SEC College Football Toughest Schedules In 2025: Florida Gators #1

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Ranking the 2025 SEC schedules from easiest to hardest​

Trey Luerssen

Which SEC team has the toughest 2025 football schedule? Which one has the easiest? Where does Texas rank compared to rivals Texas A&M and Oklahoma? The eight-game conference schedulecan bring a great many variables into the equation. And there is no set blueprint on how strong a nonconference schedule should be.

Every SEC team except Texas faces at least one Football Championship Subdivision opponent, which amounts to a third bye week. Several teams have a least one huge nonconference game. Two SEC teams face Notre Dame and two face Clemson. Texas and Oklahoma face off against Ohio State and Michigan, respectively.

How should strength of schedule be calculated three-and-a-half months before the season starts? The conference will likely have three or four teams in the preseason Top 10 when it comes out in August. Any conference team that faces all four will certainly have a harder schedule than those that face one or two.

We have put the schedules of all 16 SEC teams under the microscope and with an assist from USA TODAY Sports, we have the ultimate preseason schedule ranking.

Methodology​

To try to keep the ranking as scientific as possible, we have used the recent post-spring USA TODAY Sports 1-136 re-rank as our guide. The higher the opponent ranking, the more points that are assigned to the schedule difficulty.

• Teams ranked 1-10 get 5 points
• Teams ranked 11-25 get 4 points
• Teams ranked 26-50 get 3 points
• Teams ranked 51-90 get 2 points
• Teams ranked 91-136 get 1 point
• Teams in the Football Championship Subdivision get 0 points
• Road games get .5 points added (Unless FCS opponent)

 

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Schedule Rank No. 16: Missouri Tigers​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	CENTRAL ARKANSAS (FCS/0)
Sept. 6	KANSAS (45/3)
Sept. 13	UL-LAFAYETTE (61/2)
Sept. 20	SOUTH CAROLINA (27/3)
Sept. 27	UMASS (134/1)
Oct. 4	Open Date
Oct. 11	ALABAMA (10/5)
Oct. 18	at Auburn (35/3.5)
Oct. 25	at Vanderbilt (82/2.5)
Nov. 1	Open Date
Nov. 8	TEXAS A&M (30/3)
Nov. 15	MISSISSIPPI STATE (99/1)
Nov. 22	at Oklahoma (25/4.5)
Nov. 29	at Arkansas (62/2.5)

Strength Total: 31

Analysis: Mizzou's toughest nonconference game is Kansas, and the Tigers avoid Texas, Georgia and LSU. They have Alabama at home and play an FCS team.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 15: Tennessee Volunteers​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	vs. Syracuse (Atlanta) (43/3)
Sept. 6	EAST TENNESSEE STATE (FCS/0)
Sept. 13	GEORGIA (4/5)
Sept. 20	UAB (130/1)
Sept. 27	at Mississippi State (99/1.5)
Oct. 4	Open Date
Oct. 11	ARKANSAS (62/2)
Oct. 18	at Alabama (10/5.5)
Oct. 25	at Kentucky (81/2.5)
Nov. 1	OKLAHOMA (25/4)
Nov. 8	Open Date
Nov. 15	NEW MEXICO STATE (124/1)
Nov. 22	at Florida (21/4.5)
Nov. 29	VANDERBILT (82/2)

Strength Total: 32

Analysis: Tennessee's toughest game is Georgia at home. Syracuse is the Vols toughest nonconference game, and the schedule includes an FCS team.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 14: Ole Miss Rebels​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	GEORGIA STATE (125/1)
Sept. 6	at Kentucky (81/2.5)
Sept. 13	ARKANSAS (62/2)
Sept. 20	TULANE (39/3)
Sept. 27	LSU (7/5)
Oct. 4	Open Date
Oct. 11	WASHINGTON STATE (86/2)
Oct. 18	at Georgia (4/5.5)
Oct. 25	at Oklahoma (25/4.5)
Nov. 1	SOUTH CAROLINA (27/3)
Nov. 8	THE CITADEL (FCS/0)
Nov. 15	FLORIDA (21/4)
Nov. 22	Open Date
Nov. 29	at Mississippi State (99/1.5)

