CFB: Update on conference schedules
Each conference has announced an updated 10- or 11-game schedule starting in September.
ACC (start date scheduled for September 12): The Atlantic Coast Conference announced they will move to an 11-game schedule this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All 14 teams, with the addition of Notre Dame, will play 10 conference games and one non-conference game, starting on September 12. Some of the notable games to watch out for include Clemson @ Notre Dame (November 7) and Notre Dame @ North Carolina (November 27).
Games to watch:
- Clemson @ Wake Forest (September 12)
- Florida State @ Miami (September 26)
- Virginia Tech @ Louisville (October 31)
- Clemson @ Notre Dame (November 7)
- Notre Dame @ North Carolina (November 27)
Big Ten (start date scheduled for September 3): The Big Ten has the earliest start date of any Power Five conference, as the league hops to begin their season on Thursday, September 3. The 14 Big Ten teams kept their previously scheduled nine conference games, and added one cross-division matchup to create a 10-game conference-only slate. For the first time since 1933, Michigan @ Ohio State (October 24) will not be played in November.
Games to watch:
- Penn State @ Michigan (September 19)
- Minnesota @ Wisconsin (September 26)
- Michigan @ Ohio State (October 24)
- Ohio State @ Penn State (November 7)
- Purdue @ Indiana (November 21)
Big 12 (start date projected to be September 19 or September 26): The Big 12 hasn't set a specific date to start but it's believed they are looking at the final two weeks in September as possibilities. However, the league did explain that each team will play nine conference games and one non-conference (likely in-state) game. According to FanSided, Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione still intends to play Texas at the Cotton Bowl despite the State Fair being cancelled, though.
Games to watch:
- Oklahoma @ Texas (October 10)
- Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma (October 24)
- TCU @ Baylor (October 24)
- Baylor @ Iowa State (November 14)
- Texas @ Oklahoma State (November 27)
Pac-12 (start date set for September 26): The Pac-12 decided to begin their season more than three weeks after the Big Ten and two weeks after the ACC, most likely because of the high number of COVID-19 cases in states like California, Arizona, and Washington. Those three states make up eight out of the 12 teams in the Pac-12. The conference slate will start with a major rivalry as USC @ UCLA (September 26) headlines the opening Saturday.
Games to watch:
- USC @ UCLA (September 26)
- Arizona State @ Oregon (October 9)
- Washington @ Cal (October 10)
- USC @ Oregon (November 14)
- USC @ Utah (November 27)
SEC (start date scheduled for September 26): The SEC will also start on the final weekend in September and each team will play a 10-game all-conference schedule. Georgia @ Alabama was originally set for September 19, so we'll still have to wait and see when or if that game is played, but it's certainly one of the must-watch matchups in the SEC. Other games to keep an eye out for are Georgia @ Florida (October 31) and Alabama @ LSU (November 7).
Games to watch:
- Auburn @ Georgia (October 10)
- Georgia @ Florida (October 31)
- Alabama @ LSU (November 7)
- Auburn @ Alabama (November 28)
- LSU @ Texas A&M (November 28)
Photo Credit: SB Nation.
