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College Football: Ranking the 10 easiest Power Five schedules in 2017

By Zach Bigalke

Sep 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) outruns the Rutgers Scarlet Knights punt team including tight end Nick Arcidiacono (42) for a 68-yard return for a touchdown during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) outruns the Rutgers Scarlet Knights punt team including tight end Nick Arcidiacono (42) for a 68-yard return for a touchdown during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive lineman Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates with head coach David Shaw (L) after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 25-23 at Sun Bowl Stadium. Thomas was named MVP of the game. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive lineman Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates with head coach David Shaw (L) after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 25-23 at Sun Bowl Stadium. Thomas was named MVP of the game. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /

Stanford has won at least 10 games in six of the past seven seasons. They could make that seven out of eight years in 2017 with one of the easiest schedules among national contenders. The Cardinal open the year against Rice (3-9 in 2016) in Sydney, Australia.

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They return stateside and open Pac-12 play on the road against USC (10-3), then have a fairly difficult non-conference matchup at Mountain West champ San Diego State (11-3).

In addition to USC David Shaw’s crew does have to play Utah (9-4) as well. Cross-division play also includes UCLA (4-8) and Arizona State (5-7), though the Cardinal avoided South champ Colorado. After their November 4 trip to Pullman to face Washington State (8-5), Stanford closes the regular season with three straight at home. That stretch opens with conference champ Washington (12-2) but also includes California (5-7) and Notre Dame (4-8).

Even if Stanford manages to win just one of their three games against fellow 10+ win teams from 2016, they should still return to double digits in the win column. Now they just need to find a quarterback in spring ball.

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