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We highlight the college football games of Week 10 that are the most important or should be the best games to maximize your viewing pleasure.
The 25 Best College Football Games Of Week 10
Week 9 saw a lot of Houdini acts to keep teams in the running for the CFP. Some more ranked teams fell. We don’t have a bunch of rivalries like we have had the last two weeks. This is the week that all college football fans had circled on their calendars after the preseason rankings came out. Most of these didn’t age well. The Ohio State-Penn State tilt is a big nothing burger. They’re not the only ones, just the most egregious. What games should we be interested in? We’ll go over it with you. Some of those games will still be as good as advertised. All times listed are in Eastern time.
25. Tulane at UTSA
Where to watch: ESPN, 7:30 p.m. (Thursday)
UTSA is tough at home, and Tulane needs to keep pace in the American. The Green Wave are slight (4.5-point) favorites in Vegas. Tulane is a bit heavier favorite per FPI at 65%. The Alamodome is going to be rocking tonight!
24. Penn State at (1) Ohio State
Where to watch: Fox, noon
This was supposed to be the Game of the Century. This was supposed to decide the Big Ten. Then the games started being played, and we found out that Penn State went backward. I want to see how Penn State does with an interim coach. They will likely get a bit of a boost, but without Drew Allar, I’m not sure it matters. Part of me thinks the Buckeyes show up just like Indiana did against UCLA last week.
23. Pittsburgh at Stanford
Where to watch: ACC Network, 3:30 p.m.
We’re just here to see what Mason Heintschel will do next. We’re also here to see if Pitt has jet lag and the Stanford defense locks down the offense. Pitt lost the Backyard Brawl. Anything is possible.
22. (12) Notre Dame at Boston College
Where to watch: ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
This was the original “Holy War” before BYU and Utah took it over. Both of these colleges are Catholic, so they generally agree. I never understood the Holy War being tied to this. We’re watching to see how many points Notre Dame will score and if Marcus Freeman will let Jeremiyah Love run enough to enter the Heisman conversation. This will likely be a blowout. We’re just following trends here. Notre Dame needs to win out and win big to get that coveted CFP spot.
21. Mississippi State at Arkansas
Where to watch: SEC Network, 4 p.m.
Taylen Green’s brand of hero ball will take on the Mississippi State defense that gave up 17 fourth-quarter points to an average Texas offense. This is going to be fun to watch, but maybe not if you’re a Mississippi State fan. Arkansas is a slight home favorite of 4.5 points. FPI gives Taylen Green a 60% chance of a win.
20. Rutgers at Illinois
Where to watch: NBC, noon
This Rutgers offense will test the Illinois defense. The over/under at 62.5 may not be safe. Athan Kaliakmanis is having a good season, and the Rutgers receivers are legit. Luke Altmyer isn’t putting up huge stats, but he is taking care of the ball. Something can be said for that. FPI has Illinois as a heavy favorite at 79.7%. Vegas agrees, with the spread at 12.5 points.
19. (25) Memphis at Rice
Where to watch: ESPN2, 7 p.m. (Friday)
Rice runs the ball more than any non-service academy team in the country, so playing them is like one giant game of keep away. The bad part is that Rice doesn’t have a good defense. Rice’s style works on lesser teams, but the chances of it working against a team like Memphis are not good. FPI (91.9%) and Vegas (-13.5) agree. This is another one of those situations where Memphis is the team coming off a big win. Is there a letdown coming?
18. Kentucky at Auburn
Where to watch: SEC Network, 7:30 p.m.
We’re watching this one to see if Cutter Boley is the real deal for Kentucky. The Auburn defense is going to test him on the road. We also want to see if Auburn has the stones to move on from Jackson Arnold. According to Hugh Freeze, there is an open quarterback competition leading into this game. Come on, Hugh! All that you had to do was ask any Oklahoma fan. We know all too much about Jackson Arnold’s limitations. Auburn is surprisingly a heavy favorite (-10.5) in Vegas, and FPI agrees (77.1%). I’m not so sure.
17. Wyoming at San Diego State
Where to watch: CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
On the surface, this looks like a matchup of two solid two-loss teams. Vegas doesn’t think so (-17.5), and neither does FPI (91.8% Boise).
16. South Carolina at (7) Mississippi
Where to watch: ESPN, 7 p.m.
