The 2021 season is still months away, but we’re ready to look ahead to the best of 2021. We went through spots 11-38 earlier, and now we enter the top 10.
While many of the nonconference games across the state feature games that will likely end in bloodbaths, our top 10 list has almost exclusively games that could go 50/50. Three of the games feature Power Five teams going up against Power Five opponents – but all of the top four are P5 vs. Group of Five games that could go the distance.
Nonconference games can’t make a season, but they can surely break one. When picking our favorite games of the year, the games that could change everything rose to the top of our list.
Here is how we rank the top 10 Texas FBS nonconference games of 2021.
10. TCU vs. California
Date: Sept. 11
Location: Amon Carter Stadium
Records: TCU (6-4, 5-4), California (1-3, 1-3)
All of us can only pray that the mayhem of the Cheez-It Bowl cometh once again. More realistically, this will be an important moment for the Horned Frogs to step up and put away an intriguing opponent while prepping for the regular season.
The Golden Bears played just four games in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions, so take the record with a grain of salt. Quarterback Chase Garbers was good when he played and is back for another year. The defense should be extra salty. Watch out for Bears.
9. Texas A&M at Colorado
Date: Sept. 11
Location: Mile High Stadium
Records: Texas A&M (9-1, 8-1), Colorado (4-1, 3-1)
The Aggies have a manageable path to conference play, but the former Big 12 conference-mate Colorado will provide an interesting challenge. The Buffaloes had an intriguing first season under first-year head coach Karl Dorrell, and former Bishop Lynch standout Jarek Broussard showed some big moves at tailback.
The Aggies will beat Colorado, but going on the road and facing off against a spicy Colorado running back will put the defense to the test right away. Plus, for Texas A&M fans, the opportunity to travel west and see one of the most beautiful states in the nation will be a draw.