Worth the replay?

Saturday, September 20's games ranked by how good they turned out to be: late drama, comebacks, lead swaps and overtime. No scores, no winners, so you can decide what to watch without spoilers.

Best games of the season →
  1. #1
    UNLVatMiami OH
    CFB· ESPNUDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 97 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 68

  2. #2
    ArkansasatMemphis
    CFB· ABCDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 66

  3. #3
    IdahoatSan José St
    CFBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 64

  4. #4
    AuburnatOklahoma
    CFB· ABCDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 67 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90, estimated) = 63

  5. #5
    ToledoatW Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 62

  6. #6
    TroyatBuffalo
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 62

  7. #7
    LouisianaatE Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 61

  8. #8
    North TexasatArmy
    CFB· CBSSNOvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 60

  9. #9
    BluesatStars
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  10. #10
    Arizona StatBaylor
    CFB· FoxDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 57

  11. #11
    South CarolinaatMissouri
    CFB· ESPNBack and forth
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 63 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 52

  12. #12
    NevadaatWestern KY
    CFB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 74 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 52

  13. #13
    Fresno StatHawai'i
    CFBDown to the wire
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 49

  14. #14
    UTSAatColorado St
    CFB· FS1Down to the wire
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 66 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 46

  15. #15
    SMUatTCU
    CFB· ESPN2
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 66 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 46

  16. #16
    MarshallatMTSU
    CFB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    39/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 56 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 39

  17. #17
    NC StateatDuke
    CFB· ESPN2Big comeback
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 52 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 36

  18. #18
    CoastalatSouth Alabama
    CFB· ESPN+Big comeback
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 52 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 36

  19. #19
    UL MonroeatUTEP
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    35/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 50 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 35

  20. #20
    Arkansas StatKennesaw St
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 47 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 33

  21. #21
    MichiganatNebraska
    CFB· CBS/Paramount+
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 31

  22. #22
    Texas TechatUtah
    CFB· Fox
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 32 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90, estimated) = 30

  23. #23
    SyracuseatClemson
    CFB· ESPN
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 23

  24. #24
    James MadisonatLiberty
    CFB· ESPNU
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 23

  25. #25
    Boise StatAir Force
    CFB· CBSSN
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 32 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 22

  26. #26
    DelawareatFIU
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 20

  27. #27
    CaliforniaatSan Diego St
    CFB· CBSSNBig comeback
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 18

  28. #28
    FloridaatMiami
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 18 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 15

  29. #29
    MarylandatWisconsin
    CFB· NBC/PeacockOne-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 20 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 14

  30. #30
    IllinoisatIndiana
    CFB· NBC/PeacockOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 12 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 12

Ranked from each game's win probability as it was played (ESPN's for football and basketball; ours, from the goals, for hockey): how in doubt it was near the end, how far the winner came back from, how late it was decided, how big its momentum swings were and how often a team erased a deficit, with a bonus for overtime. That drama is then weighted by how good a matchup it was going in (its pre-game Watchability score), so a thriller between top teams ranks above an equally wild game between minor ones.

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