Ranking The Best Non-Conference Games in 2024-25

USA TODAY Sports
With less than a month until the start of the 2024-25 College Football season, it would be prudent to take a look at some of the high-profile non-conference matchups on the docket. Some of these feature classic rivalries, and even former conference foes who’ve since been realigned into newer groupings. Other include in-state programs fighting for supremacy on the field, and perception/recruiting prowess off of it. Lastly, we have some featuring blue blood programs looking to further cement themselves as heavyweights within the sport.
15. Oregon at Oregon State (Saturday, September 14)

Ben Longeran/The Register-Guard/USA TODAY Sports
Dubbed ‘The Civil War’ based on its lengthy yet fierce history with one another, Oregon and Oregon State will square off in Corvallis in what’s being categorized as a non-conference game. Yep, we find it strange, also. Now that Oregon is in the Big Ten, and Oregon State is still remaining in whatever the Pac-12 used to be, these two will play early in the season. Oregon is primed to be a National Title contender, whereas Oregon State is in a full rebuild following the departure of head coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State.
14. Mississippi State at Arizona State (Saturday, September 7)

Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
These are two programs in transition. Kenny Dillingham has worked tirelessly to revamp a dumpster fire of a roster left to him when he took over in Tempe. ASU has hit the transfer portal exceptionally hard, and there’s some better-than-you’d-think talent on this roster. Mississippi State has a first-year head coach in former Oklahoma OC Jeff Lebby. Both teams employ aggressive, offensive-minded coaches. Both are projected to finish towards the bottom of their respective conferences — though that doesn’t mean this game won’t be entertaining.
13. Tennessee at NC State (Saturday, September 7)

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Tennessee will be turning over the keys of its offense to highly-touted Nico Iamaleava. The native of Southern California has a world of talent– possessing elite arm strength, above-average size, and terrific athleticism. In Josh Heupel’s QB friendly offense, you’d think Iamaleava will shine. NC State under Dan Doeren has quietly been a very quality program. Consistent and well-coached, the Wolfpack could give the Vols a far stiffer test than most people would assume.
12. Cal at Auburn (Saturday, September 7)

Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Cal and Auburn played a highly competitive game in Strawberry Canyon a year ago, with the Tigers coming away with a narrow four-point victory. The Golden Bears boast one of the nation’s best rushers in Jadyn Ott. Auburn is looking to further the build under Hugh Freeze. The Tigers also have a super-talented running back in the All-SEC Preseason selection Jarquez Hunter. With this game being played in SEC country, it’ll be fascinating to see how Cal — now in the ACC — deals with the constant travel.
11. Arkansas at Oklahoma State (Saturday, September 7)

Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports
Will Sam Pittman turn things around for the Razorbacks? That’s a big question within the fan base, as Arkansas has dipped toward the bottom of the SEC after a few uneven years. Boise State transfer Taylen Green enters as a dual-threat option with plenty of juice. The Pokes remained in the Big 12 after seeing traditional powers Texas and Oklahoma leave for the SEC. Mike Gundy is as consistent as it gets, and the Cowboys, led by Ollie Gordon, should approach the 8-9 win mark again.
10. UCF at Florida (Saturday, October 5)

Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Billy Napier is seemingly on the hot seat. This should be a fascinating game, if for nothing else that UCF is loaded with talent — not to mention former Auburn HC Gus Malzahn. The Gators already have a super difficult schedule, and losing a game that they should win from a perception standpoint would be a tough pill to swallow. UCF shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially with Malzahn’s penchant for explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball. Arkansas transfer QB KJ Jefferson is quite familiar with Florida and will have zero fear of going up against the Gators in Gainesville.
9. UCLA at LSU (Saturday, September 21)

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA is in Year 1 of the DeShaun Foster experiment. The former NFL running back had been a longtime UCLA assistant coach before securing the head coaching job unexpectedly. Chip Kelly cratered the program to a large degree, though Foster was able to both retain talent and add some in the portal. Playing LSU on the road is never an easy task for anyone. The Tigers will be favored in this game unquestionably. We’ll see if the Bruins can make it competitive. Remember, UCLA thoroughly beat LSU in the Rose Bowl a few years ago when the two teams last played.
8. Miami (Fla.) at Florida (Saturday, August 31)

