Week 10 of the college football season brings a slate of high-stakes matchups that could shake up the College Football Playoff picture. Following the first CFP rankings release, five top-25 teams with national championship aspirations enter the weekend as vulnerable favorites, each facing opponents of comparable talent.
No. 2 Georgia at No. 10 Ole Miss (+3.5)
The defending SEC champions travel to Oxford after their offense has cooled over the last three games, averaging just 21.3 points against Alabama, Auburn, and Florida. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has excelled in both career starts against Georgia, and the Rebels' defense has improved recently. A Rebels victory would reopen multiple SEC Championship scenarios.
No. 3 Utah vs. No. 9 BYU (+5.5)
The Holy War in Salt Lake City kicks off at 10 a.m. local time with Big 12 title implications. Utah, the projected conference champion, has won nine straight in the series from 2010-2019, but BYU has taken the last three. The Cougars, despite a recent loss at UCF, would seize the driver's seat for a top-four CFP seed with a win.
No. 8 UCLA at Minnesota (+5.5)
One of three remaining unbeaten teams, UCLA faces cross-country travel and a 12 p.m. ET kickoff that disrupts body clocks. Minnesota, coming off an overtime loss at Indiana and a win over then-No. 15 Iowa, sits on the CFP bubble. Both teams rely on defense, making a low-scoring affair likely.
No. 7 Texas at No. 18 Missouri (+2.5)
The Longhorns have played five single-possession games this season and enter with key injuries, including running back Hollywood Smothers and offensive tackle Trevor Goosby. Missouri boasts a plus-8 turnover margin, second in the SEC, and has only five giveaways. Texas hopes edge rusher Colin Simmons returns after missing two games.
No. 12 Ohio State vs. No. 23 Oregon (+7.5)
After a loss at USC, Ohio State must rebound against a dangerous three-loss Oregon team that owns wins over Boise State and USC. The line has moved from Ohio State -9.5 to near a touchdown. The Buckeyes' defense has slipped outside the Big Ten's top three in several categories, and Ryan Day's squad is just 6-4 in its last 10 games overall.
