Memphis has the 31st toughest schedule in CFB, according to fbschedules

Memphis football enters the 2026 season with a lot of new. A new coaching staff, a mostly new roster and a newly renovated stadium, but they will need to hit the ground running against a tough schedule.

According to fbschedules, Memphis is tied for No. 31 in strength of schedule with Temple and Louisville. The Tigers are tied for the third toughest schedule in the conference behind UTSA and Charlotte, which sits at No. 20.

The Tigers’ opponents  had an 89-66 record last season, resulting in a 57.4 win percentage.

The formula used is the “win/loss method,” which takes the records from last season. It isn’t a perfect formula with how much rosters change from year to year in the transfer portal.

While it isn’t the perfect formula, it’s safe to say that most successful teams will be able to replace players and stay afloat from year-to-year.

The interesting part about Memphis being at No. 31 is the fact that they don’t play a Power Four opponent this season. The Tigers are the only team in the top four of the American in strength of schedule who doesn’t play a P4 opponent.

Charlotte plays Ole Miss in week 2, Temple plays Penn State in week 2 and UTSA plays Texas in week 3. Memphis was set to play Arkansas this season, but the game was moved to the 2030 season due to the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule. 

While Charles Huff’s team doesn’t play a P4 opponent, they will play road games against UNLV and Boise State. Both teams are coming off successful seasons, and both are predicted to win their conferences.

The Tigers will travel to Las Vegas for a Week Zero matchup against the Rebels before heading to Idaho for a Week 3 game against the Broncos. In between those two games, Huff’s team will host Arkansas State, who finished 7-6 last season.

Memphis will also play Tulane, South Florida, Army and Navy in conference play.

While the Tigers have a tough strength of schedule, the Tigers’ win total is set at 7.5, and they have the fifth-best odds to win the conference. Navy appears to be the unanimous favorite to win the conference, and Huff’s team will play them on the road in November.

Overall, North Carolina has the toughest schedule, according to the win/loss method, while Buffalo has the easiest schedule.