No. 10 Fresno State* vs Kansas
Tougher Game: Kansas
Up to this point, you may have wondered when the schedule in the P5 gets tougher. Well it happens after only the first two easiest games. Kansas was America’s Team for a few weeks back in 2022 when they started off the season 5-0 and were ranked for the first time in more than a decade. However, the Jayhawks went on to finish 1-7 over their next eight games, suggesting that Kansas may still not be very good and that the start of last season was a fluke.
That being said, they are improved and are no longer the laughing stock of college football. They are a much tougher opponent than Fresno State who is losing their star quarterback Jake Haener.
No. 9 Rice vs West Virginia
Tougher Game: West Virginia
There is very little argument here. The only argument was whether Rice was going to be ranked No. 9 or 10 on this list. Because of the rebuild that Fresno State is going to have to go through, Rice would have been viewed as the slightly tougher opponent.
Anyway, no question… West Virginia road trip in November is clearly the tougher game.
No. 8 UNLV* vs Cincinnati
Tougher Game: Cincinnati
Interestingly enough, both of these teams are huge question marks. They are both bringing in new coaches and both are in big markets that could could potentially bring in a lot of NIL/recruits. However, Cincinnati is in a better spot right now as a team and organization, giving them the nod.