In the previous installment of this countdown, I gave some pity to the smaller schools in announcing the toughest non-conference schedules.
Now the focus shifts to the big boys of college football's "major" leagues. The Big 10, Big 12, Pac-10, SEC, and restructured ACC each feature at least one top-10 powerhouse. This leaves a lot of middle-tier teams asking the hung-over-style question, "How did I get here?"
Of course, no teams can play USC, Michigan, or Miami every week, but the squads from Clemson, Kansas State, and Oregon aren't chopped liver, either. With that said, the phrase "away we go" comes to mind.
10) Washington
A fairly consistent journey includes some stiff road tests. The late September trip to South Bend might be picturesque, but that doesn't make playing there any easier. The real tough stretch kicks in on Oct. 16th against Oregon State. Over a six-week span, the Huskies travel to USC, Oregon, and the in-state rival Cougars. Home bookends of Fresno State early and Cal late will not give UW much chance to take a breath.
9) Ohio State
See, this is what happens when you don't play your first four or five games at home. Good job, Bucks. The Big 10 has always been gritty. Now, the talent pool is being spread around to the far reaches of the conference. As far as the schedule, Marshall will always be a pest to the best, but the season really gets started at N.C. State in week three. The conference portion includes dates in Iowa City and West Lafayette, with home tilts featuring Wisconsin, Penn State, and those hated darlings from Michigan.
8) Northwestern
We stay in the Midwest, turning to the Chicagoland area. It's never easy being a purple and white fan. However, school spirit can take pride in the fact that they always get smacked around by quality opponents. 2004 is no different. The glaring non-conference game is against TCU in Dallas (Sept. 2nd). Then, let the fun begin on the 25th, as the Big 10 season kicks off at Minnesota. Ohio State provides a test to start October, and the Wildcats play a four-game stretch at Wisconsin, home to Purdue, then at Penn State and Michigan.
7) Maryland
Out east, we introduce the first selection from the new look ACC. The Terrapins get the chance at a fast start in games 1-4, as their only rough spot involves rolling into West Virginia. Ahh, but the "cupcakes" end there. Six in a row include home battles with the Yellowjackets, Wolfpack, and Seminoles. The other three ... stops at Clemson, UVA, and Va. Tech. We'll see if the turtles hide in their shells during this run.
6) Arkansas
Our one and only trip to the SEC lands in Fayetteville, where Houston Nutt might wish he had Houston's full schedule. Two cheapies surround an early bout at home with Texas. The conference season, though, gets a little nasty. Start out with 'Bama, which leads into back-to-back games at both Florida and Auburn, followed by East Division frontrunner Georgia. After two mid-level teams and a rebuilding Mississippi State, the Hogs get LSU in Little Rock. Sure, the game is closer to Razorback country, but really, who wants to tussle with the Bayou Bengals at all this year?
5) Texas Tech
It's shout-out time for the Big 12, as the Red Raiders make the list. Just like Maryland, this team has the opportunity to start well. A Sept. 18th matchup against TCU stands as the strongest immovable object in the first four contests. The team will get their heads knocked around in a brutal month of October. Trips to Norman and Manhattan bookend staying in Lubbock to play the Huskers and Horns. Another good victory chance comes through before the Raiders play at Kyle Field, with their three tiers of 80,000+ fans. One thing's for sure, the season-ender against Oklahoma State should be a fun offensive explosion.
4) Iowa
Being an Iowa State alum, you don't really enjoy giving Iowa any credit. However, Kirk Ferentz has made black and gold fans believe again. So how do you build on the momentum? By showing how many mental bruises your kids can take. Granted, the non-conference slate isn't terribly Teflon-coated, but the conference lineup doesn't give a lot of leeway. Try Ann Arbor as a conference opener. Pretty early make or break game. Then Ohio State knocks down the door two weeks later. Add Purdue, Minnesota, and Wisconsin at the tail end, and you figure corn will have to be devoured left and right to stay on a winning track.
3) Clemson
This schedule is loaded with tough stretches. No expense of emotional scaring was spared to create this lineup. Stretch No. 1 goes from games two through five, starting with Georgia Tech in friendly surroundings, and expanding to three consecutive trips from home (Texas A&M, FSU, UVA). A game-six break leads the Tigers into stretch No. 2. It's shorter time-wise, but with the same amount of muck to wade through. Maryland and N.C. State at home and Miami in the Orange Bowl could make even the most deadly of jungle cats weep and shudder.
2) Arizona
Two words describe the first schedule of the Mike Stoops era. Not good. While Bobby's younger brother is leading the Wildcats in a different direction, it should leave them only inches ahead of where they're at now. Game one will be an easy win. That can't be said for contests 2-11. The 'Cats head to L.A. twice, Eugene, and Seattle. Don't forget about home snaps with Utah, Wisconsin, Cal, and Oregon State. Washington State and rival ASU round out the competition.
1) North Carolina
Okay, I know coaches decide football schedules years in advance, but to the guy that thought this up ... what were you thinking? According to the preseason rank average, the Tarheels will face eight top-35 squads in a row. Florida State and Miami are in that grouping, along with Virginia, Louisville, Utah, and N.C. State. Two beautiful aspects to the schedule. First, there's a good mix of home and away tests. Second, the team mixed the non-conference schedule in beautifully with the ACC regular season.
Congrats, UNC. You've just scored the toughest schedule in the nation. The question "what kind of distinction is that?" may be raised on Tobacco Road. It just means that your team will be ready to fight going into December practice sessions. So go out there, show some grit, and come out feeling black and blue. That's the sign of a battle-hardened team.
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