Not every college football program has to deal with a brutal gauntlet of nasty games. Some have lighter conference seasons, others avoid road games for long stretches, and many miss most of the top teams altogether.
These are the 26 easiest schedules going into the 2026 college football season.
If the season doesn’t work out for these teams, they won’t be able to blame the schedule.
Oct 4, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; FIU Panthers running back Anthony Carrie (6) runs the ball against the UConn Huskies in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
No, you won’t see Ohio State or Alabama or Miami – the Florida version – on here. An easy schedule is relative to your conference. If you play in the Sun Belt, or Conference USA, or the MAC, your league schedule will be full of teams who rank among the lowest in our CFN Preview 2026 Preseason Rankings.
Every opponent is assigned points based on our preseason rankings – face the No. 40 team, bank 40 points. Road games, though, are half the value, so over the course of a 12-game regular season, the teams with the lightest loads will have the highest point totals.
The Conference USA teams aren’t amazing, and Missouri State gets some of the projected worst teams in the country coming to Springfield.
- The Bears should roll through their home games against Lindenwood, Sam Houston, and New Mexico State.
- Just two road games in a row – SMU and Western Kentucky – and they’re split by a week off.
Close with two home games in the final three weeks.
The Bears should roll through their home games against Lindenwood, Sam Houston, and New Mexico State.
Just two road games in a row – SMU and Western Kentucky – and they’re split by a week off.
Close with two home games in the final three weeks.
The Blue Hens are just ahead of Missouri State for the easiest schedule because they get the Bears at home, and it helps to start out against Merrimack from the FCS.
- There’s a week off before a second half run of three road games in the last four.
There are just two road games – Vanderbilt and Virginia – before mid-October.
Three good Conference USA teams – FIU, Liberty, and Jacksonville State – are at home.
There’s a week off before a second half run of three road games in the last four.
There are just two road games – Vanderbilt and Virginia – before mid-October.
Three good Conference USA teams – FIU, Liberty, and Jacksonville State – are at home.
It’s a good enough RedHawk team to be deep in the mix for the MAC Championship, and it has the schedule to help.
- The two road games against Kent State and Western Michigan close out the regular season, but …
There are just two road games between September 26 and November 10.
Getting UConn as a non-conference game is tough, but it’s at home.
The two road games against Kent State and Western Michigan close out the regular season, but …
There are just two road games between September 26 and November 10.
Getting UConn as a non-conference game is tough, but it’s at home.
There’s a lot to love about the South Alabama season, but it’s not higher here, technically, because so many of the mid-level Sun Belt teams are home games – that’s not a bad deal.
- There aren’t road dates in back-to-back weeks.
Missing James Madison, Old Dominion, and Coastal Carolina is huge.
Going to Kentucky and Tulane are tough early, but SE Louisiana, Ohio, and ULM are the first three home games – USA can win them all.
There aren’t road dates in back-to-back weeks.
Missing James Madison, Old Dominion, and Coastal Carolina is huge.
Going to Kentucky and Tulane are tough early, but SE Louisiana, Ohio, and ULM are the first three home games – USA can win them all.
The reboot of the Chanticleers starts tough (at West Virginia) and ends tough (at Louisiana, at James Madison), but everything in between is more than manageable.
- From September 12th until November 14th, there are just three road games spread out over a ten-week span.
A trip to Marshall is the only road game in a five-week run.
Fordham, at Delaware, Liberty – those aren’t bad non-conference games after starting at West Virginia.
From September 12th until November 14th, there are just three road games spread out over a ten-week span.
A trip to Marshall is the only road game in a five-week run.
Fordham, at Delaware, Liberty – those aren’t bad non-conference games after starting at West Virginia.
The Eagles have to go to Michigan State and Wisconsin in back-to-back weeks, but it’s an interesting schedule with enough good pockets to put together something nice.
- Sacramento State has to start life as an FBS school in Ypsilanti. EMU begins the season with the Hornets and San Jose State – two teams taking long trips.
