College Football Strength of Schedule So Far

It seems that every week someone has come up with a new way of measuring strength of schedule. Differing metrics are used, formulas are calibrated, statistics are quoted, and on and on. Instead of trying to develop a new mathematical way of looking at strength of schedule, I'm simply going to rely on the AP Poll to determine SOS.

The only qualifier for my strength of schedule is if a team has been ranked in the AP Poll's top 25 anytime during the season. This means the general consensus at one time was that the team deserved to be ranked, and ranked teams are good teams.

The only stipulation is that several teams started in the top 25 but as the season progressed have either had a .500 season or a losing season so far. These teams are Clemson, Illinois, Wisconsin, Auburn, Arizona St., and UCLA. These teams will be omitted from being considered in the rankings due to their records.

1. Texas

Texas has played or will play five teams that have been ranked in the AP Poll top 25. That number is unlikely to change.

2. Alabama

Alabama has played or will play three teams that have been ranked. Clemson has been omitted. This number is unlikely to change.

3. Penn St.

Penn St. has played or will play two teams that have been ranked. Illinois and Wisconsin have been omitted due to their records. This number COULD change to three if Indiana gets ranked, but that is unlikely at this point in the season.

4. Oklahoma

Oklahoma has played or will play five teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

5. Florida

Florida has played or will play five teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has not been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change. Florida is one of only five teams that are currently in the top 25 with a loss to a never ranked opponent.

6. Texas Tech

Texas Tech has played or will play five teams that have been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

7. USC

USC has played or will play three teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has not been ranked. Arizona St. and UCLA have been omitted due to their records. That number is unlikely to change. USC is one of only five teams that are currently in the top 25 with a loss to a never ranked opponent.

8. Georgia

Georgia has played or will play six teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has been ranked. Arizona St. and Auburn have been omitted due to their records. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change. Georgia is one of only three teams that have played or will play the most opponents who have been ranked this season.

9. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State has played or will play four teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

10. Utah

Utah has played or will play two teams that have been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

11. Boise State

Boise State has played or will play two teams that have been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

12. TCU

TCU has played or will play three teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

13. Ohio State

Ohio State has played or will play four teams that have been ranked and has lost to two teams that have been ranked. Wisconsin and Illinois have been omitted due to their records. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

14. Missouri

Missouri has played or will play three teams that have been ranked and has lost to two teams that have been ranked. Illinois has been omitted due to their record. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

15. LSU

LSU has played or will play four teams that have been ranked and has lost to two teams that have been ranked. Auburn has been omitted due to their record. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

16. FSU

FSU has played or will play six teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has been ranked. Clemson has been omitted due to their record. The number of ranked teams will not change. FSU is one of only three teams that have played or will play the most opponents who have been ranked this season.

17. BYU

BYU has played or will play two teams that have been ranked and have lost to one team that has been ranked. UCLA has been omitted due to their record. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

18. Ball State

Ball State has played or will play zero teams that have been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change. Ball State is one of only two teams that have not and probably will not play an opponent that has been ranked.

19. Tulsa

Tulsa has played or will play zero teams that have been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change. Tulsa is one of only two teams that have not and probably will not play an opponent that has been ranked.

20. Minnesota

Minnesota has played or will play one team that has been ranked and has lost to one team that has been ranked. Illinois and Wisconsin have been omitted due to their records. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

21. UNC

UNC has played or will play five teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has not been ranked and one team that has been ranked. The number of teams can go up by one if Virginia gets ranked. UNC is one of only five teams that are currently in the top 25 with a loss to a never ranked opponent.

22. Michigan State

Michigan State has played or will play three teams that have been ranked and has lost to two teams that have been ranked. Wisconsin has been omitted due to their record. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

23. Oregon

Oregon has played or will play three teams that have been ranked and has lost to two teams that have been ranked. UCLA and Arizona State have been omitted due to their records. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change.

24. USF

USF has played or will play two teams that have been ranked and has lost to one team that has not been ranked and one team that has been ranked. The number of ranked teams is unlikely to change. USF is one of only five teams that are currently in the top 25 with a loss to a never ranked opponent.

25. Maryland

Maryland has played or will play six teams that have been ranked and has lost to two teams that have not been ranked. This number can change if Virginia gets ranked. Maryland is the only team to have two losses to never ranked opponents and be ranked in the top 25 at this time. Maryland is one of only three teams that have played or will play the most opponents who have been ranked this season.