NCAAF · 19 minutes ago

Predicting the 16 College Football Top 25 Games for Week 10

Grant White

Host · Writer

West Virginia Mountaineers vs (15) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Saturday, November 7 - 9:30 pm EDT
Galaxy Stadium
Lubbock, TX

This is exactly what the Texas Tech Red Raiders needed. They lost unexpectedly to Cincinnati two weeks ago, and hung on long enough to defeat Arizona last time out. Now, the Red Raiders should be able to unleash their offense against an unsuspecting West Virginia squad.

West Virginia is the worst defense in the Power 4. Their 483.9 yards allowed per game ranks 137th in the FBS. When we exclude their FCS game, that number rises to 507.6. Worse, the Mountaineers have given up 529.3 over their last three outings.

Texas Tech needs a momentum-building win. They'll get exactly that, absolutely demolishing West Virginia in Week 10.

Predicted Outcome: West Virginia 24 - Texas Tech 57
TCU Horned Frogs vs (22) Arizona Wildcats
Friday, November 6 - 10:15 pm EDT
Casion Del Sol Stadium
Tucson, AZ

Arizona is coming off its second loss of the season, dropping a heartbreaker to Texas Tech in Week 9. The Wildcats' offense is humming along, but TCU is equipped to neutralize Zona's attack.

Over the past few weeks, Arizona's offense has run through Isaiah Mizell. The sophomore wideout has accounted for over a third of the Wildcats' total offensive output. Unfortunately, he's primed for regression in Week 10.

TCU's pass defense has been virtually unbeatable. They rank 20th in the FBS, giving up a paltry 161.4 passing yards per game.

We're predicting a TCU upset in Tucson.

Predicted Outcome: TCU 21 - Arizona 20
(7) Texas Longhorns vs (18) Missouri Tigers
Saturday, November 7 - 12 pm EDT
Faurot Field
Columbia, MO

Let's be clear -- the Texas Longhorns aren't as good as everyone is giving them credit for. Still, they should be able to outclass the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field.

The Longhorns' offense has been adequate, at best. Despite Arch Manning's Heisman Trophy aspirations, this team still ranks in the bottom half of the country in virtually every offensive category. Thankfully, that hasn't been an issue thanks to their imposing defense.

Mizzou will be forced to throw the ball to keep pace on Saturday, playing into Texas' most prominent strength -- its pass defense.

Texas bolsters its playoff aspirations with a road win over a ranked opponent.

Predicted Outcome: Texas 24 - Missouri 13
(8) UCLA Bruins vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
Saturday, November 7 - 12 pm EDT
Huntington Bank Stadium
Minneapolis, MN

The Minnesota Golden Gophers have earned a reputation for being giant killers in recent years. They'll be put to the test against undefeated UCLA in Week 10.

Whether people want to give them credit for it or not, UCLA is a championship-caliber team. They can impose their will on both sides of the football and can beat opponents in several ways. That being said, weather will be a factor in Saturday's clash in Minneapolis.

The fairweather Bruins have yet to play in frigid conditions. While it won't be freezing at kick-off, 48 degrees is a steep departure from the SoCal season. Expect a classic Big Ten showdown, with defense reigning supreme. UCLA squeaks one out.

Predicted Outcome: UCLA 17 - Minnesota 14
(9) BYU Cougars vs (3) Utah Utes
Saturday, November 7 - 12 pm EDT
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Salt Lake City, UT

The Holy War, one of college football's most fabled rivalries. This year, both the BYU Cougars and Utah Utes are ranked inside the Top 10, meaning a victory for either program could be a sure-fire berth in the College Football Playoff.

BYU was stunned in Week 8, losing on the road to UCF. The Cougars bounced back with a 27-20 win over ASU last time out, but the victory left us with more questions than answers. BYU mustered just 283 total yards and couldn't get anything going on the ground. That will be a problem against the Utes' elite rush defense.

Utah has two notable advantages. First, it deploys a more balanced offensive attack than BYU. Second, Rice-Eccles Stadium has been their safe haven. It may be closer than expected, but we have the Utes prevailing.

Predicted Outcome: BYU 24 - Utah 28
Texas A&M Aggies vs (21) South Carolina Gamecocks
Saturday, November 7 - 3 pm EDT
Williams-Brice Stadium
Columbia, SC

The South Carolina Gamecocks could be one of the more underrated teams in the FBS. They'll get the chance to move up the rankings with a strong showing versus the Texas A&M Aggies.

LaNorris Sellers has the Gamecocks moving. South Carolina has won three in a row, averaging 35.7 points and 419.3 yards per game over that modest stretch. Most impressively, that production came against two ranked opponents, and only one of those games came at home.

