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

By Nate Williamson

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)
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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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 31: Michigan State Wide Receiver Jalen Nailor (8) during the Redbox Bowl between the Michigan State Spartans and the Oregon Ducks at Levi’s Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 31: Michigan State Wide Receiver Jalen Nailor (8) during the Redbox Bowl between the Michigan State Spartans and the Oregon Ducks at Levi’s Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

9. Arizona State vs Michigan State

After a tough game last year, these two teams come together once again. Arizona State topped the Spartans 16-13 in this match-up last year, and it basically served to derail the Spartans’ once-promising season. This game flips field, however, and Michigan State gets to play host to the Sun Devils, and as most know and Arizona State will find out, East Lansing is a tough venue to steal a win in, and the Spartans will be waiting with the taste of defeat still fresh in their mouths.

Arizona State comes back into the upcoming season after Herm Edwards led the Sun Devils to a 7-6 record a year ago. The Spartans were able to secure just two road games out of their six in the past season, and East Lansing presents a tough, but doable, chance to get the program trending in the right direction. Edwards brought in a good recruiting class in the off-season, and the Sun Devils will be looking to leave Michigan with a win after the September 14th game.

Michigan State finished with a decent record last year, finishing 5-4 in the conference, but still haunted by the loss to Arizona State, which may have been the biggest non-conference upset last year. The Spartans should come into this game with a little extra pep in their step, led by a defense that was Top-15 in the nation last year, and a recruiting class that features the No. 8 cornerback in the nation in Julian Barnett

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