Previewing the Best Matchups of Nonconference in 2024 College Football Season

College football is just over a month away. Several top nonconference matchups highlight the first three weeks of the season.

Week 1 is so loaded with top games that the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs will kickoff around 12 p.m. ET. An in-state battle between the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes occupies the afternoon slot in Week 1, with two huge matchups in the evening.

The 12-team College Football Playoff provides some room for error with several two-loss teams likely to make the tournament. Albeit, early matchups could have an effect on playoff seeding and put teams in must-win situations later in the year.

Let's look at what could decide each game.

Notre Dame at Texas A&M : The Quarterback Battle

In many ways, Notre Dame and Texas A&M are similar teams. Both are known for how they play in the trenches, while both have had low offensive ceilings in recent years. The quarterbacks will likely determine who has the upper hand. Notre Dame's Riley Leonard is the more proven quarterback of the two, but Texas A&M's Conner Weigman has the higher ceiling. The Aggies quarterback might have the upper hand in the matchup.

LSU vs. USC (Las Vegas): Which defense can get stops?

The LSU Tigers and USC Trojans were among the more underwhelming defenses in college football last season. LSU finished the year No. 105 in total defense with USC ranking No. 116 in the country. Both teams made defensive hires that could transform how the units play in 2024. The team that can get stops defensively wins the game.

Georgia vs. Clemson (Atlanta): Dabo Swinney vs. Kirby Smart

Clemson isn't going to overwhelm Georgia with its talent. It doesn't have the roster to do that. That's not to say the Tigers don't have good players. Former five-star quarterback recruit Cade Klubnik enters his third season at Clemson with all the ability to win a big game. Even so, Klubnik's coach Dabo Swinney will need to give his team schematic advantage. The Tigers will need to win the coaching battle to upset Georgia.

Texas at Michigan : Texas offensive line vs. Michigan defensive line

The Michigan Wolverines had the best defense in college football in 2023. They could have that again in the upcoming season due in large part to perhaps the best defensive interior in the nation. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant figure to be the best defensive tackle duo in 2024. They'll need to disrupt the Texas Longhorns offense to stay in the game. With Michigan losing 10 of 11 offensive starters and breaking in a new quarterback, the Wolverines will need to win with defense in Ann Arbor. If Texas can prevent interior disruption, it could win comfortably.

Alabama at Wisconsin : Wisconsin defense vs. Jalen Milroe

It's unlikely Wisconsin upsets Alabama. If the Badgers want to pull off the upset, they'll start with defending against Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe. The second-year starter figures to be one of the most difficult quarterbacks to defend against heading into the 2024 season. Given that Milroe can beat them as a downfield passer and runner, the Badgers may need to allocate several defenders to bringing pressure and take risks in coverage to force contested throws.

Notre Dame at USC: Notre Dame offense vs. USC defense

Both USC coach Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman have seen criticism in recent seasons. One of them could earn a signature win in this game. Riley's team should be able to score points if quarterback Miller Moss' Holiday Bowl performance is any indication. Moss put up 372 passing yards and six touchdowns against then No. 15 Louisville. Notre Dame's offense will be a determining factor of the 2024 matchup. If the Irish can score enough against the Trojans, they can secure a win on the road.

Related: Ranking SEC Football’s 2024 Nonconference Schedules

Related: Ranking Big Ten Football’s 2024 Nonconference Schedules

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