The SEC is regarded as the best conference in college football and they only added to that strength in realignment. Since 2000, the SEC has claimed 14 titles.
So when you look at the strength of schedule across college football, it is no surprise that the SEC leads the way in terms of the toughest slates. After all, iron sharpens iron.
Recently, ESPN released the first Football Power Index of the 2024 offseason. We break down some of the data from the schedules to determine which conferences have it harder than others. The Big 12 checks in last with an average ranking of 57.1.
Strength of Schedule average position
We break down the average strength of schedule based on ESPN’s Football Power Index. The top two conferences in the sport lead the way with the toughest schedules.
| Conference | Avg SOS | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC | 49.8 | 9 (Georgia Tech) | 82 (Syracuse) |
| Big 12 | 57.1 | 36 (West Virginia) | 77 (Kansas) |
| Big Ten | 28.9 | 11 (Purdue) | 78 (Rutgers) |
| SEC | 12.0 | 1 (Florida) | 29 (Missouri) |
It isn’t much of a surprise to see the SEC and Big Ten at the top of the rankings given the conferences are loaded with talent after the latest round of realignment. The SEC added the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns, while the Big Ten added the Oregon Ducks, UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, and Washington Huskies. With the SEC considering a nine-game league schedule, expect their rankings to remain among the toughest in college football.
SEC SOS breakdown from hardest to easiest
The SEC’s lowest ranking is No. 29 which is the average of the Big Ten’s strength of schedule. The Football Power Index emphasized the SEC with all but one team in the overall top 50 rankings.
- Florida Gators (No. 1 overall)
- Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 2 overall)
- Georgia Bulldogs (No. 3 overall)
- Kentucky Wildcats (No. 4 overall)
- Auburn Tigers (No. 5 overall)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 6 overall)
- Oklahoma Sooners (No. 7 overall)
- Tennessee Volunteers (No. 8 overall)
- Texas Longhorns (No. 10 overall)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 14 overall)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (No. 17 overall)
- Texas A&M Aggies (No. 20 overall)
- Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 21 overall)
- Ole Miss Rebels (No. 22 overall)
- LSU Tigers (No. 23 overall)
- Missouri Tigers (No. 29 overall)
Bottom 10 easiest schedules in CFB
When it comes to the 2024 college football season, the Group of Five is chasing one of the CFP playoff slots. The highest-ranked G5 champion will get the final conference champion slot. As it sits right now, Liberty might be the best bet with the easiest schedule in FBS according to FPI. Not a single Power Four team landed in the easiest schedules in college football.
- Liberty Flames
- Florida International Panthers
- Central Michigan Chippewas
- Toledo Rockets
- East Carolina Pirates
- Texas State Bobcats
- Kennesaw State Owls
- Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Florida Atlantic Owls
- Rice Owls