We've lost faith in the Aggies. Their dismal offense can't generate anything meaningful, and their defense collapses at inopportune times.

This one should be academic, but the Gamecocks probably still won't get the respect they deserve.

Predicted Outcome: Texas A&M 21 - South Carolina 30
Cincinnati Bearcats vs Houston Cougars
Saturday, November 7 - 3:30 pm EDT
TDECU Stadium
Houston, TX

The Houston Cougars need to run the table if they hope to make the Big 12 Championship Game and be included in the CFP. Even then, they'll need some help to get there. If they hope to reach those lofty goals, they can't look past the Cincinnati Bearcats in Week 10.

Cincinnati plays a relentless brand of football on offense. Sadly, that comes at the expense of their defensive play. The Bearcats have run up the score in recent weeks, totaling 37 or more points in two of their last three.

The Cougars are happy to indulge the Bearcats at TDECU Stadium. Houston ranks 12th in total offense and 20th in scoring offense this season and will be looking to atone for last week's 13-point effort against Utah.

This has all the makings of a last-possession game. Points will be easy to come by, and Houston walks it off.

Predicted Outcome: Cincinnati 42 - Houston 45
Merrimack Warriors vs (16) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Saturday, November 7 - 3:30 pm EDT
Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Winston-Salem, NC

The schedule-makers did the Wake Forest Demon Deacons a big favor this season. The 16th-ranked ACC squad has a virtual bye when they welcome Merrimack to town on Saturday.

This one won't be close. Wake Forest can take its starters out at half and shift its focus to next week's tilt versus SMU.

Predicted Outcome: Merrimack 3 - Wake Forest 52
(23) Oregon Ducks vs (12) Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, November 7 - 3:30 pm EDT
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, OH

All of a sudden, all of the pressure lies squarely on the Ohio State Buckeyes' shoulders. The once-removed champs dropped their second loss of the season, meaning the Buckeyes will need to win out to reclaim a playoff berth.

Some may be expecting otherwise, but this one won't be close. The Oregon Ducks have looked lost on offense without Dante Moore. Moreover, their defense will have no answers for a feisty Ohio State offense.

This could be the embodiment of the "Stop, stop, he's already dead" Simpsons meme.

Predicted Outcome: Oregon 6 - Ohio State 35
(5) Alabama Crimson Tide vs (14) LSU Tigers
Saturday, November 7 - 3:30 pm EDT
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, LA

Inarguably, this could be the most heated First Saturday in November in quite some time. The Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers are both vying for a playoff spot, but only one team has a conceivable path left. The winner of this game will determine which team advances.

Both teams already have two losses. Bama dropped back-to-back games versus Georgia and Tennessee. Likewise, LSU lost to Ole Miss and Kentucky. On paper, that might suggest that Alabama has the upper hand in this one, but our analysis suggests otherwise.

The Crimson Tide is down to 308.7 yards per game over their last three. Conversely, LSU is hovering at 447.0. The Tigers have also embraced a more stifling defense, yet another disadvantage for the visitors.

This will be a signature win for LSU, giving the Tigers the inside track for a playoff spot moving forward.

Predicted Outcome: Alabama 18 - LSU 27
(25) Boise State Broncos vs Colorado State Rams
Saturday, November 7 - 6 pm EDT
Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium
Fort Collins, CO

Every time we start to believe in the Boise State Broncos, they let us down. We are still skeptical of the Broncos' long-term chances, which means they should have no problem dispatching the Colorado State Rams in Week 10.

After a season-opening loss to Oregon, Boise State has rattled off seven straight wins, albeit by the narrowest of margins last time out. Still, the cadence of this offense is impressive, and this is a more boisterous defensive group than we've seen in recent years.

Colorado State's offense could cause issues for the Broncos, but the Rams' defense will get trampled at home. Points come easily, playing into Boise State's strength.

Predicted Outcome: Boise State 42 - Colorado State 35
(6) Kentucky Wildcats vs (13) Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday, November 7 - 6:15 pm EDT
Neyland Stadium
Knoxville, TN

The Tennessee Volunteers are conspicuously hanging around the playoff picture, but we don't think this team has the winning pedigree to succeed. Expect the Kentucky Wildcats to expose those vulnerabilities on Saturday.

Kentucky's offense plays at breakneck speed. In their conference schedule, the Wildcats are averaging 28.8 points per game while getting past some top-tier defenses.

Defense has been the name of the game for the Vols, but we're losing faith in their offense. Tennessee has been held to 24 points in three of four games, with below-average production throughout that stretch.

It's not the most noteworthy matchup on the board, but we think it will be one of the more entertaining games. Kentucky ekes out a win.

