{"id":30644,"date":"2020-08-27T09:00:33","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=30644"},"modified":"2020-08-26T20:51:33","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T00:51:33","slug":"best-games-of-the-2020-college-football-season-26-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/08\/27\/best-games-of-the-2020-college-football-season-26-50\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Games of the 2020 College Football Season (26-50)"},"content":{"rendered":"

It appears that we in an all systems go situation for the kickoff of the 2020 season. We will be missing many intriguing matchups from the Big 10 and the PAC 12. However, with six FBS conferences marching forward there are plenty of huge matchups to discuss. With that here are the best games of the 2020 College Football season in part one of our two-part series.<\/p>\n

50.\"Best<\/a> (21) UCF at Georgia Tech \"Best<\/a><\/h3>\n

UCF finally gets its Power Five non-conference opponent it has been looking for. However, Georgia Tech doesn’t have the star appeal. For the Knights to get back to the NY6 conversation, they will need a convincing win in the first matchup of the best games of the 2020 College Football season.<\/p>\n

49. \"\"<\/a>Louisiana at App State \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

This is undoubtedly the biggest game in the Sun Belt this season. The Ragin’ Cajuns lost both contests to Appalachian State a year ago. But, they were by 10 and seven points respectively. No reason to think this game won’t be as good this season.<\/p>\n

48. \"\"<\/a>BYU at Navy \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

All eyes will be on Annapolis as the site of the Labor Day matchup. BYU is looking for more consistency out of quarterback Zach Wilson<\/strong><\/a>. Comparatively, Navy must replace Malcolm Perry<\/a><\/strong> in what was a bounceback season from the Naval Academy.<\/p>\n

47. \"\"<\/a>Mississippi State at Ole Miss \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

This one will be interesting. The Egg Bowl might not be the same game that it was. But, that might change in a hurry. With a Mike Leach<\/strong> versus Lane Kiffin<\/strong> matchup, we might see 125 passes in this one.<\/p>\n

46. \"\"<\/a>(18) North Carolina at Boston College\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Sam Howell<\/a><\/strong> and the Tar Heels come into 2020 as a darkhorse Heisman and Playoff contenders. However, this could be a trap game for Carolina. Boston College will have a strong offensive line and welcome in Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec<\/a><\/strong> at the quarterback position.<\/p>\n

45. \"\"<\/a>Kentucky at Missouri \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Wildcats will showcase one of the best defensive teams in the country and are strong on the offensive line. The question remains if they can get good enough quarterback play. The Tigers welcome in new head coach Eliah Drinkwitz<\/strong>. But, Missouri is in a deep rebuilding mode in his first year.<\/p>\n

44. \"\"<\/a>(13) Texas A&M at South Carolina \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Hopes and expectations are high in College Station. Could this be the year that the Aggies breakthrough and can be an SEC contender? Kellen Mond<\/a><\/strong> could be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Carolina was much better than their 4-8 record last year. But, they need much better play from quarterback Ryan Hilinski<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

43. \"\"<\/a>Louisville at Pittsburgh \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Louisville was a much-improved team from a year ago. Can they take another step forward and become players in the ACC this season? Pittsburgh has been up and down under Pat Narduzi. But, this could be his best team and one of the best defensive teams in the country.<\/p>\n

42.\"\"<\/a>(4) Georgia at South Carolina\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Bulldogs will be on heightened upset alert after what the Gamecocks did to them a year ago. Whether it’s Jamie Newman<\/a><\/strong> or JT Daniels<\/strong><\/a>, Georgia will be solid at the quarterback position going into this SEC tussle.<\/p>\n

41. \"\"<\/a>Virginia at Virginia Tech \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Bryce Perkins<\/a><\/strong> is gone. But, the Cavaliers will look to replace him with Mississippi State transfer Keytaon Thompson<\/a><\/strong>. He will need to improve on his 48% passing completion for Virginia. No Bud Foster or Frank Beamer on the Virginia Tech sideline will seem foreign. However, the Hokies could have their best season under Justin Fuente<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

40. \"\"<\/a>Florida State at Miami \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Both the Seminoles and Hurricanes could be in a relative rebuilding mode. However, they both have a chance to be dynamic on the offensive side of the ball. The James Blackman<\/a><\/strong> versus D’Eriq King<\/a><\/strong> matchup could be worth the price of admission itself.<\/p>\n

39. \"\"<\/a>Memphis at SMU \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

The first one to 50 might win this battle in the AAC. Shane Buechele<\/a><\/strong> is back running the Pony Express and should throw for 30+ touchdowns. For the Tigers, Brady White<\/a><\/strong> returns for this 15th season for Memphis. This will be a dynamic offensive showdown.<\/p>\n

