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Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Championship teams don't care about their schedules; they beat the opponents in front of them. For many other teams, a difficult slate can be a primary factor in a frustrating year.

Although coaches and players will rarely—if ever—point to the schedule as a negative, it's a simple fact of the college football season.

Some benefit. Others don't. And these 10 power programs must be prepared for a relentless slate in 2018.

Four of the marquee offseason hires will encounter a challenging schedule. They, along with the six remaining coaches, won't make excuses for any missteps, but their road to a championship will be especially daunting.

Beyond competition level, factors used to shape the list include road games, short weeks and tough matchups in consecutive weeks.