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College Football’s Toughest Non-Conference Schedule from each Power 5 League in 2023

By Luke Fletcher

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Justin Johnson Jr. #26 of the West Virginia Mountaineers is wrapped up for a tackle by Shayne Simon #32 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second quarter during the game at Acrisure Stadium on September 1, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Justin Johnson Jr. #26 of the West Virginia Mountaineers is wrapped up for a tackle by Shayne Simon #32 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second quarter during the game at Acrisure Stadium on September 1, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Looking at the toughest non-conference schedule among the Power-5 conferences in college football.

Choosing the top non-conference schedule from each P5 league in college football was a little more difficult than the Group of Five.

There are about 10 college football teams worthy of this list. The metrics used for this list were: teams had to have two non-conference games against A5/P5 teams.

Here are the five toughest non-conference schedules from each Power 5 college football conference league in 2023.

1. Pittsburgh (ACC)

09/02 – Wofford
09/09 – Cincinnati
09/16 – at West Virginia
10/28 – at Notre Dame

Three of the Panthers’ four out-of-conference opponents come from the Power 5. Pitt opens with an FCS game but then hosts new BIG12 member and former Big East foe Cincy, the Panthers, and Bearcats meet for the first time since 2012.

The Panthers then go on the road to face their rival West Virginia in the “Backyard Brawl”. Pitt then travels to South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish in late October.

2. Colorado (PAC-12)

09/02 – at TCU
09/09 – Nebraska
09/16 – Colorado State

The Buffs open the season with three consecutive non-conference games, including the Sept. 2 opener against national runner-up TCU in Fort Worth. That’s followed by back-to-back home games against rivals Nebraska and Colorado State. The last time both Nebraska and CSU were on the Buffs’ home schedule was in 2005.

3. West Virginia (BIG12)

09/02 – at Penn State
09/09 – Duquesne
09/16 – Pitt

West Virginia opens the season in Happy Valley against Penn State. The  Mountaineers then host an FCS team before they travel to Pitt for the latest edition of the “Backyard Brawl”.

The biggest thing about their schedule is that Penn State (7) and Pittsburgh  (22) – finished the 2022 college football season ranked inside the Top 25. Everyone will know if WVU is for real before they start conference play this year.

4. Florida (SEC)

08/31 – at Utah
09/09 – McNeese
09/23 – Charlotte
11/25 – Florida State

Florida will travel to Salt Lake City to open the season against Utah. They return home to host an FCS opponent before hosting Charlotte from the retooled “American” conference. The season finale against Florida State will reveal how far the team has come under second-year coach Billy Napier.

5. Purdue (BIG Ten)

09/02 – Fresno State
09/09 – at Virginia Tech
09/16 – Syracuse

According to the Fresno Bee, The defending Mountain West champions Fresno State will travel to West Lafayette for a reported $1.3 million check during week one of the 2023 college football season.

Next. Top 5 non-conference college football games in 2023. dark

The Boilermakers then travel to Blacksburg, to face Virginia Tech in week two, and in week three Syracuse makes the trip to West Lafayette to close out a home-and-home series.

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