In the fall, I push my electronics to the extremes on Saturdays. With several tabs open, a dual-monitor setup, my phone and more to watch as many games as possible, I can find excitement in any form of college football. Sometimes, there are games that pop to me that will receive the main focus that will not be watched by the majority of the country. These aren’t big-time non-conference matchups, conference swinging games or rivalries. It could be an FCS team traveling to take a check from an FBS opponent but also ready to take home a win. Maybe it’s two teams who will never win a national title but are competitive in their own rights. Whatever it is, when looking ahead at future schedules, there are some games I will have in my phone calendar to remind me to get excited a month in advance. 

That made me think: what future games, not just for this upcoming season but for the next decade, will have me giddy for kickoff? After scouring, I had to trim down to one game a season or this list would have been a whole novel. These games will probably not be the first, second or third game listed in any “must-watch game” article in the coming years, but for me, I will cherish watching them (at least until they get canceled for another game). 

Tulane vs. Southern Miss (Sept. 16, 2023)

I am excited for this game because it will be billed as a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, with Southern Miss and Frank Gore Jr. taking on an absolutely loaded Tulane team. However, last season, the Golden Eagles defeated the Green Wave 27-24 in New Orleans. Now, with Tulane on the road this time, the playing field should only be leveled even more. If the Green Wave want to make another trip to a New Year’s Six bowl, they cannot lose here.  

North Dakota State vs. Colorado (Aug. 31, 2024)

As a college football fan, I always cheer and wonder why any FBS team would schedule any Dakota school. As for scheduling North Dakota State, that is just plain foolishness. While Deion Sanders has brought so much excitement to Boulder, this is not the same as beating SWAC teams with former SEC recruits. While the Buffaloes will have a year under their belt in this new era of Colorado football, facing the Bison dynasty could be an absolute nightmare. 

UTSA vs. Texas A&M (Aug. 30, 2025)

UTSA has become one of the better Group of Five teams over the past few seasons, and with a jump to the American, it will be interesting to see if the Roadrunners’ success continues. This game will be a great measuring stick for both teams. While UTSA has risen with head coach Jeff Traylor, Texas A&M under Jimbo Fisher has underachieved relative to expectations. At this point in time, it’s reasonable that both coaches might not be here, as Fisher might have been fired and Traylor gone to a Power Five job. Could this game feature UTSA taking on its former head coach?

South Dakota State vs. Northwestern (Sept. 12, 2026)

Again, why FBS schools schedule any FCS Dakota school is a mystery to me. With South Dakota State appearing to build its own dynasty, this game should have the visitors favorited. Northwestern is in a downturn, but there’s always the chance the Wildcats catch lightning in a bottle and have a quality season. They’ll need it if they’re going to compete against the Jackrabbits. 

Mississippi State vs. Troy (Sept. 18, 2027)

Troy has been a fairly consistent team since joining the FBS in 2001 and has given plenty of Power Five teams a test. When Mississippi State comes to town in 2027, it will be a great atmosphere for the Trojans as these two southeastern teams face off. 

Cincinnati vs. Boise State (Sept. 2, 2028)

In the first game of a home-and-home between the programs, Boise State welcomes Cincinnati to the smurf turf. Whether the Broncos are having another good season or a rare losing year, anyone visiting one of the most famous fields in all of North American sports is in for a tough test. At this point, the Bearcats will be well-settled in the Big 12. Where the Broncos will be is a question mark, but for an early season matchup, I might try to travel to see this one. 

Missouri vs. Northern Illinois (Sept. 29, 2029)

It’s rare for SEC schools to travel to Group of Five stadiums, let alone MAC stadiums (the SEC has only traveled to play MAC teams four times heading into 2023). So for the Huskies, welcoming in the Tigers will be a treat. Projecting anything for this game is foolish, but if anything it will be a seldom-seen event in college football. 

Oregon State vs. San José State (Sept. 7, 2030)

While projecting for the previous matchup is a waste of time, all sorts of forecasting can be done for this game. San José State is sneakily building itself up and could become the next Group of Five power team, especially if it takes advantage of its location in the Bay Area. As for Oregon State, if the Beavers can hold onto Jonathan Smith, they could become an annual contender in the Pac-12, or whatever conference they will be in as the Pac-12 will probably be extinct. If both teams continue on their trajectories, this could be a top game for all college football fans by 2030.  

Alabama vs. Boston College (Sept. 13, 2031)

It was at this point where looking ahead turned into shifting through scraps. But this game is intriguing just because it is nice to see Alabama travel above the Mason-Dixon line for once. Will Nick Saban still be coaching the Death Star that is the Crimson Tide? Probably. Will Boston College still be bad? Probably. But maybe the Eagles could have one great Saturday. 

Fresno State vs. Texas Tech (Sept. 11, 2032)

As far back as I can remember, these teams have always been willing to throw the ball around the field. It has not always resulted in wins or even points, but when it all clicks, the Red Raiders and Bulldogs are must-watch offenses. Hopefully this game will have an over/under of 83.5. 

South Carolina vs. Appalachian State (Sept. 3, 2033)

Appalachian State is always a tough out, and when South Carolina has to travel into the mountains, it could be another party in Boone. The Mountaineers will play in Columbia in 2027 while this game will be the first of a home-and-home. With a 20-15 road win in 2019 for Appalachian State, this 2033 matchup could end up being a tiebreaker.