The popular ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) shows teams in the SEC West will play perhaps the most difficult schedules in the country this season.

The FPI bases preseason rankings on data from past seasons, including past successes and shortcomings. The index even accounts for recruiting class rankings down to the position.

The FPI ranks teams based on a number of metrics, including projected record, the percentage likelihood that a team will win its remaining games, the percentage likelihood that a team will win its conference, the ranking of a team’s remaining strength of schedule and the overall FPI ranking.

FPI strength of schedule ranking shows eight SEC teams among the top 20 nationally, including five in the top 10, led by Ole Miss at 2. Further, six of the seven teams in the West have a strength of schedule in the top 12 in the country with Mississippi State at the bottom of the West at 32.

Interestingly, the FPI shows Florida with the easiest schedule in the SEC (No. 52). The low difficulty comes despite games against teams with an overall FPI ranking of 1 (FSU), 2 (LSU), 5 (Tennessee) and 10 (Georgia).

The number of SEC teams with a schedule ranking in the top 20 fell from 12 last preseason to eight this preseason, which is tied with the Pac-12 for the most in the country. The Pac-12’s most difficult schedule, and the most difficult schedule in America, belongs to USC. The Trojans open their season at AT&T Stadium in Arlington against defending national champion Alabama. The Big 12 and the ACC had two teams each with schedules in the top 20 while the Big Ten had none.

Strength of schedule for SEC teams breaks down as follows:

Ole Miss (national ranking, 2)
Alabama (4)
Auburn (6)
Arkansas (8)
LSU (10)
Texas A&M (12)
Vanderbilt (14)
Georgia (16)
South Carolina (31)
Mississippi State (32)
Missouri (34)
Tennessee (35)
Kentucky (37)
Florida (52)