Combing through schedules of projected preseason Top 10 teams, what are the most important games for each?

In the College Football Playoff era, it doesn't matter when you play elite competition. The selection committee wants win and is impressed by overall dominance from start to finish.

Closing out those pivotal non-conference games against Power 5 opponents could mean the difference in a final four berth and there's several programs this season with early opportunities at gaining the national spotlight.

Paul Myerberg of USA Today has selected every Top 10 team's biggest game of 2018 and our own national analyst Brad Crawford explains why each pick is warranted or another should've been in its place.

With a wide-ranging appetite of showdown-style games opening weekend, the first week of September is one you won't want to miss: