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 *** /

5 of 16

SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 19: Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Bucky Hodges (7) beats Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Julian Love (27) to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the NCAA Football game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 19, 2016, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. Virginia Tech Hokies defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish by the score of 34-31. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

12. Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech (Oct. 6)

The good thing about Notre Dame is that its entire schedule is filled with top-tier non-conference matchups — and you’ll soon realize that.

Notre Dame enters the season as a likely top-15 team yet again, but this year’s squad will have to live up to the hype unlike in previous seasons when Brian Kelly lost control. He seems to be having fun as a head coach again and that’ll lead to another double-digit win campaign if everything going as planned.

Virginia Tech has a strong team returning as well. Josh Jackson, even after a tumultuous offseason, is back under center after a breakout freshman season. He passed for over 2,900 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has his academic issues, reportedly, in the rearview mirror and he can give the Notre Dame defense serious problems.

The Fighting Irish will have to travel to Blacksburg for this one and it’s not going to be a walk in the park.

This could be one of those non-conference instant classics.