Strength of schedule goes a long way to deciding the post-season fate of a football program.  In 2012 Florida State finished with a 11-2 record,  yet they found themselves ranked 12th,  with six teams who had records of 10-2 ranked higher.  The Seminoles’ only major win came over Clemson,  whereas the no. 6 Stanford defeated USC,  Oregon and UCLA.  As a result,  FSU were pitched against Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl while Stanford fought out a more illustrious match against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

In this article I will break down the toughest schedules in the ACC conference,  Atlantic division.

1. Boston College

After finishing rock bottom of the conference last season with a 2-10 record,  2013 will be another long year for Boston College.  Week two sees the Eagles play Wake Forest on a short week,  followed by a road trip to California to play USC and a home game against Florida State.  Clemson,  North Carolina,  Virginia and Syracuse are also on the agenda,  the only respite coming on November 9th when they travel to play New Mexico State.

2. Syracuse

Syracuse opens their season with a non-conference game at MetLife stadium against Penn State before travelling to the dangerous Northwestern.  The first conference game for the Orange comes on October 5th against fellow Atlantic division outfit Clemson,  making it even more important.  Florida State will host the ‘Cuse mid-season,  whilst they round out their campaign against two old Big East (now ACC) foes in Pittsburgh and Boston College at the Carrier Dome.

3. Maryland

Maryland may avoid North Carolina and Miami from the Costal division in 2013,  however,  they still have tough match-ups in the shape of Virginia and Virginia Tech.  Four non-conference games to start the season are concluded with West Virginia travelling to the Terrapins.  Road games at Florida State,  Wake Forest and NC State is coupled with Clemson and Syracuse travelling to Byrd stadium.