Worth the replay?

Saturday, November 8'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
    AuburnatVanderbilt
    CFB· SEC NetworkOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    82/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    CaliforniaatLouisville
    CFB· ESPN2OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    81/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 81

  3. #3
    IndianaatPenn State
    CFB· FoxDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    79/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  4. #4
    OregonatIowa
    CFB· CBSDown to the wire
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 74 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 72

  5. #5
    Louisiana TechatDelaware
    CFB· ESPN+Down 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

  6. #6
    WashingtonatWisconsin
    CFB· BTNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 68

  7. #7
    Wake ForestatVirginia
    CFB· ESPNBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 67

  8. #8
    Missouri StatLiberty
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 95 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 66

  9. #9
    Jax StateatUTEP
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 64

  10. #10
    KansasatArizona
    CFB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 64

  11. #11
    DukeatUConn
    CFB· CBSSNDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    Sam HoustonatOregon St
    CFB· CWDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 61

  13. #13
    Iowa StateatTCU
    CFB· FoxDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  14. #14
    N Dakota StatNorth Dakota
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  15. #15
    Bowling GreenatE Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 54

  16. #16
    Texas StatLouisiana
    CFB· ESPN+
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 73 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 51

  17. #17
    Kennesaw StatNew Mexico St
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 63 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 44

  18. #18
    TempleatArmy
    CFB· CBSSN
    C
    39/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 55 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 39

  19. #19
    UABatRice
    CFB· ESPN+
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  20. #20
    Air ForceatSan José St
    CFB· FS1
    C
    35/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 51 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 35

  21. #21
    ColoradoatWest Virginia
    CFB· TNT/HBO Max
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension23/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 41 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 29

  22. #22
    MarylandatRutgers
    CFB· FS1Back and forth
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 41 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 29

  23. #23
    Southern MissatArkansas St
    CFB· ESPNU
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  24. #24
    FloridaatKentucky
    CFB· SEC Network
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  25. #25
    StanfordatNorth Carolina
    CFB· CWBack and forth
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  26. #26
    James MadisonatMarshall
    CFB· ESPN2
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 28 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 20

  27. #27
    FIUatMTSU
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 28 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 20

  28. #28
    Sacramento StatPortland St
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  29. #29
    UNLVatColorado St
    CFB· FS1One-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  30. #30
    San Diego StatHawai'i
    CFBOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  31. #31
    LSUatAlabama
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  32. #32
    Georgia StatCoastal
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 17 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 12

  33. #33
    Florida StatClemson
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 12

  34. #34
    NebraskaatUCLA
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  35. #35
    GeorgiaatMississippi St
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 10 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 8

  36. #36
    Texas A&MatMissouri
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 8

  37. #37
    TulsaatFAU
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  38. #38
    BYUatTexas Tech
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  39. #39
    Ohio StateatPurdue
    CFB· BTNOne-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
    NavyatNotre Dame
    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

  41. #41
    NevadaatUtah State
    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

  42. #42
    SMUatBoston College
    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
    The CitadelatOle Miss
    CFB· SECN+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 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 0

  44. #44
    SyracuseatMiami
    CFB· ESPNOne-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

  45. #45
    CharlotteatEast Carolina
    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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