2018 College Football Impact Games of the Year (2024)

By Isaac Goodwin

The upcoming 2018 college football season has one of the most historic lineups of non-conference games in years as we relive multiple all-time classic rivalries and have more than a handful of solid neutral-site non-conference matchups that will shape the college football playoff race.

Last season’s CFP race was defined by non-conference play and big-time conference matchups throughout the season, including the Baker Mayfield’s flag-planting Oklahoman beatdown at Ohio State, Georgia’s program revitalization in South Bend over Notre Dame, Washington State’s late-September upset over Southern California, and LSU’s 20-point comeback victory over Auburn.

There were dozens of big games that helped form the playoff landscape and this season will be no different. Here is a breakdown of this seasons biggest games -- organized by week.

Week 1
Michigan @ Notre Dame | Saturday, Sept. 1 | South Bend, IN

• Two of college football’s most historic programs renew its epic rivalry for the first time since 2014 when the Fighting Irish crushed the Wolverines 31-0 in South Bend. Michigan looks to be a Big Ten contender with Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson getting the go-ahead to start at quarterback right away, but a trip to Notre Dame will be a stiff test.

Auburn vs. Washington | Saturday, Sept. 1 | Atlanta, GA

• This will be the first-ever matchup between these two programs and will likely be one of the biggest non-conference games of the season with both teams poised for a run at the college football playoff.

Florida Atlantic @ Oklahoma | Saturday, Sept. 1 | Norman, OK

• This game might seem like a mismatch on paper but don’t sleep on Lane Kiffin’s Owls. FAU is already a team that nobody should sleep on and a win in Norman would put Kiffin’s team on the map as a potential college football playoff sleeper.

Miami vs. LSU | Sunday, Sept. 2 | Arlington, TX

• These teams have only met twice since 1969, splitting those matchups with Miami winning 44-3 in 1988 and LSU winning 40-3 in 2006. Both programs are sleepers in their respective conferences that have the potential to shake up the CFP race and this first-week slugfest should prove if they are for real.

Virginia Tech @ Florida State | Monday, Sept. 3 | Tallahassee, FL

• The hiring of Willie Taggart has folks in Tallahassee buzzing with excitement for a Florida State team that struggled mightily in 2017. A season-opening conference matchup against a very good Virginia Tech squad should give us a good idea if either team has a shot at taking down the almighty Clemson in the ACC.

Week 2
Clemson @ Texas A&M | Saturday, Sept. 8 | College Station, TX

• The Tigers continue its quest for another college football playoff appearance with a huge road test against newly hired Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies. Fisher is a familiar foe of Dabo Swinney and should make this game one of the more intriguing of the early college football season, providing plenty of answers about if these teams are CFP worthy.

UCLA @ Oklahoma | Saturday, Sept. 8 | Norman, OK

• The Sooners non-conference is arguably the most difficult in the country as they face a solid UCLA squad after facing Florida Atlantic in week one. UCLA is led by new head coach Chip Kelly and is anticipated to be one of college football’s most intriguing stories in 2018. Oklahoma and UCLA have a ton to play for in this awesome matchup.

Colorado @ Nebraska | Saturday, Sept. 8 | Lincoln, NE

• One of college football’s most hated rivalries will finally be renewed when the Buffs stroll into Lincoln to take on Nebraska. The Scott Frost-led Huskers are hyped about his hiring and a win over its arch-rival would give fans plenty to cheer about heading into Big Ten play. These teams met every year from 1949-2010 before both programs split from the Big 12 to join the Big Ten and Pac-12, respectively. Nebraska won the last matchup 45-17 in 2010.

USC @ Stanford | Saturday, Sept. 8 | Palo Alto, CA

• The Cardinal and Trojans come into the 2018 season as the biggest challengers to Washington and this massive week two matchup will set the stage for an exciting Pac-12 title race. Both teams lost a ton of talent but bring back important pieces that will help each compete for the conference title and potentially the CFP.

Iowa State @ Iowa | Saturday, Sept. 8 | Iowa City, IA

• This matchup is easily the most underrated rivalry in all sports. The Cyclones and Hawkeyes DESPISE each other but it flies under-the-radar because of each program’s prestige. Last season’s matchup was one of college football’s most entertaining games of the year with the most insane ending you never saw. Iowa pulled out an epic back-and-forth road victory in overtime, 44-41.

