Ranking the Top 16 Must-Watch College Football Games of 2016

[dduncan4163]

Ranking the Top 16 Must-Watch College Football Games of 2016 | Bleacher Report

7. Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech

What if I told you two border rivals who rarely meet are getting together on the infield of a NASCAR speedway noted for its noise levels, intensity and overall fan experience? You’d be excited, right? Well, get excited for Tennessee-Virginia Tech. The Volunteers and Hokies will meet Sept. 10 at Bristol Motor Speedway in one of the most eagerly anticipated games in recent college football history.
Although some premium tickets are still available, “The Battle At Bristol” is expected to attract more than 150,000 fans, which would smash the record for the biggest crowd in college football history (115,109 for Notre Dame-Michigan in 2013), per Grant Ramey of the Knoxville News-Sentinel. And it should be an excellent game, as well.
Virginia Tech will be playing its second game under new coach Justin Fuente, who brings in a fast-paced attack for a program that had stagnated under Frank Beamer, who retired after 29 seasons in Blacksburg. Meanwhile, Tennessee hopes to take the next step after five-, seven- and nine-win seasons under Butch Jones’ guidance. It’ll be one of the best settings of 2016—one you’ll want to tune in for.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

How the TN - AL game doesn't make the list is a real head scratcher.

 

[TAF]

There's a pretty good game on September 24th...which is a little more important than the Barnum & Bailey Battle @ Bristol...

 

[peyton4heisman]

Top 16 games of 2016:

12 regular season Tennessee games, SECCG, 2 TN playoff games including the NCG

Aaaaaaand the Iron Bowl (had to pick something! War Eagle big time here

This is the year boys and girls! It's great. To be. A Tennessee Vol!

 

[TrueOrange]

Top 16 games of 2016:

12 regular season Tennessee games, SECCG, 2 TN playoff games including the NCG

Aaaaaaand the Iron Bowl (had to pick something! War Eagle big time here

This is the year boys and girls! It's great. To be. A Tennessee Vol!

No you did it wrong.

The 12 regular season Tennessee Volunteers games.

The SEC Championship featuring the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Tennessee Volunteers CFP Semifinal game.

The CFP finals featuring the Tennessee Volunteers.

And then the impromptu, double secret NCAA/NFL invitational where the Tennessee Volunteers cruise to a humiliating victory over a team of both the Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowl rosters.

 

[zeppelin128]

I understand the unusual nature and significance of the Battle at Bristol, but how the Third Saturday in October isn't on the list instead is baffling. This will likely be our biggest game in almost a decade.

 

[joevol33]

Gonna be a good one.

 

[paradox89]

There's a pretty good game on September 24th...which is a little more important than the Barnum & Bailey Battle @ Bristol...

To Vol and SEC fans, yes...from a national viewpoint though, the Battle at Bristol is more enticing.

 

[checkerboards09]

The Battle at Bristol will be the biggest football game ever played attendance wise. It should definitely be #1.

 

[peyton4heisman]

No you did it wrong.

The 12 regular season Tennessee Volunteers games.

The SEC Championship featuring the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Tennessee Volunteers CFP Semifinal game.

The CFP finals featuring the Tennessee Volunteers.

And then the impromptu, double secret NCAA/NFL invitational where the Tennessee Volunteers cruise to a humiliating victory over a team of both the Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowl rosters.

I thought about it, but I figured we would've already played Bammer twice already so I figured I'd give it a rest!

 

[Crazy Ivan]

To Vol and SEC fans, yes...from a national viewpoint though, the Battle at Bristol is more enticing.

Bama vs UT could feature a top-10 match up same as several of those others that were listed. Why would all of those match ups, especially some of those between Big 12 teams, have a stronger national interest than 2 top-10 SEC teams?