College Football: Ranking the 10 easiest FBS schedules in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Few other teams’ schedules around the country offer as easy a path to bowl eligibility as the one the defending MAC East champs face this year. They open the year against FCS Hampton (5-6 in 2016). Afterward, the Bobcats then face two Power Five lightweights that provide great winning
possibilities but only limited statement potential. They go to West Lafayette to face Purdue (3-9), then host Kansas (2-10) the following week.
They also play independent UMass (2-10), a former MAC member, in their final non-conference game. The biggest conference test for the Bobcats comes in cross-division play against Toledo (9-4) on November 8. Otherwise, the only other opponent who had a winning record in 2016 is Eastern Michigan (7-6). The other two bowl teams they play, Central Michigan (6-7) and Miami of Ohio (6-7), both finished the year under .500 in the standings.
All told, their opponents won an average of 4.5 games last season, and the path is relatively clear for a return to the MAC championship game this season. All the Bobcats really need to do is get past the only team in the country with an easier schedule.