Top 10 Pac-12 Non-Conference games for 2023
When it comes to Power-5 conferences, the Pac-12 ranks near the bottom. In order for that perception to change, Pac-12 teams are going to need to win some big games. Let’s take a look at the 10 most interesting non-conference games featuring Pac-12 teams in 2023:
USC at Notre Dame
USC vs. Notre Dame is one of the greatest rivalries in college football. These two historic powerhouses enjoyed this rivalry every year since 1926 with the exception of 1943–1945 when the game was canceled during World War II and in 2020 when the Pac-12 Conference canceled all non-conference games in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
College football fans cherish rivalry games, as two of the nation’s more different and historically successful institutions, Notre Dame and USC are a match made in heaven. Notre Dame currently leads the all-time series 50–38–5
Notre Dame at Stanford
Notre Dame leads the series 21–14, though the Cardinals lead 8–4 in the last thirteen games (8–5 if Notre Dame’s vacated 2012 victory is included). Close games, plus bad blood, equals a true rivalry. As two of the premiere private academic institutions playing major college football, Notre Dame-Stanford is becoming a classic rivalry on the final full weekend of college football.
Nebraska at Colorado
It’s a rivalry that can be traced back to 1898. It has had unforgettable moments like in 1986 when CU broke a 19-game losing streak, defeating Nebraska 20-10. Or the 2019 game that saw Colorado defeat the No. 25 Nebraska Cornhuskers 34-31 in overtime for a memorable come-from-behind win. This year, Matt Rhule and Deion Sanders get a new era of the Nebraska-Colorado rivalry going early that could be a start of a fascinating chapter in a bitter, historic rivalry.
Florida at Utah
The game last year came down to a game-winning interception to secure the 29-26 victory for the Gators in a game that Coach Billy Napier and Gator fans will remember for a long time to come. This year Florida travels to Rice–Eccles Stadium to finish the home-and-home series. A rebuilt Gators roster will play on a Thursday night, in a loud environment against a highly-experienced team looking for payback from last year’s loss in the swamp.