The most refreshing thing about nonconference scheduling in college football is that we're starting to see more home-and-home series, which have long been part of the sport's fabric, on the horizon.
There are a few of those matchups on the 2019 nonconference slate, and yes, some intriguing neutral-site games as well. But as we examine the toughest nonconference schedules for Power 5 teams in 2019, there's a recurring theme: Notre Dame is a frequent foe.
It was a close call for the top spot between Stanford and Duke, but the Cardinal get the nod based on the possibility that all three of their nonconference opponents could easily be Top 25 teams by season's end. In other words, there are no breathers. Then again, Duke is the only Power 5 team to face two nonconference foes ranked in the top six in ESPN's latest Way-Too-Early-Top 25 -- Alabama and Notre Dame.
For what it's worth, seven of the 10 Power 5 teams we selected a year ago with the toughest nonconference slates finished with six or more losses. Of course, Clemson was also on that list, and all the Tigers did was go unbeaten and win the national title.
The Pac-12 leads the way with three of the top four toughest slates out of conference in 2019. The only Power 5 conference not represented is the Big 12.
1. Stanford
Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. Northwestern, Sept. 14 at UCF, Nov. 30 vs. Notre Dame
Stanford was seventh in this ranking a year ago, and the Cardinal's 2019 nonconference schedule is even more daunting, with three legitimate tests against teams that went a combined 33-7 last season. The opener is at home against Northwestern, which played in the Big Ten championship game in 2018 and has now added Clemson transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson. Two weeks later, Stanford treks across the country to take on UCF and closes the regular season at home against Notre Dame. Both teams are ranked in the top 15 in the latest ESPN preseason rankings.
2. Duke
Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. Alabama in Atlanta, Sept. 7 vs. North Carolina A&T, Sept. 14 at Middle Tennessee, Nov. 9 vs. Notre Dame.
David Cutcliffe and football version of the Blue Devils will open the season against Alabama in Atlanta, and then open the month of November with a home game against Notre Dame. No other Power 5 team has nonconference games against two of the four teams that were in the College Football Playoff a year ago. There's also a tricky road trip to Middle Tennessee State the third week of the season, a third bowl team from a year ago on Duke's nonconference slate. And here's the other thing: You think Alabama will be in a good mood to start the season after being thumped by Clemson in the national title game?
3. USC
Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. Fresno State, Sept. 14 at BYU, Oct. 12 at Notre Dame
In what's clearly a pivotal season for Clay Helton, the Trojans don't have the luxury of any glorified scrimmages in the nonconference part of their schedule. But this is nothing new for USC, which ranked second a year ago on our list of the toughest nonconference schedules for Power 5 teams. The opener comes against a Fresno State team that again has lofty expectations after winning 12 games last season. Two weeks later, and after a home conference test against Stanford, USC travels to face BYU. The annual Notre Dame game will also be on the road. The Trojans will get a bye before facing the Irish but will be coming off a road game at Washington.
4. UCLA
Schedule: Aug. 29 (Thursday) at Cincinnati, Sept. 7 vs. San Diego State, Sept. 14 vs. Oklahoma
After a rough first season, Chip Kelly is looking to bring some excitement (and wins) back to UCLA football. Right off the bat, the Bruins will receive a stiff challenge with a Thursday road game at Cincinnati, which proved to be one of college football's best turnaround stories last season with 11 wins. September doesn't get any easier with back-to-back home games in the Rose Bowl against San Diego State and Oklahoma, which is ranked No. 4 in ESPN's preseason Top 25 and replacing Kyler Murray with Jalen Hurts at quarterback.
5. Pittsburgh
Schedule: Sept. 7 vs. Ohio, Sept. 14 at Penn State, Sept. 21 vs. UCF, Sept. 28 vs. Delaware
Here the Panthers are again in the top five of our rankings. Pitt was No. 1 on this list a year ago, which obviously helped prepare the Panthers for a run to the ACC championship game. So we know Pat Narduzzi and crew don't shy away from top competition. What makes this schedule even more challenging is that Pitt takes on preseason top-15 teams Penn State (on the road) and UCF (at home) in back-to-back weeks in September.
6. Florida State
Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. Boise State in Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 7 vs. UL Monroe, Nov. 16 vs. Alabama State, Nov. 30 at Florida
Name a coach and a team that need a good start to the season, and it's probably Willie Taggart and Florida State. The Seminoles suffered through their first losing season since 1976 last year in Taggart's first season in Tallahassee. That first game against Boise State in Jacksonville will be critical to set the right tone for the season, and the Broncos should be really good on defense. And then there's the annual regular-season finale against Florida on the road, and the Gators are ranked No. 7 in ESPN's preseason Top 25.
7. Michigan
Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. Middle Tennessee, Sept. 7 vs. Army, Oct. 26 vs. Notre Dame
Had all three of Michigan's nonconference games not been at home in the Big House, the Wolverines could have easily made a case to be even higher on this list. All three of their opponents played in the postseason a year ago, and who wants any part of Jeff Monken's Army squad and that flexbone offense? Michigan will close out October by facing Notre Dame a week after playing at Penn State.
8. Clemson
Schedule: Sept. 7 vs. Texas A&M, Sept. 21 vs. Charlotte, Nov. 2 vs. Wofford, Nov. 30 at South Carolina
Yes, everybody likes to rip on Clemson's schedule -- especially the ACC part of it -- and how the Tigers are going to sail right through to the College Football Playoff again. And they may very well do just that. But to be fair, they are taking on two SEC teams, one of which is a Texas A&M team ranked No. 12 in ESPN's preseason Top 25. Clemson then closes the season against bitter in-state rival South Carolina, but it's still a rivalry game and on the road, even if the Tigers have won five straight.
9. Purdue
Schedule: Aug. 30 (Friday) at Nevada, Sept. 7 vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 14 vs. TCU
The Boilermakers scored a huge win in the offseason by holding on to coach Jeff Brohm, who was heavily wooed by his alma mater, Louisville. Now, Brohm and his Purdue football team will face a sneaky-tough nonconference schedule in 2019 where there are no guaranteed wins. The opener is at Nevada, which should contend for the Mountain West Conference title. And then the next two weeks, Purdue has home games against Vanderbilt and TCU, a pair of Power 5 opponents talented enough to play in bowl games this season.
10. Georgia
Schedule: Sept. 7 vs. Murray State, Sept. 14 vs. Arkansas State, Sept. 21 vs. Notre Dame, Nov. 30 at Georgia Tech
Georgia is the lone SEC representative on this list and edges out West Virginia, North Carolina and Colorado based on its September showdown at home with Notre Dame. The Bulldogs won in South Bend two years ago, helping propel them to the College Football Playoff title game. There's also the annual rivalry game to end the season at Georgia Tech, which has won two of the past five games in the series.