SMQ: College Football Playoff hopefuls and strength of schedule
By Zach Bigalke
Top-25 schedules: Ohio State, Clemson
Just behind USC and Georgia, Ohio State and Clemson each played a regular-season schedule that ranked within the top 25 hardest schedules played by FBS teams.
Ohio State took on a tough Big Ten East schedule that included 10-2 Penn State, 9-3 Michigan State, and 8-4 Michigan. the Buckeyes also face Big 12 title hopeful and a showdown against bowl-independent Army.
Defending national champion Clemson had an impressive strength of schedule, thanks to a non-conference slate that includes SEC West champion Auburn. They also took on FCS The Citadel, which finished 2017 at 5-6. The Tigers did, however, avoid North Carolina in interdivisional play and faced a majority of opponents who will be bowling.
Why aren’t these two teams higher?
Ohio State fell to 11-1 Oklahoma and 7-5 Iowa. Clemson lost just once, but it came to 5-7 Syracuse. The pair of losses are among the best losses suffered by any of the contenders, but it is still two marks against the Buckeyes in the loss column. The Tigers lost just once, but it came against an opponent who had a losing record.
Both would be worthy additions to the College Football Playoff if they win. Both are still far from unblemished, and come with their own warts to consider.