SMQ: College Football Playoff hopefuls and strength of schedule

The toughest slates: USC and Georgia

Among the teams that could still realistically make their way into the top four after next weekend’s conference championship games, the two that have played top-20 schedules are USC and Georgia. Neither has managed a perfect record through the regular season, but that is hardly shocking. Each, however, has faced a level of competition that is among some of the toughest slates in the country.

Who has USC faced?

The Trojans have endured the 15th-toughest schedule in the country. Taking out of the equation the fact that USC played 12 straight weeks without a bye, let’s just look at the level of competition they faced in 2017.

Clay Helton‘s team opened the season against a Western Michigan team that, while off the New Year’s Six pace they pulled off last year, still reached bowl eligibility in 2017. USC followed up the win over the Broncos with games against Texas and Notre Dame out of conference.

The Longhorns finished the regular season in a four-way tie for fourth place in the Big 12. Notre Dame dealt the Trojans their only loss outside of Pac-12 play, as USC couldn’t pull out a victory in South Bend.

Aside from the Trojans, eight of the 11 other teams in the Pac-12 reached bowl eligibility this season. USC had the advantage of playing 1-11 Oregon State and 5-7 California in interdivisional play, and also took on 5-7 Colorado in the South schedule. Their two losses came to teams that went a combined 18-6 in 2017. In all, nine of USC’s 12 opponents qualified for postseason play this year.

How about Georgia?

The Bulldogs played an equally daunting schedule, starting with Sun Belt co-leader Appalachian State out of conference. Georgia also played and beat Notre Dame along with state rival Georgia Tech. Even their FCS game this season came against a Samford team that went 8-4 and finished in a tie for second behind Southern Conference winner Wofford.

Their only loss of the season came against 10-2 SEC West champion Auburn on the road. Kirby Smart‘s team will have the opportunity to avenge that defeat in 2017, as the Tigers took down Alabama to secure a spot in the SEC championship game.

With only one loss on its record, Georgia is the likelier team in this group to get named to one of the top four seeds. The USC brand will only suffer further due to multiple losses