Week 3
Ohio State @ TCU | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Arlington, TX

• The Buckeyes will no doubt be of the favorites to make the college football playoff and this will be their first true test of the season as they travel to Dallas to take on TCU. The Horned Frogs are poised to compete for the Big 12 title and want to prove they belong among college football’s elite with a victory over Ohio State.

LSU @ Auburn | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Auburn, AL

• The matchup between these conference-rivals was one of the better games of 2017 but flew under-the-radar. LSU upset Auburn 27-23 taking them out of CFP contention for a brief time and this seasons battle should be just as close. Auburn will potentially be a top-5 team heading into the game while LSU could prove they belong in the CFP conversation with a huge road victory.

USC @ Texas | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Austin, TX

• These college football titans meet for the first time since the 2005 BCS National Championship game when the Vince Young-led Longhorns defeated Reggie Bush’s Trojans 41-38 in arguably the greatest game of all time. Both programs are on the outside of the CFP discussion but have the potential to make some noise with a win in this colossal showdown.

Washington @ Utah | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Salt Lake City, UT

• The Utes haven’t won the Pac-12 since joining the conference in 2012 but they are a feisty defensive-minded team that always competes. This early-season conference opener should provide plenty of intrigue as the Huskies look to strengthen its case as a CFP contender.

West Virginia @ NC State | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Raleigh, NC

• This may not seem like an impactful game but both of these teams have elite first-round-talent quarterbacks that can lead. NC State’s Ryan Finley and West Virginia’s Will Grier are players that will have their teams competing for conference titles and this game should provide plenty of fun for college football fans.

Week 4
Florida Atlantic @ Central Florida | Friday, Sept. 21 | Orlando, FL

• The self-proclaimed national champion Golden Knights take on their first test of the 2018 season against Lane Kiffin’s Florida Atlantic Owls. Both of these teams are front-runners for the Group of 5 selection to a New Year’s Six bowl and this game should draw plenty of interest from the College Football Playoff committee.

Stanford @ Oregon | Saturday, Sept. 22 | Eugene, OR

• Bryce Love and the Cardinal stroll into Eugene for a huge Pac-12 North battle with the Ducks. This will be Oregon’s first test of the season, giving fans a glimpse at if they are a legitimate contender for the Pac-12 crown.

Texas A&M @ Alabama | Saturday, Sept. 22 | Tuscaloosa, AL

• Alabama faces Louisville to start the season but this matchup against the Aggies will be the defending national champions first true test of the 2018 season. Texas A&M hasn’t won in Tuscaloosa since Johnny Manziel led them to a 29-24 victory in 2012 but they have high hopes for this season with Jimbo Fisher as head coach. This has potential to be a fun one.

Georgia @ Missouri | Saturday, Sept. 22 | Columbia, MO

• The Bulldogs have one of the softest schedules in the country in 2018 but face its first true test against a pesky Tigers squad in Colombia. Missouri is a popular sleeper pick in the SEC East and has a great shot to prove itself with a home victory over a legitimate CFP contender. Georgia will be one of this season’s most dominant teams so this road test will be very interesting to watch.

TCU @ Texas | Saturday, Sept. 22 | Austin, TX

• Coming off a potential victory over Southern California and in the midst of the toughest stretch of the season, the Longhorns take on TCU in what should be a fantastic Big 12 clash. The Horned Frog face a difficult test against Ohio State two weeks prior to this matchup but are still a favorite to win the Big 12 and this game will have serious implications for the conference title race.

Week 5
Ohio State @ Penn State | Saturday, Sept. 29 | University Park, PA

• The Buckeyes face arguably its stiffest test of the season when they travel to Happy Valley in one of the most anticipated games of 2018. Then-No. 6 Ohio State defeated then-No. 2 Penn State 39-38 in one of the greatest games of the 2017 season. The Nittany Lions led 35-20 in the fourth quarter before the Buckeyes stormed back to steal a win. Happy Valley should be rocking for this one.

Stanford @ Notre Dame | Saturday, Sept. 29 | South Bend, IN

• The Cardinal conclude its road trip with its second of back-to-back tests in South Bend against an Irish team that has a ton to play for. Notre Dame might very well be a top-5 team heading into this matchup giving this game massive CFP implications.

USC @ Arizona | Saturday, Sept. 29 | Tucson, AZ

• The Trojans have the potential to be a top-5 team heading into this game against the Pac-12 sleeper Wildcats. Arizona is a hot pick to make a run for the Pac-12 South title and a win over USC would give them plenty of momentum heading into the latter half of the season.

