SEC vs. Big Ten strength of schedule comparison: Who has the best CFP contenders so far?

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SEC vs. Big Ten strength of schedule comparison: Who has the best CFP contenders so far? originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The 2026 college football season is roughly halfway through, with most teams having played six games so far. Although there's still a long way to go, we're starting to get a feel for which teams are legitimate College Football Playoff threats.

Another big debate is how good the teams in the SEC and Big Ten are and how many from each conference will make the CFP. The Big Ten has won the national title in each of the last three seasons, with Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan. The SEC, meanwhile, won the previous four.

One metric that can help determine just how good these teams are is ESPN's Football Power Index. Per ESPN, the FPI "measures team's true strength on net points scale; expected point margin vs average opponent on neutral field."

The FPI also ranks each team's strength of schedule and remaining strength of schedule. It includes projected win-loss records, playoff probabilities and more. Using this metric, here's a look at how SEC and Big Ten teams compare through six games.

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SEC football FPI rankings

SEC projected playoff teams

Georgia Bulldogs 

Georgia got a signature win over Alabama on the road, which the committee will undoubtedly reward. The Bulldogs have remaining games against two ranked teams in Missouri and Ole Miss, along with Auburn, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia Tech. Although the Dawgs rank No. 2 overall in FPI, Georgia's strength of schedule ranks 34th in the country.

Alabama Crimson Tide

A three-point loss at home to Georgia doesn't knock Alabama out of the CFP. In fact, the Tide still have an 82% chance to make the field per FPI. Alabama will play ranked teams in Tennessee and LSU, as well as Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Chattanooga and Auburn to close ouyt the regular season.  

Texas Longhorns 

Texas' win over Ohio State earlier in the season should help the Longhorns as the season progresses. The Longhorns' have the highest strength of schedule ranking of all remaining CFP teams, at No. 4 overall. Texas also has to play four ranked opponents in Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri and LSU in addition to Arkansas and Texas A&M. 

Ole Miss Rebels 

Ole Miss ranks the lowest of the remaining SEC CFP teams, checking in at 15th overall, and with just a 19.9% chance to make the CFP. The Rebels have the No. 13 strength of schedule, as well as remaining SOS. Ole Miss still has to play a ranked Missouri, Texas, Georgia and Mississippi State in addition to Auburn, Oklahoma and Wofford.  

Tennessee Volunteers 

With just one loss to Texas, Tennessee is still on the fringes of the CFP hunt … for now. The Vols' other metrics are all over the place. Tennessee ranks 13th in FPI, but have the No. 44 overall strength of schedule. The remaining schedule, which features Alabama, Kentucky and LSU, ranks No. 8 overall. Tennessee's CFP hopes could take a hit with a loss to Alabama this week.  

LSU Tigers

LSU has a 16.2% chance to make the CFP, with the Tigers already having two losses. But LSU has the No. 3 overall remaining strength of schedule, with games looming against Mississippi State, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee. Even if the Tigers win out, which feels incredibly difficult, a CFP bid might not be a sure thing, even if it would be feel pretty likely.

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Big Ten football FPI rankings

Big Ten projected playoff teams

Ohio State Buckeyes

Despite the loss to Texas, Ohio State has a 76.7% chance to make the CFP and ranks No. 3 overall in FPI. The Buckeyes boast the nation's No. 1 overall remaining strength of schedule, still having to play Indiana, USC, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan.

Indiana Hoosiers 

Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers have one of the best chances to make the CFP outside of Georgia, Miami and Notre Dame, with an 87.8% chance. Although Indiana has yet to beat a ranked team, the Hoosiers have the No. 2 overall strength of record and the 36th-ranked remaining strength of schedule. Indiana has to play Ohio State this week, as well as Michigan and USC.

UCLA Bruins 

Although the Bruins are undefeated, FPI ranks Bob Chesney's team 36th overall in FPI. UCLA has the No. 3 strength of record, but the No. 45 overall strength of schedule. Bob Chesney's team should be favored in most of its remaining games against Wisconsin, Michigan State, Nevada, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan before a home game against USC.  

USC Trojans 

USC has a 16.7% chance to make the playoff, with just one loss to Oregon. The Trojans have the No. 5 overall remaining strength of schedule, still having to play Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA. If the Trojans win two out of those three games, a CFP bid seems pretty likely.

Oregon Ducks 

Even with two losses, Oregon still ranks inside the FPI's Top-10, checking in at No. 9 overall. Oregon's strength of schedule is 21st, with remaining SOS at 36th. The Ducks have to win out the rest of the season to earn a bid, with remaining games against Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio State, both Michigan schools and Washington.

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