Best 2016 Pac-12 non-conference football games: Stanford vs. Notre Dame rematch a must-see

Even spring football can't stave of post-signing day pre-NFL Draft spring college football boredom. To pass the time, let's look at the best games on an excellent slate of 2016 Pac-12 non-conference games.

10. September 2 - Kansas State at Stanford

This opening night game might seem like a snoozer but consider Stanford's opener last year and that they will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. Even if the Cardinal get the comfortable win most expect, it will still be interesting to see their new starting quarterback and Christian McCaffrey start his Heisman campaign against a power conference foe.

9. September 17 - Texas at Cal

A rematch of one of the craziest games in all of college football in 2015. The Bears will host the Longhorns without Jared Goff and get a chance to prove that the Bear Raid can soar while Goffless against a still highly-questionable Texas team who will be looking to show they are improved team and get a win on the road. This might also be a good game to check the pulse of the Cal fanbase as the stands may be almost entirely burnt orange they way they were red when Ohio State came to town a few years ago, but hopefully not.

8. September 17 - UCLA at BYU

The Bruins head up to the snakepit that is Provo just two weeks after playing in College Station. The Cougars aren't supposed to be a juggernaut in 2016, but Provo is always a very tough place to win and the Cougars are always a tough team to face, especially if you are one filling as many holes early in the season as the Bruins are.

7. September 10 -  BYU at Utah

The Holy War is back again after it got kicked off again in last season's Las Vegas Bowl. These hated rivals look pretty evenly matched heading into 2016 so expect a tight, hard-fought one in Salt Lake City with every win being really important for both teams in 2016.

6. September 17 - Oregon at Nebraska

Mike Riley gets a chance to end his losing streak to Oregon with his new team and whoever wins the Duck QB job gets his first road test. The Ducks will have a lot to prove in Lincoln so should be pulling out all the stops and could face a very stiff test as the last time we saw the Cornhuskers, they were thumping UCLA.

5. September 3 - UCLA at Texas A&M

A major prove it game for both teams in what should be a crazy environment in Kyle Field. This will be a major test for the Bruins and Josh Rosen and as long as they are up for it, I think we get a great opening Saturday game in as fun of a setting as you could probably pick.

4. September 10 - Washington State at Boise State

The Cougars were the last non-conference team to beat Boise State at Bronco Stadium all the way back in 2001. The Cougars and Luke Falk are very capable of being the next non-conference team to win their, but the Broncos won't go down easy at home in a very interesting Northwest non-conference showdown.

3. November 26 - Notre Dame at USC

Depending on how the season unfolds, Notre Dame and maybe, maybe USC could be Playoff contenders in this season-closing rivalry game. Regardless a lot of bowl implications and rivalry points will be on the line in The Coliseum in a game where USC could score a huge win.

2. September 3 - USC vs. Alabama (Arlington, TX)

This one could be ugly, but it also could be the non-conference game for the season and a chance for the Trojans and their next starting QB to make the statement of all statements. Regardless, it is going to be really fun to see Alabama and Nick Saban take on a Pac-12 team for the first time in ages.

1. October 15 - Stanford at Notre Dame

The rematch of last season's game of the year takes place mid-season in South Bend this time and Playoff implications should be on the line again. Expect major fireworks and tension in this one.