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College Football: 10 toughest paths to the playoffs in 2016

By Michael Collins

Jan 8, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers garden gnome signed by Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney sits on the College Football Playoff National Championship logo at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers garden gnome signed by Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney sits on the College Football Playoff National Championship logo at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (2) celebrates after scoring on a 42-yard punt return in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (2) celebrates after scoring on a 42-yard punt return in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: USC Trojans

Home Games: Alabama, Utah State, Arizona State, Colorado, Cal, Oregon, Notre Dame
Away Games: Stanford, Utah, Arizona, Washington, UCLA
FCS Opponents: 0

When you’re USC, the pressure is already on to be one of the top teams in the nation. When you top that pressure with what is probably the toughest schedule in the country, you aren’t helping your cause.

Start by opening against the defending national champions? Why not. Add bitter rival and possible playoff team Notre Dame to that mix? Sure, sounds good.

Besides those two possible crushing blows their playoff hopes, the Trojans are playing one heck of a Pac-12 slate, and aren’t missing any of the top teams in the conference. Hey…there is that Utah State game. At least one breather.

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If USC survives this schedule, they should not only be in the playoffs, but they should get a bye from playing in a semifinal and just jump right to the championship game. Tinseltown may be left out of the playoff mix again, and the Pac-12 might just beat themselves up too badly as they did in 2015.

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