South Carolina has been a magnificent flop so far, but don’t put all of the blame on LaNorris Sellers. The offensive line has been terrible. That’s important. Just ask Texas and Auburn. It has stunted the South Carolina run game, which has poked a hole in the passing game. We’ll watch this game because South Carolina has the talent to win this game, and Ole Miss is coming off a big win. Vegas (-14.5) and FPI (81%) aren’t expecting a letdown for the Rebels.
15. Fresno State at Boise State
Where to watch: FS1, 3:30 p.m.
On the surface, this looks like a matchup of two solid two-loss teams. Vegas doesn’t think so (-17.5), and neither does FPI (91.8% Boise). Fresno has won back-to-back games in this series for the first time since both teams joined the same conference in 2001. Three in a row seems unlikely according to the experts and the metrics, but that’s why we watch.
14. Army at Air Force
Where to watch: CBS, noon
This is leg two of the Commander-in-Chief trophy. Navy beat Air Force in the first leg. Army needs a win here to assure that the winner of the Army-Navy game wins the CIC trophy. FPI gives Army a solid 55.7% chance of winning. Vegas opened with Army as the favorite, but it has flipped to the Falcons -1.5. When Vegas has no idea what to do, that usually makes for an entertaining game.
13. (10) Miami (FL) at SMU
Where to watch: ESPN, noon
This is Miami’s first trip out of the state of Florida in 2025. It’s November! Even with the favorable schedule, Miami didn’t make it through unscathed, and the ACC may be in a state of flux because of the unbalanced schedules again. This was once thought to be a marquee game since SMU got to the CFP without having to play Miami or Clemson during the regular season. “What will mighty SMU do when they have to face Miami?” Well, SMU is no longer mighty, and Miami missed a four-footer for par. The spread is up to -12.5 in favor of Miami. FPI isn’t that far onboard yet (70.1%). I’m on FPI’s side. Remember what happened when Missouri left home for the first time against South Carolina?
12. Virginia at California
Where to watch: ESPN2, 3:45 p.m.
Virginia didn’t get saddled with a night game on the West Coast. The Wahoos get the SMU treatment this year. They beat Florida State and Louisville, and can now coast to Charlotte. Is that enough to get into the CFP? Probably not as an at-large, but Georgia Tech would. Virginia is a 4.5-point road favorite. FPI generally agrees, with a 67.6% chance of a Virginia win.
11. Georgia Tech at North Carolina State
Where to watch: ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
Georgia Tech is on a one-way ticket to Charlotte and likely to the CFP if they just keep winning. Many dreams have been shattered on the field of Carter-Finley Stadium. A couple of times, it was Clemson. Usually, it’s just the home team. Brent Key is starting to turn Haynes King loose, which makes this game worth watching even if you don’t care about either team. Vegas has Tech as a road favorite (-6.5). FPI is a little heavier on Tech (71%).
10. Hawaii at San Jose State
Where to watch: CBS Sports Network, 10:30 p.m.
If you love offense, specifically passing offense, this is one you’ll want to stay up for. It’s the final game of the night, and there will be plenty of passing. Both teams pass far more than normal teams. With quarterbacks Micah Alejado of Hawaii and Walker Eget of San Jose State, who can blame them? Two of the best receivers you’ve never heard of will also be on display here with Pofele Ashlock of Hawaii and Danny Scudero of San Jose State. The Spartans are a slight home favorite (-2.5) in Vegas. FPI is more convinced of a San Jose win at 65.3%.
9. Wake Forest at Florida State
Where to watch: ACC Network, 7:30 p.m.
One of these teams is still in the hunt for the CFP, and it’s not the one you think. Wake Forest is sitting at 5-2, and should be 6-1 for a non-call at the end of the Georgia Tech game. That non-call is going to go a long way toward deciding the ACC. Florida State has historically dominated this series, but Wake has won three of the last four meetings. Vegas heavily favors the Seminoles (-9.5). FPI feels the same at 83.3%. I’m not sure. Check my betting picks on Friday to see which way I’m going with this one.
8. (23) USC at Nebraska
Where to watch: NBC, 7:30 p.m.