Strength Total: 34

Analysis: The toughest nonconference game for Ole Miss is Tulane. The Rebels also play an FCS team. Toughest games are at Georgia and home against LSU.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 13: Auburn Tigers​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	at Baylor (36/3.5)
Sept. 6	BALL STATE (128/1)
Sept. 13	SOUTH ALABAMA (64/2)
Sept. 20	at Oklahoma (25/4.5)
Sept. 27	at Texas A&M (30/3.5)
Oct. 4	Open Date
Oct. 11	GEORGIA (4/5)
Oct. 18	MISSOURI (37/3)
Oct. 25	at Arkansas (62/2.5)
Nov. 1	KENTUCKY (81/2)
Nov. 8	at Vanderbilt (82/2.5)
Nov. 15	Open Date
Nov. 22	MERCER (FCS/0)
Nov. 29	ALABAMA (10/5)

Strength Total: 34.5

Analysis: Baylor is Auburn's toughest nonconference games; it also faces an FCS opponent. The Tigers face Alabama and Georgia, but both are at home.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 12: Texas​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	at Ohio State (6/5.5)
Sept. 6	SAN JOSE STATE (65/2)
Sept. 13	UTEP (127/1)
Sept. 20	Open Date
Sept. 27	SAM HOUSTON (54/2)
Oct. 4	at Florida (21/4.5)
Oct. 11	vs. Oklahoma (Dallas) (25/4)
Oct. 18	at Kentucky (81/2.5)
Oct. 25	at Mississippi State (99/1.5)
Nov. 1	VANDERBILT (82/2)
Nov. 8	Open Date
Nov. 15	at Georgia (4/5.5)
Nov. 22	ARKANSAS (62/2)
Nov. 29	TEXAS A&M (30/3)

Strength Total: 35.5

Analysis: Texas opens at Ohio State. While the rest of the nonconference games are soft, Texas does not play an FCS team. UT avoids LSU and Alabama, but travels to Georgia this year.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 10 (tied): Texas A&M Aggies​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	UTSA (71/2)
Sept. 6	UTAH STATE (93/1)
Sept. 13	at Notre Dame (5/5.5)
Sept. 20	Open Date
Sept. 27	AUBURN (35/3)
Oct. 4	MISSISSIPPI STATE (99/1)
Oct. 11	FLORIDA (21/4)
Oct. 18	at Arkansas (62/2)
Oct. 25	at LSU (7/5.5)
Nov. 1	Open Date
Nov. 8	at Missouri (37/3.5)
Nov. 15	SOUTH CAROLINA (27/3)
Nov. 22	SAMFORD (FCS/0)
Nov. 29	at Texas (1/5.5)

Strength Total: 36

Analysis: Right behind Texas are the Aggies, who typically always play an FCS opponent. The Aggies schedule strength is helped by playing both No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Notre Dame on the road.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 10 (tied): Georgia Bulldogs​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	MARSHALL (70/2)
Sept. 6	AUSTIN PEAY (FCS/0)
Sept. 13	at Tennessee (12/4.5)
Sept. 20	Open Date
Sept. 27	ALABAMA (10/5)
Oct. 4	KENTUCKY (81/2)
Oct. 11	at Auburn (35/3.5)
Oct. 18	OLE MISS (15/4.5)
Oct. 25	Open Date
Nov. 1	vs. Florida (Jacksonville) (21/4)
Nov. 8	at Mississippi State (99/1.5)
Nov. 15	TEXAS (1/5)
Nov. 22	CHARLOTTE (110/1)
Nov. 29	vs. Georgia Tech (Atlanta) (34/3)

