Texas vs. Michigan and Miami vs. Florida are the top 10 non-conference games of the 2024 season

With the recent round of conference realignment and the dissolution of divisions in all power leagues, we are in for some insanely good games in the 2024 season.

But don’t miss this fall’s non-conference games, which include a number of matchups with potential College Football Playoff appearances, plus an all-time high-scoring game and several classic helmet duels in Week 1.

Here are my top 10 non-conference games in the 2024 season:

1. Texas at Michigan – Week 2 (September 7)

The Wolverines will put the nation’s longest active winning streak to the test against a Texas team looking to make a road statement for the second year in a row. Last year’s win over Alabama has Steve Sarkisian team to a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff, and a win in the Big House – even against a weakened Michigan team – could also catapult the Longhorns to a special season in their first year in the SEC. Sherron Moore takes over the reigning national champions, and the former Wolverines OC is no stranger to coaching in big matchups — he beat Penn State and Ohio State last season as the team’s interim coach — but a win against a top-five Texas team would more than justify Moore’s promotion.

2. Miami in Florida – Week 1 (August 31)

Narrative. Narrative. Narrative. Both fan bases have been looking forward to this game for months, and when it finally starts, it will be 3:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, the temperature will probably be over 30 degrees and the humidity will be 80%. On one sideline, Billy Napierwho is 11-14 years old and needs as much early benevolence as any coach in America. On the other hand, Mario Cristobalwho continues to excel at everything except coaching Saturday games. The Gators have one of the toughest schedules ever, so a Week 1 loss would put a desperate team on the back foot. The ‘Canes have everything they need to chase an ACC championship, but a loss in Gainesville (in a game they are favored to win) would mean Cristobal has won just once in his last six games. Now that’s some pressure. Welcome to the 2024 Anxiety Bowl.

3. LSU vs. USC (Las Vegas) – Week 1 (September 1)

If Miami in Florida is the Anxiety Bowl, then this is the Doubt in the Desert – because the loser will really worry about the direction of his program, even though neither Brian Kelly still Lincoln Riley is in danger of being fired. LSU has lost two key opening games in a row to Florida State, and while the Tigers haven’t done enough in the portal to fix the issues in the secondary and defensive line, they still have a much better roster overall than USC. Riley reportedly wanted out of this game, which only adds to the tension of the game. These two programs produced the last two Heisman Trophy winners, and both have fired their defensive coordinators from last season.

4. Georgia vs. Clemson (Atlanta) – Week 1 (August 31)

At first glance, this game might deserve a higher ranking on this list. It’s a great helmet duel, and we’ve seen these teams face off several times over the past decade. But the programs are trending in very opposite directions — as evidenced by the way-too-early line of the game that almost makes Georgia a two-touchdown favorite. The Bulldogs return one of the best squads in the country, while the Tigers continue to raise questions offensively because Dabo Swinney’s Refusal to use the transfer portal. The opening game will feature two of the best defenses of 2024, so the matchup between the good guys (UGA offense) and the good guys (Clemson defense) could provide some early clues as to how the rest of the season might go.

This is a really exciting duel. Marcus Freeman goes into the decisive third year at Notre Dame – he takes over a top-10 team with a strong defense and a quarterback transferred from Duke Riley Leonard in College State against the former head coach of the Blue Devils Michael Elko. The Aggies have quietly had a strong offseason and the roster is in much better shape than many believe after a series of portal departures. ESPN’s College GameDay will be on this game, setting the stage for one of the biggest games of Week 1. We’re about to find out if EA SportsHe’s right that Kyle Field is the toughest stadium to play in.

While the Backyard Brawl is a more bitter rivalry, these two neighbors aren’t exactly fond of each other either, and WVU will be looking to get a little revenge after losing at Penn State last season. The Mountaineers are playing at home this time and may even have the better quarterback in Garrett Greene and Drew Allar. West Virginia will be looking to continue its nine-win momentum in 2023 – but that means Neal Brown has hit the nail on the head with a number of new additions to the defensive line. The same goes for Penn State’s newest offensive coordinator. How quickly can Andy Kotelnicki give his fingerprints for a less serious offense?

These two rivals played a thrilling overtime smash in 2021, and this year’s clash between potential top-15 teams should be primetime viewing. The Irish have one of their easier schedules in many, many years, and yet they appear twice on this list. Such is life in the Independent. Depending on the outcome in Week 1 against the Aggies, this is likely a game Notre Dame needs to win to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive. The Seminoles are co-favorites to win the ACC again in 2024, so the clash doesn’t carry quite as much weight. DJ Uiagalelei had the best game of his career in a loss to Notre Dame four years ago. Can he repeat the same magic and lead FSU to an upset win?

8. NC State vs. Tennessee (Charlotte) – Week 2 (September 7)

This is a really fun matchup between two programs that exist at similar levels in their respective conferences – not at the top, but with goals to capture a championship and make the College Football Playoff. Both teams are coming off 9-win seasons, and the nation will get its first real look at the 5-star phenom Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee’s rebuilt secondary will be put to the test by NC States’ revamped offense with All-ACC playmaker KC Concepcionquarterback Grayson McCall and transfer receivers Noah Rogers and Wesley Grimes.

Kalen DeBoers The first big test as head coach of the Crimson Tide will be a trip to Camp Randell to face the Badgers. Wisconsin had a disappointing first year under Lukas Fickellbut they’re giving it their all in hopes of fixing an offense that was broken for much of 2023. Considering the rest of Alabama’s schedule (notable games against Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma – all preseason top-25 teams), this is a game the Tide must win if they hope to make the College Football Playoff this fall.

The Buffs defeated the Cornhuskers 36-14 in Deion Sanders’ Home debut with quarterback Shedeur Sanders delivered a great performance with almost 400 yards and three touchdowns. But Matt Rhule will have a much improved team in year two, and it could be Nebraska’s young quarterback Dylan Raiola who will be celebrating the coming out party this season. The Cornhuskers can also start 2024 relaxed with an opening game against UTEP, while Colorado will face FCS power North Dakota State in Week 1.

Award: Arizona vs. Kansas State (yes, the two Big 12 opponents are actually continuing a previously scheduled series that doesn’t count toward the conference standings), Washington vs. Washington State (the Apple Cup lives on!), and UCF vs. Florida.