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.
Wisconsin at Washington State
In 2022 Washington State was about a 17-point underdog but upset the Badgers and produced a happy homecoming for Nakia Watson and Cougars coach Jake Dickert. This year Wisconsin travels to Pullman for a primetime matchup on ABC. The series is currently tied at 1-1.
Oregon at Texas Tech
The Ducks will travel to Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock to take on the Red Raiders at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PT on Sept. 9th. The game will be broadcast on Fox. Texas Tech is coming off of an eight-win season, which was head coach Joey Maguire’s first season with the Red Raiders. In Eugene, head coach Dan Lanning enters his second season with the Ducks, hoping to build off of his ten-win debut season. Oregon leads the series 2-0
Colorado at TCU
This game is scheduled for FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. The Horned Frogs return to the gridiron after a magical run to the CFP National Championship game last season, while the Buffaloes are beginning a new era under head coach “Primetime” Deion Sanders.
Washington at Michigan State
Michigan State’s Week 3 home game against Washington will be broadcasted exclusively on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock. That means fans who don’t want to pay $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, subscription cost won’t be able to watch the game at home. It also means fans won’t be able to watch the game from their favorite game day local bar or restaurant unless that establishment has a Peacock subscription. The Huskies lead the all-time series 3-1 over the Spartans.
Auburn at California
Auburn and Cal have never met on the gridiron. Auburn is 10-3 all-time against teams from the Pac-12, with their most recent win coming against Oregon in the 2019 season opener. The Saturday night ESPN game will kick off at 10:30 ET//7:30 p.m. PT. It will be Cal’s first game against a Southeastern Conference team since 2019 when the Bears beat Mississippi 28-20 on the road. It will also be Cal’s first home game against an SEC team since the Bears defeated Ole Miss 27-16 in 2017.
Utah at Baylor
This will be the first time the two teams have faced off, which is pretty significant. This matchup is coming off the heels of a very interesting, year-long, speculation as to whether Utah and other Pac-12 schools will eventually join the Big 12.
Baylor will be led by third-year head coach Dave Aranda, who holds a 20-16 record overall. The outlook for Utah in 2023 is strong beside the injury to star quarterback Cameron Rising, the optimism for a team that returns the majority of the roster that won two Pac-12 championships