With more than three months until the inaugural kickoff of the 2024 season, we have plenty of time to dissect rosters, cultivate rankings, and offer projections for the campaign ahead. Using CFN’s proprietary strength of schedule metric, let’s dive into the programs with the easiest paths forward.
College Football Teams With the Easiest Schedules in 2024
CFN’s SOS model was crafted with careful consideration, using as many resources as possible ahead of the 2024 season. Using a bevy of metrics such as returning production, roster projections, coaching staffs, incoming talent, and home-field advantage, as well as other factors, the CFN SOS analyzes which teams have the most and least difficult schedules this season.
CFN’s strength of schedule metric included teams’ transfer portal classes, valued quarterbacks returning to their school, and continuation among the coaching staff into the ranking. These factors all awarded schedule difficulty more heavily based on merit and projection, as opposed to looking back at results from last season, though those results were factored in moderately.
T-10) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs | 11.75
Fresh off their third straight 3-9 campaign, Louisiana Tech certainly appreciates having a light strength of schedule in 2024. Sonny Crumbie needs to show improvement in Year 3 and with a retooled offensive line protecting 6’5″ QB Jack Turner — and former Southern Miss and East Mississippi transfer Ty Keyes waiting in the wings — the Bulldogs could do just that.
T-10) FAU Owls | 11.75
FAU hasn’t been the same since Lane Kiffin left, and Tom Herman’s squad went 4-8 in their first season in the AAC. Owning an easy schedule helps their 2024 outlook, but going from Daniel Richardson to Marshall transfer Cameron Fancher under center may negate any advantage.
8) Kennesaw State Owls | 11.69
Welcome to the FBS, Kennesaw State! After winning three conference titles in five years (2017-2021), Brian Bohannon’s team has gone 8-12 in the last two seasons. While their schedule is “easy” in terms of the FBS overall, moving from the FCS to the CUSA full-time will still be difficult for the Owls.
7) Army Black Knights | 11.29
If there is one word to describe Jeff Monken’s Black Knights, it’s consistency. They haven’t had a losing season since 2019; before that, it was 2015. Outside of hosting Notre Dame, Army’s schedule is relatively light. In fact, Army will be introducing themselves to the AAC rather than the other way around.
6) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors | 10.96
The Timmy Chang era hasn’t gotten off to the fastest start, but the Rainbow Warriors showed development last season (3-10 to 5-8). But with Brayden Schrager back under center and Steven McBride and Pofele Ashlock out wide, expect Hawaii to put up points in the Mountain West in 2024.
5) Texas State Bobcats | 10.83
The Bobcats won their first-ever bowl game in G.J. Kinne’s introductory campaign, but the target is on their backs entering this season. The easier schedule comes at the perfect time, as Texas State has a bit of a QB issue. TJ Finley is gone, and while it seemed as if Jayden de Laura would take the reigns, off-field issues rushed him out of San Marcos.
4) FIU Panthers | 10.75
Following one win in Butch Davis’ final two campaigns, Mike MacIntyre has led the Panthers to back-to-back 4-8 finishes. True freshman QB Keyon Jenkins showcased his dual-threat talent last year and should only improve with a year of starting reps under his belt.
While FIU doesn’t have many “obvious” wins on their schedule, outside of bouts with Indiana and Liberty, there are no obvious losses either.
3) Liberty Flames | 10.29
Speaking of Liberty, the Flames are in for a treat after blitzing their way to a 13-1 record last season. Look at their 2024 opponents; how many losses can you count? One … maybe?
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Expect Kaidon Salter and Co. to fan the flames set ablaze last season and defend their CUSA title en route to another bowl game.
2) UConn Huskies | 9.92
UConn were bottom-dwellers in their last four years in the AAC, and things haven’t been much better as an independent. Jim Mora helped the Huskies rebound massively in 2022, going 6-7 after a 1-11 outing the year before.
Yet, they fell to 3-9 last season, and outside of RBs Victor Rosa and Camryn Edwards, there isn’t much talent on the roster. Is Wisconsin transfer QB Nick Evers the savior? Possibly, but we need to see it first. At least he will play the second-easiest schedule in the nation!
1) Air Force Falcons | 9.83
Oh, look, another academy! The Falcons have had 9+ wins in each of the last three seasons. However, even with the easiest schedule, it’s hard to see them repeat that feat in 2024 due to QB concerns and holes on the defensive side of the ball.
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