2019 College Football Picks & Predictions: Top Non-Conference Games of 2019

2019 College Football Picks & Predictions – Top Non-Conference Games of 2019: Longstanding rivalries between conference foes are part of what makes college football great, but there’s nothing wrong with a great out-of-conference showdown either. Not only do they allow conferences to claim bragging rights, but with the addition of the College Football Playoff, a signature win against a non-conference opponent can be the difference between having a shot at a national title and having to wait until next year. With the 2019 College Football season fast approaching, it is time to take a closer look at the best non-conference games on tap for the upcoming season. Don’t forget to check out NSAwins.com all season long for the best college football picks to crush the vegas odds each week!

2019 College Football Picks & Predictions: Top Non-Conference Games of 2019

1. Texas A&M at Clemson (September 7)

The defending national champs will face a tough test early in the year when they host the Aggies. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is well on his way to building a powerful program in College Station, and after the Aggies proved to be a tough out in the SEC last year on their way to a 9-4 record, they have the weapons to be even more of a threat in Fisher’s second season. Of course, the Tigers aren’t exactly hurting for talent, but if they experience any type of early-season hangover, the Aggies will be ready to capitalize. This game will go a long way to deciding whether or not Clemson’s dynasty is poised to continue or if Fisher has Texas A&M poised to make the leap to national contender.

2. LSU at Texas (September 7)

Whether they want to admit it or not, these teams have a lot of similarities. Both are former national powers who are trying to climb back to the top of the mountain, but while the Tigers always seems to be looking up at Alabama and Georgia in the SEC, the Longhorns have had to watch Oklahoma rule the Big 12. Both programs want to get over the hump and into the College Football Playoff, and whichever side wins this matchup is going to have a huge non-conference victory on its resume to carry the rest of the way. The game is also a chance for Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger to make an early statement in the Heisman race. There are plenty of storylines and plenty at stake in this showdown between two really good teams. What more could you ask for?

3. Notre Dame at Georgia (September 21)

These teams met in South Bend back in 2017, and it turned out to be an instant classic with the Bulldogs escaping with a 20-19 victory. Georgia enters this season as a top-five team with dreams of dethroning Alabama in the SEC and returning to the College Football Playoff, but the Fighting Irish are coming of a playoff appearance last year and are a top-10 team in their own right. If the Bulldogs get caught looking ahead, it might not be their conference rival that ends their championship dreams this time around. This game could be a turning point in the season for both programs depending on how it plays out.

4. Notre Dame at Michigan (October 21)

After spending the last four years as Urban Meyer’s personal whipping boy, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh knows that this is his best opportunity to win the Big Ten title and claim a spot in the College Football Playoff. Before he can try to exorcise his Ohio State demons, he will have to get past a Notre Dame squad that defeated the Wolverines 24-17 in South Bend last year. Depending on how the Fighting Irish do against Georgia earlier in the year, this game could have massive playoff implications for both sides. At the very least, it is likely to be Michigan’s biggest hurdle aside from the showdown with the Buckeyes.

5. Oregon vs. Auburn (August 31)

Two teams fighting for relevancy in their respective conferences will have a chance to make a big statement right out of the gate. It wasn’t that long ago that the Ducks were a perennial contender, and they appear to be trending back in that right direction after a 9-4 campaign in 2018. The Tigers are stuck dealing with life in the vaunted SEC, and all five of their losses came during conference play, including a one-point loss to LSU and road losses to Georgia and Alabama. Potential top-five pick Justin Herbert will lead the Oregon offense against a stacked Auburn defense, and while the Ducks have a much clearer path to a Pac-12 title than the Tigers have to an SEC title, Oregon needs to make a statement in this game to have any chance of making national noise. On the other hand, Auburn could use the game as a springboard to one of those surprise seasons that the Tigers seem to have every few years.

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