College football strength of schedule rankings: Week 12, 2019

We’ve reached Week 12 of the 2019 college football season. Only three weeks remain and the second set of College Football Playoff Rankings are due to be released Tuesday evening.

With the playoff quickly approaching, college football strength of schedule rankings are a big topic of discussion. There are several sources for strength of schedule, including various computer components. Note that these rankings are for strength of schedule to date and will differ from preseason rankings.

Below are the current strength of schedule rankings for the College Football Playoff Top 10 (as of Nov. 5) based on five computer indexes that were formerly included in the BCS Rankings.

College Football Strength of Rankings

Anderson & Hester

Anderson & Hester’s strength of schedule rankings are currently led by the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Michigan State (2), Maryland (3), Mississippi State (4), and Northwestern (5) round out the top five. Minnesota, which will likely move into the CFP top ten tonight, has the 54th toughest schedule.

Below are Anderson & Hester’s SOS rankings for the College Football Playoff Top 10:

1. Ohio State (34)
2. LSU (16)
3. Alabama (67)
4. Penn State (17)
5. Clemson (73)
6. Georgia (51)
7. Oregon (46)
8. Utah (81)
9. Oklahoma (59)
10. Florida (48)

Colley Matrix

Colley’s strength of schedule rankings are alos led by the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Michigan State (2), Mississippi State (3), BYU (4), and North Carolina (5) round out the top five. Minnesota’s schedule is ranked 95th.

Below are Colley’s SOS rankings for the College Football Playoff Top 10:

1. Ohio State (16)
2. LSU (20)
3. Alabama (80)
4. Penn State (25)
5. Clemson (99)
6. Georgia (63)
7. Oregon (49)
8. Utah (90)
9. Oklahoma (98)
10. Florida (45)

Jeff Sagarin

Sagarin’s strength of schedule rankings are currently led by the Northwestern Wildcats. Auburn (2), Mississippi State (3), USC (4), and Tulsa (5) round out the top five. Minnesota’s schedule is ranked 70th.

Below are Sagarin’s SOS rankings for the College Football Playoff Top 10:

1. Ohio State (34)
2. LSU (13)
3. Alabama (54)
4. Penn State (23)
5. Clemson (71)
6. Georgia (52)
7. Oregon (30)
8. Utah (47)
9. Oklahoma (41)
10. Florida (17)

Kenneth Massey

Massey’s strength of schedule rankings are currently led by the Auburn Tigers. LSU (2), USC (3), Mississippi State (4), and Iowa State (5) complete the top five. Minnesota’s schedule is ranked 60th.

Below are Massey’s SOS rankings for the College Football Playoff Top 10:

1. Ohio State (27)
2. LSU (2)
3. Alabama (23)
4. Penn State (19)
5. Clemson (67)
6. Georgia (39)
7. Oregon (9)
8. Utah (33)
9. Oklahoma (29)
10. Florida (8)

Billingsley Rankings

Billingsley’s strength of schedule rankings are currently led by the USC Trojans. LSU (2), Tennessee (3), Northwestern (4), and Washington (5) round out the top five. Minnesota’s schedule is ranked 74th.

Below are Billingsley’s SOS rankings for the College Football Playoff Top 10:

1. Ohio State (54)
2. LSU (2)
3. Alabama (73)
4. Penn State (19)
5. Clemson (65)
6. Georgia (68)
7. Oregon (14)
8. Utah (47)
9. Oklahoma (55)
10. Florida (15)

Based on the five computer ratings above, LSU and Ohio State have played the toughest schedule among the unbeaten teams. Clemson had played the next toughest, with Minnesota bringing up the rear.