In college football, conference matchups have a certain familiarity that makes them enjoyable to watch year in and year out, but it’s also fun to see the national powerhouses from different leagues go to battle.

Fortunately, this seems to be on its way to becoming a more common occurrence nowadays as programs look to beef up their respective out-of-conference schedules in order to make their resumes look better in the eyes of the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Much like last year, the 2015 college football season features an extraordinary slate of non-conference games, starting with an action-packed week one and continuing through the final week of the regular season, rivalry week.

Here’s a look at the five best non-conference matchups of 2015.

5. OHIO STATE at VIRGINIA TECH

Date: Monday, Sept. 7, 8 PM, ESPN

Site: Lane Stadium – Blacksburg, Va.

Last year, the lone blemish on Ohio State’s record came at the hands of Virginia Tech in the second week of the regular season, so this is the Buckeyes’ shot at redemption. The two teams went in very different directions following that surprising upset, with the Hokies dropping 6 of their next 9 en route to a disappointing 7-6 season, while the Buckeyes ran the table, winning 13 games in a row to capture the national title. All three of the Buckeyes’ talented quarterbacks are back – J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones, Braxton Miller – but the starting job remains up in the air. Despite the Hokies’ struggles, they were still pretty good defensively and that should again be the case in 2015, led by one of the nation’s top cornerbacks in Kendall Fuller. Armed with a loaded roster, Ohio State is primed for a repeat, and the road begins in Blacksburg.

4. ARIZONA STATE vs. TEXAS A&M

Date: Saturday, Sept. 5, TBA

Site: NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas

This opening week matchup features representatives of the two strongest divisions in all of college football, the SEC West and the Pac-12 South. Texas A&M’s roster is stacked with young talent on both sides of the ball and the Aggies should be much-improved now that those youngsters have gained some experience. The explosive A&M offense will be guided by sophomore QB Kyle Allen, who will be armed with a loaded wide receiver corps headlined by Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones. The Aggies’ defense leaves much to be desired, but it does feature second-year DE Myles Garrett, one of the best young pass-rushers in the country. Here, Garrett will be matched up against an Arizona State offensive line that struggled in pass protection last season, surrendering 40 sacks in 13 games (113th nationally). The Sun Devils’ offensive attack will be led by do-it-all playmaker D.J. Foster, who racked up 1,081 rushing yards and 688 receiving yards in 2014. With two high-powered offenses going at it, this game shouldn’t be short on excitement.

3. USC at NOTRE DAME

Date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 7:30 PM, NBC

Site: Notre Dame Stadium – South Bend, Ind.

Two of the most decorated programs in college football history, these teams certainly don’t lack a familiarity with each other, having met 86 times in the past including every year since 1946. Both teams are coming off somewhat disappointing seasons, but looking to contend for the national title in 2015. The Trojans’ offense, with QB Cody Kessler at the helm, will be able to score in bunches and he’ll have a bevy of young playmakers to work with, led by WR JuJu Smith, along with an offensive line that returns all five starters. They’ll be facing a similarly loaded Notre Dame defense featuring a number of All-American candidates, including LB Jaylon Smith and FS Max Redfield. Malik Zaire will lead the Fighting Irish offense after taking over as the starting QB in the bowl game, with one of the nation’s top offensive linemen, LT Ronnie Stanley, protecting his blind side. The Trojans will be led defensively by junior LB Su’a Cravens and sophomore CB Adoree’ Jackson, who will also see time on offense and special teams. It’d be tough to find another non-conference matchup that tops this one in terms of the young talent that will be on display.

2. OREGON at MICHIGAN STATE

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 PM, ABC

Site: Spartan Stadium – East Lansing, Mich.

The second week of the 2015 regular season features a rematch of last year’s top non-conference matchup. In the first meeting, Oregon prevailed 46-27 at Autzen Stadium in a game that was closer than the final score indicates, but the action shifts to Michigan State’s Spartan Stadium in 2015. With Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota off to the NFL, the Ducks will be breaking in a new quarterback and this will mark his first major test, as the always-tough Spartans’ defense returns seven starters, including All-American defensive end Shilique Calhoun. Mariota accounted for 360 yards of total offense against the Spartans last season, so it’ll be difficult to replace his production, but Oregon still has a talented stable of running backs – headlined by Royce Freeman – and wide receivers to help take pressure off the new signal-caller. The Michigan State offense remains in great shape despite losing both its top rusher and receiver, as quarterback Connor Cook returns along with one of the best offensive lines in the country. This win catapulted Oregon on a run to the national title game in 2014 and this year's winner could see a similar result.

1. WISCONSIN vs. ALABAMA

Date: Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 PM, ABC

Site: AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

For the second straight year, Wisconsin will open its regular season schedule on a neutral field in the Lone Star State against an SEC West power. Last year the Badgers met LSU in Houston – blowing a 17-point lead to lose 28-24. This year it’s defending SEC West champion Alabama at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. New Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst will have his hands full in his debut, going up against a team that will open the season ranked in the top 5. The battle in the trenches will certainly be fun to watch, as the Badgers’ offensive line is consistently among the nation’s best and the same holds true for the Crimson Tide’s defensive front. Given that both teams have to replace their biggest playmakers from last season – Heisman finalists Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper – the offenses will be looking for ways to make up that production. This game will likely be won on the ground, so you can expect to see a heavy dose of both Alabama’s Derrick Henry and Wisconsin’s Corey Clement, potentially sparking a Heisman run.

BEST OF THE REST

Michigan at Utah | Thursday, Sept. 3, 8:30 PM

TCU at Minnesota | Thursday, Sept. 3, 9 PM

Auburn vs. Louisville (Georgia Dome) | Saturday, Sept. 5, TBA

Texas at Notre Dame | Saturday, Sept. 5, TBA

Oklahoma at Tennessee | Saturday, Sept. 12, TBA

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame | Saturday, Sept. 19, 3:30 PM

Nebraska at Miami | Saturday, Sept. 19, 3:30 PM

BYU at UCLA | Saturday, Sept. 19, TBA

Notre Dame at Clemson | Saturday, Oct. 3, TBA

Georgia at Georgia Tech | Saturday, Nov. 28, TBA

Florida State at Florida | Saturday, Nov. 28, TBA

Clemson at South Carolina | Saturday, Nov. 28, TBA

