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.
4. USC at Notre Dame (Oct. 14)
Last year, Caleb Williams essentially clinched the Heisman Trophy with his stellar performance against Notre Dame, which led to a 38-27 win for the Trojans.
Williams ran for three touchdowns and passed for another and USC football was the favorite to make the College Football Playoff before getting upset in the Pac-12 title game.
The win over Notre Dame was key on the resume, but this year, the Irish are looking to make some noise in the College Football Playoff race.
This is a must-win game for Notre Dame if it wants to make the playoff, especially with the game at home. If the Irish are competing head-to-head with USC or Clemson to make the playoff, a head-to-head loss would be crushing.
Texas at Alabama (Sept. 9)
Some college football fans might rank this game higher and don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely going to be exciting to see Alabama and Texas do battle again.
Yet, I don’t think Texas is on Alabama’s level. Quinn Ewers will hopefully be able to play the entire game this time around, although Arch Manning will be waiting in the wings.
Alabama has a QB competition ongoing and the Tide will have little time to sort it out before Texas comes calling. Tyler Buchner, a transfer from Notre Dame is in the mix, along with former five-star QB Ty Simpson or last year’s backup Jalen Milroe.
I feel as though Alabama is underrated and while this will probably be the most hyped non-conference game, Texas doesn’t feel like a legit playoff contender to me, which is another reason why this game is lower. The Horns need to prove something first.
2. Ohio State and Notre Dame (Sept. 23)
In another rematch from last season, Ohio State will make the trip to South Bend this season in a huge non-conference college football for both games.
Ohio State feels like it will be a College Football Playoff contender once again, but the Buckeyes need to answer the question at quarterback. Kyle McCord seems poised to start and the former top-100 QB should be just fine.
C.J. Stroud is gone but was ranked pretty similarly to McCord. Ryan Day has always gotten his quarterbacks to be productive and Marvin Harrison Jr. and the slew of five-star talents on the roster make it easier on any quarterback.
Yet, Notre Dame football is different this year. The Irish don’t have an inexperienced quarterback. They have a veteran in Sam Hartman and a guy that wants to make the playoff.
There are questions about both teams and after this game, one will be viewed much more favorably in the chase for the playoff.
1. Florida State vs LSU (Sept. 3)
Of all the non-conference college football games in 2023, this is the most interesting to me. Both teams are looking to contend for the playoff after 10-win seasons in 2022.
By the end of the season, Florida State and LSU were viewed as two of the better teams in college football, which was a little unexpected after the season opener last year.
Florida State won that game in the Super Dome and this game will be played in Orlando, also on Sunday night in primetime.
The Noles are getting all sorts of hype. Jordan Travis is a Heisman candidate, Jared Verse might be a top-five pick and FSU has landed an incredible haul in the transfer portal, which includes Keon Coleman.
LSU has added a number of talented transfers too, including former Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs. Jayden Daniels is back and so is Harold Perkins, who might be the best defensive player in the SEC this season, maybe even the country.
The winner of this game will be viewed as a playoff contender. The loser won’t be eliminated, but it will erase any margin for error. Both teams are trying to work their way back into being elite and it should make for a fascinating matchup.