There are plenty of games every year that are worth looking forward to in the college football season. Conference games can have a lot of big moments. Here are the 10 best conference games in college football in 2024.
10. NC State Wolfpack at Clemson Tigers (Sep. 21)
NC State defeated Clemson last year, so the Tigers will be looking for revenge.
The Wolfpack bring in Grayson McCall at quarterback to help a lackluster offense. They still won nine games last season and could compete at the top of the ACC again this season. Their defense was a top 25 unit last season and they retain some playmakers like cornerback Aydan White, who is a ballhawk.
Clemson had a down year by their standards, winning just nine games. Their offense has had struggles, but offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is entering year two with plenty of talent to work with. The defense has plenty of talent up front and linebacker Barrett Carter back to help make them one of the best in the country.
The ACC is wide open and this game could end up being the deciding factor for one of these teams making the championship.
9. Utah Utes at Oklahoma State Cowboys (Sep. 21)
The Big 12 is another conference that is wide open and this game could end up making things interesting. WIth so much possibly on the line, this is one of the best conference games in college football.
Utah won eight games last season and that is with starting quarterback Cam Rising missing the whole season. Rising will return at quarterback as the team transitions to the Big 12. That should only help since the unit ranked 98th in the country. Defensively, they had a top 20 unit and now return seven starters.
Oklahoma State won nine games last season behind a good rushing attack. Ollie Gordon was the leading rusher in the NCAA last season and quarterback Alan Bowman also brings back some experience. The offense can take a step forward, and so can the defense, which returns eight starters after ranking 53rd last season.
This early-season game could help get a team on the right track in the new Big 12.
8. Clemson Tigers at Florida State Seminoles (Oct. 5)
Clemson and Florida State have had their battles over the years. This game could decide things in the ACC.
The Tigers need to have the offense rolling by this point in the season. Cade Klubnik needs to have a better season at quarterback, but should be aided by some talent at the skill positions.
Florida State continues to utilize the transfer portal heavily. D.J. Uiagalelei will get his chance at revenge after playing at Clemson earlier in his career. There are a lot of new parts on both sides of the ball, so Uiagalelei will need to get into a rhythm early in his time with the Seminoles. Defensively, Patrick Payton is a player to watch out for this season.
With the ACC implications and a quarterback going up against his old team, this game will be filled with storylines and probably some good play on the field as well.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions (Nov. 2)
Ohio State and Penn State are no longer in a conference that pits them in the same division. This game could still have a lot of importance, making it one of the best conference games in college football.
The Buckeyes have a talented roster after recruiting well and hitting the transfer portal. Will Howard is expected to start at quarterback after transferring in from Kansas State. The Buckeyes will have talent at all the skill positions to help make him successful. Defensively, Caleb Downs transfers in to help a defense that brought back a lot of talent that could’ve turned pro.
Penn State struggled to make the College Football Playoff when there were four teams, but now have a good chance. Drew Allar was solid in his redshirt freshman season and can show improvement this year. He’ll have good running backs in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, as well as Ohio State transfer Julian Flemming at wide receiver. The defense will be led by Abdul Carter, who has a chance to really make a national name for himself this season.
While Penn State can likely make the CFP without winning this game, it will still be good to see how they measure up against the best of the best.
6. Georgia Bulldogs at Alabama Crimson Tide (Sep. 28)
This game will have a different feel without Nick Saban involved, but it gives Alabama the chance to show they are still a talented team even without the legend roaming the sidelines.
Georgia lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, which kept them out of the CFP. They’ll have a chance to avenge the loss with quarterback Carson Beck opting to return to school after he showed big signs of development in year one as a starter. Eight other starters return on offense, while their defense brings back six starters from a top-five unit, which gives them a chance to replicate their success.
While Saban is gone, quarterback Jalen Milroe is back with the ability to stretch defenses vertically with his deep ball, but also horizontally with his ability to scramble. New skill position players will need to step up, but the offensive line is good and Kalen DeBoer’s offense could improve a team that scored 34 points per game. On defense, only three starters return, so new playmakers will need to step up.
These two teams both have SEC Championship aspirations and will want to win this game to help that goal.
5. Oregon Ducks at Michigan Wolverines (Nov. 2)
Oregon has some more exciting conference games after joining the Big Ten and will travel to the Big House.
The Ducks ranked second in scoring last season, but have some new faces, including Dillon Gabriel, who transferred in from Oklahoma. Wide receiver Evan Stewart has loads of potential after making the move from Texas A&M. With that talent, the offense can match their production. The defense will need to have new stars prove themselves, as they have plenty of new faces in the starting lineup.
Michigan lost a lot of their staff and players from last season, but are still expected to play well. Quarterback Alex Orji is projected to take over. He and running back Donovan Edwards can help make Michigan’s running game dynamic for another season. On defense, there are limited returning starters, but plenty of NFL talent in defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant to go with cornerback Will Johnson.
Seeing Oregon’s offense against this Michigan defense is worth the price of admission and the fact that some real stakes are on this game makes it better.
4. Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes (Nov. 30)
Michigan has won three straight in this rivalry. It will be hard to keep that streak alive after so many people left the program. This game is usually one of the best conference games in college football.
By this point of the season, Michigan will have to hope that their new starting quarterback, likely Orji, has found himself. If he has, they may be playing for a spot in the CFP or Big Ten Championship in this game.
For Ohio State, they have a much more talented roster, but that’s been the case over the last few seasons. The Buckeyes will have to match the physicality of Michigan to win this game, which can be easier with so many good players to utilize.
The Game is always fun, but with a lot of stakes on it again this season, it will be worth watching.
3. Georgia Bulldogs at Ole Miss Rebels (Nov. 9)
Georgia is looking to get back to the CFP, while Ole Miss is looking to make it for the first time.
The Bulldogs have plenty of tough games on their schedule. To beat Ole Miss, their offense will have to be humming, as the game could be a shootout.
Ole Miss is another team that has been built through the transfer portal. Quarterback Jackson Dart is back with some talented wide receivers to throw to this season. There is reason to believe that the offense can score more than the 35.1 points they put up last season. Defense has been an issue, but new players are coming in to help a unit that ranked 22nd in 2023.
Both teams have their sites on the playoffs and this game could be the reason why a team gets in or is left out.
2. Georgia Bulldogs at Texas Longhorns (Oct. 19)
Two teams projected to lead the SEC will meet in the middle of the season.
The Bulldogs have three tough road games in conference, so a trip up isn’t out of the question. Their defense could have their hands full against Texas with Steve Sarkisian having really improved things for the Longhorns over his tenure.
Texas has Quinn Ewers back at quarterback after he led the team to the CFP last season. While new skill position players have entered the fold, they are very talented and have a good offensive line up front. The defense has seven starters back after allowing 18.9 points per game.
This game could be a preview of the SEC Championship and has two elite teams from the last few seasons.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes at Oregon Ducks (Oct. 12)
The best conference game will happen in October with the Buckeyes traveling to Eugene, Oregon to take on the Ducks.
Ohio State’s defense will be put to the test in this game. They have to move quickly to make tackles, as Oregon likes to throw quick passes then run after the catch.
Oregon’s offense will have to put all of their new parts together by this time in the season. Gabriel and Stewart can be a dynamic duo that can light up defenses. This defense might be hard to find effectiveness.
The Ducks are currently favored, but the game is up in the air and should provide a lot of entertainment.
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