Strength Total: 36

Analysis: The Bulldogs have one of the weakest nonconference schedules in the SEC. It includes FCS opponent Austin Peay. UGA hosts Texas and Alabama this year.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 9: Vanderbilt Commodores​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (FCS/0)
Sept. 6	at Virginia Tech (56/2.5)
Sept. 13	at South Carolina (27/3)
Sept. 20	GEORGIA STATE (125/1)
Sept. 27	UTAH STATE (93/1)
Oct. 4	at Alabama (10/5.5)
Oct. 11	Open Date
Oct. 18	LSU (7/5)
Oct. 25	MISSOURI (37/3)
Nov. 1	at Texas (1/5.5)
Nov. 8	AUBURN (35/3.5)
Nov. 15	Open Date
Nov. 22	KENTUCKY (81/2)
Nov. 29	at Tennessee (12/4.5)

Strength Total: 36.5

Analysis: A nonconference game at Virginia Tech should be interesting. Vandy gets Alabama and Texas on the road and LSU at home.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 8: Alabama Crimson Tide​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	at Florida State (50/3.5)
Sept. 6	UL-MONROE (112/1)
Sept. 13	WISCONSIN (78/2)
Sept. 20	OPEN
Sept. 27	at Georgia (4/5.5)
Oct. 4	VANDERBILT (82/2)
Oct. 11	at Missouri (37/3.5)
Oct. 18	TENNESSEE (12/4)
Oct. 25	at South Carolina (27/3.5)
Nov. 1	OPEN
Nov. 8	LSU (7/5)
Nov. 15	OKLAHOMA (25/4)
Nov. 22	EASTERN ILLINOIS (FCS/0)
Nov. 29	at Auburn (35/3.5)

Strength Total: 37.5

Analysis: Alabama faces Florida State in Tallahassee to start the year. The Tide also host Wisconsin. An FCS opponent knocks Bama down a bit. Games at Georgia and LSU at home will be the biggest challenges.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 7: South Carolina Gamecocks​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 31	vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta) (56/2)
Sept. 6	SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (FCS/0)
Sept. 13	VANDERBILT (82/2)
Sept. 20	at Missouri (37/3.5)
Sept. 27	KENTUCKY (81/2)
Oct. 4	Open Date
Oct. 11	at LSU (7/5.5)
Oct. 18	OKLAHOMA (25/4)
Oct. 25	ALABAMA (10/5)
Nov. 1	at Ole Miss (15/4.5)
Nov. 8	Open Date
Nov. 15	at Texas A&M (30/3.5)
Nov. 22	COASTAL CAROLINA (107/1)
Nov. 29	CLEMSON (2/5)

Strength Total: 38

Analysis: A rivalry game against No. 2 Clemson and neutral site game against the Hokies highlight a nonconference schedule that also includes an FCS opponent. The Gamecocks avoid Georgia and Texas, but host Alabama.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 6: LSU Tigers​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	at Clemson (2/5.5)
Sept. 6	LOUISIANA TECH (104/1)
Sept. 13	FLORIDA (21/4)
Sept. 20	SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA (FCS/0)
Sept. 27	at Ole Miss (15/4.5)
Oct. 4	Open Date
Oct. 11	SOUTH CAROLINA (27/3)
Oct. 18	at Vanderbilt (82/2.5)
Oct. 25	TEXAS A&M (30/3)
Nov. 1	Open Date
Nov. 8	at Alabama (10/5.5)
Nov. 15	ARKANSAS (62/2)
Nov. 22	WESTERN KENTUCKY (49/3)
Nov. 29	at Oklahoma (25/4.5)

