5 teams with toughest schedules that can make College Football Playoff in 2024 ft. Florida
All paths to the College Football Playoff are not created equal. While the Playoff has now expanded to include a dozen teams, some teams will stroll in with light schedules full of weak opponents.
Then, there are the teams that will more than earn their way. Playing tough opponents nearly every week, these lucky few could make it to the playoff. Here are five teams that fit this description.
5 teams that could beat tough schedules to reach 2024 CFP
1.Florida
Given UF's struggles over the last two years and their absolutely horrifying 2024 schedule, many are writing the Gators off. That could be a mistake. If Florida can survive this schedule, they'll be more than ready for the Playoff. Here's the pathway.
Florida has to be great early. The November run is awful. Florida needs to be either 6-1 or 7-0 entering November. But that's doable. Games with Miami, Texas A&M, and Kentucky are all at home. Tennessee on the road is tough, but the Gators have handled that series well in recent years.
If UF can hit November 6-1 or 7-0, then a 3-2 month can get them in the playoff. It could be done—won't be easy, but it's certainly possible.
2. Georgia
Sure, this one is much more obvious, but UGA didn't take an easy path to the Playoff. The non-conference schedule includes the opener against Clemson and the finale against Georgia Tech.
Significant league games include at Alabama, at Texas and at Ole Miss. It'll be a battle for the Bulldogs, albeit one for which they are very well-equipped.
3. USC
The Trojans didn't take it easy in their first year in the Big Ten. Non-conference matchups with LSU and Notre Dame bookend the rest of the schedule.
League play includes a game at defending champion Michigan, home games with Penn State and Wisconsin, and a trip to Washington. USC does avoid both Ohio State and Oregon, but they'll still earn their Big Ten stripes with this schedule.
4. Alabama
Much like Georgia, nobody will be shedding sympathy tears for the Tide, but this is a legitimate slate.
The home slate isn't too bad, aside from the September 28th matchup with Georgia. But this Alabama team will play at Wisconsin, at Tennessee, at LSU and at Oklahoma. Any of those are potential losses. Add in a few others, like Missouri and Auburn and you can see why this schedule is strong.
5. Michigan
The schedule makers didn't go easy on the defending champions. Michigan has an early pre-conference challenge in hosting SEC standout Texas.
Within league play, they host Oregon and USC and have to finish the schedule by traveling to Ohio State. The rest of the schedule isn't exactly weak, but those four blockbuster games will be a massive challenge.
Which teams that drew brutal 2024 slates could still make the College Football Playoff? Share your thoughts below in our comments section!