There are just two road games after October 10th, and Ohio is the only time the team leaves Michigan.
The two MAC road games at Akron and UMass are about as easy as possible.
Sacramento State has to start life as an FBS school in Ypsilanti. EMU begins the season with the Hornets and San Jose State – two teams taking long trips.
There are just two road games after October 10th, and Ohio is the only time the team leaves Michigan.
The two MAC road games at Akron and UMass are about as easy as possible.
The new era of USF football under Brian Hartline couldn’t be nicer, with the easiest slate in the American Conference.
- FIU, Delaware State, at Bowling Green, Kent State – that’s the non-conference run. No Power Four games.
The team leaves Florida once – at East Carolina – from October 8th to the finish.
Getting Tulane and Memphis in Tampa is a huge help.
FIU, Delaware State, at Bowling Green, Kent State – that’s the non-conference run. No Power Four games.
The team leaves Florida once – at East Carolina – from October 8th to the finish.
Getting Tulane and Memphis in Tampa is a huge help.
Two road games at Mississippi State and UAB get two of them out of the way right out of the gate, and then it’s all good from then on.
- And having to go to UAB isn’t that bad. There aren’t two road games in a row the rest of the way after Week 2.
At South Alabama on October 3rd is the only road trip in an early five-week span.
Getting Louisiana and Louisiana Tech at home are big for the rivalry aspect.
And having to go to UAB isn’t that bad. There aren’t two road games in a row the rest of the way after Week 2.
At South Alabama on October 3rd is the only road trip in an early five-week span.
Getting Louisiana and Louisiana Tech at home are big for the rivalry aspect.
The Ragin’ Cajuns get a paycheck game at USC, but other than that, they start the season with a relative breeze.
- Louisiana doesn’t have to deal with James Madison or Old Dominion from the Sun Belt East.
Lamar, UAB, at Charlotte, Arkansas State – those are part of the first five games, along with at USC.
The team leaves Louisiana just once from October 3rd to the season finale at Georgia State.
Louisiana doesn’t have to deal with James Madison or Old Dominion from the Sun Belt East.
Lamar, UAB, at Charlotte, Arkansas State – those are part of the first five games, along with at USC.
The team leaves Louisiana just once from October 3rd to the season finale at Georgia State.
The Bearkats come into the season as one of the teams that need the most work. The schedule should help, outside of the date at Texas Tech.
- Back-to-back road games against Missouri State and Jacksonville State hurts, but that’s it in a six-week run.
Getting Kennesaw State and Western Kentucky at home helps.
At Troy, Tulsa, and Nicholls is about as nice as possible to get a season going.
Back-to-back road games against Missouri State and Jacksonville State hurts, but that’s it in a six-week run.
Getting Kennesaw State and Western Kentucky at home helps.
At Troy, Tulsa, and Nicholls is about as nice as possible to get a season going.
The run of six road games in nine weeks isn’t easy, but after the Sun Belt opener against Old Dominion, the Dukes should rip through the rest of the conference schedule.
- Liberty and Wagner open the season, and a week off, and Coastal Carolina close it.
There shouldn’t be any problem with the four Sun Belt home games.
Getting two extra days off before going to UConn helps.
Liberty and Wagner open the season, and a week off, and Coastal Carolina close it.
There shouldn’t be any problem with the four Sun Belt home games.
Getting two extra days off before going to UConn helps.
Bowling Green has to get past the first half of the schedule, and then it should have a whole lot of fun. What’s keeping this from being even higher? Two Power Four road games at Nebraska and Iowa State.
- Tarleton State is a good way to open things up. That should be a win before the tough four-game slate of at Nebraska, at Iowa State, USF, at Miami University, and then ….
Sacramento State and Ball State. There are just three more road games the rest of the way.
The Falcons only leave Ohio twice after September 19th.
Tarleton State is a good way to open things up. That should be a win before the tough four-game slate of at Nebraska, at Iowa State, USF, at Miami University, and then ….
