As the 2025 College Football season approaches, the Strength of Schedule (SoS) will become a focal point in discussions about playoff qualifications, particularly for SEC teams. CBS Sports has ranked SEC schedules from hardest to easiest in anticipation of significant playoff implications.
Leading the pack with the most challenging schedule is Vanderbilt, praised for their underdog spirit, particularly through quarterback Diego Pavia. However, they have a daunting road ahead, facing four top 15 teams, including powerhouse programs like Texas and Alabama. This challenge comes after they struggled without securing a conference win last season.
Mississippi State is also under pressure, as they will confront four teams that participated in last year’s College Football Playoff—the highest number in the nation. Coach Jeff Lebby, coming off an 0-8 record in the SEC last season, faces an even tougher battle in Year 2.
Meanwhile, Arkansas is in a similar position after ending the previous season under .500, facing not only tough conference foes but also non-conference games against teams like Notre Dame and Memphis. Coach Sam Pittman‘s job security will rely heavily on navigating this difficult schedule successfully.
Oklahoma’s fourth-year coach Brent Venables will see a challenging slate, starting solidly but getting significantly tougher as the season progresses. On the other hand, Florida’s situation is improved this year thanks to a more robust roster, although they still face difficult opponents throughout their schedule after tackling one of the toughest last season.
Texas A&M, ranked sixth, encounters multiple tough road games, including a significant matchup against Texas—marking their first trip to Austin in 15 years. In Baton Rouge, LSU is setting its sights on their opener against Clemson, a key game that could dictate their season’s success.
Texas starts with an arduous task against reigning champions Ohio State, while Kentucky’s early SEC matchups will test their squad. Alabama faces the pressure of proving itself with a new era ahead, needing to find success against 10 power conference teams.
Completing the SoS rankings are Auburn, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri, all of which face varying levels of difficulty in their upcoming seasons.
As teams gear up for the grueling challenges ahead, fans are hopeful that these matchups will not only deliver exciting football but may also bring about unexpected victories and underdog stories, reminiscent of past seasons. The anticipation for each game is palpable, as each match-up could have playoff ramifications.