Florida @ Mississippi State | Saturday, Sept. 29 | Starkville, MS

• The Bulldogs have a great shot to be one of the most surprising teams of the season with the return of its quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald. A test against the Gators looms on this Saturday, giving Mississippi State fans a look at how good this team can be. They nearly took down Alabama last season and are a sleeper CFP pick.

West Virginia @ Texas Tech | Saturday, Sept. 29 | Lubbock, TX

• Will Grier and company soar into Lubbock for a showdown with the Red Raiders in what anticipates to be an entertaining shootout. The Mountaineers have a strong chance at competing for the Big 12 title and passing its second road test of the season -- see week three -- will vault them into the top-10. West Virginia scored 22 unanswered-fourth quarter points in its 46-35 win over Texas Tech last season.

Week 6
Florida State @ Miami FL | Saturday, Oct. 6 | Miami, FL

• The Hurricanes and Seminoles renew their annual rivalry in a game that should shake up the ACC race. Miami took down FSU 24-20 in Tallahassee last season but new head coach Willie Taggart has stated he wants to take down the Canes over everything this season. It should be another classic contest in this historic rivalry.

Nebraska @ Wisconsin | Saturday, Oct. 6 | Madison, WI

• Scott Frost’s first year at his alma-mater will be a tough one as the Cornhuskers travel to Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State within a five-week span. Nebraska likely won’t compete for a Big Ten title this season but they can gain a ton of momentum heading forward with an upset here. On the flipside, the Badgers have CFP hopes and need to escape with a win to keep its title hopes alive.

Washington @ UCLA | Saturday, Oct. 6 | Los Angeles, CA

• The Huskies continue its tough season with a road trip to UCLA against the Chip Kelly-led Bruins. They are another sleeper pick in the Pac-12 because Kelly, giving fans high optimism for this season.

Oklahoma vs. Texas | Saturday, Oct. 6 | Dallas, TX

• The Longhorns lead the all-time series against the Sooners 61-46-5 but haven’t won since 2015, including last season’s 29-24 loss to Baker Mayfield and company. Kyler Murray is the new leader of the Oklahoma offense and face a stiff test against a rising Texas team wanting to prove back among the college football elite. This will be one of the best games of the year as both teams compete for the Big 12 title.

San Diego State @ Boise State | Saturday, Oct. 6 | Boise, ID

• The Broncos and Aztecs have met five times since 2011 with Boise leading the series 3-2, including its 31-14 victory in 2017. Both teams are viable Group of 5 candidates with a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl, making this game important both in the Mountain West Conference and in the College Football Playoff race.

Week 7
Washington @ Oregon | Saturday, Oct. 13 | Eugene, OR

• The Huskies would have a strong case to be No. 1 heading into the CFP committees first rankings of the season if they come away with another impressive victory away from home. Oregon isn’t the power they use to be but the Ducks are a solid squad with heaps of potential. This will be a good one with massive Pac-12 title innuendos.

Michigan State @ Penn State | Saturday, Oct. 13 | University Park, PA

• Both of these teams are preseason favorites in the Big Ten as they return most of its talent from last season. The Spartans will be a preseason top-10 team and a road victory over the Nittany Lions would solidify them as a CFP contender. Penn State has its bye-week prior to this matchup as they come back from a matchup with Ohio State. It’s a very tough two-game stretch for the Nittany Lions as they look to build its case for the CFP.

Wisconsin @ Michigan | Saturday, Oct. 13 | Ann Arbor, MI

• The Big Ten is going to be fun this year as they have five legitimate CFP contenders, including both teams in this one. The Badgers will likely be undefeated heading into Ann Arbor as the Wolverines look to state its case in the Big Ten title race. Michigan hosts Michigan State the following week, giving them a ton to play for.

Georgia @ LSU | Saturday, Oct. 13 | Baton Rouge, LA

• Week seven might be my favorite of the college football season as we have three HUGE conference matchups between CFP contenders in the Big Ten and SEC. The Bulldogs will likely be the No. 1 team heading into Baton Rouge making this one of the biggest games of the season. LSU will be wanting to prove they belong among the country’s elite and defend its home field. Death Valley will be rocking for this one.

Texas A&M @ South Carolina | Saturday, Oct. 13 | Columbia, SC

• The Aggies likely won’t be competing for a national title in Jimbo Fisher’s first season in College Station but that doesn’t make this game any less significant as they stroll into Columbia against a South Carolina team looking to win the SEC East -- HOT TAKE ALERT. The Gameco*cks, led by quarterback Jake Bentley, have Atlanta on its mind and a win over Texas A&M would make the rest of its SEC foes start paying attention.

