Worth the replay?

Saturday, October 3'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
    KentuckyatSouth Carolina
    CFB· SEC NetworkOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A+
    93/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.93 (pre-game Watchability 87) = 93

  2. #2
    Texas StatSan Diego St
    CFB· CWDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    84/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 81) = 84

  3. #3
    SyracuseatUConn
    CFB· CBSSNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    78/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.78 (pre-game Watchability 56) = 78

  4. #4
    West VirginiaatIowa State
    CFB· TNTDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    77/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.87 (pre-game Watchability 75) = 77

  5. #5
    WashingtonatUSC
    CFB· NBCDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.91 (pre-game Watchability 82) = 74

  6. #6
    MichiganatMinnesota
    CFB· FoxBig comeback
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.94 (pre-game Watchability 87) = 73

  7. #7
    LouisvilleatNC State
    CFB· ACC NetworkDown to the wire
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 80) = 65

  8. #8
    TempleatSouth Florida
    CFB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.66 (pre-game Watchability 33) = 54

  9. #9
    Bowling GreenatMiami OH
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.57 (pre-game Watchability 13) = 53

  10. #10
    PurdueatIllinois
    CFB· BTN
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 63 × pre-game weight 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 61) = 50

  11. #11
    CaliforniaatUNLV
    CFB· CBSSN
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 58 × pre-game weight 0.87 (pre-game Watchability 74) = 50

  12. #12
    W MichiganatBuffalo
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.62 (pre-game Watchability 24) = 50

  13. #13
    AuburnatTennessee
    CFB· ESPN
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 54 × pre-game weight 0.87 (pre-game Watchability 74) = 47

  14. #14
    BYUatTCU
    CFB· ESPN/Disney+
    C+
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 53 × pre-game weight 0.86 (pre-game Watchability 73) = 45

  15. #15
    OhioatKent State
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    C
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 73 × pre-game weight 0.62 (pre-game Watchability 24) = 45

  16. #16
    Arkansas StatLouisiana
    CFB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.62 (pre-game Watchability 24) = 44

  17. #17
    UCFatHouston
    CFB· ESPN2Big comeback
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 61 × pre-game weight 0.73 (pre-game Watchability 46) = 44

  18. #18
    San José StatHawai'i
    CFB· MW+Down to the wire
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 68 × pre-game weight 0.64 (pre-game Watchability 27) = 43

  19. #19
    UTSAatRice
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 55 × pre-game weight 0.61 (pre-game Watchability 23) = 34

  20. #20
    FloridaatMissouri
    CFB· ABC
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95) = 34

  21. #21
    ArmyatLouisiana Tech
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 40 × pre-game weight 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 62) = 32

  22. #22
    NavyatAir Force
    CFB· CBS
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 40 × pre-game weight 0.80 (pre-game Watchability 61) = 32

  23. #23
    Oregon StatColorado St
    CFB· USA Net
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.64 (pre-game Watchability 28) = 23

  24. #24
    VirginiaatFlorida St
    CFB· ESPN2
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.85 (pre-game Watchability 70) = 22

  25. #25
    GA SouthernatCoastal
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 31 × pre-game weight 0.72 (pre-game Watchability 45) = 22

  26. #26
    E MichiganatUMass
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 32 × pre-game weight 0.61 (pre-game Watchability 22) = 19

  27. #27
    Fresno StatWashington St
    CFB· USA NetOne-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 20 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65) = 16

  28. #28
    BayloratArizona St
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 17 × pre-game weight 0.92 (pre-game Watchability 84) = 15

  29. #29
    MarylandatNebraska
    CFB· FS1Back and forthOne-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 20 × pre-game weight 0.67 (pre-game Watchability 34) = 14

  30. #30
    Texas TechatColorado
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 18 × pre-game weight 0.67 (pre-game Watchability 34) = 12

  31. #31
    SamfordatUAB
    CFB· ESPN+Back and forthOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 12

  32. #32
    AkronatC Michigan
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.53 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 9

  33. #33
    CincinnatiatArizona
    CFB· FoxOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 49) = 8

  34. #34
    Boston CollegeatSMU
    CFB· CW/ESPN UnlmtdOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.61 (pre-game Watchability 22) = 7

  35. #35
    Old DominionatGeorgia St
    CFB· ESPN+One-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 0.67 (pre-game Watchability 33) = 6

  36. #36
    Notre DameatNorth Carolina
    CFB· ESPN/Disney+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 7 × pre-game weight 0.66 (pre-game Watchability 31) = 5

  37. #37
    ToledoatBall State
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.54 (pre-game Watchability 9) = 5

  38. #38
    MarshallatJames Madison
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.60 (pre-game Watchability 19) = 5

  39. #39
    AlabamaatMississippi St
    CFB· ABCOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.84 (pre-game Watchability 69) = 3

  40. #40
    VanderbiltatGeorgia
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.66 (pre-game Watchability 32) = 3

  41. #41
    Michigan StatWisconsin
    CFB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.63 (pre-game Watchability 27) = 3

  42. #42
    Ohio StateatIowa
    CFB· CBSOne-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 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 64) = 2

  43. #43
    ArkansasatTexas A&M
    CFB· ESPN2One-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 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 41) = 1

  44. #44
    StanfordatWake Forest
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-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 0.63 (pre-game Watchability 26) = 1

  45. #45
    UL MonroeatSouth Alabama
    CFB· ESPN+One-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 0.52 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 1

  46. #46
    Utah StateatBoise St
    CFB· CBSSNOne-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 0.71 (pre-game Watchability 41) = 0

  47. #47
    MiamiatClemson
    CFB· ABCOne-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 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 62) = 0

  48. #48
    McNeeseatLSU
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-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

  49. #49
    Texas SouthernatFAU
    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

  50. #50
    IndianaatRutgers
    CFB· BTNOne-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 0.57 (pre-game Watchability 14) = 0

  51. #51
    WyomingatN Dakota St
    CFB· CWOne-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 0.54 (pre-game Watchability 9) = 0

  52. #52
    MTSUatKansas
    CFB· ESPNUOne-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 0.54 (pre-game Watchability 8) = 0

  53. #53
    MemphisatCharlotte
    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 0.53 (pre-game Watchability 6) = 0

  54. #54
    UTEPatNew Mexico
    CFB· MW+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 0.52 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 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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