The first College Football Playoff rankings have added extra weight to Week 10, which features several ranked matchups with major postseason implications. Here are the 10 best games this weekend, ranked by intrigue and stakes.
1. Holy War: No. 9 BYU at No. 3 Utah
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET. The rivalry renews in Salt Lake City, with BYU looking to spoil Utah’s perfect season and the Utes aiming to knock the Cougars out of playoff contention. BYU running back LJ Martin is not fully healthy.
2. No. 1 Miami at No. 11 Notre Dame
Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET. Both teams face key injuries: Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney (ankle surgery) and Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen are out. A loss for Notre Dame likely ends its playoff hopes; Miami’s resume is thin with only one ranked win.
3. No. 5 Alabama at No. 14 LSU
Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET on ABC. The loser faces severe consequences: LSU would drop to three losses and Lane Kiffin’s record vs. top‑10 teams worsens; Alabama would suffer a third straight season with three-plus losses under Kalen DeBoer, a first since the Mike Shula era.
4. No. 2 Georgia at No. 10 Ole Miss
Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET on ABC. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns in last season’s Sugar Bowl win. Georgia rarely loses twice to the same program in a year, but the Rebels will be without running back Kewan Lacy.
5. No. 6 Kentucky at No. 13 Tennessee
Kickoff: 6:15 PM ET on ESPN. Kentucky, under first‑year coach Will Stein, boasts one of the Power 4’s best rushing attacks. Tennessee, motivated by a perceived playoff snub, relies on its run game and elite defense. Expect a physical, low‑scoring affair.
6. No. 7 Texas at No. 18 Missouri
Kickoff: TBA. Missouri’s running back duo of Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts leads the offense. Texas is favored but missing running back Hollywood Smothers, left tackle Trevor Goosby, and possibly edge rusher Colin Simmons and wide receiver Cam Coleman.
7. No. 19 Iowa vs. Northwestern
Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET on FOX. Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles (13‑1 TD‑INT ratio, 1,898 passing yards, 10 rushing TDs) in Chip Kelly’s offense faces an Iowa defense coming off a 30‑0 shutout of Wisconsin. A tactical battle for hardcore fans.
8. No. 8 UCLA vs. Minnesota
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET on FOX. Undefeated UCLA (8‑0) is the season’s biggest surprise. The Bruins lost starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava for the year but lean on running back Wayne Knights and a stout defense. Minnesota has beaten Iowa and taken Indiana to overtime recently.
9. West Virginia at No. 15 Texas Tech
Kickoff: 9:30 PM ET on ESPN. Texas Tech is a near three‑score favorite, but West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (1,598 passing yards, 836 rushing yards, 27 total TDs) and running back Cam Cook (1,038 scrimmage yards) could produce fireworks.
10. No. 23 Oregon at No. 12 Ohio State
Kickoff: TBA. The matchup is considered overrated: Ohio State’s offense struggles without Julian Sayin and behind a shaky line protecting Luke Fahey, while Oregon’s Dylan Raiola has been inconsistent and leading rusher Jordon Davison is sidelined. A second straight loss for Ohio State could keep Jeremiah Smith out of the playoff.
