CBS Sports Ranks College Football's Toughest Schedules For CFP Contenders In 2026

The recent CBS Sports' rankings of college football's toughest 2026 schedules for top CFP contenders after spring practices featured several teams from the SEC.

Sitting atop the list was Texas, followed by Oklahoma.

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1. Texas
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 8

The Longhorns drew one of the most unforgiving paths in the country. This isn't just a "tough schedule" in the usual SEC sense. It's layered difficulty, the kind that tests depth, quarterback play and mental endurance over four months without a single favorable stretch. Week-to-week attrition may become real in a hurry, and Texas doesn't get the luxury of spacing out its biggest challenges. After the showdown with Ohio State in Week 2, Texas goes to Tennessee in Week 4, plays Oklahoma on Oct. 10 and has three straight home games with Florida, Ole Miss and Mississippi State before the November gauntlet begins away from Austin, which includes weekends in Baton Rouge and College Station.

2. Oklahoma
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 7

At this point, Brent Venables has to be tired of answering questions about unbalanced SEC scheduling and how his program always seems to get the short end of the stick. He's going to hear it again at media days in July since the Sooners face the arduous task of conquering another nightmarish slate that begins at Michigan on Sept. 12, with Georgia looming in the SEC opener two weeks later. Oklahoma's open date is sandwiched between the matchup with the Bulldogs and the Red River Rivalry game against Texas. Oklahoma will play Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Missouri in the season's final month before the CFP committee makes its final determination.

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Complete Top 12 from CBS:

1. Texas
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 8

2. Oklahoma
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 7

3. Ohio State
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 6

4. Michigan
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 6

5. Ole Miss
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 6

6. Texas A&M
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 6

7. LSU
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 6

8. USC
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 5

9. Georgia
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 5

10. Alabama
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 4

11. Oregon
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 4

12. Indiana
Number of ranked opponents in post-spring top 25: 4