The debate over the strength of non-conference schedules among the top teams in college football is an interesting one. While some teams have been criticized for the lack of strength among their opponents over the years, there are also those teams that have significantly benefited from easier non-conference slates. That was certainly the case with Washington a year ago when they made the College Football Playoff despite one of the easiest non-conference schedules among the top contenders in the country. The Huskies have a favorable schedule once again this season so it will be interesting to see if it impacts their potential as CFP contenders. Here is a look at the teams with the easiest non-conference schedules for the 2017 college football season.
Missouri Tigers
Missouri will have its hands full in the SEC once again but their non-conference schedule could very well be the easiest in the entire country among teams expected to contend for double-digit win totals. Three of their four non-conference games are against teams that either rank in the bottom-15 nationally in FPI or that don’t compete at the FBS level. The schedule includes home dates against Missouri, Purdue and Idaho as well as a road game against Connecticut. Based on how easy their non-conference schedule is, the Tigers should be able to contend for a double-digit win total once again in 2017.
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado will host each of its three non-conference games against Colorado State, Texas State and Northern Colorado this season. That slate is a testament to the mentality surrounding the program just a couple of years ago. Back when their schedule was created in 2014-15, things weren’t looking so good for the Buffaloes. That’s why they wanted to take baby steps. However, they posted 10 wins and won a Pac-12 South title in 2016 so suddenly they are on the radar as a legitimate contender to reach double-digit wins. Colorado will face some tough opponents in the Pac-12 this season. However, the Buffaloes should definitely benefit from an easy non-conference slate in which they should go a perfect 3-for-3 in the win column.
Washington Huskies
The Huskies played one of the worst non-conference schedules among the top contenders in the country last season when they hosted Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State. It worked for them as they reached the College Football Playoff, so they are probably hoping they can double up this season. Washington will host Rutgers, Montana and Fresno State in what will once again be one of the easiest non-conference slates in the country. Anything short of a 3-0 record in these three games would be a disaster. These are three cupcake matchups and none of these games should be close. It could end up helping the Huskies as they attempt to get back to the College Football Playoff this season.
South Florida Bulls
There has been a lot of talk about South Florida’s potential to make some noise as one of the better teams form the Group of Five this season. A very manageable non-conference schedule should help. The Bulls will visit San Jose State in late August before hosting Stony Brook, Illinois and Massachusetts. That should be a very manageable slate for a talented team that is capable of reaching 10 wins in 2017.
Speaking of the matchup with San Jose State, that will be one of the games that gets the 2017 college football season started this weekend. The Bulls are currently a 22-point favorite at San Jose State, which means they’re expected to roll. Anything short of a dominant performance will be disappointing.
Ohio Bobcats
The Bobcats are the only team on this list that will have to play multiple non-conference games on the road this season. However, the foursome of teams that they will face are so bad that it shouldn’t matter. Ohio will host Hampton and Kansas and they will visit Purdue and Massachusetts. While they took a small hit in the talent department a very manageable schedule should help. It might also be enough to help the Bobcats reach the 10-win mark this season.
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