The Most Important Games of the 2017 College Football Regular Season

There was no letting up this season, as each week featured landscape-altering drama and at least one stunning upset. Below, we take a look back at the best photos from the season's biggest games.

SI Staff | Dec 1, 2017

The Most Important Games of the 2017 College Football Regular Season /

The Most Important Games of the 2017 College Football Regular Season

Alabama takes the field against Florida State prior to their season-opening game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 2 in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide won, 24–7, to remain No. 1.

Oklahoma wide receiver Lee Morris makes a catch for a touchdown against Ohio State linebacker Malik Harrison during the Sooners' 31-16 win in Columbus on Sept. 10, which helped avenge last season's blowout loss to the Buckeyes in Norman.

Clemson QB Kelly Bryant dives into the end zone during the Tigers' 47–21 win over Louisville at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium on Sept. 16. Bryant outdueled defending Heisman winner Lamar Jackson, who was harrassed by Clemson's defense all night.

TCU WR John Diarse (9) catches a nine-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter with Oklahoma State's Rodarius Williams (8) in coverage on Sept. 23. The Horned Frogs' 44-31 win signaled the Big 12 would be a three-team race with Oklahoma.

Washington State running back Jamal Morrow (25) leaps over Southern California safety Marvell Tell III (7) during the second half of Washington State's 30-27 win on Sept. 29. The Cougars ran the ball effectively and harrassed Trojans QB Sam Darnold to deal No. 5 USC its first loss.

Iowa State QB Kyle Kempt (17) throws a pass as Du'Vonta Lampkin (57) and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (31) close in during the Cyclones' 38-31 upset win over Oklahoma on Oct. 7. Kempt finished with 343 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start.

Clemson WR Hunter Renfrow is upended by Evan Foster during the first quarter of Syracuse's 27–24 win at the Carrier Dome on October 13.

Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry runs past defensive back Jordan Miller (23) and linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven (25) during the first half of the Sun Devils' stunning 13–7 upset of Washington on Oct. 14 in Tempe.

Notre Dame QB Brandon Wimbush escapes pressure from USC's Uchenna Nwosu during the Irish's 49-14 win on Oct. 21.

Saquon Barkley scores one of his three touchdowns in Penn State's 42-13 thrashing on Michigan at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 21.

J.T. Barrett fires a pass during Ohio State's comeback 39-38 win over Penn State at Ohio Stadium on Oct. 28. The Buckeyes trailed the No. 2 Nittany Lions by 18 points on two occasions.

Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs from TCU defenders Travin Howard (32), Ty Summers (42) and Chris Bradley (56) during the first half of the Cyclones 14-7 win on Oct. 28, their second upset of a top-five team this season.

Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Miami wide receiver Braxton Berrios (8) scores during the Hurricanes' 28–10 win over Virginia Tech that put Miami in control of the ACC Coastal Division on Nov. 4.

Auburn's Carlton Davis tackles Georgia RB Sony Michel during the Tigers' 40-17 win on Nov. 11 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn held the No. 1 Bulldogs to just 46 yards.

Miami's Lawrence Cager makes a catch over Notre Dame's Julian Love during Miami's 41–8 win over Notre Dame on Nov. 11.

Oklahoma tight end Grant Calcaterra catches a touchdown pass over TCU linebacker Montrel Wilson in the Sooners' 38-20 win on Nov. 11.

Wisconsin's T.J. Edwards reacts after sacking Michigan QB Brandon Peters during Wisconsin's 24-10 win at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 18.

Miami's DeeJay Dallas is wrapped up by the Pittsburgh defense at Heinz Field on Nov. 24. The Panthers won 24-14, dealing the Hurricanes their first loss.

Auburn RB Kerryon Johnson reaches for a touchdown during the Tigers' 26-14 upset win over Alabama on Nov. 25, their second win over a No. 1 team in November.

Published Dec 1, 2017

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