College football fans are in for a historic Saturday as seven games featuring top-25 opponents headline Week 10, each carrying significant College Football Playoff implications. The slate opens with the Holy War in Utah, where No. 9 BYU visits No. 3 Utah at noon ET, and concludes with a prime-time showdown between No. 1 Miami and No. 11 Notre Dame in South Bend.
Key Matchups and Predictions
No. 7 Texas at No. 18 Missouri (Noon, ESPN): Analysts favor Texas -2.5, citing the Longhorns' elite defense and Missouri's vulnerability against top-tier offenses. Arch Manning's ball security will be crucial for Texas.
No. 9 BYU at No. 3 Utah (Noon, ABC): The rivalry game has averaged a 2.0-point margin over the past two years, making BYU +4.5 a popular pick despite Utah's steady play.
No. 23 Oregon at No. 12 Ohio State (3:30 p.m., CBS): Both teams are without their starting quarterbacks. The consensus leans toward the over 46.5 points, expecting a high-scoring affair as Ohio State tries to prove its playoff worth.
No. 5 Alabama at No. 14 LSU (3:30 p.m., ABC): Defensive struggles on both sides point to a lower-scoring classic, with the under 52.5 favored. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and Alabama's Keelon Russell could still produce big plays.
No. 6 Kentucky at No. 13 Tennessee (6:15 p.m., ESPN): Tennessee -6.5 is the pick, with the Vols' first night game at Neyland Stadium providing an edge. Kentucky's efficient offense will test the Tennessee defense.
No. 10 Ole Miss at No. 2 Georgia (7:30 p.m., ABC): Both teams have a history of shootouts, and the over 56.5 is favored. Ole Miss will be without star running back Kewan Lacy, while Georgia's Gunner Stockton thrives in big games.
No. 1 Miami at No. 11 Notre Dame (7:30 p.m., NBC): Notre Dame opened as a 4.5-point favorite, now 5.5, but Miami +5.5 is the pick with star receiver Malachi Toney sidelined. Notre Dame's red-zone defense has struggled, making the cover difficult.
Additionally, the Air Force vs. Army service academy game (7:30 p.m., CBS) sees an under 44.5 selection, as these contests often hinge on a few big plays rather than statistical trends.
