Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike McIntyre’s team had a massive turnaround in 2016, and their schedule should prevent them from regressing completely this year. In 2017, Colorado will play just five teams that went to bowl games last year. Only one, the season opener against Colorado State (7-6 in 2016) at Mile High Stadium in Denver, is from outside the Pac-12. The Buffaloes also play Texas State (2-10) and FCS Northern Colorado (6-5) out of conference.

They open Pac-12 play at home against defending conference champion Washington (12-2). But they then go a month before playing another team that finished above .500 in 2016. The Buffaloes avoided Stanford from the Pac-12 North, though they do also play Washington State (8-5) this season. Their schedule concludes with a home game against USC (10-3) and a road game in Salt Lake City on Thanksgiving weekend against Utah (9-4).

Related Story: 5 dark-horse teams that could be the next Colorado in 2017

There probably isn’t enough on the schedule to prevent Colorado from reaching bowl eligibility for a second straight season. Another Pac-12 South crown could be a stretch, given the confluence of factors that allowed the Buffaloes to win the division last year. But the postseason is imminently attainable in Boulder.

Home/College Football News