Worth the replay?

Saturday, September 27'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
    OregonatPenn State
    CFB· NBC/PeacockOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A+
    98/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 98

  2. #2
    USCatIllinois
    CFB· FoxDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A+
    95/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90, estimated) = 95

  3. #3
    TennesseeatMississippi St
    CFB· SEC NetworkOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 83

  4. #4
    Georgia TechatWake Forest
    CFB· ESPNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 83

  5. #5
    IndianaatIowa
    CFB· PeacockDown to the wire
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 72

  6. #6
    MarshallatLouisiana
    CFB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 70

  7. #7
    CincinnatiatKansas
    CFB· TNTDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 99 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 69

  8. #8
    San José StatStanford
    CFB· ACC NetworkDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    CaliforniaatBoston College
    CFB· ACC NetworkBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  10. #10
    AlabamaatGeorgia
    CFB· ABCDown to the wire
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 67 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 66

  11. #11
    RutgersatMinnesota
    CFB· BTNDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 63

  12. #12
    San Diego StatN Illinois
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 62

  13. #13
    BYUatColorado
    CFB· ESPNDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 73 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 60

  14. #14
    Virginia TechatNC State
    CFB· CWDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 57

  15. #15
    LouisvilleatPitt
    CFB· ESPN2Big comeback
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 56

  16. #16
    Western KYatMissouri St
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 56

  17. #17
    Arkansas StatUL Monroe
    CFB· ESPN+
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 52

  18. #18
    UConnatBuffalo
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 49

  19. #19
    AuburnatTexas A&M
    CFB· ESPN
    C
    41/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 50 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 41

  20. #20
    Cal PolyatSacramento St
    CFB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  21. #21
    UCLAatNorthwestern
    CFB· BTN
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 46 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 32

  22. #22
    MTSUatKennesaw St
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 45 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 31

  23. #23
    LSUatOle Miss
    CFB· ABC
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 32 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 31

  24. #24
    Hawai'iatAir Force
    CFB· FS1
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 44 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 31

  25. #25
    MemphisatFAU
    CFB· ESPN2Back and forth
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  26. #26
    Washington StatColorado St
    CFB· CBSSN
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 28 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 19

  27. #27
    Ohio StateatWashington
    CFB· CBS/Paramount+One-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 22 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 18

  28. #28
    KentuckyatSouth Carolina
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 25 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 17

  29. #29
    DukeatSyracuse
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 23 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 16

  30. #30
    South AlabamaatNorth Texas
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 22 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 16

  31. #31
    UCFatKansas St
    CFB· FS1One-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 22 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 15

  32. #32
    New Mexico StatNew Mexico
    CFBOne-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 21 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 14

  33. #33
    Utah StateatVanderbilt
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 12

  34. #34
    E MichiganatC Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 18 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 12

  35. #35
    BayloratOklahoma St
    CFB· ESPN2One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 14 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 10

  36. #36
    Louisiana TechatUTEP
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 14 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 10

  37. #37
    Notre DameatArkansas
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 9

  38. #38
    Jax StateatSouthern Miss
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 9

  39. #39
    TulaneatTulsa
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 9

  40. #40
    UtahatWest Virginia
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 8

  41. #41
    Bowling GreenatOhio
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 6

  42. #42
    ArizonaatIowa State
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 5

  43. #43
    Rhode IslandatW Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 7 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 5

  44. #44
    South DakotaatN Dakota St
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 4

  45. #45
    LibertyatOld Dominion
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 4

  46. #46
    GA SouthernatJames Madison
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 2

  47. #47
    RiceatNavy
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    1/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 2 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 1

  48. #48
    UMassatMissouri
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    0/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 0 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 0

  49. #49
    AkronatToledo
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    0/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 0 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 0

  50. #50
    LindenwoodatMiami OH
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    0/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 0 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 0

  51. #51
    App StateatBoise St
    CFB· FS1One-sided
    D
    0/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 0 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 0

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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