Earlier this week we took a look at the toughest non-conference schedules and today we’ll take a look at the other side of the spectrum: the weakest non-conference schedules. 

The College Football Playoff committee is always watching and analyzing who everyone is playing. Let’s hope these weak non-conference slates don’t keep any contenders out of the final four.

Oregon

At Home: Bowling Green, Portland State and San Jose State

Oregon has had some pretty weak non-conference schedules, but this one might take the cake. Bowling Green went 2-10 a season ago, Portland State went 0-11, and San Jose State went 2-11. At least schedule one Power 5 team, Ducks.

Arkansas

On The Road: Colorado State

At Home: Eastern Illinois, North Texas and Tulsa

When you're an SEC school and play four non-conference games and none of them are against Power 5 opponents, you're going to end up on this list. However, the easy non-conference slate should help new head coach Chad Morris ease into the new job. 

Arkansas should be 3-0 when they head to Auburn in the fourth week of the season. Still, the Razorbacks have to step up their non-conference scheduling. Next season features Portland State, Colorado State, San Jose State and Western Kentucky—which is worse than this season's slate.

Virginia Tech

On The Road: Old Dominion

At Home: William & Mary and East Carolina

The Hokies open the season on the road against conference rival Florida State and then essentially take the next three weeks off. William & Mary, East Carolina and Old Dominion combined to go 10-25 last season. Virginia Tech played East Carolina and Old Dominion last season and outscored them 102-17.

Wisconsin

At Home: Western Kentucky, New Mexico, BYU

Much like Oregon, Wisconsin will not have to leave the friendly confines of their home stadium to play three below average non power 5 teams. WKU, New Mexico, and BYU combined to finish last year 13-25. You could make the case that the Badgers season doesn’t really begin until September 22 when they head to Iowa City.

Washington State

On The Road: Wyoming

At Home: San Jose State and Eastern Washington

For the third year in a row, Washington State won’t play a Power 5 opponent during non-conference play. First-round draft pick Josh Allen is gone from an 8-5 Wyoming squad, San Jose State was 2-11, and Eastern Washington was a 7-4 FCS squad. Let’s step it up, Pirate!

Rutgers

On The Road: Kansas

At Home: Texas State and Buffalo

I know it’s Rutgers, but c’mon. Texas State, Kansas and Buffalo combined to go 9-27 a year ago and Buffalo was far and away the best team of the bunch. Rutgers showed signs of improvement last year winning three Big Ten games and that improvement should continue into this season.

Indiana

On The Road: Florida International

At Home: Virginia and Ball State

A 5-7 squad a season ago, Indiana will need all the help they can get to return to a bowl game. This non-conference schedule will definitely help with that. The Hoosiers open the season on the road against a Florida International squad that quietly went 8-5 last year. However, the Panthers didn’t play a single Power 5 opponent. Virginia went to a bowl game but finished just 6-7 and Ball State was 2-10. 

As I mentioned it’s a good thing the non-conference schedule is weak because during conference play the Hoosiers will see Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, Penn State and Michigan.

Virginia

On The Road: Indiana

At Home: Richmond, Ohio and Liberty

Much like Indiana, a weak non-conference schedule will help a Virginia squad coming off a 6-7 season. Ohio, a MAC school, will likely be the Cavaliers toughest test. Liberty and Richmond were 6-5 FCS squads last season and Indiana struggled to a 5-7 record. 

The Bobcats were 9-4 and won another bowl game under Frank Solich. Since Solich took over in Athens in 2005, Ohio has played at least one power 5 team every year and own wins over Pitt, Penn State, Illinois and Kansas. 

Georgia

At Home: Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee, Massachusetts and Georgia Tech

As good as the Bulldogs are, their non-conference slate is that bad. The returning national runner-ups will play just one Power 5 opponent, in-state rival Georgia Tech, who was just 5-6 last year. FCS Austin Peay had the best record a year ago going 8-4 and Middle Tennessee was 7-6 with a bowl win over Arkansas State. The Bulldogs also don't have to leave the hedges to play any of these games. 

Alabama

Neutral Site: Louisville

At Home: Arkansas State, UL Lafayette and The Citadel

For the seventh year in a row, Alabama will open the season with a neutral site game against a Power 5 opponent. Unlike most years that opponent, Louisville, will not start the season ranked. The Cardinals went just 8-5 last year with Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson at the helm. 

With Jackson gone, who knows what to expect from Bobby Petrino and company? Arkansas State, UL Lafayette and The Citadel combined to 17-18 last season against below average competition.