NCAAF · 4 hours ago

ESPN Ranks the 30 Hardest Remaining College Football Schedules Going Into Week 11

Frank LaBella

Host · Writer

How do the Rankings Look?
The remaining strength of schedule tells a lot about a team's journey ahead, but tons of variables can factor in. We're in for many surprises in these next seven weeks and beyond.

What do you think of ESPN's rankings? Is your team in the top 25 in terms of remaining strength of schedule?
ESPN Ranks the 25 Hardest Remaining College Football Schedules Going Into Week 11
We're in the second half of the regular season in college football. It's time for teams to settle their scores and prepare for tough roads ahead.

For some teams, that road is much more difficult than for others. Check out how ESPN projects the 30 hardest remaining strengths of schedules as we head into Week 11.
1) Boston College Eagles
Boston College's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 4-5
- FPI Rank: 83
- Projected Record: 4.4-7.6
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.0%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
2) Michigan Wolverines
Michigan's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 38
- Projected Record: 5.8-6.2
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 1.0%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
3) Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 3-6
- FPI Rank: 63
- Projected Record: 3.4-8.6
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.2%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
4) Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 4-5
- FPI Rank: 69
- Projected Record: 4.3-7.7
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.1%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
5) Duke Blue Devils
Duke's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 29
- Projected Record: 8.1-3.9
- Playoff Probability: 1.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.3%
- Win-Out Probability: 1.5%
- Make the CFP: 1.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
6) Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 4-5
- FPI Rank: 24
- Projected Record: 5.1-6.9
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 4.6%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
7) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 2-7
- FPI Rank: 88
- Projected Record: 2.3-9.7
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.0%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
8) Missouri Tigers
Missouri's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 25
- Projected Record: 7.3-4.7
- Playoff Probability: 2.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 4.1%
- Make the CFP: 2.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
9) LSU Tigers
LSU's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 7
- Projected Record: 8.0-4.0
- Playoff Probability: 21.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 26.1%
- Make the CFP: 21.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 3.0%
- Win the National Championship: 1.5%
10) Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 3-6
- FPI Rank: 66
- Projected Record: 3.5-8.5
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.3%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
11) Washington Huskies
Washington's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 47
- Projected Record: 5.9-6.1
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 1.6%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
12) Baylor Bears
Baylor's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 34
- Projected Record: 7.1-4.9
- Playoff Probability: 1.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 1.5%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.1%
- Make the CFP: 1.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
13) SMU Mustangs
SMU's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 32
- Projected Record: 8.4-3.7
- Playoff Probability: 4.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 2.9%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.4%
- Make the CFP: 4.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
14) Texas Longhorns
Texas's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 6
- Projected Record: 9.3-2.9
- Playoff Probability: 74.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 9.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 22.3%
- Make the CFP: 74.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 15.5%
- Win the National Championship: 7.3%
15) Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 43
- Projected Record: 6.9-5.1
- Playoff Probability: 0.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.4%
- Make the CFP: 0.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
16) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 23
- Projected Record: 6.5-5.5
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 9.4%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
17) Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 22
- Projected Record: 6.5-5.5
- Playoff Probability: 0.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 11.7%
- Make the CFP: 0.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
18) USC Trojans
USC's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 16
- Projected Record: 8.7-3.4
- Playoff Probability: 15.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 3.9%
- Win-Out Probability: 5.0%
- Make the CFP: 15.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.8%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
19) Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 11
- Projected Record: 9.0-3.2
- Playoff Probability: 35.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 4.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 13.0%
- Make the CFP: 35.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 3.2%
- Win the National Championship: 1.2%
20) South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 19
- Projected Record: 7.6-4.4
- Playoff Probability: 5.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 10.4%
- Make the CFP: 5.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.2%
- Win the National Championship: 0.1%
21) Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 30
- Projected Record: 7.6-4.4
- Playoff Probability: 1.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 7.8%
- Make the CFP: 1.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
22) West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 58
- Projected Record: 5.9-6.1
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 1.4%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
23) Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 35
- Projected Record: 8.4-3.7
- Playoff Probability: 36.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 1.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 6.8%
- Make the CFP: 36.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 1.3%
- Win the National Championship: 0.3%
24) Auburn Tigers
Auburn's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 39
- Projected Record: 6.6-5.4
- Playoff Probability: 0.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 4.3%
- Make the CFP: 0.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
25) TCU Horned Frogs
TCU Horned Frogs ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 4-5
- FPI Rank: 44
- Projected Record: 5.2-6.8
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 4.9%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
26) Maryland Terrapins
Maryland's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 3-6
- FPI Rank: 81
- Projected Record: 3.5-8.5
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.2%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
27) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 14
- Projected Record: 10.0-2.4
- Playoff Probability: 37.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 18.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 9.6%
- Make the CFP: 37.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 2.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.7%
28) Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 62
- Projected Record: 5.7-6.3
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 1.3%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
29) Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 3-6
- FPI Rank: 52
- Projected Record: 3.9-8.1
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.7%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
30) Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 48
- Projected Record: 7.6-4.5
- Playoff Probability: 0.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 3.1%
- Make the CFP: 0.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
How do the Rankings Look?
The remaining strength of schedule tells a lot about a team's journey ahead, but tons of variables can factor in. We're in for many surprises in these next seven weeks and beyond.

What do you think of ESPN's rankings? Is your team in the top 25 in terms of remaining strength of schedule?
ESPN Ranks the 25 Hardest Remaining College Football Schedules Going Into Week 11
We're in the second half of the regular season in college football. It's time for teams to settle their scores and prepare for tough roads ahead.

For some teams, that road is much more difficult than for others. Check out how ESPN projects the 30 hardest remaining strengths of schedules as we head into Week 11.