There are plenty of games every year that are worth looking forward to in the college football season. Conference games bring rivalries and high stakes at the end of the season. Here are the 10 best conference games in college football in 2023.
10. Kansas State Wildcats at Texas Longhorns (Nov. 4)
Last season Texas and Kansas State played a tough game that ended with the Longhorns taking it 34-27. Despite that, Kansas State was still able to get to and win the Big 12 Championship.
From their Big 12 Championship team, the Wildcats return 12 starters, including eight on offense. Will Howard saw plenty of time at quarterback last season and has his full offensive line returning in front of him. The defense lost several playmakers, but Chris Klieman has done a good job of developing talent on that side of the ball.
Texas improved to win eight games last season and there is plenty of hype around the Longhorns this offseason. Quinn Ewers is back at quarterback and will be flanked by eight returning starters on the offensive side of the ball. Finding a new running back will be one of the bigger things Texas needs to do early, as they lost both Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson to the pros. The Longhorns also return six starters on the defensive side of the ball, which ranked 27th in the country last season.
While scheduling is a little different in the Big 12 this season with new teams joining the conference, this game could decide who goes to the Big 12 Championship this season.
9. Oregon Ducks at Washington Huskies (Oct. 14)
Oregon and Washington both had great seasons in 2022. Oregon beat Washington by three points in their matchup and both teams narrowly missed playing for the Pac-12 Championship.
Bo Nix found himself at Oregon and was able to lead the Ducks to 10 wins. He’ll have five starters back with him on offense, which has potential to be elite after ranking 10th in the country last season. They need their offensive line to step up, as they have limited experience. Defensively, six starters are back, but the Ducks will need to see vast improvements to really be a threat for the Pac-12.
Washington got a huge boost when quarterback Michael Penix decided to return to campus for another season. He led the Huskies to 11 wins and now has six returning starters back with the interior offensive line needing some new impact players. They ranked seventh offensively in 2022, but ranked just 57th defensively. The Huskies do bring back seven starters on that side of the ball, including some good pass rushers, but they will need to improve this season.
Both of these teams are still under contract in the Pac-12, but with rumors swirling over Oregon leaving the conference, this could be one of the last times the rivalry is played.
8. Washington Huskies at USC Trojans (Nov. 4)
Washington and USC did not play last season, which makes this matchup all that more exciting. Two of the best quarterbacks in the country will be squaring off.
As mentioned, Penix returning to the team is a huge boost, as he is a Heisman contender. One way to gain some momentum toward winning the Heisman is to play well against the man who won the award last season.
Caleb Williams had a fantastic season in 2022 that helped the Trojans get to the Cotton Bowl. The Trojans scored the third most points per game in the country. He has five starters returning on offense, including a mix of linemen and skill-position players. MarShawn Lloyd also joins the fold at running back. For USC to compete for a national title, they need their eight returning starters on defense to not just get better, but get better by a ton.
There are plenty of late-season Pac-12 games that could decide who is playing in Las Vegas for the title and this could be the best.
7. USC Trojans at Oregon Ducks (Nov. 11)
USC has a brutal late-season schedule that includes them playing Washington and Oregon in back-to-back weeks. If they get by Washington, they may not be so lucky against the Ducks.
Against the Ducks, USC will have to make sure that they are not wearing down. Not only do they have Washington the week before, but they also have Notre Dame and Utah in two of the three weeks before that. This stretch could be what Williams uses to become the first quarterback to win two Heisman trophies.
Nix has restored his draft stock and played well at Oregon. He will be looking to make a statement against USC. The Ducks will likely have to defeat USC in a shootout. If they can, they could make it to the Pac-12 Championship Game.
USC is a popular pick to win the Pac-12, but the schedule could be too tough. This game could do them in if their defense isn’t much better.
6. Georgia Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers (Nov. 18)
Georgia and Tennessee each had good seasons in 2022, but the Bulldogs were the team who won the National Championship. The rivals will square off late in the season in a game that could have a lot on the line.
The Bulldogs will try to win a championship for the third straight season, but they will need a new quarterback to step up in place of Stetson Bennett. Carson Beck was a highly-touted prospect and will have six starters back to help him, including star tight end Brock Bowers. For a team that usually has to reload every season on defense, Georgia has seven starters back from a unit that ranked fifth last season.
