Ranking the Pac-12 teams by 2023 strength of schedule

The Pac-12 is absolutely stacked next season

Kevin Borba | Feb 26, 2023

Ranking the Pac-12 teams by 2023 strength of schedule /

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Stanford Cardinal

Next football season will be the end of the Pac-12 as we know it, but that doesn't mean that it will not be an entertaining year. There are five, maybe even six programs in the conference that have a legitimate chance at winning the Pac-12, and also have some sort of chance at a playoff run.

While we truly never know how things will shake up until they actually begin to happen, one thing that can help be a guide or at least a factor to consider when pondering how good a team can be, is their strength of schedule. Some programs may have easier paths to victory, while others will go through an absolute gauntlet and by the end of the season just be grateful they made a bowl game.

Due to how deep the Pac-12 is this next season, a handful of members found themselves with some of the toughest schedules in the country based on opponents win percentage from this past year. College football inside Phil Steele ranked every FBS program from 1-133 based on how difficult their schedule was, and the Pac-12 is home to three of the top-20 toughest schedules.

While you may think it's the Utah or USC's of the world embarking on these tough outings, it is actually the programs that finished towards the bottom with the highest peak to climb. Here is where every Pac-12 program strength of schedule ranks based off of their opponent's win percentage from this last season.

12. Washington State

Washington State Cougars running back Max Borghi (21) celebrates a score with teammates Washington State Cougars wide receiver Donovan Ollie (6) and Washington State Cougars wide receiver Lincoln Victor (85) during a game against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium.Washington State Cougars running back Max Borghi (21) celebrates a score with teammates Washington State Cougars wide receiver Donovan Ollie (6) and Washington State Cougars wide receiver Lincoln Victor (85) during a game against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. — James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

National Rank: No. 113

Opponent Win %: 46.6%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 5

11. USC

Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws the ball during the spring game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

National Rank: No. 98

Opponent Win %: 49.3%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 6

10. Oregon

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning celebrates with the championship trophy after the 2022 Holiday Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Petco Park. — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

National Rank: No. 97

Opponent Win %: 49.3%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 6

9. UCLA

National Rank: No. 71

Opponent Win %: 52.6%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 7

8. Oregon State

National Rank: No. 63

Opponent Win %: 53.3%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 8

7. Arizona

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura (7) gestures at the line of scrimmage during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Snapdragon Stadium. — Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

National Rank: No. 61

Opponent Win %: 53.9%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 7

6. Washington

National Rank: No. 55

Opponent Win %: 54.2%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 6

5. Utah

National Rank: No. 37

Opponent Win %: 56.2%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 6

4. Colorado

National Rank: No. 29

Opponent Win %: 56.8%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 7

3. Arizona State

Arizona State football head coach Kenny Dillingham speaks to the media at the Carson Student Athletic Center in Tempe on Feb. 2, 2023. — Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

National Rank: No. 20

Opponent Win %: 58.4%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 8

2. Stanford

National Rank: No. 15

Opponent Win %: 59.7%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 8

1. Cal

California Golden Bears head coach Justin Wilcox stands on the field with crutches before the game against the Sacramento State Hornets at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. — Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

National Rank: No. 12

Opponent Win %: 60.0%

Opponents that finished above .500 in 2022: 9

Published Feb 26, 2023

KEVIN BORBA

Managing Editor and Publisher of CardinalCountry.com, formerly a Pac-12 Network Production Assistant and a contributing writer for USA Today's Longhorns Wire. I am a proud graduate of Quinnipiac University's sports journalism master's program. Follow me on Twitter @Kevin__Borba