CFB Strength of Schedule

Frequently asked questions

What Is Strength of Schedule in College Football?

Strength of schedule (SOS) measures how tough a team's slate of opponents was. Pro Football Network's CFB Strength of Schedule tool ranks all 136 FBS teams by the combined winning percentage of every FBS opponent they played — the higher the number, the harder the schedule.

How Is This Strength of Schedule Calculated?

The primary ranking uses opponents' combined win percentage: we add up the wins and losses of every FBS opponent a team faced across the full season and divide to get one number. A team that played a slate of winning programs ranks higher than one that feasted on losing teams.

What Is the Adjusted SOS Rating?

Alongside opponent win percentage, each team shows a model-adjusted SOS rating from PFN’s Impact system. Rather than treating every win the same, it weighs opponent quality on a points scale, so beating a great team counts more than beating a merely winning one. It’s a useful second lens next to raw win percentage.

Why Does Strength of Schedule Matter for the Playoff?

The College Football Playoff selection committee explicitly weighs strength of schedule when comparing teams with similar records. A one-loss team that played a brutal slate is viewed very differently from a one-loss team that avoided ranked opponents, which is why SOS is one of the most-cited resume metrics every December.

Can I Filter and Sort the Rankings?

Yes. You can filter by conference, search for any team, and sort by opponent win percentage, team record, or the adjusted SOS rating to compare schedules however you like.

Is the CFB Strength of Schedule Tool Free?

Yes. The CFB Strength of Schedule tool is completely free to use, with no account required.