top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Michigan.
Clemson: The Tigers will play seven teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including four top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Notre Dame.
Georgia: The defending national champions will play eight teams that finished in the top 25 in 2023, including five top-10 teams. Their toughest games will be against Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Texas A&M.

These are just a few of the teams that are expected to have tough schedules in 2024. It’s still too early to say for sure which teams will have the strongest schedules, but these are some of the early contenders.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 college football season:

Question 1: Which teams will have the strongest schedules in 2024?

Answer: It’s still too early to say for sure, but some early contenders include Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Georgia. These teams are all expected to play a number of tough opponents, both in conference and out of conference.

Question 2: What are some key matchups to watch for in 2024?

Answer: Some key matchups to watch for in 2024 include Alabama vs. Ohio State, Clemson vs. Georgia, Oklahoma vs. Texas, Notre Dame vs. USC, and Michigan vs. Ohio State. These are all games between top-ranked teams that could have a major impact on the College Football Playoff.

Question 3: How will the expanded College Football Playoff impact the 2024 season?

Answer: The expanded College Football Playoff will give more teams a chance to compete for a national championship. This is good news for teams with strong schedules, because they will now have a better chance of making the playoff even if they lose a game or two during the regular season.

Question 4: Which teams have the toughest non-conference schedules in 2024?

Answer: Some teams with tough non-conference schedules in 2024 include Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, and Oklahoma. These teams are all playing multiple Power Five opponents out of conference, which will give them a chance to prove themselves against some of the best teams in the country.

Question 5: Which teams have the strongest home-field advantages in 2024?

Answer: Some teams with strong home-field advantages in 2024 include Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, and Penn State. These teams all have passionate fan bases and intimidating stadiums, which can make it difficult for opposing teams to win.

Question 6: Which teams are potential candidates for upsets in 2024?

Answer: Some teams that are potential candidates for upsets in 2024 include Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Kansas, and Liberty. These teams all have the potential to beat ranked opponents, especially if they catch them off guard.

Closing Paragraph: These are just a few of the questions that fans are asking about the 2024 college football season. It’s sure to be an exciting season, with plenty of great matchups and storylines to follow.

In addition to the FAQ section above, here are some tips for fans who want to make the most of the 2024 college football season:

Tips

Here are a few tips for fans who want to make the most of the 2024 college football season:

Tip 1: Plan your schedule early.

The 2024 college football season is going to be a busy one, with plenty of great games to watch. Make sure you plan your schedule early so that you don’t miss any of the big games.

Tip 2: Get tickets to the games you want to see.

Tickets to the most popular college football games can sell out quickly. If you know which games you want to see, be sure to get your tickets early.

Tip 3: Watch the games on TV or online.

If you can’t make it to the games in person, you can still watch them on TV or online. There are a number of different ways to watch college football games, so find the option that works best for you.

Tip 4: Follow your favorite teams on social media.

Social media is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information about your favorite college football teams. Follow your teams on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to get the latest scores, highlights, and analysis.

Closing Paragraph: By following these tips, you can make sure that you have a great time watching the 2024 college football season.

Conclusion

Some of the key storylines to watch for in 2024 include:

The race for the College Football Playoff
The toughest schedules in the country
The potential for upsets
The impact of the new 12-team playoff format

Fans can expect to see a lot of great games in 2024. Some of the most anticipated matchups include Alabama vs. Ohio State, Clemson vs. Georgia, and Oklahoma vs. Texas. These games will have a major impact on the College Football Playoff race and will be sure to provide plenty of excitement.

The 2024 college football season is sure to be one for the ages. With so many great teams and so many exciting storylines, fans are in for a treat.

Closing Message:

Whether you’re a fan of a top-ranked team or an underdog, the 2024 college football season is sure to have something for everyone. So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable season of college football.