Top 10 College Football Teams with Easiest 2026 Schedules
As the 2026 college football season creeps closer, teams all over the country are getting set for what could be a wild ride. But, let’s be honest, not every team is facing the same gauntlet.
Some squads caught a break with their schedules, dodging the kind of powerhouse matchups that can derail a year before it even gets going. According to the US LBM Coaches Poll, a bunch of ACC and Big 12 teams are staring at what looks like a pretty manageable slate.
That’s a golden ticket to rack up wins—maybe even sneak into the College Football Playoff if things break right. So, which teams are sitting pretty? Let’s take a look.
ACC Teams with Favorable Schedules
Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers are hoping to put last season’s rough finish behind them. They ended 2025 with three straight games against ranked teams, but 2026 is shaping up differently.
Pitt’s only preseason ranked opponent is No. 7 Miami, and that’s right out of the gate. After that, they get a pretty clear runway—seven games before seeing another ranked team. That’s a real shot for Pat Narduzzi to get his team rolling early for once.
Virginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers finally put together a season to be proud of, and now the schedule gods are smiling on them. They’ll only take on one ranked squad, No. 20 SMU, and that’s not until mid-October.
The rest of their conference games? Not a ranked team in sight. Maybe it’s a stretch, but Virginia could be a sneaky pick for the ACC title or more. Their nonconference draw includes West Virginia—tricky, but not terrifying.
NC State Wolfpack
NC State fans, this might finally be your year to breathe easy. The Wolfpack don’t face a single preseason ranked team, which is wild for a Power conference program.
That’s as good an opportunity as you’ll get for a 10-win season—something that’s been just out of reach for a while now. Early games against Virginia and Vanderbilt might keep them honest, but the road’s about as open as it gets for Dave Doeren’s crew.
Big 12 Teams Set for Success
Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas football hasn’t had much to celebrate lately, but the 2026 schedule is at least giving them a chance. Their first big test is No. 25 Missouri on September 11, then it’s smooth sailing until October 10 at No. 21 Utah.
That gives Lance Leipold a real window to get the Jayhawks moving in the right direction after a couple of tough years. Maybe this is where the turnaround finally starts?
Baylor Bears
Dave Aranda’s seat is getting warm, but the Bears’ schedule might just save him. Baylor doesn’t see a preseason ranked team until game ten, which is almost unheard of.
Their toughest stretch comes late, with road trips to No. 15 BYU and No. 24 Houston in November. That’s a lot of time to figure things out and maybe cool off some of the pressure on Aranda.
UCF Knights
UCF’s Big 12 journey hasn’t exactly been smooth, but 2026 feels like a shot at redemption. They’ll head to No. 24 Houston on October 3 and then host No. 15 BYU a few weeks later.
After that, it’s clear skies—no more ranked teams on the schedule. Scott Frost could really use a little magic in Orlando again, don’t you think?
Kansas State Wildcats
Collin Klein steps in as Kansas State’s new head coach, and honestly, he couldn’t have asked for a better intro. The Wildcats only see one ranked opponent: No. 24 Houston at home on October 10.
That’s a pretty gentle welcome for Klein, and maybe a chance to win over the fan base right away. Not a bad way to start your head coaching career.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders, fresh off a Big 12 title, have a real shot to run it back. Their only preseason ranked matchup is No. 24 Houston on September 18.
After that, the schedule is pretty forgiving. Even without their star quarterback Brendan Sorsby, Tech’s got a path to stay on top of the conference.
Other Notable Teams
Utah Utes
Utah’s got a couple of big home games: No. 24 Houston on October 24 and No. 15 BYU on November 17. They’re also taking on Arkansas out of conference, which adds a little spice.
It’s Morgan Scalley’s first year as head coach, and he’s got a decent shot to keep the Utes rolling. Nothing’s guaranteed, but the foundation is there.
California Golden Bears
Tosh Lupoi is stepping in as Cal’s head coach, and honestly, the Bears could surprise people. They’ve got No. 23 Clemson coming to Berkeley on September 25, then a trip to No. 20 SMU a month later.
They dodge heavyweights like Notre Dame and Miami, which is a break. Plus, nonconference games with UCLA and UNLV should be fun to watch. Maybe Cal makes some noise in the Pac-12 after all.
Conclusion
The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be something special, especially for a handful of teams with schedules that seem, well, pretty forgiving.
Across the ACC and Big 12, there are programs staring down what looks like a golden opportunity. Some could build momentum early, while others might just coast through stretches that would trip up tougher schedules.
Of course, college football never really goes the way you expect. That’s half the fun, isn’t it? Still, if you’re a fan of one of these teams, there’s a good reason to feel a little extra hopeful right now.
If you want to dig into the full rundown of teams and see the specifics for yourself, the original article’s over at USA Today.