Week 8
Mississippi State @ LSU | Saturday, Oct. 20 | Baton Rouge, LA

• Nick Fitzgerald and his Bulldogs run into Death Valley looking to make a statement against an LSU squad that might be reeling its week seven clash with Georgia. The Tigers have a brutal schedule in 2018 but will be hungry for revenge after they were beaten down 37-7 in Starkville last season.

USC @ Utah | Saturday, Oct. 20 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Three of the last four matchups between these schools has come down to the final seconds, including last seasons 28-27 victory for the Trojans. Utah is always a tough out and a trip to Salt Lake is one of the more underrated “tough” venues to play against. The Utes will be looking to make a statement and thrust itself into the Pac-12 title race.

Michigan @ Michigan State | Saturday, Oct. 20 | East Lansing, MI

• These two in-state rival renew its annual rivalry in East Lansing with Big Ten title hopes on the line. Both teams will be coming off monumental games against Penn State and Wisconsin respectively and have all its marbles on the table in this epic clash of Big Ten heavyweights.

Oklahoma @ TCU | Saturday, Oct. 20 | Fort Worth, TX

• The Horned Frogs have a Big 12 title on its mind as they host a Sooners team looking for another CFP appearance. This has the potential to be a top-10 battle and a gigantic game in the CFP race. Oklahoma has won the past four matchups against TCU, including last season’s 41-17 blowout in Arlington.

NC State @ Clemson | Saturday, Oct. 20 | Clemson, SC

• Has the Textile Bowl ever been bigger? Clemson is a CFP mainstay and will likely be a top-3 team heading into this underrated rivalry game. The Wolfpack have the potential No. 1 NFL Draft pick behind center giving them plenty opportunity to pull off the upset of the year in Death Valley. This is one of my top-5 most hyped games of the 2018 season.

Week 9
Clemson @ Florida State | Saturday, Oct. 27 | Tallahassee, FL

• The Tigers have won the past three matchups against the Seminoles, including last seasons 31-14 victory in Death Valley. Florida State is a sleeper pick to win the ACC and this is its biggest game of the season against one of college football’s best teams. This game should be on every college football fans radar.

Wisconsin @ Northwestern | Saturday, Oct. 27 | Evanston, IL

• This game might seem lopsided but don’t sleep on Pat Fitzgerald’s Wildcats in Evanston. Northwestern is a sneaky-tough opponent when playing at Ryan Field and have split the past four matchups against the Badgers. As stated above, Wisconsin is a legitimate CFP contender and this is one of those games that has immense upset potential.

Florida vs. Georgia | Saturday, Oct. 27 | Jacksonville, FL

• The last time these arch-rivals engaged in a close matchup was in 2013 when the Bulldogs took down the Gators 23-20. Georgia crushed Florida 42-7 last season and this season might see a similar result depending on how the Gators improve with new head coach Dan Mullen. This game always matters and should be viewed by all college football fans.

Texas A&M @ Mississippi State | Saturday, Oct. 27 | Starkville, MS

• The Bulldogs continue its hypothetical quest at an SEC West title as they host the Aggies in one of the best games in an underwhelming week of college football. Mississippi State, as stated multiple times throughout this post, is a CFP sleeper with a Heisman candidate behind center and will everything to play for in this entertaining matchup against Texas A&M.

Week 10
Alabama @ LSU | Saturday, Nov. 3 | Baton Rouge, LA

• Does any team have a more difficult schedule than LSU this season? The Tigers continue its absurd stretch as they host Alabama in a game that might shake up the CFP race. Alabama has a fairly simple run until its visit to Death Valley making this game, obviously, one of the most important of the season. The Crimson Tide have dominated the series lately winning the last seven matchups, including last seasons 24-10 victory in Tuscaloosa.

UCLA @ Oregon | Saturday, Nov. 3 | Eugene, OR

• This game might not mean much in terms of the CFP race but it is a game that should be watched nonetheless as Chip Kelly makes his return to Eugene. The former Oregon head coach that put the Ducks on the map comes back to Autzen Stadium as a foe, leading his Bruins team. I anticipate the Over/Under being around 80.5 in this fun Pac-12 contest.

Stanford @ Washington | Saturday, Nov. 3 | Seattle, WA

• The Cardinal and Huskies should both be battling for a spot in the Pac-12 title game heading into this game, making it one of the biggest of the season. Both teams will have played very difficult schedules going into this one so I’m not sure how close they will be in the CFP race but this game will have major significance nonetheless.

