Worth the replay?

Saturday, October 4'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
    VirginiaatLouisville
    CFB· ESPN2OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 71

  2. #2
    E MichiganatBuffalo
    CFB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    Texas StatArkansas St
    CFB· ESPNUDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  4. #4
    Kansas StatBaylor
    CFB· ESPN+Down 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

  5. #5
    Penn StateatUCLA
    CFB· CBSBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 69

  6. #6
    OhioatBall State
    CFB· CBSSNDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 63

  7. #7
    WashingtonatMaryland
    CFB· BTNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  8. #8
    South AlabamaatTroy
    CFB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 60

  9. #9
    KansasatUCF
    CFB· ESPN2Down to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  10. #10
    UTSAatTemple
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  11. #11
    ColoradoatTCU
    CFB· FoxDown to the wire
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 53

  12. #12
    Oregon StatApp State
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 68 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 48

  13. #13
    Wake ForestatVirginia Tech
    CFB· CWBack and forth
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 67 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 47

  14. #14
    Air ForceatNavy
    CFB· CBS/Paramount+Down to the wireBack and forth
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  15. #15
    Michigan StatNebraska
    CFB· FS1
    C
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 64 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 45

  16. #16
    NevadaatFresno St
    CFB· CBSSN
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 49 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 34

  17. #17
    VanderbiltatAlabama
    CFB· ABC
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 34

  18. #18
    FAUatRice
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 42 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 29

  19. #19
    C MichiganatAkron
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  20. #20
    Iowa StateatCincinnati
    CFB· ESPN2
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 34 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 28

  21. #21
    TexasatFlorida
    CFB· ESPN
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 27

  22. #22
    James MadisonatGeorgia St
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 38 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 27

  23. #23
    Miami OHatN Illinois
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 38 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 27

  24. #24
    DukeatCalifornia
    CFB· ESPN
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 34 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 24

  25. #25
    N Dakota StatIllinois St
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 21

  26. #26
    ArmyatUAB
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 21 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 15

  27. #27
    Mississippi StatTexas A&M
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  28. #28
    Boise StatNotre Dame
    CFB· NBC/PeacockOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 11

  29. #29
    IllinoisatPurdue
    CFB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 11

  30. #30
    MiamiatFlorida St
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 11

  31. #31
    W MichiganatUMass
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 12 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 9

  32. #32
    UL MonroeatNorthwestern
    CFB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 7

  33. #33
    WisconsinatMichigan
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 7 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 6

  34. #34
    UNLVatWyoming
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 5

  35. #35
    Boston CollegeatPitt
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  36. #36
    SyracuseatSMU
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  37. #37
    Texas TechatHouston
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 3

  38. #38
    FIUatUConn
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 2

  39. #39
    MinnesotaatOhio State
    CFB· NBC/PeacockOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 2

  40. #40
    ClemsonatNorth Carolina
    CFB· ESPNOne-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

  41. #41
    CampbellatNC State
    CFB· ESPN+/ACCNXOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  42. #42
    Kent StateatOklahoma
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-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

  43. #43
    KentuckyatGeorgia
    CFB· ABCOne-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

  44. #44
    Oklahoma StatArizona
    CFB· TNT/truTV/HBO MaxOne-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

  45. #45
    CoastalatOld Dominion
    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

  46. #46
    TulsaatMemphis
    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 0.70 (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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