The five best non-conference matchups in college football

The advent of the College Football Playoff has brought greater emphasis to strength of schedule and has rewarded teams that have been willing to accept challenging games outside of their conferences.

This push toward the Power Five conferences facing each other has brought better quality matchups to the early season.

Choosing the best five non-conference games this season was extremely difficult, especially with an opening weekend that includes LSU-Wisconsin, Clemson-Auburn and Georgia-North Carolina. Those, however, didn't make the list. Here are the ones that did:

Oklahoma vs. Ohio State — Sept. 17

Two of college football’s biggest powers — with 13 major national championships between them — will meet for just the third time.

This will be the second significant non-league game for the Sooners after facing Houston in the opener. Winning both would likely put them in position to return to the playoff after a Big 12 title that includes one loss. It will also be a special challenge to Bob Stoops as he stands across the opposite sideline from fellow Ohio native Urban Meyer for the first time since meeting in the 2008 title game.

Meyer will bring a young team to Norman with just six returning starters. But they’ll be playing with nothing to lose with the pressure on Oklahoma to handle high expectations.

Notre Dame vs. Stanford — Oct. 15

The Irish were 30 seconds away from a possible spot in the playoff last November before the Cardinal rallied for a winning field goal on the final play. Nowis  their chance for revenge in South Bend.

Both teams start the season in the top 10 despite having significant departures from last year’s team. Notre Dame could be 6-0 at the midway point should it get past Michigan State at home and avoid tricky visits to Texas and N.C. State.

Stanford faces a tougher road with games against USC, UCLA and Washington in the first month. If new starting quarterback Ryan Burns can get the Cardinal through with even one loss, this sets up as critical game with their second half of the schedule much easier.

Florida State vs. Mississippi — Sept. 5

Labor Day in Orlando brings the Seminoles and Rebels an opportunity to start the season on an impressive note.

A young Florida State team was overlooked nationally with attention focused on Clemson, even though it gave the Tigers all they could handle on the road last season. Most of the key players are back, though an injury to Sean Maguire means freshman Deondre Francois starts at quarterback. There has been a feeling Francois would have been the starter regardless.

The Rebels took another step in their development under Hugh Freeze by winning the Sugar Bowl. Those positive feelings were quickly erased by more smoke appearing in an ongoing NCAA investigation that threatens severe sanctions. Senior quarterback Chad Kelly is a potential Heisman contender. He can help calm some of the turmoil and boost his own campaign by leading the Rebels to a win.

Alabama vs. Southern California — Sept. 3

Another meeting of blue bloods that renew acquaintances after more than 30 years. The Crimson Tide and Trojans met four times in the 1970s, with the most-famous game coming in 1970 when a USC victory led by Sam Cunningham prompted the integration of the Alabama football team.

This meeting will take place in Arlington, Texas, and the stakes will center on the start of Nick Saban’s bid for his fifth title in Tuscaloosa. There’s still no starting quarterback the week before the season, but that’s familiar ground for the Tide.

Trojans signal caller Max Browne is making his first start in coach Clay Helton’s initial season opener. One of the nation’s top recruits in 2013, Browne has been waiting his turn after picking USC ahead of the Tide. He couldn’t ask for a tougher assignment than facing the most-talented defense in the country.

Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech — Sept. 10

A football game on the infield of a NASCAR race track? After years of speculation and negotiation between the schools, the game is finally going to happen in Bristol, Tenn.

The expected crowd of more than 150,000 would set the record for the largest crowd ever to see a college football game. Beyond the spectacle that should be amazing to see, there’s significant stakes on the line.

The Volunteers are a legitimate national title contender and the favorite in the SEC East. The Hokies, especially on defense, will give them an early test. For new Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente, it’s an opportunity to quickly step out of Frank Beamer’s shadow with a huge win.

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