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Preseason Strength of Schedule Rankings Reveal Clear Leader

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 2:00 PM ET

Preseason strength of schedule rankings for the 2025 college football season are out, and one team's slate is projected to be toughest in the nation.

Using the SP+ computer model, ESPN's Bill Connelly revealed the top-40 teams in terms of strength of schedule. It's important to note that these are projections and will likely change as the season progresses.

However, it's never too early to take a look at how next season could shape up with spring practices getting underway across the country.

According to the rankings, the SEC leads all conferences with 12 of the top 13 strongest schedules. And all 16 conference teams are ranked within the top 25.

Oklahoma, though, faces the toughest slate after finishing at 6-7 in the Sooners' first year in the SEC. Fourth-year head coach Brent Venables and Co. narrowly lead Florida, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Vanderbilt in the top five.

Now that 2025 CFB schedules are officially set, here's the projected top 40 for SP+ strength of schedule.

(Reminder: The SOS rating is the projected win% an average top-5 team could expect against your schedule. OU and Florida will need to be top-5 caliber to go even 9-3.) pic.twitter.com/Lf3sKcgaLD
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) March 5, 2025

The Sooners were in a similar position last year with one of the strongest schedules in the nation. The SEC elected to play the same conference schedule in 2025, giving Oklahoma another tough slate.

The first real test, though, will come in a non-conference game against Michigan at home in Week 2.

The SEC schedule will kick off at home in Week 4 against Auburn before the Red River Rivalry against Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Week 7. The Sooners will then play four-straight against projected ranked opponents in South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Alabama.

The regular-season will end with two home SEC matchups against Missouri and LSU.

According to Connelly, the strength of schedule rating projects that Oklahoma "will need to be top-five caliber" to finish with 9 wins. The Sooners' current projected win total sits at 6.3, per SP+.

Venables has made some major changes in response to the disappointing 2024 campaign, including hiring new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and new general manager Jim Nagy.

Additionally, Venables will head up the defense and call plays on that side of the ball after firing Bryan Nardo.

The Sooners will open the 2025 season at home against Illinois State on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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