SEC Football: Alabama Crimson Tide’s Strength of Schedule Will Improve In Coming Weeks

Dak Dillon-US PRESSWIRE

We are in the thick of the college football season, which means it is time to play out hypothetical scenarios on who will win out, who will lose a game, and who will play for the national championship. Of course, a team’s strength of schedule always comes into play.

Here are the College Football Strength of Schedule Power Ratings for every SEC team according to teamrankings.com:

LSU: 6^th
South Carolina: 8^th
Texas A&M: 9^th
Tennessee: 12^th
Florida: 13^th
Missouri: 18^th
Auburn: 19^th
Arkansas: 20^th
Kentucky: 21^st
Vanderbilt: 27^th
Ole Miss: 28^th
Alabama: 30^th
Georgia: 35^th
Mississippi State: 75^th

Once again, the lion’s share of SEC teams remain in the top thirty of the rankings. South Carolina has shot up the most (from 62^nd) in the past few weeks since they have played all of their toughest opponents. The Alabama Crimson Tide is holding firm around the thirty spot, but this may increase over the next three weeks after we play Mississippi State, LSU, and Texas A&M.

Florida still remains the one team in the SEC with the best chance to lose a game (outside of the SEC championship game) and play for the national championship. In terms of what they have accomplished thus far, the argument can easily be made for the Gators to hold the number one ranking in the BCS. No matter — these things will sort themselves out in time.

Here’s a look at some other teams with BCS Championship game potential:

Oklahoma (4-1). Strength of schedule: 1^st. BCS ranking: 8^th. The Sooners boast the toughest schedule at this point of the season, but needs a ton of help. They have a monster game with Notre Dame on Saturday. What they need: 2 Kansas State losses, 1-2 Oregon losses.

Kansas State (6-0). Strength of schedule: 2^nd. BCS ranking: 3^rd. With their strength of schedule, BCS ranking, and lack of a championship game, the Wildcats will need very little to make it to the BCS Championship. What they need: Keep winning.

Oregon (6-0). Strength of schedule: 25^th. BCS ranking: 3^rd. The Ducks look good this year, but might need some help. They need to make statements against USC (twice), Stanford, and Oregon State. What they need: 1 Kansas State loss, 1 Notre Dame loss.

Notre Dame (7-0). Strength of schedule: 33^rd. BCS ranking: 5^th. As of right now, the Irish have an average strength of schedule, but will improve with games at Oklahoma and USC. It might not be enough. What they need: 1 Kansas State loss.

Southern Cal (6-1). Strength of schedule: 38^th. BCS ranking: 9^th. The Trojans also need a ton of help, but as any ‘Bama fan knows from last year, anything is possible. What they need: Win out (playing Oregon twice), Notre Dame winning v. Oklahoma, 1 Kansas State loss.

I did not include any SEC teams in these scenarios because the team from the SEC is all but assured a spot in the BCS championship game. And, of course, as long as Alabama takes care of business, there will be no need to worry about our strength of schedule.

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