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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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles with the football against the Georgia Bulldogs during the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 26-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles with the football against the Georgia Bulldogs during the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 26-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

11. Louisville vs. Alabama (Sept. 1)

A year ago, this would have been one of the most exciting matchups, likely top five, in the nation, but this season has a much different feel. The Crimson Tide will be the best team in the country to start the year, but Louisville is a wild card.

The Cardinals are without Lamar Jackson, a former Heisman winner, and they’ll be handing the reigns to Jawon Pass, a relatively unproven sophomore. Will he stand a chance against Alabama’s defense? If Deondre Francois and Florida State couldn’t a season ago, it’s not looking good for Pass and the Cardinals.

Still, this could be a closer contest than people give it credit for as the Cardinals have one of the best receiving corps in the country to aid Pass’ progress and give Alabama’s fresh secondary a true test in the first game.

If the Louisville receivers break out, this one could be surprisingly close in Orlando to start the year. Don’t count the Cardinals out just yet.

On the other side, Tua Tagovailoa will garner all the headlines before this one. The Tide won the national title in 2017 thanks to an overtime touchdown pass from the freshman quarterback and now he could be taking over as the full-time starter.