NCAAF · 2 hours ago

ESPN Ranks the College Football Playoff Top 25 by Strength of Schedule Going Into Week 10

Frank LaBella

Host · Writer

What do You Think?
Four weeks remain in the regular season, and no one's safe. Strength of schedule tells a significant story, but each team paves its own path.

What do you think of ESPN's strength-of-schedule rankings? Is your team in the top 25 in this week's playoff ranking? Let us know in the comments!
ESPN Ranks the CFP Top 25 by Strength of Schedule Going Into Week 10
The first set of college football playoff rankings dropped this week, and the 25 teams up top have fought very different battles to get to this point. With a good chunk of football still ahead, the race has a long way to go.

Check out what ESPN's Power Index has to say about each team's strength of schedule this season, ranked from hardest to easiest.
1) Florida Gators
The No. 24 ranked Florida Gators have the No. 3 strength of schedule.

Florida Gators ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-3
- FPI Rank: 22
- Projected Record: 7.6-4.4
- Playoff Probability: 11.3%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.8%
- Win-Out Probability: 14.6%
- Make the CFP: 11.3%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.5%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
2) Ole Miss Rebels
The No. 10 ranked Ole Miss Rebels have the No. 4 strength of schedule.

Ole Miss Rebels ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 9
- Projected Record: 9.1-3.1
- Playoff Probability: 60.9%
- Win Conference Probability: 12.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 15.3%
- Make the CFP: 60.9%
- Make National Championship Game: 10.2%
- Win the National Championship: 4.8%
3) Alabama Crimson Tide
The No. 5 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide have the No. 7 strength of schedule.

Alabama Crimson Tide ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 6
- Projected Record: 9.4-2.9
- Playoff Probability: 60.2%
- Win Conference Probability: 16.9%
- Win-Out Probability: 24.6%
- Make the CFP: 60.2%
- Make National Championship Game: 13.7%
- Win the National Championship: 7.0%
4) Kentucky Wildcats
The No. 6 ranked Kentucky Wildcats have the No. 8 strength of schedule.

Kentucky Wildcats ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-1
- FPI Rank: 26
- Projected Record: 8.9-3.4
- Playoff Probability: 51.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 6.4%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.9%
- Make the CFP: 51.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 3.2%
- Win the National Championship: 0.9%
5) Texas Longhorns
The No. 7 ranked Texas Longhorns have the No. 9 strength of schedule.

Texas Longhorns ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 7
- Projected Record: 8.9-3.3
- Playoff Probability: 60.9%
- Win Conference Probability: 7.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 16.1%
- Make the CFP: 60.9%
- Make National Championship Game: 13.4%
- Win the National Championship: 6.7%
6) Ohio State Buckeyes
The No. 12 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes have the No. 10 strength of schedule.

Ohio State Buckeyes ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 2
- Projected Record: 9.7-2.9
- Playoff Probability: 73.9%
- Win Conference Probability: 43.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 35.1%
- Make the CFP: 73.9%
- Make National Championship Game: 21.1%
- Win the National Championship: 11.7%
7) South Carolina Gamecocks
The No. 21 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks have the No. 15 strength of schedule.

South Carolina Gamecocks ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-3
- FPI Rank: 25
- Projected Record: 7.2-4.8
- Playoff Probability: 2.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 6.4%
- Make the CFP: 2.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
8) Oregon Ducks
The No. 23 ranked Oregon Ducks have the No. 21 strength of schedule.

Oregon Ducks ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-3
- FPI Rank: 12
- Projected Record: 7.6-4.4
- Playoff Probability: 4.2%
- Win Conference Probability: 2.8%
- Win-Out Probability: 6.9%
- Make the CFP: 4.2%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.4%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
9) LSU Tigers
The No. 14 ranked LSU Tigers have the No. 23 strength of schedule.

LSU Tigers ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 5
- Projected Record: 8.9-3.4
- Playoff Probability: 48.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 11.5%
- Win-Out Probability: 13.6%
- Make the CFP: 48.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 11.1%
- Win the National Championship: 5.9%
10) Tennessee Volunteers
The No. 13 ranked Tennessee Volunteers have the No. 25 strength of schedule.

Tennessee Volunteers ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 14
- Projected Record: 8.4-3.7
- Playoff Probability: 21.2%
- Win Conference Probability: 2.3%
- Win-Out Probability: 5.6%
- Make the CFP: 21.2%
- Make National Championship Game: 1.8%
- Win the National Championship: 0.7%
11) USC Trojans
The No. 20 ranked USC Trojans have the No. 27 strength of schedule.

USC Trojans ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 15
- Projected Record: 8.7-3.4
- Playoff Probability: 18.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 2.7%
- Win-Out Probability: 5.2%
- Make the CFP: 18.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 1.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.4%
12) Houston Cougars
The No. 17 ranked Houston Cougars have the No. 28 strength of schedule.

Houston Cougars ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 20
- Projected Record: 9.1-3.1
- Playoff Probability: 17.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 6.3%
- Win-Out Probability: 24.9%
- Make the CFP: 17.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.6%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
13) Missouri Tigers
The No. 18 ranked Missouri Tigers have the No. 29 strength of schedule.

