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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 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers Skyler Howard (3) runs the ball in the first half against the Miami Hurricanes during the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers Skyler Howard (3) runs the ball in the first half against the Miami Hurricanes during the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

West Virginia actually opens its 2017 campaign with a respectable non-conference game against defending ACC Coastal champion Virginia Tech (10-4 in 2016). But they follow up the Hokies game with contests against East Carolina (3-9) and FCS Delaware State (0-11). Even if the Mountaineers manage to run the table and win the Big 12, these games could come back to bite them when the College Football Selection committee comes together in December.

The round-robin schedules of the Big 12 do have some benefits. The Mountaineers have to play Oklahoma (11-2), Oklahoma State (10-3), and Kansas State (9-4) this season. But only half of their schedule overall is comprised of teams that went to the postseason last year. When you play in the Big 12, you also get a lot of duds like Kansas (2-10) and Iowa State (3-9).

Ultimately, though, the Mountaineers are well set up to get to 10 wins again. They will still have to get through the Sooners, Cowboys, and Wildcats, and a team like Texas or TCU (6-7) could also return to prominence. But 10 wins is probably their ceiling, and a playoff berth is probably out of reach unless they finish the regular season 13-0.

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