Worth the replay?

Saturday, October 11'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
    BYUatArizona
    CFB· ESPN2OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    IndianaatOregon
    CFB· CBSDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 74

  3. #3
    PittatFlorida St
    CFB· ESPNDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 70

  4. #4
    TroyatTexas St
    CFB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  5. #5
    Air ForceatUNLV
    CFB· CBSSNDown 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

  6. #6
    NavyatTemple
    CFB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  7. #7
    NebraskaatMaryland
    CFB· BTNDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  8. #8
    San José StatWyoming
    CFB· CBSSNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 63

  9. #9
    NorthwesternatPenn State
    CFB· FS1Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  10. #10
    Iowa StateatColorado
    CFB· ESPNBack and forth
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 59

  11. #11
    GeorgiaatAuburn
    CFB· ABCBig comeback
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 59

  12. #12
    PurdueatMinnesota
    CFB· BTNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 59

  13. #13
    ToledoatBowling Green
    CFB· ESPNUDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 58

  14. #14
    AlabamaatMissouri
    CFB· ABC
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 59 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 58

  15. #15
    N IllinoisatE Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  16. #16
    South CarolinaatLSU
    CFB· SEC Network
    C
    39/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 47 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 39

  17. #17
    LouisianaatJames Madison
    CFB· ESPN2
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension14/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  18. #18
    Utah StateatHawai'i
    CFBBack and forth
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  19. #19
    Old DominionatMarshall
    CFB· ESPN+Big comeback
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 42 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 30

  20. #20
    Washington StatOle Miss
    CFB· SEC Network
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 29

  21. #21
    ArkansasatTennessee
    CFB· SEC Network
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  22. #22
    UCLAatMichigan St
    CFB· BTNBig comeback
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 26

  23. #23
    TCUatKansas St
    CFB· Fox
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  24. #24
    OklahomaatTexas
    CFB· ABC
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 22

  25. #25
    New MexicoatBoise St
    CFB· FS1Back and forth
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  26. #26
    Sacramento StatWeber St
    CFB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  27. #27
    S IllinoisatN Dakota St
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 24 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 17

  28. #28
    FloridaatTexas A&M
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 15

  29. #29
    MichiganatUSC
    CFB· NBCOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  30. #30
    KansasatTexas Tech
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  31. #31
    HoustonatOklahoma St
    CFB· TNT/HBO MaxOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 12 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 8

  32. #32
    Miami OHatAkron
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 12 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 8

  33. #33
    App StateatGeorgia St
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  34. #34
    Wake ForestatOregon St
    CFB· CWOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 10 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 7

  35. #35
    NC StateatNotre Dame
    CFB· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 7

  36. #36
    StanfordatSMU
    CFB· CWOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  37. #37
    Virginia TechatGeorgia Tech
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  38. #38
    UL MonroeatCoastal
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  39. #39
    UMassatKent State
    CFB· ESPN+One-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

  40. #40
    IowaatWisconsin
    CFB· FS1One-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

  41. #41
    UCFatCincinnati
    CFB· FS1One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  42. #42
    Arizona StatUtah
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ 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) = 4

  43. #43
    Ball StateatW Michigan
    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 5 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 4

  44. #44
    UABatFAU
    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

  45. #45
    ClemsonatBoston College
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ 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) = 3

  46. #46
    San Diego StatNevada
    CFB· CBSSNOne-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
    Ohio StateatIllinois
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 2 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 2

  48. #48
    RiceatUTSA
    CFB· ESPNUOne-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

  49. #49
    CharlotteatArmy
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

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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