Notes

The NCAA Football Schedule Top 25
Every team faces a difficult journey toward the College Football Playoff and national title, but some clubs must travel further based on their schedules.

Tennessee stands out as an excellent example. They feature two strong non-conference opponents in Mercer and UL Monroe while their conference schedule remains formidable.
1. Alabama

Every team must navigate a path leading them toward the College Football Playoff and potentially a national championship, and some paths appear more daunting than others according to ESPN's rankings of sport's toughest schedules using REM SOS.

Alabama stands as an ideal example. Nick Saban led his Crimson Tide program to 18 national titles during his time as coach; moreover, Alabama boasts the toughest schedule according to REM SOS for next season.

SEC East favorites begin their campaign against Tulane before facing an intense stretch that includes Auburn, Florida and Georgia - not to mention LSU with Max Duggan and Quentin Johnston potentially on their way to NFL careers.
2. Clemson

Clemson won its fifth straight ACC Conference Championship and earned a place in the College Football Playoff last season, defeating Florida State in a semifinal contest and then going on to claim victory against Alabama in the national title game - inflicting another crushing defeat and winning its second national championship since 2015.

This year, the Tigers look to defend their crown with an exciting schedule. Starting off college football schedule georgia against Notre Dame - perhaps their most anticipated opponent ever - and then Louisville and Miami at home games follow by two additional home contests against Florida State and Penn.

As such, it's easy to see why the Tigers are favorites to repeat as champions in 2023. Though some key contributors from last season, such as running back Cade Klubnik and defensive linemen Bryan Breese, Myles Murphy, and Tyler Davis have graduated, a deep roster still remains and could see another 10-win campaign.
3. Georgia

Kirby Smart's SEC champion team defied all odds in 2018 when they emerged victorious at the College Football Playoff and joined an exclusive club. While repeating as champion may prove challenging, the schedule favors Kirby Smart and company.

Stetson Bennett will certainly be missed, but Georgia still boasts an excellent roster that should advance thanks to Carson Beck, running backs Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton, TE Brock Bowers and an improving defense.

Tennessee will face an uphill climb against Georgia in Week 10, an important test as they look to claim the division crown. Under Josh Heupel's tutelage, Tennessee has made strides offensively while defensive unit needs work as they move closer towards contention for division crown. Early games against Florida, Texas and South Carolina provide great opportunities to improve. It will be interesting to see whether Tennessee can continue on this trajectory into Week 11.
4. Texas

Texas moved into the AP Top 25 for the first time this season after its close defeat at Alabama on Saturday, yet should remain competitive for a CFP spot due to a challenging schedule this year.

Texas football has proven itself as a national powerhouse with four Division I-A national titles, 32 conference championships, 100 first team All-Americans and two Heisman Trophy winners to its credit. But its famed program is far from flawless.

Texas will face a serious test in 2023 when they compete against teams currently ranked among the top 10. Texas needs to win all three games against top-10 programs while getting some help from other programs, which will be a true measure of how much progress has been made under head coach Steve Sarkisian in improving both sides of the ball. It will also be an indication of how Tennessee and Alabama match-up may have an effect on Big 12 title race; Tennessee/Alabama could even serve as an elimination playoff semifinal should Tennessee beat Alabama; beating LSU would help Alabama continue their historic run with an undefeated campaign!
5. Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners football program has earned widespread respect in college football history. Their record boasts seven national championships and 50 conference championships (including 12 undefeated regular seasons). Furthermore, they've achieved 101 No.1 rankings throughout Division I history - unrivalled.

Oklahoma will look to rebound after last season's bumps and bruises by being among the Big 12's premier teams this fall, under new head coach Brent Venables. That should make for an exciting Bedlam showdown between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Nov. 19th.

No team's journey to the College Football Playoff is straightforward, yet some have a more perilous path than others. ESPN's REM Strength of Schedule Ratings have revealed which 2023 schedules were among the toughest. These rankings feature 11 SEC teams and 10 Big Ten ones; only the ACC and Notre Dame had multiple representation on this list - Ohio State visiting Penn State and Tennessee visiting Kentucky being two key tests on their respective schedules.
Read More: https://www.collegefootballplayoffschedule.com/