Strength Total: 38.5

Analysis: LSU also takes on No. 2 Clemson. The Tigers also face an FCS team and travel to Alabama.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 5: Mississippi State Bulldogs​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	at Southern Miss (133/1)
Sept. 6	ARIZONA STATE (23/4)
Sept. 13	ALCORN STATE (FCS/0)
Sept. 20	NORTHERN ILLINOIS (76/2)
Sept. 27	TENNESSEE (12/4)
Oct. 4	at Texas A&M (30/3.5)
Oct. 11	Open Date
Oct. 18	at Florida (21/4.5)
Oct. 25	TEXAS (1/5)
Nov. 1	at Arkansas (62/2.5)
Nov. 8	GEORGIA (4/5)
Nov. 15	at Missouri (37/3.5)
Nov. 22	Open Date
Nov. 29	OLE MISS (15/4)

Strength Total: 39

Analysis: Arizona State highlights an otherwise weak nonconference schedule that also includes an FCS opponent. The Bulldogs must face Georgia, Ole Miss and Texas, but get all three at home.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 3 (tied): Arkansas Razorbacks​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	ALABAMA A&M (FCS/0)
Sept. 6	ARKANSAS ST. (Little Rock) (89/2)
Sept. 13	at Ole Miss (15/4.5)
Sept. 20	at Memphis (58/2.5)
Sept. 27	NOTRE DAME (5/5)
Oct. 4	Open Date
Oct. 11	at Tennessee (12/4.5)
Oct. 18	TEXAS A&M (30/3)
Oct. 25	AUBURN (35/3)
Nov. 1	MISSISSIPPI STATE (99/1)
Nov. 8	Open Date
Nov. 15	at LSU (7/5.5)
Nov. 22	at Texas (1/5.5)
Nov. 29	MISSOURI (37/3)

Strength Total: 39.5

Analysis: Arkansas hosts Notre Dame, in a game that should be huge in Fayetteville. The Hogs also travel to Tennessee, LSU and Texas.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 3 (tied): Kentucky Wildcats​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	TOLEDO (57/2)
Sept. 6	OLE MISS (15/4)
Sept. 13	EASTERN MICHIGAN (94/1)
Sept. 20	Open Date
Sept. 27	at South Carolina (27/3.5)
Oct. 4	at Georgia (4/5.5)
Oct. 11	Open Date
Oct. 18	TEXAS (1/5)
Oct. 25	TENNESSEE (12/4)
Nov. 1	at Auburn (35/3.5)
Nov. 8	FLORIDA (21/4)
Nov. 15	TENNESSEE TECH (FCS/0)
Nov. 22	at Vanderbilt (82/2.5)
Nov. 29	at Louisville (16/4.5)

Strength Total: 39.5

Analysis: In-state rival Louisville highlights Kentucky's nonconference schedule that also features an FCS opponent. The Wildcats host Texas and Tennessee and travel to Georgia.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 2: Oklahoma​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	ILLINOIS STATE (FCS/0)
Sept. 6	MICHIGAN (14/4)
Sept. 13	at Temple (121/1.5)
Sept. 20	AUBURN (35/3)
Sept. 27	Open Date
Oct. 4	KENT STATE (136/1)
Oct. 11	vs. Texas (Dallas) (1/5)
Oct. 18	at South Carolina (27/3.5)
Oct. 25	OLE MISS (15/4)
Nov. 1	at Tennessee (12/4.5)
Nov. 8	Open Date
Nov. 15	at Alabama (10/5.5)
Nov. 22	MISSOURI (37/3)
Nov. 29	LSU (7/5)

Strength Total: 40

Analysis: The Sooners take on Michigan in Week 2. (Sound Familiar?) OU also travels to Temple and open the season against FCS Illinois State. The Sooners also must face Texas in Dallas, travel to Alabama and host LSU to end the season.

