The 10 FBS teams with toughest non-conference schedules in 2017
In the Playoff era, key wins against power opponents can make a difference in the end.
The 10 FBS teams with toughest non-conference schedules in 2017 In the Playoff era, key wins against power opponents can make a difference in the end. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2phoEk5
Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports Published 10:11 a.m. ET April 25, 2017 | Updated 2:19 p.m. ET April 25, 2017
The college football season doesn't start until the fall but it's never too early to start looking ahead. USA TODAY Sports
East Carolina Pirates quarterback Gardner Minshew.(Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)
As the brief history of the College Football Playoff has taught us, big wins outside of conference play can often vault a team into a New Year's Six bowl or, better yet, carry a contender to a spot inside the top four.
Several teams with realistic title hopes will be handed the opportunity to make noise in September and late November. Others scuffling on the fringes of bowl eligibility will face a rough path to six wins as a result of an intimidating non-league slate.
This week's top-10 list combs the Football Bowl Subdivision in search of the nation's most difficult non-conference schedules. Admittedly, games that look difficult in April often are less daunting come the regular season. Still, few will envy the opponents East Carolina and Southern California will face outside of the American Athletic Conference and Pac-12, for example.
1. East Carolina
Schedule: vs. James Madison (9/2), at West Virginia (9/9), vs. Virginia Tech (9/16), vs. Brigham Young (10/21)
There's no time to breathe for ECU. James Madison is the defending national champions in the Football Championship Subdivision. West Virginia is a lock for eight or more wins. Virginia Tech will be tough to unseat, even if at home. And BYU isn't a good matchup for the Pirates.
2. Southern California
Schedule: vs. Western Michigan (9/2), vs. Texas (9/16), at Notre Dame (10/21)
Texas and Notre Dame will be noticeably improved after disappointing 2016 seasons. Take note of the opponents ahead of each game: Stanford precedes Texas and Utah comes before the Irish. In other words, the Trojans will be coming off matchups with the two most physical opponents on their slate heading into these high-profile non-league games.
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3. Fresno State
Schedule: vs. Incarnate Word (9/2), at Alabama (9/9), at Washington (9/16), vs. Brigham Young (11/4)
Not one but two members of last year's College Football Playoff field? Good luck, Jeff Tedford. The Bulldogs' new coach will very likely win just one game outside of Mountain West Conference action.
4. Middle Tennessee State
Schedule: vs. Vanderbilt (9/2), at Syracuse (9/9), at Minnesota (9/16), vs. Bowling Green (9/23)
A few teams play three Power Five opponents in non-league play, but only the Blue Raiders kick off their year with all three in a row: Vanderbilt at home, followed by Syracuse and Minnesota on the road. They're not world beaters, but it's a schedule worthy of some respect.
5. Georgia Tech
Schedule: vs. Tennessee in Atlanta (9/2), vs. Jacksonville State (9/9), at UCF (9/16), vs. Georgia (11/25)
The year begins and ends with games against the top of the SEC East Division. Beating Tennessee may alter the course of the Yellow Jackets' season. Beating Georgia for the second year in a row and the third time in four years would be good for business.
Receivers Detrich Clark, left and Michael Gallup, two of the top returning players on CSU's football team, celebrate a touchdown during a Nov. 26 win at San Diego State. (Photo: ake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
6. Colorado State
Schedule: vs. Oregon State (8/26), vs. Colorado in Denver (9/2), vs. Abilene Christian (9/9), at Alabama (9/16)
The games against Power Five opponents get progressively harder. First Oregon State, which is slowly turning a corner under Gary Andersen. Then rival Colorado, which likely won't match last year's finish but will undoubtedly be a factor in the Pac-12 South Division. Then, after a win against Abilene Christian, mighty Alabama on the road.
Schedule: vs. Alabama in Atlanta (9/2), vs. Louisiana-Monroe (9/9), vs. Delaware State (11/18), at Florida (11/25)
The opener against Alabama is that rare early season game with a winner-take-all feel, even if the Playoff era has increased the chances for a one-loss team to eventually play for the national championship.
Schedule: vs. Michigan in Arlington, Texas (9/2), vs. Northern Colorado (9/9), vs. UAB (11/18), vs. Florida State (11/25)
The Gators' bookend games against Michigan and Florida State will be nasty. But it's not quite as intimidating as the Seminoles' duo, especially with the Gators playing host in the finale.
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Schedule: vs. Appalachian State (9/2), at Notre Dame (9/9), vs. Samford (9/16), at Georgia Tech (11/25)
The Notre Dame game will draw national eyeballs and the rivalry against Georgia Tech is always good fun, but don't sleep on Appalachian State's ability to put a scare in the Bulldogs in the opener.
