As the summer sun keeps blazing, college football fans are already buzzing about the 2026 season. Phil Steele, the go-to analyst for so many, just dropped his annual preview magazine and, as usual, it’s stirring up plenty of debate.
This year, Steele’s ranking of the 25 toughest schedules is out, and—no shocker—the Big Ten and SEC basically own the top 10. If you’re looking for a national champ, odds are you’ll find them somewhere in that crowd. So, what’s actually in these rankings for the teams caught in this crossfire?
Top Teams Facing Daunting Challenges
Steele’s list doesn’t pull any punches about how brutal the upcoming season could be. The top 10 schedules? All about those Big Ten and SEC showdowns. Texas, Michigan, USC—these guys aren’t catching any breaks.
Texas Longhorns
Texas fans are riding high after a 10-3 finish last year, and with Arch Manning back for his last hurrah, expectations are sky-high. But man, the 2026 schedule is a minefield.
They get started with Ohio State in Austin on September 12. Then it’s just a parade of SEC heavyweights:
- Oklahoma (Oct. 10)
- Ole Miss (Oct. 24)
- at LSU (Nov. 14)
- at Texas A&M (Nov. 27)
If Texas wants to make a real run, they’ll have to survive that run of games. Not exactly a cakewalk.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan’s got a new head coach—Kyle Whittingham—after the whole Sherrone Moore drama. The schedule? No easier for him, that’s for sure.
They get Oklahoma right out of the gate on September 12. Then it’s a mix of Big Ten classics and some real landmines:
- Iowa (Sept. 26)
- Penn State (Oct. 17)
- Indiana (Oct. 24)
- Oregon (Nov. 14)
- Ohio State (Nov. 28)
Whittingham’s got his work cut out for him. No one envies that schedule.
USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley and USC are itching for a playoff shot after finishing 9-4 last year. The season starts off gentle enough, but then things get real—fast.
Oregon comes to town on September 26, and then it’s a minefield from there:
- at Penn State (Oct. 10)
- Ohio State (Oct. 31)
- at Indiana (Nov. 14)
Riley’s guys will need to be sharp if they’re going to make it out alive.
Other Notable Teams
There’s plenty of pain to go around, even outside the top 10. Some teams are staring down schedules that could make or break their seasons.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas is rolling with Ryan Silverfield as their new head coach, hoping to finally snap their losing streak. Not sure he could’ve drawn a tougher schedule, honestly.
- Georgia (Sept. 19)
- at Texas A&M (Oct. 3)
- at Vanderbilt (Oct. 17)
- Missouri (Oct. 31)
- at Texas (Nov. 21)
- LSU (Nov. 28)
Getting to .500 would be a feat for the Razorbacks this year.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s coming off a playoff run, but 2026 looks like a different animal altogether. Their schedule is, well, kind of brutal.
- at Michigan (Sept. 12)
- at Georgia (Sept. 26)
- Texas (Oct. 10)
- Ole Miss (Nov. 14)
- at Texas A&M (Nov. 21)
If the Sooners want to stay in the playoff hunt, they’re going to have to be just about perfect.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s always in the mix, but this schedule could trip up just about anyone. After a 12-2 season, the Buckeyes get no favors.
- at Texas (Sept. 12)
- at Iowa (Oct. 3)
- Indiana (Oct. 17)
- at USC (Oct. 31)
- Oregon (Nov. 7)
- Michigan (Nov. 28)
They’ll need to dig deep if they’re going to make another title run.
Michigan State Spartans
Pat Fitzgerald steps in as head coach for Michigan State, trying to turn things around after a rough 4-8 finish last year. The schedule? Not doing him any favors.
- Notre Dame (Sept. 19)
- Michigan (Nov. 7)
- Washington (Nov. 14)
- Oregon (Nov. 20)
Fitzgerald’s got a tall order ahead of him. Can he get the Spartans back on track?
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State limped to 5-8 last season and lost the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. October looks especially nasty this year.
- Alabama (Oct. 3)
- LSU (Oct. 17)
- Oklahoma (Oct. 24)
- Texas (Oct. 31)
They’ll need a spark if they’re going to make any real noise in 2026.
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue hasn’t had a winning season since 2022, and this year’s lineup isn’t exactly forgiving.
- Notre Dame (Sept. 26)
- Penn State (Oct. 31)
- Iowa (Nov. 14)
- Indiana (Nov. 28)
There’s hope for improvement, but breaking through to a winning record? That’s a tall order.
Florida Gators
Florida’s starting fresh with Jon Sumrall calling the shots. The SEC schedule, though, is as tough as ever.
- Ole Miss (Sept. 26)
- Texas (Oct. 17)
- Georgia (Oct. 31)
- Oklahoma (Nov. 7)
- Vanderbilt (Nov. 21)
Sumrall has his hands full. Can he steady the ship fast enough?
Conclusion
Phil Steele’s 2026 toughest schedules ranking really highlights just how wild college football can get. The Big Ten and SEC? They’re all over the top 10, which isn’t a huge shock, but it does make you wonder—can anyone else break through?
Every week, these teams face a gauntlet. The road to the playoffs is anything but smooth.
If you want to dive deeper or just see the full list for yourself, check out the full article on On3.
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