 

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Schedule Rank No. 1: Florida Gators​

Date	Opponent (Ranking/Points)
Aug. 30	LONG ISLAND (FCS/0)
Sept. 6	SOUTH FLORIDA (84/2)
Sept. 13	at LSU (7/5.5)
Sept. 20	at Miami (9/5.5)
Sept. 27	Open Date
Oct. 4	TEXAS (1/5)
Oct. 11	at Texas A&M (30/3.5)
Oct. 18	MISSISSIPPI STATE (99/1)
Oct. 25	Open Date
Nov. 1	vs. Georgia (Jacksonville) (4/5)
Nov. 8	at Kentucky (81/2.5)
Nov. 15	at Ole Miss (15/4.5)
Nov. 22	TENNESSEE (12/4)
Nov. 29	FLORIDA STATE (50/3)

Strength Total: 41.5

Analysis: In what might be the toughest nonconference schedule in the country, Florida faces both Florida State and Miami. The only real breather is the opener against FCS Long Island. The Gators also face Texas, Georgia and LSU.

 

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College football strength of schedule rankings for 2025 season​

136. Northern Illinois — 59-91 (39.3%)

135. Jacksonville State — 61-86 (41.5%)

134. San Jose State — 64-88 (42.1%)

133. Akron — 63-86 (42.3%)

132. Toledo — 67-85 (44.1%)

T-130. Kent State — 66-83 (44.3%)

T-130. Texas Tech — 66-83 (44.3%)

129. Central Michigan — 67-84 (44.4%)

128. Buffalo — 67-83 (44.7%)

127. Michigan — 68-84 (44.7%)

T-125. Hawai’i — 67-82 (45%)

T-125. New Mexico State — 67-82 (45%)

123. Wyoming — 69-82 (45.7%)

122. UL Monroe — 69-81 (46%)

121. Liberty — 69-79 (46.6%)

T-119. South Alabama — 71-81 (46.7%)

T-119. Florida State — 71-81 (46.7%)

118. Fresno State — 71-80 (47%)

117. Navy — 72-81 (47.1%)

T-114. Virginia — 72-80 (47.4%)

T-114. UMass — 72-80 (47.4%)

T-114. Colorado State — 72-80 (47.4%)

113. Bowling Green — 71-78 (47.7%)

112. Missouri State — 73-80 (47.7%)

111. Kennesaw State — 71-77 (48%)

110. Ball State — 74-79 (48.4%)

109. Delaware — 73-77 (48.7%)

108. New Mexico — 74-78 (48.7%)

T-105. Georgia Southern — 74-77 (49%)

T-105. UNLV — 74-77 (49%)

T-105. Cincinnati — 74-77 (49%)

104. Boise State — 75-78 (49%)

103. UConn — 73-75 (49.3%)

102. Western Kentucky — 74-76 (49.3%)

T-100. UCF — 75-77 (49.3%)

T-100. Indiana — 75-77 (49-3%)

99. Baylor — 74-75 (49.7%)

T-97. Kansas — 75-76 (49.7%)

T-97. Virginia Tech — 75-76 (49.7%)

T-91. MTSU — 75-75 (50%)

T-91. Nebraska — 76-76 (50%)

T-91. Wake Forest — 75-75 (50%)

T-91. BYU — 75-75 (50%)

T-91. Missouri — 76-76 (50%)

T-91. Nevada — 78-78 (50%)

90. Coastal Carolina — 75-74 (50.3%)

T-88. Sam Houston State — 78-76 (50.6%)

T-88. Illinois — 78-76 (50.6%)

T-86. Arkansas State — 77-75 (50.7%)


T-86. Tennessee — 77-75 (50.7%)

85. Minnesota — 79-76 (51%)

T-83. Army — 78-75 (51%)

T-83. Utah State — 78-75 (51%)

T-81. Appalachian State — 77-74 (51%)

T-81. Cal — 77-74 (51%)

80. Ohio — 80-76 (51.3%)

79. Temple — 79-75 (51.3%)

78. Louisiana — 77-73 (51.3%)

77. Louisiana Tech — 76-72 (51.4%)

T-74. San Diego State — 79-74 (51.6%)

