Big Ten Faces Tougher 2026 Schedules, SEC Remains Ultimate Gauntlet

College football’s about to get a lot tougher, especially for teams in the Big Ten and SEC. With the SEC moving to a nine-game conference slate and the Big Ten’s talent pool growing deeper, the 2026 schedules are shaping up to be brutal for even the top programs.

What does that mean for the College Football Playoff? Well, it’s not going to get any easier for teams hoping to make a run.

The Increasing Difficulty of Conference Schedules

The SEC’s always had a reputation for tough schedules, but the Big Ten is closing the gap. In 2026, both conferences are cranking up the intensity, with more high-stakes matchups and fewer breathers between big games.

This isn’t just about realignment. It’s what happens when more top-tier teams are packed into each conference.

SEC: A Gauntlet of Games

With the SEC bumping up to nine conference games, things only get harder for the league’s best. According to CBSSports, top SEC teams could see anywhere from five to eight games against other potential top-30-caliber opponents—just within the conference.

That’s a lot of high-stakes football. Teams will have to be sharp every week, with hardly any time to rest or regroup.

Take Texas A&M, for example. Their 2026 schedule throws them up against No. 2 Texas, No. 10 Oklahoma, No. 14 LSU, and No. 15 Alabama.

Oklahoma’s not getting off easy either. They’re lined up to play eight of the other ten SEC teams ranked or considered in the way-too-early rankings, including No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Georgia, and No. 6 Texas A&M.

It’s just a relentless stretch of quality opponents. No wonder coaches lose sleep over this stuff.

Big Ten: Rising to the Challenge

The Big Ten might not have quite as many top-end matchups as the SEC, but things are getting tougher there too. In 2023, Big Ten teams finishing inside the top 30 of Bill Connelly’s SP+ ratings played about three league opponents also in the top 30.

By 2026, that’s expected to rise to three to five top-30-caliber conference opponents for the top teams. That’s a noticeable jump.

Ohio State’s schedule is a perfect example. They’re lined up to face all four of the other top-five teams in the Big Ten’s way-too-early 2026 projections.

That includes a four-week stretch against No. 8 Indiana, No. 11 USC, No. 4 Oregon, and No. 9 Michigan. And, just for fun, they’ve got a non-conference trip to No. 2 Texas.

It’s a gauntlet. There’s barely any margin for error, and the pressure’s on every single Saturday.

Implications for the College Football Playoff

All these tougher schedules? They’re going to shake up the Playoff race. With so many heavyweight games, going unbeaten is going to be a rare feat.

Since realignment, the Big Ten’s had three teams finish unbeaten in league play. The SEC? None. That probably won’t change as things get even tougher.

Fewer Unbeaten Teams

With more big games, there’s just not much room to coast. Instead of a couple of key matchups, top teams are staring down a string of must-win games.

Upsets are going to happen. Indiana and Oregon both have back-to-back games against Ohio State and Michigan in 2026. That’s a brutal stretch for anyone.

Same goes for the SEC. The nine-game slate means there’s nowhere to hide and no easy weeks.

Impact on Rankings and Playoff Spots

Rankings are going to be wild, too. With so many tough games, it’s harder for a team to run the table—or even lose just once.

Teams will need to be on point every week to stay in the Playoff conversation. That makes for more drama, more surprises, and probably a lot more debate over who deserves a spot.

Honestly, it’s going to keep fans and analysts guessing all season long. And isn’t that half the fun?

Conclusion

The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a wild ride, especially for the Big Ten and SEC. Schedules are getting tougher, and there’s just no hiding from those high-stakes matchups anymore.

Fans should probably buckle up, because we’re in for a lot more close games and, honestly, some jaw-dropping upsets. If you ask me, nobody’s getting an easy ticket to the College Football Playoff this time.