Top 10 College Football Games to Watch in Week 10

For the fourth straight week, one of the top two teams in the AP poll lost to an unranked opponent, and the only other time that happened was over the final five weeks of the 2007 season. Week 10 brings six matchups between ranked teams, and the top 10 college football games of the weekend start Friday night in Dallas.

No. 1 Miami and No. 2 Georgia both go on the road against top-12 teams, and all three remaining unbeaten teams play Saturday. Four of the ranked matchups are in the SEC. Here are the top 10 college football games in kickoff order, with opening point spreads reported November 1 by Sports Betting Dime from DraftKings and other listed sportsbooks. Lines can change.

Friday Night

Virginia Tech at SMU

Friday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN | Dallas | SMU favored by 6.5 points

Both teams have two ACC losses. SMU(6-2, 4-2) fumbled twice and ran for 70 yards in a loss at Syracuse last week, and Virginia Tech (6-2, 3-2) wants another big road win in James Franklin’s first season.

Saturday at Noon

No. 7 BYU at No. 3 Utah

Noon ET | ABC | Salt Lake City | Utah favored by 4.5 points 

Utah (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) sits alone atop the league after leading Cincinnati 42-6 at halftime last week. BYU (7-1, 4-1) has won three straight in this rivalry and could get running back LJ Martin back.

No. 10 Texas at No. 19 Missouri

Noon ET | ESPN | Columbia, Missouri | Texas favored by 3.5 points

Texas (6-2, 3-2 SEC) has won two straight, and its win over Ohio State could carry a 9-3 team into the playoff, the same scenario that has Texas coach Steve Sarkisian worried about the nine-game SEC schedule. Missouri (6-2, 3-2) got running back Ahmad Hardy back last week, nearly six months after he was shot in the leg.

No. 5 UCLA at Minnesota 

Noon ET | FOX | Minneapolis | UCLA favored by 6 points 

UCLA (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) has allowed seven points per game over its last five games. Minnesota (5-3, 3-2) took Indiana to overtime last week after hitting a 60-yard field goal, and now faces a ranked team for the third straight Saturday.

Saturday Afternoon

No. 9 Alabama at No. 15 LSU 

3:30 p.m. ET | ABC | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | LSU favored by 4.5 points

The loser is probably out of the playoff race. LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC) blew out Mississippi State and Auburn in its last two games, while Alabama (6-2, 4-2) lost two of its last three before an open week.

Oregon at No. 11 Ohio State

3:30 p.m. ET | CBS | Columbus, Ohio | Ohio State favored by 10.5 points 

Oregon (5-3, 3-2) beat No. 20 Northwestern after firing offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, with quarterback Dylan Raiola throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State (6-2, 4-1) lost at USC on the same night Jeremiah Smith broke the Big Ten career record for touchdown catches.

Saturday Night Closes Out the Top 10 College Football Games

No. 8 Kentucky at No. 16 Tennessee

6:15 p.m ET | ESPN | Knoxville, Tennessee | Tennessee favored by 5.5 points

Kentucky (7-1, 5-1 SEC) is tied with Georgia for first place in the league in Kentucky coach Will Stein’s first season. Tennessee (6-2, 3-2) lost its last game on the road, and both teams come in off a bye.

No. 1 Miami at No. 4 Notre Dame

7:30 p.m. ET | NBC | South Bend, Indiana | Notre Dame favored by 3.5 points

The last time these two met in South Bend as top-five teams, Miami was No. 1 and Notre Dame was No. 4, just like now, in the 1988 “Catholics vs. Convicts” classic. Miami (8-0) has survived some close calls behind quarterback Darian Mensah and receiver Malachi Toney, and Notre Dame (7-1) needs this one for its playoff case. Of all top 10 college football games this week, this one carries the biggest stakes.

No. 2 Georgia at No. 12 Ole Miss

7:30 p.m. ET | ABC | Oxford, Mississippi | Georgia favored by 3 points

Georgia and Ole Miss played twice last season, and both games came down to one score. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for only 101 yards in a win over Florida, and he will likely need more against Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels.

No. 21 Iowa at Northwestern 

7:40 p.m. ET | FOX| Evanston, Illinois | Northwestern favored by 1.5 points

Both teams are 6-2 and 3-2 in the Big Ten, and the winner keeps a path to 10-2. Iowa shut out Wisconsin last week and forced three turnovers, while Northwestern gave up two fourth-quarter touchdowns at Oregon and needs Chip Kelly’s offense back on track at home.