People always say they want to play against the best, but would you really complain if the road to success wasn’t all that challenging?
The preseason US LBM Coaches Poll release reveals where top contenders will start the college football season, and luckily, some squads won’t have to deal with those powerhouses. Seeing few or no numbers next to any opponent’s name on the schedule is a delight to start the season, meaning it’s not looking like a grueling 2026.
To no surprise, the easiest slates come outside of the SEC and the Big Ten, with those two conferences making up 17 of the 25 spots in the preseason poll. All Power conference teams with the most comfortable schedules based off opponent rankings come from the ACC and the Big 12.
Of course, a cakewalk of a schedule doesn’t guarantee success, but these 10 teams are hoping a softer workload can pave the way for a double-digit win season, and possibly the College Football Playoff.
10. Pitt
After ending the 2025 against three straight ranked opponents, Pitt just has to deal with one going into 2026. The Panthers will play seven games before running into one, a chance to build momentum in the first half. Although it will be a tough first one with a visit to No. 7 Miami, which dominated them in the regular season finale. Still, Pat Narduzzi is set up well to get three straight winning seasons.
Football in Kansas could be back with a schedule that is nicely spread out. It will face rival No. 25 Missouri on Sept. 11, and it doesn’t face another ranked foe until Oct. 10 at No. 21 Utah. Then another monthlong break, getting No. 15 BYU at home in the final home game on Nov. 21. That goes with leaving the Central time zone just twice in 2026, giving Lance Leipold a great shot to get momentum back with the Jayhawks after back-to-back losing seasons.
Dave Aranda gets a great shot to cool his seat down after another losing season has his job security up in the air. Baylor will play nine games before it faces one of the preseason ranked teams. The one challenge with it is the Bears will be on the road, playing at No. 15 BYU on Nov. 14 and No. 24 Houston on Nov. 28 in the regular-season finale. That gives the Bears plenty of time to build up a quality team, although that puts more pressure on Aranda to deliver with what he gets.
7. UCF
The move to the Big 12 hasn’t been all too kind to UCF, but it could be easier with one of the easiest schedules so far. The Knights will travel to play No. 24 Houston on Oct. 3 and then host No. 15 BYU on Oct. 24, but after that, there’s no ranked opponent left. The road game at Pittsburgh won’t be easy, but Scott Frost has a chance to recapture some magic in Orlando.
6. Utah
Like Baylor and UCF, Utah also gets Houston and BYU on the schedule. However, both of those ranked matchups will come at home, with No. 24 Houston coming to Salt Lake City on Oct. 24 and then the Holy War with No. 15 BYU comes on Nov. 17. Coupled with a cool nonconference schedule that features Arkansas coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium, and Morgan Scalley is well-positioned to continue the success in his first season in charge.
5. California
The Golden Bears are an underrated contender under first-year coach Tosh Lupoi, and that could be noticed nationally with a slate that sets him up well in Berkeley. No. 23 Clemson has to make the cross-country trip on Sept. 25, and then Cal goes to No. 20 SMU on Oct. 24, but it avoids Notre Dame and Miami. While it does have intriguing nonconference matchups with UCLA and UNLV, Cal has the keys to get Bear territory rocking.
4. Virginia
Coming off its best season this century, the Cavaliers get a chance to keep that momentum going in 2026. The only ranked game Virginia has is at No. 20 SMU on Oct. 17, while not having to play any other ranked conference foe. The nonconference includes a visit from West Virginia, and it’s why Virginia can be dark-horse candidate to not just make the ACC championship game again, but perhaps get into the playoff.
3. Kansas State
Now in charge of his alma mater, Collin Klein gets a cushy introduction to head coaching. Kansas State has just one ranked foe, with No. 24 Houston coming into town on Oct. 10. That should help keep the former quarterback in the good graces of Wildcat fans.
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2. Texas Tech
A return to the College Football Playoff is absolutely in the cards for the reigning Big 12 champion. Texas Tech will face No. 24 Houston on Sept. 18 in its third game of the season, but no ranked team remains the rest of the way. Even without Brendan Sorsby, the Red Raiders remain loaded and have a smooth path toward another shot at keeping its crown. Maybe they will face another ranked team in the Big 12 title game to toughen up the schedule.
1. NC State
The title of easiest schedule belongs to NC State. That’s because the Wolfpack do not have a single preseason ranked team on their docket, the only Power conference team with that distinction. They don’t play Notre Dame, Miami, SMU or Clemson. The Wolfpack do get tested early with games against Virginia and Vanderbilt, but the road is set up perfectly for NC State to finally get a 10-win season, and Dave Doeren to reach the ACC title game for the first time.