Penn State @ Michigan | Saturday, Nov. 3 | Ann Arbor, MI

• The epic stretch of late-season Big Ten clashes begins in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines host Penn State in a divisional matchup that will have the CFP committee feasting its eyes on. This game is a must-win for both teams as they compete with Michigan State and Ohio State for a spot in the Big Ten title game and CFP.

Texas A&M @ Auburn | Saturday, Nov. 3 | Auburn, AL

• The answer to the above question about LSU is YES. Texas A&M, without a doubt, has the toughest schedule in the country this season as they face another CFP contender on the road. Auburn is a favorite in the SEC West and CFP hunt and needs to win this matchup as they begin a three-game stretch ending with Georgia and Alabama the last two weeks of the season…. Yes, I said Georgia and Alabama. Did I mention Auburn faces them ON THE ROAD in back-to-back games. The Tigers must win this game.

Week 11
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s admire how incredible this week of college football is going to be -- we potentially have FIVE matchups between top-15 teams, including nearly every single preseason CFP contender. I’m speechless. What an unbelievable week of college football this is going to be.
RIP CFP committee.

Ohio State @ Michigan State | Saturday, Nov. 10 | East Lansing, MI

• The Buckeyes meet the Spartans on the road in what has become one of the best inter-conference rivalries of the past decade with Ohio State leading 4-3 in its past seven matchups, including the 48-3 obliteration in Columbus last season. Michigan State is out for blood after last year and is a legitimate CFP favorite heading into the season with 20 returning starters -- making them the most experienced team in the nation. This should be an epic battle for the ages with Big Ten and CFP bids on the line.

Mississippi State @ Alabama | Saturday, Nov. 10 | Tuscaloosa, AL

• The Crimson host a Bulldogs team that nearly took out the defending champions last season in a game that might matter more than people anticipate. Mississippi State is one of my CFP sleeper picks but a victory in Tuscaloosa might be impossible. The Crimson Tide should come into this game as one of the top teams in the country as they continue its quest at another national title.

Auburn @ Georgia | Saturday, Nov. 10 | Athens, GA

• This rivalry has been reborn into something special after last season’s two contests. Auburn and Georgia are both legitimate CFP contenders wanting to avenge its losses to each other last season. The Tigers crushed the Bulldogs 40-17 in Jordan-Hare but UGA got the last laugh as they dominated Auburn 28-7 in the SEC title game, putting them into the CFP. I can’t wait for this one.

Florida State @ Notre Dame | Saturday, Nov. 10 | South Bend, IN

• The Seminoles and Fighting Irish meet for the first time since their epic showdown in 2014 when Jameis Winston led then-No. 2 Florida State to a last-second, 31-27, victory over the then-No. 5 Notre Dame. It was a game for the ages and this years match up game has the potential to be just as good if new head coach Willie Taggart can flip the Seminoles program around after a disappointing 2017 season. Mark this one down on your calendars, folks.

Wisconsin @ Penn State | Saturday, Nov. 10 | University Park, PA

• Penn State faces a brutal schedule in the loaded Big Ten East and then host the best team from the West division as well. Luckily, the Nittany Lions host all of them boosting their odds to win the conference. This should be a fantastic -- hopefully snowy -- November matchup between top-10 teams.

TCU @ West Virginia | Saturday, Nov. 10 | Morgantown, WV

• The Horned Frogs and Mountaineers are the two biggest threats to dethrone Oklahoma in the Big 12 and they face-off in a crucial November clash in Morgantown. West Virginia quarterback Will Grier is a Heisman hopeful leading what should be one of the most explosive offenses in the country against a very experienced TCU defense. Big 12 title hopes will be on the line in this one.

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State | Saturday, Nov. 10 | Stillwater, OK

• This is always one of my favorites games to watch each season. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State, 62-52, in one of the most entertaining games of the 2017 season and this game should be filled with fireworks as well. The Cowboys will be rebuilding after losing Mason Rudolph and James Washington to the NFL but it will still be Bedlam in Stillwater, especially with a conference title appearance is on the line.

Week 12
USC @ UCLA | Saturday, Nov. 17 | Los Angeles, CA

• The Bruins and Trojans meet again in their annual clash for LA. USC has dominated the series recently with three consecutive victories over its arch-rival, including last seasons 28-23 win in Pasadena. Neither team will likely be competing for a CFP appearance but a Pac-12 South title and potential conference title may be on the line in this heated rivalry matchup.