38. \"\"<\/a>(11) Auburn at Mississippi State\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

You get the feeling that Auburn will go as far as Bo Nix<\/a><\/strong> will take them in 2020. If he makes a typical Sophomore leap, that could be pretty far. However, this could be a good spot for Leach’s club. They could be solidified on offense by the time this game kicks off. And, the spot could be tough for the Tigers sandwiched between games with LSU, Tennessee, and Alabama.<\/p>\n

37. \"\"<\/a>Army vs Navy\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

This is the only game in the country where an argument could be made to be ranked 50th or even first. But, one can’t dispute how big of a rivalry game this is for both sides. Both teams had a bit of a reversal of fortunes last year as Navy went bowling. No reason to think this won’t be another great game.<\/p>\n

36.\"\"<\/a>(18) North Carolina at Virginia\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

If the Tar Heels make it to this matchup undefeated, they could very well be in the ACC race at the end of the season. The Cavaliers were able to steal this game in North Carolina by seven points last year. In what could be a trap game, can the Tar Heels return the favor?<\/p>\n

35. \"Best<\/a>(14) Texas at Kansas State \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

This seems to always be a battle for the Longhorns. There’s no reason that won’t be the case again this year. Two of the toughest quarterbacks in the country will play here with Skylar Thompson<\/a><\/strong> for Kansas State and Sam Ehlinger<\/a><\/strong> for Texas. The weather could be a factor to consider here on this December 5th matchup.<\/p>\n

34. \"Best<\/a>(20) Cincinnati at SMU\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

These two teams did not meet a year ago. But, this will be one of the best offensive teams in the conference against one of the best defensive teams. The Bearcats might be an elite passing game away from a NY6 bowl this season. The improvement of Desmond Ridder<\/a><\/strong> could loom large here.<\/p>\n

33.\"\"<\/a>(18) North Carolina at Florida State\"Best<\/a><\/h3>\n

We’ll see a trend here with Carolina in this portion of the countdown. Even though they miss Clemson during the regular season, the road schedule is tough. The team that is able to get four or five stops might be the winner here.<\/p>\n

32. \"Best<\/a>(15) Oklahoma State at Baylor \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

If Spencer Sanders<\/a><\/strong> makes the same freshman to sophomore improvement that Nix does at Auburn the Cowboys could have a special season. The Cowboys will undoubtedly bolster on of the best offenses with Chuba Hubbard<\/a><\/strong> and Tylan Wallace<\/a><\/strong>. However, can the defense be good enough against a transitional season for Baylor?<\/p>\n

31.\"\"<\/a> (18) North Carolina at Miami\"Best<\/a><\/h3>\n

The early season victory over Miami last year was a springboard into a big season in Chapel Hill. Comparatively, the Canes limped to the finish line last year in what was one of the worst games in recent memory getting shut out by Louisiana Tech. The offense will be much better under King this season.<\/p>\n

30. \"Best<\/a>(10) Notre Dame at Pittsburgh\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

The road schedule is manageable for the Irish in their 2020 campaign in the ACC. But, this one has the potential to be a trap game for Notre Dame. The offense will be strong once again with Heisman hopeful Ian Book<\/a><\/strong> which will be needed against a strong Pitt defense.<\/p>\n

29.\"Best<\/a>Virginia Tech at (18) North Carolina\"Best<\/a><\/h3>\n

The final game for North Carolina in part one of the best games of the 2020 College Football season has them hosting a matchup this time. We figure the ACC Championship game will come from some combination of Clemson, Notre Dame, and these two teams. The winner of this game could go a very long way in making it to Charlotte.<\/p>\n

28.\"Best<\/a>(21) UCF at Memphis\"Best<\/a><\/h3>\n

This will be another offensive slugfest. Dillon Gabriel<\/a><\/strong> had an outstanding freshman season for the Knights. But, this could be their biggest road test of the year. Memphis is an incredibly tough team to beat at home in the Liberty Bowl.<\/p>\n

27. \"Best<\/a>(23) Iowa State at (14) Texas\"Best<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Cyclones could be the most consistent team in the country. They never get blown out and play solid defense. However, the Cyclones struggled in close games a year ago. Brock Purdy<\/a><\/strong> is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. But, the Longhorns are a tough out at home.<\/p>\n

26.\"Best<\/a>(20) Cincinnati at (21) UCF\"Best<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Bearcats and the Knights complete part one of the best games of the 2020 college football season. And, this could be the premier contest in the AAC conference this season. The winner here could lay claim to the conference championship and a potential NY6 berth.<\/p>\n

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