15 non-conference games that will shape 2019 College Football Playoff

15 non-conference games that will shape the 2019 College Football Playoff

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 01: Zach Gentry #83 and Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a 24-17 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Michigan vs Notre Dame

Notre Dame arrives yet again on this list of anticipated non-conference match-ups, as they take on the Michigan Wolverines in a Week 8 rematch of their 2017 opener. The game is sure to bring a lot of eyes, as both teams try to live up to high expectations coming into the season. It will be interesting to see how the two teams have fared up until this point, with Notre Dame facing a gauntlet of a season and Michigan facing a tough Big Ten.

Michigan comes into this season facing high expectations after falling flat and disappointing in the last season. Michigan comes into the season with the No. 6 recruiting class in the class of 2019 and looks to build on a roster that lost minimal talent after last season. Michigan returns key starters

Notre Dame comes in with a revamped class that also landed in the top-15 nationally, ranking at No. 14 behind many of the programs you would expect to dominate recruiting. They are going to need every ounce of talent as they head into what could be the toughest schedule in college football. Should they navigate the dangerous waters successfully, it would be a much better learning experience, which could prepare them for a better performance in their next run at the College Football Playoff.

If the two teams can provide some solid performances before this point in the season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this be featured on College Gameday. It should be a grueling, physical challenge for both sides, which means highly watchable football for fans around the country.

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