Notre Dame is in the last week of spring practice with the Blue Gold Game coming up this Saturday afternoon. We’re now one step closer to real football. While on a (too) short vacation I started looking at the big non-league games for next year and let me tell you this is a great way to get excited for the fall. If I missed any–and I probably missed a couple–give a shout in the comment section for your worthy candidates. Of course, I’m not including any Notre Dame games on this list.

Auburn at Clemson

One of the premier week two matchups and our first national glimpse at the defending National Champs and their post-Deshaun Watson era. Quick reminder that Watson was 32-3 as starter at Clemson. These teams slogged their way through a 19-13 opener last year in which Clemson looked decidedly not like a future champion but pulled out the victory. We’ll also see Baylor transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham in his first national test as he likely wins the job for Auburn and could be very dangerous.

Florida State vs. Alabama (Atlanta, GA)

The described “Game of the Year” and “Greatest Season Opener Ever” feels like it’s going to disappoint relative to the building hype but it’ll still be a good game, I’m sure.

Adding to the hype is this being the first football game played inside the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Pitt at Penn State

Penn State went on a bit of a magical run last season, ultimately winning the Big Ten and coming so very close to a Rose Bowl victory. They also lost to Pitt. It’s nice to have this rivalry back in our lives.

Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia (Landover, MD)

A bit of a low-key national game for the first week of the season. Still, these teams both won 10 games last year and haven’t faced each other for over a decade despite being around 300 miles apart.

Houston at Arizona

Major Applewhite will turn 39 this summer and takes over the Houston job. This will be the Cougars first big test of the season, and they’ll also face Texas Tech a couple weeks later. This could also kick off Rich Rod’s exodus from the desert should he lose–remember the Wildcats went 3-9 last year.

Georgia Tech at UCF

One of the lesser meaningful games on the list yet still included for a couple reasons. Georgia Tech quietly won 9 games last year, including their last 4 with victories over Virginia Tech and Georgia. On the flip side, UCF improved from 0 wins to 6 last year while Scott Frost is on the Doing Good Things™ coaching radar. This could be a solid game. Georgia Tech also opens the season in Atlanta against Tennessee, as well. That’ll be a Monday game and the second of the weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Baylor at Duke

Wait, why is this game included you ask? Well, Baylor’s schedule is trash (they open with Liberty and UTSA) and while Notre Dame won’t be slinging any arrows on the topic the Bears aren’t in a position where they can take a trip to Duke for granted. Matt Rhule’s first Power 5 test with Baylor (maybe a Noon kickoff, perhaps?) will be interesting to watch.

Oklahoma at Ohio State

If not for the Alabama-FSU game this is clearly the top out of conference game of the year. That’s good because Ohio State’s first half schedule is something atrocious. Oklahoma will be looking for revenge following last year’s 21-point home loss to the Buckeyes which never felt that close.

Oklahoma State at Pitt

Pitt traveled to Stillwater last year and lost a shootout. Now, the Cowboys will come east in week 3 for what could be a sneaky good game. The Panthers are one of a few teams to be featured twice on my list and their games come in back-to-back weeks.

TCU at Arkansas

Do you remember last year’s game!??

Texas at USC

Tom Herman begins his career against Maryland and then heads to the L.A. Coliseum in week 3 which is a fun start. The Horns will get the benefit of USC facing Stanford the prior week. This is the first meeting since the epic 2006 Rose Bowl game, by the way.

Michigan vs. Florida (Arlington, TX)

Another major week one matchup gives us a rematch of the 2016 Citrus Bowl which saw Michigan destroy Florida 41-6 and lead to last off-seasons Wolverine hype. Michigan is currently 3-0 all-time versus the Gators.

Nebraska at Oregon

Last year, the Ducks folded under the pressure in Lincoln and would ultimately lose 8 out of their last 10 games while costing Mark Helfrich his job. Now, Willie Taggart will get a chance to prove himself early in his first season with Oregon. The Ducks also face Wyoming the following week which could be an upset special.

Wisconsin at BYU

The Cougars have a really varied schedule as an independent that starts out strong (see below for another game) and fizzles out in November. This will also be Wisconsin’s toughest test before they have a bye week and open up Big Ten play.

Western Kentucky at Illinois

Mike Sanford takes over the Hilltoppers for his first head coaching position following his departure from Notre Dame. This will be the first of two Power 5 opponents that Sanford will face during the regular season, the other being Vanderbilt in early November.

Alabama A&M at UAB

UAB is back! After a 2-year absence the Blazers are returning to the football field which will be a wonderful sight to see.

Boise State at Washington State

These two teams met in Idaho last year as Wazzu started the season 0-2 following this loss. Then, they ripped off 8 straight wins. This could be a nice little rivalry developing for campuses a scant 300 miles apart which is practically next door neighbors in the sprawling west.

Stanford at San Diego State

Don’t take tips from Stanford’s scheduling practices for 2017. Opener in AUSTRALIA against Rice, bye week, then road games at USC, SDSU, and home for UCLA. The Aztecs went 11-3 last year, remember.

New Mexico at Texas A&M

Can you imagine a Lobos win here? Can you imagine Bob Davie winning in his return to College Station? This one is sandwiched in between Auburn and Ole Miss in November, for the record. And we know Texas A&M’s history with their late season collapses.

Wyoming at Iowa

Iowa lost at home to North Dakota State last year and they’ll welcome former NDSU head coach Craig Bohl to Iowa City this year. The Cowboys improved drastically last year as co-winners of their Mountain West division.

Ole Miss at Cal

I picked this game for a couple reasons. One, Hugh Freeze is on the hot seat with a program not in tremendous shape and having to replace a productive quarterback. Also, while Cal shouldn’t be any great shakes this just feels like a crazy West Coast shootout that might not work out for the Rebels.

Texas A&M at UCLA

This is a Sunday night game on the opening weekend. The Aggies harassed the stuffing out of quarterback Josh Rosen last year although I bet things are different this year. Odds the losing coach from this game goes on to be fired?

North Dakota at Utah

No, this isn’t Notre Dakota State but the Fighting Hawks are rapidly improving and are coming off a 8-0 season in the Big Sky Conference. For opening weekend this has some FCS upset potential.

Florida State at Florida

This rivalry has been a dude in recent years. Florida State has won 4 straight in the series, including victories in 6 out of the last 7 against the Gators. Maybe worse, 5 of those wins for the Seminoles have been double-digit blowouts of varying degrees.

Appalachian State at Georgia

Before the Dawgs travel to South Bend they have a pesky opener against Appalachian State. Perhaps there are some parallels between Tennessee’s hype last year and what is building for Georgia in 2017. Well, App State was really, really close to upsetting Tennessee in Knoxville in 2016.

BYU vs. LSU (Houston, TX)

The Bayou Bengals have played some high profile non-conference games in recent years so this is kind of a dud in comparison. It’s also an opening weekend game at NRG Stadium which isn’t quite on par with a few other games on the same day.

Troy at Boise State

This is an opening week game that everyone should at least check in on at some point. Troy is coming off a super impressive 10-3 season and is among the leaders to grab the Group of 5 slot in the NY6 bowls. Of course, Boise State is always in that conversation.

Troy at LSU

And, the Trojans may just schedule themselves right out of the NY6 bowls. This should arguably be a tougher game than BYU for LSU even though it’s at home. The Tigers will have a look ahead the next week to the Swamp, as well.