Paul Myerberg

USA TODAY Sports

As the brief history of the College Football Playoff has taught us, big wins outside of conference play can often vault a team into a New Year’s Six bowl or, better yet, carry a contender to a spot inside the top four.

Several teams with realistic title hopes will be handed the opportunity to make noise in September and late November. Others scuffling on the fringes of bowl eligibility will face a rough path to six wins as a result of an intimidating non-league slate.

This week’s top-10 list combs the Football Bowl Subdivision in search of the nation’s most difficult non-conference schedules. Admittedly, games that look difficult in April often are less daunting come the regular season. Still, few will envy the opponents East Carolina and Southern California will face outside of the American Athletic Conference and Pac-12, for example.

1. East Carolina

Schedule: vs. James Madison (9/2), at West Virginia (9/9), vs. Virginia Tech (9/16), vs. Brigham Young (10/21)

There’s no time to breathe for ECU. James Madison is the defending national champions in the Football Championship Subdivision. West Virginia is a lock for eight or more wins. Virginia Tech will be tough to unseat, even if at home. And BYU isn’t a good matchup for the Pirates.

2. Southern California

Schedule: vs. Western Michigan (9/2), vs. Texas (9/16), at Notre Dame (10/21)

Texas and Notre Dame will be noticeably improved after disappointing 2016 seasons. Take note of the opponents ahead of each game: Stanford precedes Texas and Utah comes before the Irish. In other words, the Trojans will be coming off matchups with the two most physical opponents on their slate heading into these high-profile non-league games.

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3. Fresno State

Schedule: vs. Incarnate Word (9/2), at Alabama (9/9), at Washington (9/16), vs. Brigham Young (11/4)

Not one but two members of last year’s College Football Playoff field? Good luck, Jeff Tedford. The Bulldogs’ new coach will very likely win just one game outside of Mountain West Conference action.

4. Middle Tennessee State

Schedule: vs. Vanderbilt (9/2), at Syracuse (9/9), at Minnesota (9/16), vs. Bowling Green (9/23)

A few teams play three Power Five opponents in non-league play, but only the Blue Raiders kick off their year with all three in a row: Vanderbilt at home, followed by Syracuse and Minnesota on the road. They’re not world beaters, but it’s a schedule worthy of some respect.

5. Georgia Tech

Schedule: vs. Tennessee in Atlanta (9/2), vs. Jacksonville State (9/9), at UCF (9/16), vs. Georgia (11/25)

The year begins and ends with games against the top of the SEC East Division. Beating Tennessee may alter the course of the Yellow Jackets’ season. Beating Georgia for the second year in a row and the third time in four years would be good for business.

6. Colorado State

Schedule: vs. Oregon State (8/26), vs. Colorado in Denver (9/2), vs. Abilene Christian (9/9), at Alabama (9/16)

The games against Power Five opponents get progressively harder. First Oregon State, which is slowly turning a corner under Gary Andersen. Then rival Colorado, which likely won’t match last year’s finish but will undoubtedly be a factor in the Pac-12 South Division. Then, after a win against Abilene Christian, mighty Alabama on the road.

7. Florida State

Schedule: vs. Alabama in Atlanta (9/2), vs. Louisiana-Monroe (9/9), vs. Delaware State (11/18), at Florida (11/25)

The opener against Alabama is that rare early season game with a winner-take-all feel, even if the Playoff era has increased the chances for a one-loss team to eventually play for the national championship.

8. Florida

Schedule: vs. Michigan in Arlington, Texas (9/2), vs. Northern Colorado (9/9), vs. UAB (11/18), vs. Florida State (11/25)

The Gators’ bookend games against Michigan and Florida State will be nasty. But it’s not quite as intimidating as the Seminoles’ duo, especially with the Gators playing host in the finale.

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9. Georgia

Schedule: vs. Appalachian State (9/2), at Notre Dame (9/9), vs. Samford (9/16), at Georgia Tech (11/25)

The Notre Dame game will draw national eyeballs and the rivalry against Georgia Tech is always good fun, but don’t sleep on Appalachian State’s ability to put a scare in the Bulldogs in the opener.

10. Louisiana-Monroe

Schedule: at Memphis (8/31), at Florida State (9/9), vs. Southern Mississippi (9/16), at Auburn (11/18)

The Warhawks will face four reigning bowl teams, with both Power Five opponents in the mix for a New Year’s Six bowl — and FSU a potential Playoff team. It’s not a good way for a four-win team to make the move to postseason eligibility.

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