Worth the replay?

Saturday, October 18'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
    Texas TechatArizona St
    CFB· FoxDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    82/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 99 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 82

  2. #2
    Ole MissatGeorgia
    CFB· ABCBack and forth
    A
    82/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 82

  3. #3
    MissouriatAuburn
    CFB· SEC NetworkOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    79/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 96 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 79

  4. #4
    MemphisatUAB
    CFB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comeback
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 92 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 76

  5. #5
    Washington StatVirginia
    CFB· CWDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 73

  6. #6
    Texas StatMarshall
    CFB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  7. #7
    IslandersatSenators
    NHL· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  8. #8
    TexasatKentucky
    CFB· ESPNOvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 68

  9. #9
    BuffaloatUMass
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 92 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 65

  10. #10
    UtahatBYU
    CFB· Fox
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  11. #11
    MarylandatUCLA
    CFB· FS1Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    ArmyatTulane
    CFB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  13. #13
    Penn StateatIowa
    CFB· PeacockDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  14. #14
    N ColoradoatSacramento St
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  15. #15
    HurricanesatKings
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 60

  16. #16
    KrakenatMaple Leafs
    NHL· NHL NetOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  17. #17
    WildatFlyers
    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

  18. #18
    Georgia TechatDuke
    CFB· ESPN
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 58

  19. #19
    ArizonaatHouston
    CFB· FS1Down to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  20. #20
    CoastalatApp State
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  21. #21
    Florida StatStanford
    CFB· ESPNDown to the wire
    B
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 55

  22. #22
    WyomingatAir Force
    CFB· CBSSNDown to the wireBack and forth
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 54

  23. #23
    Mississippi StatFlorida
    CFB· SEC NetworkDown to the wire
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  24. #24
    RangersatCanadiens
    NHL· ESPN+
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 56 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 42

  25. #25
    NevadaatNew Mexico
    CFB· FS1Down to the wire
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  26. #26
    Hawai'iatColorado St
    CFB
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  27. #27
    AkronatBall State
    CFB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension23/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 55 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 38

  28. #28
    UConnatBoston College
    CFB· ACC NetworkBack and forth
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 55 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 38

  29. #29
    USCatNotre Dame
    CFB· NBC/PeacockBack and forth
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 40 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90, estimated) = 38

  30. #30
    LightningatBlue Jackets
    NHL· ESPN+
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth7/10

    Drama 50 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 38

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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