Predicted Outcome: Kentucky 28 - Tennessee 27
(2) Georgia Bulldogs vs (10) Ole Miss Rebels
Saturday, November 7 - 7:30 pm EDT
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Oxford, MS

It's been an up-and-down season for the Ole Miss Rebels. Unfortunately, things won't get better in Week 10.

Ole Miss hosts the Georgia Bulldogs in a pivotal SEC clash. The Rebels are 6-2 on the season, while Georgia is trying to avoid its second loss. When the dust settles, the Bulldogs should be one step closer to securing their spot in the SEC Championship Game.

Georgia is better in every facet of the game. They have a more explosive offense, sturdier defense, and get more reliable production from top to bottom. The Rebels' playoff hopes get dashed on Saturday.

Predicted Outcome: Georgia 27 - Ole Miss 21
(1) Miami Hurricanes vs (11) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Saturday, November 7 - 3 pm EDT
Notre Dame Stadium
South Bend, IN

The Miami Hurricanes have scraped past some suspect opponents in recent weeks. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish don't fall into that category.

Miami needed double overtime to beat FSU a few weeks ago. Then last week, they almost handed UNC a win. Now, the Hurricanes are tasked with getting past a desperate Notre Dame squad that can't afford another loss.

The Irish may have been robbed by BYU, but the CFP Committee won't forgive them for a second loss. This will be an all-hands-on-deck approach, with Notre Dame marching to a convincing win.

Predicted Outcome: Miami 23 - Notre Dame 31
(19) Iowa Hawkeyes vs Northwestern Wildcats
Saturday, November 7 - 7:30 pm EDT
Ryan Field
Evanston, IL

Last week, the Northwestern Wildcats were riding high and back in the AP Poll. An unflattering loss to Oregon later, and the Wildcats are looking to redeem themselves versus the Iowa Hawkeyes. We like their chances at home.

Northwestern continues to tilt the field in its favor thanks to its punishing ground game and elite third-down offense. The Wildcats convert on 46.5% of their third-down attempts, making them one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

Iowa's strength is on defense. As we've seen, they are less indestructible on the road. Washington put up 24 on the Hawkeyes, Michigan beat itself, and Iowa couldn't fend off the Golden Gophers. That spells trouble for the Hawkeyes and Ryan Field.

Another classic Big Ten game is on tap. Northwestern will turn to its rushing attack to control the clock and keep the Hawkeyes off the field. That should be more than enough to secure victory.

Predicted Outcome: Iowa 17 - Northwestern 20
Oklahoma Sooners vs (24) Florida Gators
Saturday, November 7 - 7:45 pm EDT
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Gainesville, FL

The Oklahoma Sooners haven't figured out that they need to play offense to win games. Saturday's battle versus the Florida Gators might be the wakeup call they need.

At its best, few teams can compete with the Gators' offense. Florida has gone north of 500 yards and 50 points against ranked opponents. Further, the Gators are due for a breakout performance after last week's drubbing at the hands of Georgia.

Oklahoma's defense isn't as infallible as it seemed. After standing up throughout most of the season, the Sooners were humbled by South Carolina. We should see them struggle again at The Swamp.

Florida builds an early lead and never looks back.

Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma 20 - Florida 27
West Virginia Mountaineers vs (15) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Saturday, November 7 - 9:30 pm EDT
Galaxy Stadium
Lubbock, TX

This is exactly what the Texas Tech Red Raiders needed. They lost unexpectedly to Cincinnati two weeks ago, and hung on long enough to defeat Arizona last time out. Now, the Red Raiders should be able to unleash their offense against an unsuspecting West Virginia squad.

West Virginia is the worst defense in the Power 4. Their 483.9 yards allowed per game ranks 137th in the FBS. When we exclude their FCS game, that number rises to 507.6. Worse, the Mountaineers have given up 529.3 over their last three outings.

Texas Tech needs a momentum-building win. They'll get exactly that, absolutely demolishing West Virginia in Week 10.

Predicted Outcome: West Virginia 24 - Texas Tech 57
TCU Horned Frogs vs (22) Arizona Wildcats
Friday, November 6 - 10:15 pm EDT
Casion Del Sol Stadium
Tucson, AZ

Arizona is coming off its second loss of the season, dropping a heartbreaker to Texas Tech in Week 9. The Wildcats' offense is humming along, but TCU is equipped to neutralize Zona's attack.

Over the past few weeks, Arizona's offense has run through Isaiah Mizell. The sophomore wideout has accounted for over a third of the Wildcats' total offensive output. Unfortunately, he's primed for regression in Week 10.

TCU's pass defense has been virtually unbeatable. They rank 20th in the FBS, giving up a paltry 161.4 passing yards per game.

We're predicting a TCU upset in Tucson.

Predicted Outcome: TCU 21 - Arizona 20