Worth the replay?

Saturday, September 26'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
    IowaatMichigan
    CFB· CBSBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 96 × pre-game weight 0.83 (pre-game Watchability 67) = 80

  2. #2
    Air ForceatNevada
    CFB· FS1OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.80 (pre-game Watchability 60) = 80

  3. #3
    MissouriatMississippi St
    CFB· SEC NetworkDown to the wire
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.94 (pre-game Watchability 88) = 80

  4. #4
    Gardner-WebbatMarshall
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  5. #5
    WisconsinatPenn State
    CFB· PeacockBig comeback
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.86 (pre-game Watchability 71) = 74

  6. #6
    Georgia TechatStanford
    CFB· ESPNBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.83 (pre-game Watchability 66) = 70

  7. #7
    Wake ForestatLouisville
    CFB· ESPN/Disney+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 51) = 66

  8. #8
    Kansas StatCincinnati
    CFB· ESPN2
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 69 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 80) = 62

  9. #9
    Kennesaw StatArkansas St
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.78 (pre-game Watchability 55) = 62

  10. #10
    UConnatMiami OH
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.68 (pre-game Watchability 36) = 58

  11. #11
    Virginia TechatBoston College
    CFB· ACC NetworkDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50) = 57

  12. #12
    OregonatUSC
    CFB· NBCBack and forth
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 56 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 94) = 54

  13. #13
    TexasatTennessee
    CFB· ABC
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 53 × pre-game weight 0.92 (pre-game Watchability 84) = 49

  14. #14
    Southern MissatTulane
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.53 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 45

  15. #15
    Oklahoma StatWest Virginia
    CFB· FS1Big comeback
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 50 × pre-game weight 0.87 (pre-game Watchability 74) = 44

  16. #16
    TCUatUCF
    CFB· FS1
    C
    41/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 46 × pre-game weight 0.91 (pre-game Watchability 82) = 41

  17. #17
    MinnesotaatWashington
    CFB· Fox
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 43 × pre-game weight 0.89 (pre-game Watchability 78) = 38

  18. #18
    Hawai'iatWyoming
    CFB· CW
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 43 × pre-game weight 0.77 (pre-game Watchability 53) = 33

  19. #19
    ArizonaatWashington St
    CFB· CBS
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 36 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 79) = 32

  20. #20
    App StateatNC State
    CFB· ESPNU
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 50 × pre-game weight 0.54 (pre-game Watchability 9) = 27

  21. #21
    ColoradoatBaylor
    CFB· ESPN2Back and forth
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.80 (pre-game Watchability 59) = 26

  22. #22
    TroyatUtah State
    CFB· CBSSN
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.65 (pre-game Watchability 31) = 23

  23. #23
    Colorado StatUTSA
    CFB· ESPNU
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.67 (pre-game Watchability 34) = 20

  24. #24
    South FloridaatBowling Green
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 34 × pre-game weight 0.54 (pre-game Watchability 7) = 18

  25. #25
    MTSUatJax State
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.59 (pre-game Watchability 19) = 18

  26. #26
    VanderbiltatAuburn
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.91 (pre-game Watchability 82) = 17

  27. #27
    RiceatFresno St
    CFB· CWBack and forth
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 27 × pre-game weight 0.64 (pre-game Watchability 29) = 17

  28. #28
    UCLAatMaryland
    CFB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 14 × pre-game weight 0.92 (pre-game Watchability 83) = 13

  29. #29
    Robert MorrisatBuffalo
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 17 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 13

  30. #30
    Ole MissatFlorida
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.99 (pre-game Watchability 97) = 12

  31. #31
    UtahatIowa State
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 14 × pre-game weight 0.71 (pre-game Watchability 43) = 10

  32. #32
    Ball StateatKent State
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.63 (pre-game Watchability 26) = 9

  33. #33
    South AlabamaatKentucky
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.57 (pre-game Watchability 15) = 9

  34. #34
    Missouri StatSMU
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.52 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 7

  35. #35
    NebraskaatMichigan St
    CFB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.78 (pre-game Watchability 57) = 6

  36. #36
    San Diego StatToledo
    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 0.69 (pre-game Watchability 39) = 6

  37. #37
    LouisianaatCharlotte
    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 10 × pre-game weight 0.61 (pre-game Watchability 22) = 6

  38. #38
    Texas A&MatLSU
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.98 (pre-game Watchability 97) = 5

  39. #39
    James MadisonatOld Dominion
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.86 (pre-game Watchability 71) = 5

  40. #40
    South CarolinaatAlabama
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.86 (pre-game Watchability 72) = 5

  41. #41
    N IllinoisatGeorgia St
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.58 (pre-game Watchability 17) = 5

  42. #42
    UNLVatAkron
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.57 (pre-game Watchability 14) = 4

  43. #43
    FAUatUL Monroe
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 7 × pre-game weight 0.59 (pre-game Watchability 17) = 4

  44. #44
    TulsaatArkansas
    CFB· SECN+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 0.59 (pre-game Watchability 18) = 4

  45. #45
    Boise StatW Michigan
    CFB· ESPN2One-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 0.74 (pre-game Watchability 48) = 4

  46. #46
    HoustonatGA Southern
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.59 (pre-game Watchability 19) = 3

  47. #47
    OklahomaatGeorgia
    CFB· ESPN/Disney+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.94 (pre-game Watchability 88) = 2

  48. #48
    C ArkansasatFlorida St
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  49. #49
    StonehillatOhio
    CFB· ESPN+One-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  50. #50
    NC CentralatEast Carolina
    CFB· ESPN+One-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  51. #51
    Incarnate WordatTexas St
    CFB· USA NetOne-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  52. #52
    Hou ChristianatNorth Texas
    CFB· ESPN+One-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  53. #53
    UMassatSacramento St
    CFB· ESPN+One-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 0.52 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 2

  54. #54
    LindenwoodatE Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+One-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  55. #55
    C MichiganatMiami
    CFB· CWOne-sided
    D
    1/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.53 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 1

  56. #56
    Oregon StatUTEP
    CFB· MW+One-sided
    D
    1/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 2 × pre-game weight 0.57 (pre-game Watchability 15) = 1

  57. #57
    Long IslandatFIU
    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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 0

  58. #58
    BucknellatPitt
    CFB· ACCNXOne-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 0

  59. #59
    William & MaryatDuke
    CFB· ACCNXOne-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 0

  60. #60
    MercyhurstatWestern KY
    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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, 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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