No. 1: Clemson Football at Florida State Seminoles
The undisputed most important game of the season for Clemson Football is also the best shot they have at playing in a game that will host GameDay. With the format of the new 12-team playoff, a team can be forgiven for an out-of-conference loss to a contender like Georgia. It will be less forgiving to a non-Power 2 team that doesn’t win their conference championship, whether that is fair or not.
The importance of the game is a strong motivating factor. The drama of Clemson facing their old quarterback, DJ Uiagalelei, will give GameDay fuel for a billion pre-game features.
Additionally, the best options after this are going to be on FOX, and ESPN does prefer to put GameDay on a game they will broadcast if at all possible.
Here is all you need to know this is an objective conclusion: even everyone’s favorite Gamecock homer, Brad Crawford, agrees that Clemson at Florida State will be GameDay’s destination on October 5th.
"Clemson, Florida State, Miami, NC State, Virginia Tech, Louisville — the ACC has a half-dozen teams, maybe more, who could win a wide open league. Two of perennial frontrunners matchup up in Tallahassee could provide an early indicator on which of these two are in best shape to get to the playoff. Clemson lost a heartbreaker last season to the Seminoles and will be out for revenge on the road. Like he's done the last several recruiting cycles, FSU's Mike Norvell revamped his roster in the portal and expects the Seminoles to defend their throne atop the conference."Brad Crawford
Other options: Iowa at Ohio State, Michigan at Washington