Worth the replay?

Saturday, October 31'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
    MinnesotaatIndiana
    CFB· CBSOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A+
    87/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.87 (pre-game Watchability 74) = 87

  2. #2
    Texas StatBoise St
    CFB· CWDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 97 × pre-game weight 0.86 (pre-game Watchability 72) = 83

  3. #3
    SMUatSyracuse
    CFB· ESPN2Big comebackBack and forth
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 99 × pre-game weight 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 62) = 80

  4. #4
    Kansas StatColorado
    CFB· TNTOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    78/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.84 (pre-game Watchability 68) = 78

  5. #5
    Oklahoma StatIowa State
    CFB· FoxDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    77/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.77 (pre-game Watchability 53) = 77

  6. #6
    IllinoisatMaryland
    CFB· FS1Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    77/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 64) = 77

  7. #7
    ArizonaatTexas Tech
    CFB· ESPNBack and forth
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.98 (pre-game Watchability 95) = 76

  8. #8
    KansasatTCU
    CFB· FS1Down to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.80 (pre-game Watchability 60) = 75

  9. #9
    WashingtonatNebraska
    CFB· BTNBig comeback
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.89 (pre-game Watchability 78) = 73

  10. #10
    ClemsonatFlorida St
    CFB· ACC Network
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.87 (pre-game Watchability 74) = 62

  11. #11
    MiamiatNorth Carolina
    CFB· ABCDown to the wireBack and forth
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 61 × pre-game weight 0.85 (pre-game Watchability 70) = 52

  12. #12
    NorthwesternatOregon
    CFB· Peacock
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 52 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90) = 50

  13. #13
    Arizona StatBYU
    CFB· Fox
    C
    37/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 45 × pre-game weight 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 63) = 37

  14. #14
    UConnatAir Force
    CFB· MW+
    D
    35/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 47 × pre-game weight 0.74 (pre-game Watchability 47) = 35

  15. #15
    Ohio StateatUSC
    CFB· NBC
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 94) = 32

  16. #16
    MichiganatRutgers
    CFB· BTN
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 48 × pre-game weight 0.67 (pre-game Watchability 35) = 32

  17. #17
    Washington StatSan Diego St
    CFB· CBSSN
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.72 (pre-game Watchability 45) = 26

  18. #18
    South CarolinaatOklahoma
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 23 × pre-game weight 0.96 (pre-game Watchability 92) = 22

  19. #19
    Oregon StatFresno St
    CFB· USA NetOne-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 22 × pre-game weight 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 61) = 18

  20. #20
    CoastalatGeorgia St
    CFB· ESPN+
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.60 (pre-game Watchability 19) = 18

  21. #21
    New MexicoatSan José St
    CFB· MW+
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 27 × pre-game weight 0.62 (pre-game Watchability 24) = 17

  22. #22
    Louisiana TechatSouth Alabama
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 24 × pre-game weight 0.62 (pre-game Watchability 24) = 15

  23. #23
    ArmyatMemphis
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 51) = 12

  24. #24
    TempleatEast Carolina
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.62 (pre-game Watchability 24) = 12

  25. #25
    N IllinoisatUNLV
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 23 × pre-game weight 0.51 (pre-game Watchability 1) = 11

  26. #26
    Southern MissatUL Monroe
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension14/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.57 (pre-game Watchability 14) = 11

  27. #27
    AuburnatOle Miss
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90) = 10

  28. #28
    MarshallatOld Dominion
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.64 (pre-game Watchability 28) = 10

  29. #29
    CaliforniaatNC State
    CFB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 39) = 9

  30. #30
    UABatSouth Florida
    CFB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.61 (pre-game Watchability 21) = 9

  31. #31
    Bowling GreenatW Michigan
    CFB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.53 (pre-game Watchability 5) = 8

  32. #32
    PurdueatPenn State
    CFB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.76 (pre-game Watchability 52) = 7

  33. #33
    StanfordatLouisville
    CFB· ACC NetworkBack and forthOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 10 × pre-game weight 0.66 (pre-game Watchability 31) = 7

  34. #34
    WisconsinatIowa
    CFB· FoxOne-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 93) = 6

  35. #35
    Notre DameatNavy
    CFB· ABCOne-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 0.72 (pre-game Watchability 45) = 5

  36. #36
    App StateatGA Southern
    CFB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.61 (pre-game Watchability 23) = 5

  37. #37
    UtahatCincinnati
    CFB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.91 (pre-game Watchability 82) = 4

  38. #38
    MissouriatArkansas
    CFB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.89 (pre-game Watchability 78) = 4

  39. #39
    FloridaatGeorgia
    CFB· ABC/Disney+One-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.98 (pre-game Watchability 97) = 3

  40. #40
    Colorado StatUtah State
    CFB· USA NetOne-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 0.65 (pre-game Watchability 30) = 3

  41. #41
    Boston CollegeatDuke
    CFB· CWOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.76 (pre-game Watchability 52) = 3

  42. #42
    VirginiaatWake Forest
    CFB· ESPN2One-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 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 62) = 2

  43. #43
    UTEPatN Dakota St
    CFB· MW+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.53 (pre-game Watchability 6) = 2

  44. #44
    Georgia TechatPitt
    CFB· ESPN2One-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 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 51) = 2

  45. #45
    Mississippi StatTexas
    CFB· ESPN/Disney+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 0.88 (pre-game Watchability 76) = 0

  46. #46
    NevadaatUCLA
    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 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 41) = 0

  47. #47
    FIUatLiberty
    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 0.62 (pre-game Watchability 23) = 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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