T-74. Tulsa — 79-74 (51.6%)

T-74. East Carolina — 79-74 (51.6%)

73. Houston — 78-73 (51.7%)

72. North Texas — 79-73 (52%)

71. NC State — 81-74 (52.3%)

70. Washington State — 80-73 (52.3%)

69. Florida Atlantic — 79-72 (52.3%)

68. Ole Miss — 81-73 (52.6%)

67. Rice — 80-72 (52.6%)

T-65. Texas State — 81-72 (52.9%)

T-65. Troy — 81-72 (52.9%)

64. Western Michigan — 82-72 (53.2%)

63. North Carolina — 81-71 (53.3%)

62. Eastern Michigan — 83-72 (53.5%)

T-60. Miami (Ohio) — 82-71 (53.6%)

T-60. Arizona State — 82-71 (53.6%)

59. Oregon State — 81-70 (53.6%)

T-57. Southern Miss — 83-71 (53.9%)

T-57. Vanderbilt — 83-71 (53.9%)

T-55. Tulane — 82-70 (53.9%)

T-55. Alabama — 82-70 (53.9%)

54. Miami (Fla.) — 85-72 (54.1%)

53. Oklahoma State — 83-70 (54.2%)

52. Maryland — 82-69 (54.3%)

51. Charlotte — 84-70 (54.5%)

50. Kansas State — 83-69 (54.6%)

T-48. Georgia State — 83-68 (55%)

T-48. Utah — 83-68 (55%)

46. Georgia Tech — 86-69 (55.5%)


45. UTEP — 85-68 (55.6%)

44. James Madison — 84-67 (55.6%)

43. Pittsburgh — 86-68 (55.8%)

42. Arizona — 85-67 (55.9%)

41. Old Dominion — 83-65 (56.1%)

T-39. Marshall — 86-67 (56.2%)

T-39. Clemson — 86-67 (56.2%)

38. Michigan State — 88-68 (56.4%)

37. Georgia — 87-67 (56.5%)

36. UAB — 86-66 (56.6%)

T-34. Duke — 88-67 (56.8%)

T-34. Notre Dame — 88-67 (56.8%)

33. SMU — 87-66 (56.9%)

32. UTSA — 89-67 (57.1%)

31. Northwestern — 90-67 (57.3%)

T-29. Louisville — 90-66 (57.7%)

T-29. Florida — 90-66 (57.7%)

28. Ohio State — 92-67 (57.9%)

27. USF — 88-64 (57.9%)

T-25. Penn State — 91-66 (58%)

T-25. Stanford — 91-66 (58%)]
24. FIU — 82-59 (58.2%)

T-22. Oregon — 92-66 (58.2%)

T-22. UCLA — 92-66 (58.2%)

21. Auburn — 91-65 (58.3%)

20. Colorado — 89-63 (58.6%)

19. Texas A&M — 92-65 (58.6%)

18. USC — 91-64 (58.7%)

17. Boston College — 93-65 (58.9%)

16. Iowa — 93-64 (59.2%)

15. West Virginia — 91-62 (59.5%)

14. Air Force — 92-62 (59.7%)

T-12. Washington — 94-63 (59.9%)

T-12. LSU — 94-63 (59.9%)

10. Iowa State — 93-61 (60.4%)

9. South Carolina — 94-61 (60.6%)

8. Oklahoma — 96-61 (61.1%)

7. Rutgers — 101-61 (62.3%)

6. TCU — 100-58 (63.3%)

5. Syracuse — 102-58 (63.8%)

T-3. Wisconsin — 103-56 (64.8%)

T-3. Mississippi State — 103-56 (64.8%)

2. Kentucky — 102-55 (65%)

1. Arkansas — 106-53 (66.7%)

 

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Phil Steele’s 10 toughest schedules for 2025

1. Wisconsin (2024 SOS rank: 20th) – Wisconsin has the toughest schedule in the country in 2025 per Steele, and it includes games against six preseason AP Top 25 teams — at No. 8 Alabama, at No. 14 Michigan, vs. No. 3 Ohio State, at No. 7 Oregon, at No. 20 Indiana, and vs. No. 12 Illinois.