Sacramento State and Ball State. There are just three more road games the rest of the way.
The Falcons only leave Ohio twice after September 19th.
It helps to miss a slew of the top Sun Belt teams, and it’s made easier with the trip to TCU as the only Power Four game.
- Not playing James Madison, Old Dominion, and Georgia Southern helps.
There’s just one road game from October 8th to November 14th.
The week off comes at a wonderful time – Halloween – before the finishing kick.
Not playing James Madison, Old Dominion, and Georgia Southern helps.
There’s just one road game from October 8th to November 14th.
The week off comes at a wonderful time – Halloween – before the finishing kick.
Looking to turn into a player in the Sun Belt again, App State has the schedule to do it with winnable conference home games helped by a few likely non-conference wins.
- The Sun Belt showdowns with James Madison and Old Dominion are at home.
The Mountaineers don’t leave North Carolina until the middle of October.
Home games against Maine and Charlotte help ease the way into the season.
The Sun Belt showdowns with James Madison and Old Dominion are at home.
The Mountaineers don’t leave North Carolina until the middle of October.
Home games against Maine and Charlotte help ease the way into the season.
The Owls should like their conference season with four road games over the final nine weeks, and there’s a chance to build up a few wins before going to Tennessee and Arkansas State.
- West Georgia and Georgia State are one of the easiest two-game season starts in all of college football.
Liberty, Jacksonville State, and Delaware are three of the toughest CUSA teams – they’re all at home.
A week off on October 3rd before the Conference USA season starts is a bit early, but the team should be rested for the Sun Belt title rematch with Jacksonville State.
West Georgia and Georgia State are one of the easiest two-game season starts in all of college football.
Liberty, Jacksonville State, and Delaware are three of the toughest CUSA teams – they’re all at home.
A week off on October 3rd before the Conference USA season starts is a bit early, but the team should be rested for the Sun Belt title rematch with Jacksonville State.
The schedule has tough road dates – like at James Madison and Missouri – but the home games need to all be wins.
- The Trojans will almost certainly be favored in six home games.
Opening up with Sam Houston and Alabama State at home eases the team into the season.
There are a few extra days off late in the season between the trip to James Madison and the home date with Louisiana Tech.
The Trojans will almost certainly be favored in six home games.
Opening up with Sam Houston and Alabama State at home eases the team into the season.
There are a few extra days off late in the season between the trip to James Madison and the home date with Louisiana Tech.
In its first season at the FBS level, Sacramento State was given several breaks to help ease the travel concerns a bit.
- There aren’t any games against Power Four teams.
The travel to Sacramento will be long for most programs, especially Hawaii, Mississippi Valley State, and UMass.
After October 24th, the Hornets have just one more road trip – Central Michigan – in the final five weeks.
There aren’t any games against Power Four teams.
The travel to Sacramento will be long for most programs, especially Hawaii, Mississippi Valley State, and UMass.
After October 24th, the Hornets have just one more road trip – Central Michigan – in the final five weeks.
After a few tough seasons, Middle Tennessee has to bounce back with a schedule to roll through and get to a bowl game again.
- Kansas is the only Power Four game, at Marshall isn’t an awful non-conference date, and Nevada has to come to Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium.
The CUSA opener is at Jacksonville State, and then there’s the trip to Kansas. After that, there are just two road games in the next seven weeks.
Delaware, Kennesaw State, and Western Kentucky are good, but those are all home games.
Kansas is the only Power Four game, at Marshall isn’t an awful non-conference date, and Nevada has to come to Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium.
The CUSA opener is at Jacksonville State, and then there’s the trip to Kansas. After that, there are just two road games in the next seven weeks.
Delaware, Kennesaw State, and Western Kentucky are good, but those are all home games.
There’s a lot to like about a schedule with plenty of early home games, but three of the last four games are on the road.
- Yes, November has three road games in the final four dates, but there’s a week off before, and an extra day to rest between trips to Miami University and Ball State.