Michigan State @ Nebraska | Saturday, Nov. 17 | Lincoln, NE

• The Cornhuskers host a CFP hopeful in a huge late-November Big Ten showdown. Michigan State faces an extremely difficult schedule in the Big Ten East but might still be in the CFP conversation when they travel to Lincoln. Nebraska has hopes that it will be competing with Wisconsin for the Big Ten West title and this game may or may not eliminate them from a trip to Indy.

Miami FL @ Virginia Tech | Saturday, Nov. 17 | Blacksburg, VA

• This might be the game that decides the winner of the ACC Coastal Division with a trip to Charlotte and the CFP on the line. Lane Stadium should be rocking in Mark Richt’s first trip to Blacksburg, regardless if they are rebuilding or not. Both teams have ACC title aspirations and this game will have huge CFP implications.

West Virginia @ Oklahoma State | Nov. 17 | Stillwater, OK

• The Mountaineers face the most difficult schedule of any Big 12 team but I’m still a believer that they might make some noise down the stretch. Will Grier is a legitimate future NFL starter and has the potential to lead this offense all the way to the CFP. Oklahoma State will be facing a difficult test as they rebuild from losing 14 starters but this game matters. West Virginia will need to win this one heading into the regular season finale against Oklahoma for a trip to the Big 12 title game.

Week 13
Oklahoma @ West Virginia | Friday, Nov. 23 | Morgantown, WV

• Does it get any bigger than this? Oklahoma and West Virginia are both favorites to win the Big 12 conference and this matchup might have more value with a potential CFP appearance on the line as well. The over/under should be around 85 for this epic shootout.

Michigan @ Ohio State | Saturday, Nov. 24 | Columbus, OH

• The answer to the above question is yes, yes it does get bigger. Much bigger. The Game. One of college football’s greatest rivalries renews itself with everything on the line. The Buckeyes have CFP aspirations but need to defeat its arch-rival once again for a shot at the Big Ten title game. Michigan had Ohio State on its heels last season but failed to complete the upset in a 31-20 comeback victory for the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor. As it is every year, it will be huge.

Notre Dame @ USC | Saturday, Nov. 24 | Los Angeles, CA

• Notre Dame will likely have more to play for than USC when they meet this season but that doesn’t take away from the epic rivalry that these two teams have. The Fighting Irish face one of its weaker schedules ever and have a great shot at crashing the CFP. A one-loss season and victory over the Trojans in its final regular season game will give the CFP committee plenty to debate come Selection Sunday.

Stanford @ UCLA | Saturday, Nov. 24 | Los Angeles, CA

• Stanford will likely be competing for a spot in the Pac-12 title game but it won’t come easy against Chip Kelly’s Bruins. UCLA has potential to be a CFP contender but most likely not this season in Kelly’s first year as head coach. Watch out for Bryce Love to make a Heisman statement and the Cardinal to make its case for a CFP appearance in a classic showdown in Pasadena.

BYU @ Utah | Saturday, Nov. 24 | Salt Lake City, UT

• This is one of my favorite rivalries in all sports as these in-state foes battle in what’s called The Holy War. It’s easily one of the most underrated games in college football each year and deserves national attention. This game will likely have zero effect on the CFP race but it’s always a spectacle nonetheless as these schools hate each other with a passion. The Cougars and Utes have met 92 times in its history with Utah winning seven of the last eight, including last seasons 20-19 classic. Check it out, regardless of your fanhood.

Auburn @ Alabama | Saturday, Nov. 24 | Tuscaloosa, AL

• If you ask people in the south they will say this is the biggest rivalry in college football, which is completely a completely valid take. Alabama and Auburn meet annually in one of sports most-hated rivalries that will definitely have SEC and CFP title implications. Auburn thought they crushed the Crimson Tide’s national title hopes last season after defeating them 27-13 in Jordan-Hare but Alabama went on to win its 16th national championship. Expect this game to be one of the best of the entire season.

Week 14 - N/A

Week 15
Army vs. Navy | Saturday, Dec. 8 | Philadelphia, PA

• One of college football’s most historic rivalries renews itself in Philadelphia as the two of our of country’s most prestigious academies face-off. Navy leads the all-time series 60-51-7 but the Golden Knights have won the past two matchups, including a 14-13 victory last season. This is one of my favorite games of the entire college football season each year, no matter what implications it has on the overall CFP landscape.