Non-Conference Games to Watch for This Year

Believe it or not, college football season is rolling around quickly. You'll be seeing more posts about hypothetical "playoff fours" and who won and who lost the week on here pretty soon. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for these upcoming match-ups that are non-conference games this season.

• South Carolina vs. North Carolina (Week One): This will be Mack Brown's first game back as a head coach after a six-year hiatus. He will be given the arduous task of trying to revitalize a hapless Tar Heel football program in a conference dominated by Clemson. His first game against a school from the other Carolina will provide a litmus test on how the Tar Heels will look this season.
• Wisconsin vs. South Florida (Week One): This could be an upset in the making. Charlie Strong has quietly established a quality program in Tampa and will face a Wisconsin team that is still questionable at the quarterback position. It may either be a low-scoring, defensive battle or a game dominated by Jonathan Taylor, who's returning.
• Texas A&M vs. Clemson (Week Two): A rematch of last year's classic will take place in Death Valley as the Aggies look for revenge against the defending champions. Jimbo Fisher reeled in one of the best recruiting classes this season and is building Texas A&M into a force. He's hoping that the Aggies will get their defining win against Dabo Swinney's crew.
• LSU vs. Texas (Week Two): Both Tom Herman and Ed Orgeron have done excellent work in bringing in top talent and making their programs relevant again. The Tigers will have to replace guys like Greedy Williams on defense, so it'll be interesting to see how Sam Ehlinger attacks LSU. They will face off in Austin in a game that will have playoff implications.
  
• Oklahoma vs. UCLA (Week Three): Jalen Hurts will get his chance with the Sooners and a trip out west will provide Hurts a chance to display his talents. Can UCLA make a recovery and become a formidable team again?
  
• Georgia vs. Notre Dame (Week Four): Like LSU/Texas, this game will have serious playoff implications. The Fighting Irish will be looking to avenge a narrow 20-19 loss they suffered to the Bulldogs a couple years ago.