What the watch score and tags mean
The watch score runs 0 to 100 and higher is better. It blends how close the game projects (40%, from the betting line when one is posted and otherwise the Sagarin margin), what the result could do to the projected 12-team playoff field (30%), the two teams' combined rating (22%) and whether it is a rivalry (8%). The word beside each score is a band: Must watch is 75 and up, Worth watching is 55 to 74, On the radar is 35 to 54 and Background is under 35.
The tag says why a game stands out. Tags are checked in order and the first one that fits is shown: Rivalry, playoff stakes (both teams are in the projected field and it is a rivalry), Playoff clash (both teams in the projected field), Rivalry (a long-standing rivalry game), Elimination watch (a projected field team in a close game), Bubble watch (two teams just outside the field, the next ten in line for an at-large bid), Toss-up (a near coin-flip projected margin), Ranked matchup (two ranked teams) and Quality teams (a high combined rating).