Worth the replay?

Saturday, November 1'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
    MiamiatSMU
    CFB· ESPNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    OklahomaatTennessee
    CFB· ABCBack and forth
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90, estimated) = 80

  3. #3
    Michigan StatMinnesota
    CFB· BTNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  4. #4
    DukeatClemson
    CFB· ACC NetworkDown to the wireBig 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

  5. #5
    GeorgiaatFlorida
    CFB· ABCDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 67

  6. #6
    Mississippi StatArkansas
    CFB· SEC NetworkDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 65

  7. #7
    New MexicoatUNLV
    CFBDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  8. #8
    Washington StatOregon St
    CFB· CBSDown to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  9. #9
    C MichiganatW Michigan
    CFB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    B
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  10. #10
    Arizona StatIowa State
    CFB· TNT/HBO Max
    C+
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 55

  11. #11
    LouisvilleatVirginia Tech
    CFB· CW
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 53

  12. #12
    ArmyatAir Force
    CFB· CBS/Paramount+Down to the wireBack and forth
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  13. #13
    UABatUConn
    CFB· CBSSNBig comeback
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 68 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 47

  14. #14
    USCatNebraska
    CFB· NBC
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 52 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 43

  15. #15
    VirginiaatCalifornia
    CFB· ESPN2
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 50 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 42

  16. #16
    LouisianaatSouth Alabama
    CFB· ESPN+
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  17. #17
    KentuckyatAuburn
    CFB· SEC Network
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 51 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 36

  18. #18
    Georgia TechatNC State
    CFB· ESPN2
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 41 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 34

  19. #19
    West VirginiaatHouston
    CFB· FS1
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 38 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 32

  20. #20
    Hawai'iatSan José St
    CFB· CBSSN
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  21. #21
    Youngstown StatN Dakota St
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 38 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 26

  22. #22
    Fresno StatBoise St
    CFB· FS1Big comeback
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  23. #23
    Texas TechatKansas St
    CFB· Fox
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 25

  24. #24
    Arkansas StatTroy
    CFB· ESPNU
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 21

  25. #25
    Sacramento StatE Washington
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 27 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 19

  26. #26
    South CarolinaatOle Miss
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 20 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 17

  27. #27
    WyomingatSan Diego St
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 18 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 13

  28. #28
    BuffaloatBowling Green
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 11

  29. #29
    New Mexico StatWestern KY
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 11

  30. #30
    PittatStanford
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ 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) = 9

  31. #31
    PurdueatMichigan
    CFB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  32. #32
    East CarolinaatTemple
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  33. #33
    CincinnatiatUtah
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90, estimated) = 8

  34. #34
    DelawareatLiberty
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 6

  35. #35
    VanderbiltatTexas
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 6

  36. #36
    UCFatBaylor
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  37. #37
    ArizonaatColorado
    CFB· FS1One-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

  38. #38
    IndianaatMaryland
    CFB· CBSOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 4

  39. #39
    NavyatNorth Texas
    CFB· ESPN2One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  40. #40
    Oklahoma StatKansas
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 3

  41. #41
    RutgersatIllinois
    CFB· NBCOne-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

  42. #42
    Wake ForestatFlorida St
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-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

  43. #43
    Penn StateatOhio State
    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 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 2

  44. #44
    Notre DameatBoston College
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    1/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 1 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 1

  45. #45
    Old DominionatUL Monroe
    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

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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