USC was gifted a win against Nebraska on a blown call to end the game in L.A. last year, and the fans are still salty about it. Claims of Nebraska being “back” were greatly overstated. But, welcome to the new era, Nebraska. A place so wonderful that you can blow two games and still be a playoff team. It’s a new (and worse) frontier. USC is a heavy road favorite according to FPI at 72.1%. Vegas is giving the Huskers a little more, but they are still 6.5-point dogs.
7. (13) Texas Tech at Kansas State
Where to watch: Fox, 3:30 p.m.
Unfortunately, injuries may decide the Big 12 this year. Not only that, but it could render the conference into a single-bid league. Where would Arizona State be without injuries to Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson? How about Texas Tech if Behren Morton could have played at Arizona State? Kansas State has its own what-if scenario with Dylan Edwards. There are still persistent rumors about him redshirting this year since he has only played in four games.
Texas Tech lost backup quarterback Will Hammond for the season last week. If Morton is unable to go, it’s up to Wake Forest transfer Mitch Griffis to keep Tech’s CFP hopes alive. Vegas sees this as likely (-7.5), so I tend to think that Morton will play. FPI is a little less convinced at 64.4% for Tech.
6. Navy at North Texas
Where to watch: ESPN2, noon
I know…we’re not supposed to be that excited about the American Conference, right? Why not? Navy’s schedule has been as soft as those Egyptian cotton sheets that you bought for your wife for her birthday. This starts the 2025 gauntlet for Navy. If the Middies can successfully navigate this stretch, not only will they be in the College Football Playoff, but the American could be a two-bid league.
FPI has North Texas as a heavy favorite (78.1%), presumably because of Navy’s soft schedule. Vegas is also on the side of the Mean Green, but only for 5.5 points. If Vegas expects a good game, I do too!
5. Arizona State at Iowa State
Where to watch: TNT, 1 p.m.
Hey, remember when this game was supposed to be of great importance in the Big 12 race? It could still be, especially if Arizona State wins. The loser of this game would still need help to get back into the CFP discussion, but the loser is definitely out. Jordyn Tyson is still questionable for this game. With the Cyclones favored by 7.5 points, Vegas doesn’t think Tyson is playing at this point. FPI only has Iowa State as a 66.5% favorite. Either FPI knows something that Vegas doesn’t (doubtful), or this really will be a good game.
4. (5) Florida vs. Georgia
Where to watch: ABC, 3:30 p.m.
It’s the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, and both fan bases had a week off to get a whole lot of drinking practice in. Georgia is a 7.5-point favorite in Jacksonville, but we have seen a lot of games in this series go the opposite way of what everyone thinks. FPI also has Georgia as a heavy favorite (79.7%). I never trust a large spread in this game.
3. (17) Cincinnati at (24) Utah
Where to watch: ESPN, 10:15 p.m.
Devon Dampier was listed as probable last week and still didn’t play. It’s expected that Dampier will play in this game, but how long will the leash be? I know that you don’t want a true freshman starting against the Cincinnati defense, but who’s to say that Byrd Ficklin won’t play if Dampier struggles? Vegas doesn’t think much of this, with Utah a staggering 8.5-point favorite. FPI is also heavily in Utah’s corner at 80.6%. I guess these guys haven’t watched the Cincinnati defense or Brendan Sorsby.
2. (9) Vanderbilt at (20) Texas
Where to watch: ABC, noon
This is Vanderbilt’s first visit to the 40 acres since 1928. It looks a little bit different now. As I write this, I can see DKR Memorial Stadium from my hotel room window. I may have to try to sneak into this game. Bonus points if I wear one of my Oklahoma jerseys. Vanderbilt is a top-10 team, and Texas is not. It’s a strange world in which we live. FPI doesn’t think much of the Vanderbilt run, giving Texas a 70.5% chance at a win. Vegas is a little more kind to the Commodores, with Texas only favored by 2.5 points.
1. (18) Oklahoma at (14) Tennessee
Where to watch: ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Last year, the story of this game was Josh Heupel’s return to Norman. This year, it is essentially a CFP elimination game. We don’t need a three-loss at-large team in CFP. We don’t really need a two-loss team in that situation, but here we are. FPI has Tennessee as a solid favorite (63.3%). So does Vegas, with the Vols favored by 3.5 points at home. Apparently, Vegas didn’t watch Oklahoma last week…