2. Mississippi State (2024 SOS rank: 16th) – The Bulldogs have seven preseason AP Top 25 teams on their slate: vs. No. 11 Arizona State, vs. No. 24 Tennessee, at No. 19 Texas A&M, at No. 15 Florida, vs. No. 1 Texas, vs. No. 5 Georgia, and vs. No. 21 Ole Miss.

3. Arkansas (2024 SOS rank: 18th) – Arkansas gets a tougher schedule in 2025 with No. 5 Notre Dame visiting Fayetteville. Other ranked opponents include No. 19 Texas A&M at home and road contests at No. 21 Ole Miss, No. 24 Tennessee, No. 9 LSU, and No. 1 Texas. Other tough contests include Auburn and Missouri, both at home.

4. South Carolina (2024 SOS rank: 32nd) – South Carolina’s 2025 schedule includes 10 power opponents this season, with non-conference games against Virginia Tech in Atlanta and No. 4 Clemson at home. Ranked foes visiting Columbia include No. 18 Oklahoma and No. 8 Alabama. Road tilts include No. 9 LSU, No. 21 Ole Miss, and No. 21 Texas A&M.

5. Syracuse (2024 SOS rank: 60th) – Syracuse’s non-conference slate in 2025 is respectable, with games against No. 24 Tennessee in Atlanta and at No. 6 Notre Dame. In ACC action, the Orange get preseason No. 4 Clemson, No. 16 SMU, and No. 10 Miami, all on the road. Syracuse also visits Georgia Tech and hosts Bill Belichick’s North Carolina.

6. LSU (2024 SOS rank: 26th) – The Tigers open the season on the road against preseason No. 4 Clemson. In SEC action, LSU will host No. 15 Florida, No. 13 South Carolina, and No. 19 Texas A&M and will visit No. 21 Ole Miss, No. 8 Alabama, and No. 18 Oklahoma.

7. Oklahoma (2024 SOS rank: 17th) – The Sooners open against an FCS opponent before facing a tough test at home against No. 14 Michigan. OU later faces No. 1 Texas at the Cotton Bowl, hosts N0. 21 Ole Miss and No. 9 LSU, and travels to No. 13 South Carolina, No. 24 Tennessee, and No. 8 Alabama.

8. UCLA (2024 SOS rank: 2nd) – UCLA’s non-league slate this season is highlighted by the opener against Utah at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins then face No. 2 Penn State at home, No. 20 Indiana on the road, and No. 3 Ohio State on the road. UCLA also hosts Nebraska and visits USC.

9. Kentucky (2024 SOS rank: 24th) – Kentucky faces six preseason AP Top 25 league opponents this season, with home tilts vs. No. 21 Ole Miss, No. 1 Texas, No. 24 Tennessee, and No. 15 Florida. Road contests include No. 13 South Carolina and No. 5 Georgia in consecutive weeks. The Wildcats close the season on the road against in-state rival Louisville.

10. Stanford (2024 SOS rank: 10th) – Stanford opens the 2025 season in Week Zero on the road against Hawaii and also plays non-conference contests against No. 10 BYU on the road and No. 6 Notre Dame at home. ACC foes include Florida State at home and No. 16 SMU, No. 10 Miami, and North Carolina on the road.

The rest of Phil Steele’s toughest schedule rankings for 2025 are listed below:

11-25

(11) TCU, (12) Florida, (13) Purdue, (14) Texas A&M, (15) Texas, (16) Rutgers, (17) Auburn, (18) Colorado, (19) Oregon, (20) USC, (21) Alabama, (22) Notre Dame, (23) Northwestern, (24) Ohio State, (25) Boston College