Fansided

College football’s 15 most compelling non-conference games to watch in 2018

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs with the ball in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs with the ball in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Clemson vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 8)

This game provides an interesting twist. No, the Texas A&M Aggies and Clemson Tigers aren’t that familiar with each other, but the head coaches certainly are. Jimbo Fisher is now coaching the Aggies, facing off against his former top rival Clemson and Dabo Swinney.

The two coaches have plenty of familiarity with each other and while they had some intense battles while Fisher was still with the Seminoles, this could develop into a new rivalry.

Texas A&M may be a year or two away from contending in the SEC and on a national level, so this would have been No. 1 on the list if it took place next season or the year after.

Clemson is looking to get back to the playoff for the fourth straight season and it’ll need to pick up a Week 2 win against the Aggies on the road. This is definitely a losable game for the Tigers as College Station will be rocking like it usually is.

Texas A&M’s quarterback situation hasn’t been decided just yet but Fisher is no stranger to dealing with a controversy at the position.

We will find out just how much the Aggies have improved in one offseason of Fisher and the Tigers will start their quest for another playoff berth.