College football 2018: 15 best non-conference games to watch this year

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

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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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws the ball during the Fiesta Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Washington Huskies on December 30, 2017, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Washington Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Auburn vs. Washington (Sept. 1)

This might be the one non-conference game that could easily be a College Football Playoff matchup — though you could make an argument for any of the top five games to have the same distinction.

Auburn is likely Alabama’s biggest SEC West competition and the third-best team in the conference heading into the season behind the Tide and Georgia.

Washington will be the overwhelming favorite to win the Pac-12, surpassing USC. The Huskies made the College Football Playoff just a couple of seasons ago and they look primed to get back to the sport’s highest stage, especially with Jake Browning back.

A Jarrett Stidham versus Browning battle in the opening weekend of the season down in Atlanta? Sign me up.

This is definitely a treat for college football fans everywhere because this isn’t just a top-tier quarterback battle as each side has a great defense, too.

Top-notch quarterbacks, elite defenses and rising coaches. What more could fans ask for?

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