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s another battle between two Florida-based programs. Miami has real expectations this year following the additions of Wazzu QB Cam Ward and Oregon State RB Damien Martinez. Martinez in particular is the type of player Mario Cristobal can build an offensive identity around. Ward is the point man this team has been missing for years. He’s not only experienced but very accurate. Whereas Miami seems to be on an uptick, Florida is trending in the opposite direction. The Gators — at the very least — need to be competitive in this contest.
7. Colorado at Nebraska (Saturday, September 7)

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
There’s plenty of intrigue surrounding this game. Anytime you can get the Sanders family in primetime, it should be a show. Nebraska is seemingly improved with the addition of star freshman QB Dylan Raiola. Nebraska could use a signature win to fully get the Matt Rhule tenure rolling. Can the Cornhuskers slow Shedeur Sanders and Colorado’s pass-happy offense? Both teams should be improved from a year ago — and the scene at Memorial Stadium should be fantastically reminiscent of former Big 12 battles between these programs.
6. Penn State at West Virginia (Saturday, August 31)

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Morgantown is not a fun place to play for the opponents — though it’s sure enjoyable to watch as a neutral fan. Anything can happen in that stadium, and West Virginia as a program is just quirky enough to give Penn State some issues. The natural rivalry between those in West Virginia and nearby Pennsylvania should offer an added bit of oomph to the affair. Penn State should win, though the Mountaineers and Neal Brown might end up more competitive than you’d believe them to be. WVU’s ground game is particularly legit.
5. Alabama at Wisconsin (Saturday, September 14)

Chris Coduto/Getty Images
This is where things get really good. You rarely see Alabama go out on the road in a hostile environment like this. Camp Randall is an absolute SCENE on gameday, and this one should be no exception. Luke Fickell’s team will be fired up to take on the Crimson Tide. In the post-Nick Saban era, Kalen DeBoer will have to navigate this tough road trip — though having Jalen Milroe certainly helps. We’ll see if Wisconsin can win the line-of-scrimmage battle — particularly versus Alabama’s defensive front.
4. Florida State at Notre Dame (Saturday, November 9)

Brian Bishop/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Even though Florida State lost a ton to the NFL, this is still one of the ACC’s most talented rosters. The addition of veteran QB DJ Uiagalelei should help to camp things down a bit. Going to South Bend for a nationally televised affair will be a good test for Mike Norvell’s club. Benjamin Morrison leads what should be a dynamic Notre Dame defense. The question will be whether Duke QB transfer Riley Leonard can ignite enough offense for this to be a National Title contender. At the very least, both of these teams should be quite good.
3. LSU vs. USC (Sunday, September 1)

The Daily Advertiser/USA TODAY Sports
This is a marquee matchup on the opening weekend of the season. With the game being played in Las Vegas, you can expect considerable representation from both fan bases. The atmosphere should be great, and the game itself has plenty of storylines. Lincoln Riley will have to navigate life without Caleb Williams covering up for all of the Trojans’ warts. The defense should be improved with the new DC D’Anton Lynn, though the front seven seems to still be lacking. LSU hopes to be a contender for a playoff spot this year. Armed with an elite offensive line and usual LSU-level skill talent, Brian Kelly’s team should be able to put up plenty of points.
2. Texas at Michigan (Saturday, September 7)

Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
These are two of the biggest brands in the sport. Despite Michigan losing Jim Harbaugh and JJ McCarthy, this is still Michigan. Seeing the Wolverines play Texas at the Big House will be a treat for all College Football fans. Michigan still has some elite NFL talent on defense (Will Johnson, Mason Graham) whereas Texas is loaded on both sides of the ball. The Longhorns are a more talented team top to bottom. With that said, beating Michigan on the road in front of 100,000+ screaming fans is no easy feat.
1. Notre Dame at Texas A&M (Saturday, August 31)

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
A&M is going to be better than you think. Even with a mass exodus of players stemming from the Jimbo Fisher disaster, there’s still plenty of talent on this team. Kyle Field presents a unique challenge for opponents, and Mike Elko would love to make Notre Dame victim to the first signature win of his career in College Station. The venue will be rocking, and the Fighting Irish better be ready for a true dogfight. Texas A&M defensive linemen Shemar Turner and Nic Scourton are perhaps the best edge-rushing duo in the SEC.