Two FCS games against Albany and Robert Morris help ease the Bulls into the season.
The Bulls are at home for every game but one from September 26th to November 3rd.
Yes, November has three road games in the final four dates, but there’s a week off before, and an extra day to rest between trips to Miami University and Ball State.
Two FCS games against Albany and Robert Morris help ease the Bulls into the season.
The Bulls are at home for every game but one from September 26th to November 3rd.
It’s a rebuilding year, and the Herd could use the schedule break. Everything eases up fast after starting the year at Penn State.
- Back-to-back road games against Old Dominion and Georgia Southern are tough, but that’s it for road games for two months.
Missouri State and ULM are winnable away dates.
The three-week midseason stretch without a road date is a massive break.
Back-to-back road games against Old Dominion and Georgia Southern are tough, but that’s it for road games for two months.
Missouri State and ULM are winnable away dates.
The three-week midseason stretch without a road date is a massive break.
Overall, it’s technically one of college football’s easiest schedules, but that’s partly because of all the easy-looking home games.
- Three road games in four dates are broken up by a week off.
MAC road dates against Kent State, Sacramento State, and Akron more than make up for the trip to Miami University.
Ohio doesn’t leave Ohio after October 17th.
Three road games in four dates are broken up by a week off.
MAC road dates against Kent State, Sacramento State, and Akron more than make up for the trip to Miami University.
Ohio doesn’t leave Ohio after October 17th.
The Rockets have a funky non-conference slate, but two of the interesting games are at home. The MAC schedule is the type you win titles with.
- The opener at Michigan State is on the road, but good Temple and San Diego State games are at home.
Getting Western Michigan at home is a huge break.
Six of the eight MAC games are against teams that didn’t go bowling last year.
The opener at Michigan State is on the road, but good Temple and San Diego State games are at home.
Getting Western Michigan at home is a huge break.
Six of the eight MAC games are against teams that didn’t go bowling last year.
One of the best teams in Conference USA catches several breaks to make a push to get back to the championship game.
- There aren’t any games against Power Four programs – but the trip to North Dakota State won’t be easy.
There aren’t two road games in a row all season.
Not having to play a good-looking Liberty team in CUSA play is a huge break.
There aren’t any games against Power Four programs – but the trip to North Dakota State won’t be easy.
There aren’t two road games in a row all season.
Not having to play a good-looking Liberty team in CUSA play is a huge break.
The Minutemen continue to try breaking through, and they have just the schedule to potentially do it.
- Not playing Western Michigan, Ohio, and Central Michigan in the MAC helps.
Two games against FCS teams – Sacred Heart and Stonehill – are both at home.
There’s just one road game after September 3 to October 17.
Not playing Western Michigan, Ohio, and Central Michigan in the MAC helps.
Two games against FCS teams – Sacred Heart and Stonehill – are both at home.
There’s just one road game after September 3 to October 17.
FIU has the second-easiest schedule in college football, but the road games against Jacksonville State, Liberty, Delaware State, and Kennesaw State are challenging.
- All the home games against the projected worst CUSA teams make the slate rank among the lightest.
There aren’t any games against Power Four programs.
The Panthers don’t leave Florida until October 13.
All the home games against the projected worst CUSA teams make the slate rank among the lightest.
There aren’t any games against Power Four programs.
The Panthers don’t leave Florida until October 13.
The Flames not only get to face all the mediocre Conference USA teams, but they miss one of the stars, Jacksonville State. This is a slate for a big bounce-back season.
- Missing Jacksonville State makes the already not bad conference slate easier.
Going to James Madison won’t be easy, but there aren’t any Power Four games on the slate.
There aren’t two conference road games in a row.
Missing Jacksonville State makes the already not bad conference slate easier.
Going to James Madison won’t be easy, but there aren’t any Power Four games on the slate.
There aren’t two conference road games in a row.
Related: Hardest College Football Schedules for 2026
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