Missouri Tigers ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 19
- Projected Record: 7.7-4.3
- Playoff Probability: 9.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 1.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 0.9%
- Make the CFP: 9.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.5%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
14) Indiana Hoosiers
The No. 4 ranked Indiana Hoosiers have the No. 31 strength of schedule.

Indiana Hoosiers ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 8
- Projected Record: 10.9-1.8
- Playoff Probability: 84.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 37.8%
- Win-Out Probability: 33.6%
- Make the CFP: 84.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 16.1%
- Win the National Championship: 7.4%
15) Georgia Bulldogs
The No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs have the No. 35 strength of schedule.

Georgia Bulldogs ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-1
- FPI Rank: 4
- Projected Record: 10.6-2.1
- Playoff Probability: 81.7%
- Win Conference Probability: 41.7%
- Win-Out Probability: 22.6%
- Make the CFP: 81.7%
- Make National Championship Game: 23.0%
- Win the National Championship: 12.3%
16) Iowa Hawkeyes
The No. 19 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes have the No. 36 strength of schedule.

Iowa Hawkeyes ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 21
- Projected Record: 8.5-3.5
- Playoff Probability: 11.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.8%
- Win-Out Probability: 13.1%
- Make the CFP: 11.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.5%
- Win the National Championship: 0.1%
17) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The No. 16 ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons have the No. 43 strength of schedule.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-1
- FPI Rank: 11
- Projected Record: 10.5-2.3
- Playoff Probability: 59.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 20.5%
- Win-Out Probability: 11.5%
- Make the CFP: 59.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 5.5%
- Win the National Championship: 2.0%
18) BYU Cougars
The No. 9 ranked BYU Cougars have the No. 45 strength of schedule.

BYU Cougars ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-1
- FPI Rank: 16
- Projected Record: 9.8-2.6
- Playoff Probability: 44.3%
- Win Conference Probability: 17.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 6.8%
- Make the CFP: 44.3%
- Make National Championship Game: 3.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.9%
19) Miami Hurricanes
The No. 1 ranked Miami Hurricanes have the No. 49 strength of schedule.

Miami Hurricanes ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-0
- FPI Rank: 3
- Projected Record: 12.0-1.0
- Playoff Probability: 98.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 75.7%
- Win-Out Probability: 24.9%
- Make the CFP: 98.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 32.4%
- Win the National Championship: 18.2%
20) Arizona Wildcats
The No. 22 ranked Arizona Wildcats have the No. 52 strength of schedule.

Arizona Wildcats ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-2
- FPI Rank: 27
- Projected Record: 8.7-3.4
- Playoff Probability: 7.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 4.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 12.2%
- Make the CFP: 7.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.3%
- Win the National Championship: 0.1%
21) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The No. 11 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish have the No. 55 strength of schedule.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-1
- FPI Rank: 1
- Projected Record: 10.4-1.6
- Playoff Probability: 79.7%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 51.1%
- Make the CFP: 79.7%
- Make National Championship Game: 23.6%
- Win the National Championship: 14.2%
22) Texas Tech Red Raiders
The No. 15 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders have the No. 68 strength of schedule.

Texas Tech Red Raiders ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-1
- FPI Rank: 13
- Projected Record: 10.1-2.3
- Playoff Probability: 42.7%
- Win Conference Probability: 21.9%
- Win-Out Probability: 13.9%
- Make the CFP: 42.7%
- Make National Championship Game: 3.4%
- Win the National Championship: 1.2%
23) UCLA Bruins
The No. 8 ranked UCLA Bruins have the No. 77 strength of schedule.

UCLA Bruins ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-0
- FPI Rank: 28
- Projected Record: 10.4-2.0
- Playoff Probability: 51.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 11.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.5%
- Make the CFP: 51.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 2.6%
- Win the National Championship: 0.8%
24) Boise State Broncos
The No. 25 ranked Boise State Broncos have the No. 79 strength of schedule.

Boise State Broncos ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-1
- FPI Rank: 32
- Projected Record: 11.2-1.8
- Playoff Probability: 61.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 72.5%
- Win-Out Probability: 41.6%
- Make the CFP: 61.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 1.2%
- Win the National Championship: 0.3%
25) Utah Utes
The No. 3 ranked Utah Utes have the No. 83 strength of schedule.

Utah Utes ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-0
- FPI Rank: 10
- Projected Record: 11.4-1.5
- Playoff Probability: 78.2%
- Win Conference Probability: 48.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 15.8%
- Make the CFP: 78.2%
- Make National Championship Game: 9.9%
- Win the National Championship: 3.8%
What do You Think?
Four weeks remain in the regular season, and no one's safe. Strength of schedule tells a significant story, but each team paves its own path.

What do you think of ESPN's strength-of-schedule rankings? Is your team in the top 25 in this week's playoff ranking? Let us know in the comments!
ESPN Ranks the CFP Top 25 by Strength of Schedule Going Into Week 10
The first set of college football playoff rankings dropped this week, and the 25 teams up top have fought very different battles to get to this point. With a good chunk of football still ahead, the race has a long way to go.

Check out what ESPN's Power Index has to say about each team's strength of schedule this season, ranked from hardest to easiest.