Top 5 non-conference games in 2023 College football season

Looking ahead to the 2023 college football season, here are five non-conference games that will have the biggest impact on the College Football Playoff chase. 

The college football season is getting closer by the day and we are now less than 100 days away from kickoff.

Looking forward to non-conference play, there are some marquee matchups that are going to have an impact on the playoff race. Many of the games are rematches from last season, as there was a series of home-and-away games, but there are a ton of non-conference college football games to be excited about.

Here are the five that you need to know about heading into the 2023 college football season.

5. Notre Dame at Clemson (Nov. 14)

This is a big game not just for Notre Dame football but also for the Clemson Tigers and the entire ACC really. Clemson was still in the mix for the College Football Playoff last season but the Irish smacked them in South Bend.

With the way Notre Dame football also beat North Carolina — the other ACC championship game participant — the Irish probably should have just won the ACC. Except Notre Dame wants to be an independent.

For Clemson, this is a chance to prove that they are still among college football’s elite and this non-conference win is essential to putting together a solid resume since the ACC is considered to be pretty weak once again, outside of Florida State.

For the Irish, it’s also critical. This isn’t the last time you’ll see Notre Dame football on this list because the Irish have a number of marquee matchups. They’ll need to win two of three, at least to have a shot at the playoff.

And since this game comes in November, just a few weeks before the selection committee will be picking the top four, it will be essential for both teams and that’s why it cracks our top five of 2023 non-conference college football games.