Though there is still seven months until the start of the 2016 college football season, people are already talking about their favorite team’s chances of taking home a national championship next year.
While talking about championship chances, the idea of schedule strength comes up in the conversation. The College Football Playoff committee looks at strength of schedule when it comes to picking the four teams that will battle for the national title, meaning schools are going to schedule tougher opponents outside of conference play.
On Monday, ESPN released the teams with the toughest nonconference schedules in 2016. You can check out the Top 5 below.
1. USC Trojans
Sept. 3: vs. Alabama in Arlington, Texas
Sept. 10: Utah State
Nov. 26: Notre Dame
2. Oklahoma Sooners
Sept. 3: at Houston in NRG Stadium
Sept. 10: Louisiana-Monroe
Sept. 17: Ohio State
3. Florida State Seminoles
Sept. 5: Ole Miss in Orlando, Florida
Sept. 10: Charleston Southern
Sept. 24: at South Florida
Nov. 26: Florida
4. Virginia Tech Hokies
Sept. 3: Liberty
Sept. 10: vs. Tennessee in Bristol, Tennessee
Sept. 24: East Carolina
Nov. 19: at Notre Dame
5. Pittsburgh Panthers
Sept. 3: Villanova
Sept. 10: Penn State
Sept. 17: at Oklahoma State
Oct. 1: Marshall
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
