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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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Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum (12) throws a pass against the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum (12) throws a pass against the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 9: BYU Cougars

Home Games: Arizona (Neutral Site), UCLA, West Virginia, Toledo, Miss State, Southern Utah, UMass, Utah State
Away Games: Utah, Michigan State, Boise State, Cincinnati
FCS Opponents: 1 (Southern Utah)

Outside of trying to settle things at quarterback (aka; keeping someone healthy), the independent Cougars have scheduled themselves a possible massacre in 2016. Games against Southern Utah, UMass and Toledo might not sound like a playoff resume, but the remaining nine games on BYU’s schedule are all against major conference teams who have a shot at finishing in the Top 25 this season.

The opener against Arizona is listed as a “neutral site”, when in truth its simply not in the Wildcats’ home stadium. Rest assured, University of Phoenix Stadium is going to feel more like home for Arizona than it is BYU.

Being an independent and playing this schedule leaves the Cougars little hope of making the playoffs without an undefeated season.

Next: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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