10. Louisiana-Monroe
Schedule: at Memphis (8/31), at Florida State (9/9), vs. Southern Mississippi (9/16), at Auburn (11/18)
The Warhawks will face four reigning bowl teams, with both Power Five opponents in the mix for a New Year's Six bowl — and FSU a potential Playoff team. It's not a good way for a four-win team to make the move to postseason eligibility.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPRING GAMES
College football spring games in 2017
Wide receiver Darrin McNeal (89) celebrates at the end of the Oregon spring game on April 29. Scott Olmos, USA TODAY Sports
Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy sprints to the end zone for a touchdown during the team's spring game. Marvin Gentry, USA TODAY Sports
LSU running back Lanard Fournette scores a touchdown during the team's spring game. Stephen Lew, USA TODAY Sports
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley throws a pass as he is pressured by Antonio Shelton during the team's spring game. Abby Drey, Centre Daily Times via AP
Georgia Bulldogs red team wide receiver Mecole Hardman (4) is tackled by black team defenders Deangelo Gibbs (8) defensive back Jarvis Wilson (19) and defensive back Tim Hill (29) during the spring game April 22. Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame running back Josh Adams (33) celebrates with his teammates after a touchdown in the team's spring game. Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
Washington defensive lineman Vita Vea pressures quarterback Jake Browning during the team's spring game. Jennifer Buchanan, USA TODAY Spor
Alabama running back Josh Jacobs carries the ball during the team's spring game. Marvin Gentry, USA TODAY Sports
USC quarterback Sam Darnold scrambles from a tackler during the annual spring game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
New coach Matt Rhule before the start of Baylor's spring game April 22. Jerry Larson, AP
Penn State wide receiver Juwan Johnson makes a play during the team's spring game. Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State defender Kyle Ball chases down quarterback Skylar Thompson during the team's spring game. Bo Rader, AP
The Ohio State football team gets ready before the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan running back Karan Higdon (22) rushes on cornerback Keith Washington during the Michigan spring game at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker celebrates with his offensive teammates after throwing a touchdown pass during the team's spring game. Matt Gentry, The Roanoke Times via AP
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson runs the ball during the spring game at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY Sports
Clemson wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (34) carries the ball during the second half of the team's spring game. Joshua S. Kelly, USA TODAY Sports
Florida State running back Cam Akers runs the ball during the first half of the team's spring game. Melina Vastola, USA TODAY Sports
Western Kentucky defensive back Roger Cray disrupts a pass intended for Lucky Jackson during the team's spring game. Austin Anthony, Daily News via AP
Oklahoma running back Marcellus Sutton is tackled Antoine Stephens (5) and Prentice McKinney the team's spring game. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
Texas defensive back DeShon Elliott breaks up a pass in the end zone during the team's spring game. John Gutierrez, USA TODAY Sports
Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway hurdles over defensive back Eddie Giles (36) during the team's spring game. Logan Bowles, USA TODAY Sports
Clemson quarterback Tucker Israel looks to pass the ball during the team's spring game. Joshua S. Kelly, USA TODAY Sports
USC cheerleaders at the annual spring game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
Iowa quarterback Tyler Wiegers calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the team's spring game. Charlie Neibergall, AP
Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois dives forward for yardage during the team's spring game. Melina Vastola, USA TODAY Sports
Auburn defender Michael Sherwood knocks the ball from receiver Will Hastings during the team's spring game. Todd J. Van Emst, AP
Iowa State quarterback Jacob Park throws a pass during his team's annual spring game. Charlie Neibergall, AP
Former Oklahoma players Joe Mixon and Adrian Peterson talk during the school's spring game. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
A general view of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Florida's spring game. Logan Bowles, USA TODAY Sports
James Madison wide receiver John Miller tries to avoid the tackle of Ryan Green during their school's spring football game. Stephen Swofford, Daily News-Record Via AP
Mississippi State running back Aeris Williams carries the ball during the school's spring game. Rogelio V. Solis, AP
Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson attempts a field goal during the team's spring game. Todd J. Van Emst, AP
Missouri coach Barry Odom watches his players warm up before the team's spring game. Timothy Tai, Columbia Daily Tribune via AP
Oklahoma State wide receiver Obi Obialo catches a pass in front of cornerback Lamarcus Morton during the team's spring game. Sue Ogrocki, AP
West Virginia safety Jovanni Stewart and safety Marvin Gross Jr. tackle wide receiver David Sills during the team's spring game. Ray Thompson, AP
Kansas wide receiver Chase Harrell takes safety Emmanuel Moore off his feet after a catch during the team's spring game. Nick Krug, Lawrence Journal-World via AP
Nebraska quarterback Patrick O'Brien throws a pass during the team's spring game. Nati Harnik, AP
Texas Longorn mascot Bevo at rest during the Texas spring game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. John Gutierrez, USA TODAY Sports
Indiana's Jonathan Crawford makes an interception during the team's spring game. Jeremy Hogan, The Herald-Times via AP