Introduction to College Football Chaos
We’ve entered the home stretch of the college football season, and with a month left in the regular season, it’s time to take stock of the chaos. Indiana, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt are in the top 10, while Penn State, LSU, and Florida have already fired their coaches. Strange days, indeed. November is a chance to find out which of these surprise teams will impact the postseason, with a number of this weekend’s matchups offering insight into the crowded conference title and College Football Playoff races.
Honorable Mentions
Before diving into the top 10 games of Week 10, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions. These games may not be as highly ranked, but they still have the potential to shake up the standings. The notable games include Arizona State at Iowa State, East Carolina at Temple, New Mexico at UNLV, Indiana at Maryland, Fresno State at Boise State, Virginia at Cal, and South Carolina at Ole Miss.
Top 10 Games of Week 10
Here are the top 10 games of Week 10, counting down from 10 to 1.
10. Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State
An indicator of how chaotic this season has been, a month ago, this was considered one of the marquee matchups, one that would shape the Big Ten and CFP. Now, Ohio State is a world beater, again, and Penn State has a different head coach and quarterback and is a three-touchdown underdog. The Nittany Lions still have talent, but whether it’s motivated enough to make the Buckeyes sweat is worth keeping an eye on.
9. No. 10 Miami at SMU
SMU is an enigma, scoring 30-plus points for three straight games and then losing 13-12 at Wake Forest. The Mustangs have three losses, but last week’s in Winston-Salem was their first in the ACC, which means they are weirdly still in the mix of an already weird conference race. Miami played with its food for a half against Stanford before cruising to victory, but one more stumble risks leaving the Hurricanes on the outside looking in at the CFP field for a second straight season.
8. Navy at North Texas
A game that will have significant implications on the American Conference and, potentially, a Playoff spot. Navy is one of six remaining unbeatens in the FBS — the only one that isn’t ranked — and ranks second in the country at 7.6 yards per play. Quarterback Blake Horvath is running for 116.3 yards per game, but the Mids are also averaging 158.9 passing yards per game, the program’s most since 1994.
7. No. 5 Georgia vs Florida
We’ll see what to make of the Gators, playing their first game since coach Billy Napier was fired. Unfortunately for Florida and interim Billy Gonzales, they face a top-five Georgia squad that has won four straight in the rivalry and, like Florida, is also coming off a bye. Georgia’s defense is not the typical disruptive force it’s been under Kirby Smart, currently last in the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss, with only six takeaways.
6. No. 13 Texas Tech at Kansas State
Injuries have been the biggest vulnerability for Texas Tech this season. Starting quarterback Behren Morton is set to return from a right leg injury after missing two full games, and just in time, after backup Will Hammond was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Morton has played well when healthy, but he was sidelined for the last two games and portions of two others, and now Tech doesn’t have the luxury of a Hammond safety net.
5. No. 8 Georgia Tech at NC State
The Yellow Jackets are 8-0 for the first time since 1966 and atop the ACC standings. Quarterback Haynes King leads an offense that ranks sixth nationally with 7.3 yards per play and is coming off a stellar performance against Syracuse. The Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry with Georgia looms on Black Friday, but GT has a prime opportunity to run the table in the ACC over the next three games.
4. No. 23 USC at Nebraska
It feels like a must-win for both teams. USC, coming off a bye following a loss at Notre Dame, is still in the Big Ten mix with only one conference loss, but another defeat likely ends that and any Playoff hopes. Nebraska and coach Matt Rhule desperately need a ranked win as well and will have to do it as a home underdog.
3. No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 14 Tennessee
This is another elimination game, in terms of conference and Playoff hopes. Each has a pair of SEC losses. Oklahoma is in the midst of a meat grinder, coming off the loss to Ole Miss with Alabama, Missouri, and LSU ahead. It doesn’t offer the rosiest outlook for a Sooners squad that continues to pair one of the best defenses in college football with a pedestrian offense.
2. No. 17 Cincinnati at No. 24 Utah
A blockbuster matchup in the Big 12, with a surprising double-digit spread. The Utes are at home in Rice-Eccles Stadium, where they tend to be a handful, but the surging Cincinnati Bearcats are riding a seven-game winning streak behind one of the best offenses in college football, led by quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
1. No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 20 Texas
There are so many storylines packed into this game, the headliner being: Vanderbilt, welcome to the epicenter of college football. After two straight ranked wins and hosting “College GameDay,” Vandy and quarterback Diego Pavia are in the top 10 and lurking in the SEC. The schedule finally eases up a bit, including a Texas team that barely pulled out wins at Kentucky and Mississippi State.
Conclusion
As we enter the final stretch of the college football season, the chaos is only expected to intensify. With several top teams facing off against each other, the conference title and College Football Playoff races are heating up. The top 10 games of Week 10 offer a glimpse into the exciting matchups that will shape the rest of the season. Whether it’s the surprise teams like Indiana, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt or the traditional powerhouses like Ohio State and Georgia, every game counts, and the stakes are higher than ever. Buckle up, college football fans, it’s going to be a wild ride to the finish.
