<Li> Each team plays once against one team from each of the remaining two divisions within its conference, based on the final division standings from the prior season: one at home, one on the road (two games). </Li> <Li> Each team plays once against each of the four teams from a division in the other conference, with the assigned division based on a four - year rotation: two at home, and two on the road (four games). </Li> <P> Under this formula, all teams are guaranteed to play every other team in their own conference at least once every three years, and to play every team in the other conference exactly once every four years . The formula also guarantees a similar schedule for every team in a division each season, as all four teams will play fourteen out of their sixteen games against common opponents or each other . </P> <P> Non-divisional intraconference match - ups can occur over consecutive years if two teams happen to finish in the same place consistently . For example, even though the Colts and Patriots are in different divisions within the same conference, the two teams played each other every season between 2003 and 2012, largely because both teams often finished in first place in their divisions each previous season . Similarly, the Redskins and the Rams played each other each season from 2008 to 2012 because both teams often landed in fourth place in their divisions . </P>

How many home games do college football teams play