Tennessee will also have a new starter in Joe Milton, who finished the year for the Volunteers after Hendon Hooker went down with injury. He led Josh Heupel’s offense well and helped Tennessee beat Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Milton will have six returning starters to work with on offense. The defense ranked 35th last season and has seven starters entrenched.
For the last season with divisions in the SEC, this game could very well decide the SEC East. If Georgia wins, they could be on their way to a third-straight championship.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio State Buckeyes (Oct. 21)
Penn State and Ohio State have had some intense battles over the years and this season they could produce an instant classic.
The Nittany Lions have six starters back on offense with their stars being left tackle Olu Fashanu and running back Nick Singleton. For the offense to improve, they’ll need Drew Allar to live up to the hype at quarterback after playing a little bit last season. Defensively, seven starters are back and Chop Robinson joins them as a great edge rusher. After winning 11 games last season, Penn State could be looking at competing for the Big Ten this season.
Ohio State has a lot of talent returning from their team that made the College Football Playoff last season. Kyle McCord is projected to step in at quarterback and has seven returning starters to help him. Those starters include his high school teammate and talented wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. who is an All-American. The defense gave up too many big plays in big games last season, but do have five returning starters back including plenty of solid players on the defensive line.
This will be the first big test for Penn State and it will be interesting to see how both young quarterbacks handle such a big stage.
4. Michigan Wolverines at Penn State Nittany Lions (Nov. 11)
Michigan has made two straight College Football Playoffs, but may need to get through Penn State to make an appearance for a third time.
The Wolverines retain 15 starters from last season. Their running backs, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, are both stars and the offense will flow through them. J.J. McCarthy will need to make more big throws this season after showing potential last season. Defensively, they ranked seventh last season and have enough talent to be one of the country’s best again.
Penn State will have their second huge game of the season against Michigan. If they get past Ohio State, they could be playing with a College Football Playoff spot on their minds. Even if they don’t the game could still decide a lot in the Big Ten.
There will be loads of future pros on the field and this has all the makings of a classic game.
3. Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers (Sep. 23)
Clemson has run the ACC for the last several years, while Florida State has started to come on strong the last few years.
The Seminoles won 10 games last season. For this season, they have six offensive starters back, including Jordan Travis at quarterback. Running back Trey Benson and wide receiver Johnny Wilson are unique skill-position players that will help Travis be at his best. On defense, the Seminoles have eight starters back, including star pass rusher Jared Verse. After being tied for 20th in the country last season, they very well could improve in 2023.
The Tigers turned the reins of the offense over to Cade Klubnik late last season and he showed flashes of great play. He has seven returning starters to work with, including four offensive linemen and running back Will Shipley. On defense, the Tigers are very strong in their frot seven and should be able to improve their 23rd scoring ranking from last season if the offense can keep the ball longer in 2023.
Last season, Clemson by six. This year, Florida State has a chance to make it even closer or win in an early season conference game.
2. LSU Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide (Nov. 4)
In one of the best games of last season, LSU upset Alabama by going for two in overtime. If this game is anywhere close to as good, it will live up to this ranking.
Jayden Daniels is back at quarterback after being erratic early last season before settling down. Plenty of talent returns on the offensive line and so too does budding star Malik Nabers at wide receiver. On defense, the Tigers return just four starters, but hit the transfer portal hard. Harold Perkins returns as one of the best linebackers in the country, but a moe to inside linebacker may slow him down. They’ll need new stars to step up around Perkins as well.
Alabama missed the College Football Playoff last season and has a lot of talent to replace. Jalen Milroe saw some time at quarterback last season in relief of Bryce Young. He’ll have Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton returning at wide receiver and some talent returning up front. Defensively, five starters return, including Dallas Turner at edge rusher and Kool-Aid McKinstry at cornerback who are top draft prospects heading into the season.
The SEC West has one more year and this game has provided so many great battles that have decided the division. Can Brian Kelly shock Alabama again?
1. Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Wolverines (Nov. 25)
There is no question that The Game takes the top spot most years. It has more competitiveness now that Michigan has won two straight.
Ohio State was able to get to the College Football Playoff despite losing to Michigan last season. With a new quarterback and playing Michigan on the road, it won’t be easy to win, but they have the talent to do so.
The Wolverines are riding high after beating the Buckeyes in two straight seasons. They rode the running game to victory. If Ohio State makes adjustments, then McCarthy will need to keep the offense moving with his arm.
Michigan will likely be favored this year, but The Game figures to be close and decide a lot.
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