by Kyle Hunter
Thursday, Jun 25, 2026- Ohio State Buckeyes- The Buckeyes have taken some heat for weaker schedules in the last few years, but this schedule could be the toughest in the country in 2026/2027. Ohio State plays at Texas on 9/12. They have a tricky game at Iowa on 10/3. They go to Bloomington to play the defending champs on 10/17. The Buckeyes travel to USC on Halloween. They host both Oregon and Michigan in November. Ohio State lost a lot of high end talent, and they are up against with a very tough schedule this year. It should still be a strong season, but they aren’t going to run through this regular season without any losses.
- Miss State Bulldogs- Mississippi State has been getting some better talent, and I do feel they are making progress as a program. It is going to be tough to see it in the win/loss column this year though. The Bulldogs play a tricky non-conference game at Minnesota. They have a brutal October four game stretch of games vs. Alabama, at LSU, vs. Oklahoma, and at Texas. The Auburn game at home in November will be a tough one too. The season finale in the Egg Bowl at Ole Miss is one where they’ll be a clear underdog.
- Nebraska Cornhuskers- The Nebraska Cornhuskers keep looking for that huge turnaround season. Matt Rhule is absolutely improving this program, but expectations are always high at Nebraska and they have a new quarterback under center for this year. The non-conference schedule isn’t bad, but when they hit Big Ten play things get very tough. Nebraska hosts Indiana before traveling to Oregon the following week. The Cornhuskers have a brutal November. They travel to Illinois and then host Ohio State and Iowa to finish off the season. A very tough schedule.
- N Carolina Tar Heels- The Tar Heels start on the road at TCU. Notre Dame comes to Chapel Hill in early October. They go to play Pitt and Duke on the road. The Halloween game at home against Miami is one where they’ll be a massive underdog. The November game at Virginia is a tough one. With the lack of an offense, it could be tough to find many wins here.
- Oklahoma Sooners- The Sooners have had some tough schedules in recent seasons, and they find themselves up against it schedule wise again this year. Oklahoma goes to both Michigan and Georgia in September. The 10/10 showdown against Texas will be a fantastic game. Road games at Florida and at Missouri in November could be very tricky. In between those they play two at home against Ole Miss and Texas A&M. A loaded up schedule early and late for Oklahoma.
