Week 10 features two massive matchups, both in the SEC. Tennessee, the newly crowned No. 1 in the CFP rankings, will travel to Athens to take on No. 3 Georgia, the defending champions. Elsewhere, No. 6 Alabama heads to Baton Rouge to take on No. 10 LSU.
Another top team, No. 4 Clemson, is on alert in South Bend and is one of numerous other ranked teams in a potential flat spot against an unranked opponent.
Let’s see what this weekend has to offer.
(Note: All times ET, odds from BetMGM)
Time: Noon | TV: Fox | Line: TCU-9.5 | Total: 69.5
This might seem like a difficult point for the TCU. Somewhat controversially, TCU finished 7th in the CFP rankings despite an 8-0 record. The Horned Frogs just keep winning games, but their last four games have been decided by 10 points or less. Meanwhile, Texas Tech has been very competitive for most Big 12 games. The Red Raiders rocked Texas, losing close opponents en route to Kansas State and Oklahoma State, and then razing West Virginia.
Time: 3:30 p.m. | Television: CBS | Line: UGA-8 | Total: 66.5
Tennessee’s rise to No. 1 in the CFP rankings has been remarkable, and now the Vols have a chance to get in the driver’s seat of the SEC East and take another step closer to a playoff spot. Can Heisman’s QB hopeful Hendon Hooker knock out the defending champion? While Tennessee has beaten five ranked opponents, Georgia has not seen a ranked team since Oregon demolished in Week 1. There have been a few overwhelming efforts along the way, but the Bulldogs appear to have gotten back on their feet in recent weeks with three straight wins. Which team flashes first?
Time: 7 p.m. | TV: ESPN | Line: Alabama -13.5| Total: 56.5
As momentous as the game between Tennessee and Georgia is for the SEC East, the game between Alabama and LSU is for the SEC West. LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama are all in first place in the division with 4-1 SEC records. Whoever wins this will be in an excellent position to advance to the SEC title game. LSU’s offense appears to have made a big stride in recent weeks, but it will be a difficult task to keep up with a strong Alabama team coming off a bye week.
The story goes on
Time: 7 p.m. | TV: FS1 | Line: UT -2.5 | Total: 54.5
Though TCU sits alone in first place in the Big 12, the state of Kansas has a chance to significantly increase its chance of the Big 12 title game with Texas’ visit on Saturday. K-State has been without QB Adrian Martinez for the past two weeks and it’s unclear if he’ll be back for that one. His backup, Will Howard, has put in an admirable performance in Martinez’s absence. Texas, meanwhile, still has a shot at the Big 12 title game, but that has to start with a win this week.
Time: 7:30 p.m. | Television: NBC | Line: Clemson-3.5| Total: 44.5
Clemson is 8-0 and deep in the playoff race with four games to play. That trip to Notre Dame won’t affect the ACC race, but Clemson needs that win to return to the college football playoffs. In Clemson’s final game, Dabo Swinney pulled QB DJ Uiagalelei’s start after Clemson fell behind Syracuse. Will Uiagalelei have another short leash when he fights in South Bend? Notre Dame, on the other hand, had a year of ups and downs in Marcus Freeman’s first season as head coach. The Irish started 2-0 but have since won five of their last six. Which version of the Irishman will make an appearance on Saturday?