⚡ CFB Dashboard

The preseason US LBM Coaches Poll release reveals where top contenders will start the college football season, and luckily, some squads won’t have to deal with those powerhouses. Seeing few or no numbers next to any opponent’s name on the schedule is a delight to start the season, meaning it’s not looking like a grueling 2026. To no surprise, the easiest slates come outside of the SEC and the Big Ten, with those two conferences making up 17 of the 25 spots in the preseason poll. All Power conference teams with the most comfortable schedules based off opponent rankings come from the ACC and the Big 12. 1. NC State: The title of easiest schedule belongs to NC State. That’s because the Wolfpack do not have a single preseason ranked team on their docket, the only Power conference team with that distinction. They don’t play Notre Dame, Miami, SMU or Clemson. The Wolfpack do get tested early with games against Virginia and Vanderbilt, but the road is set up perfectly for NC State to finally get a 10 win season, and Dave Doeren to reach the ACC title game for the first time.