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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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 11: Oklahoma Sooners QB Kyler Murray (1) before during a college football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on November 11, 2017, at Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

9. UCLA vs. Oklahoma (Sept. 8)

There’s a new era in Los Angeles for the UCLA Bruins. Not only did the Bruins hire a new coach, they hit a home run with former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly. This is a move that should pay major dividends for UCLA as he brings with him an incredible offensive mind.

The Bruins may not be “back” in year one of the Kelly era, but that doesn’t make this game any less exciting for college football fans. Plus, the Bruins will be searching for a replacement for recent first-round NFL draft pick Josh Rosen at quarterback. That could be Devon Monster or true freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Oklahoma, on the other hand, is coming off a College Football Playoff berth but the Sooners, too, will be looking to replace their All-American starting quarterback who happened to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Baker Mayfield is gone, but can Kyler Murray excel?

This will be one of those new quarterback battles which could set the tone for each team’s offense to begin the season.

By no means will this be a defensive slugfest, but the Bruins could show that they’re no longer going to be riding in the middle of the Pac-12 pack with a win but Oklahoma has the home-field advantage here.