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Over the last decade or so, the Big Ten and SEC have reigned supreme in college football. They've won all the championships over the last seven years, with Clemson's quick dynasty being the only non-Big Ten or SEC title.
Those two conferences still dominated the AP and Coaches Poll rankings in 2025, and project to do the same in 2026. As a result, schedules in the Big 12 and ACC, seemingly the forgotten power conferences in college football, may seem lighter than they really are.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford highlighted the BYU Cougar's 2026 slate as the seventh-easiest in college football among Power 4 teams, largely because of the lack of projected ranked opponents that will be in the Big 12.
"The Cougars' 2026 schedule is the kind of draw Power Four contenders beg for behind closed doors," Crawford wrote. "BYU gets enough brand value to matter -- Notre Dame and Utah move the needle -- without the weekly meat grinder others are staring down. No Texas Tech. No Kansas State. No Oklahoma State. No Houston. That's a massive break inside a Big 12 race where separation could come down to one bad Saturday. The road slate is manageable, too, with Utah and TCU standing as the obvious swing games. Stack that against SEC and Big Ten contenders grinding through ranked opponents every other week, and BYU has a legitimate runway. If the Cougars are playoff-good like last season, the schedule won't get in their way."
Three other Big 12 teams appeared on the list in the Houston Cougars (No. 9), Kansas State Wildcats (No. 3) and the Texas Tech Red Raiders (No. 2). Of course, the Cougars landing on the list is certainly because they miss all three of those teams, and vice versa. When the top teams in the conference happen to miss each other during the regular season, it's bound to be viewed as an easier schedule.
But that's not to say that BYU can just waltz it's way through the schedule and end up in the Big 12 title game and potentially in the College Football Playoff. Competing against pesky, unranked Big 12 opponents will not be an easy task, especially when one disappointing loss can derail an entire season.
On the face, BYU's 2026 schedule may seem favorable and easy. But the pressure is on for them to take care of business and reach the goals that have been set out for them.
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This article originally appeared on BYU Cougars Wire: CBS Sports tabs BYU as having one of easiest schedules in Power 4
