While there is still plenty of football left to be played, the initial rankings have already sparked debates. After all, everyone wants a seat at the table, but not everyone will get one!
Week 9 recap
Another weekend, more upsets! A couple of ranked and heavily favored teams lost to unranked opponents and complicated their way to the playoffs. The former No. 2-ranked Ohio State dropped the contest at USC 30-18 as the Trojans ruled from start to finish.
The Buckeyes were without an injured quarterback Julian Sayin, and freshman Luke Fahey took his place and recorded 260 yards. The win brought USC back to the AP Poll at #18.
“That's two of the best teams in the country on the field right there,” said USC head coach Lincoln Riley. “It's going to come down to who plays the situations best, and we did it tonight.”
The Georgia Bulldogs dominated the Florida Gators 27-8 in the Gridiron Classic played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Georgia gave Florida no chance in the rivalry matchup nicknamed the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" as the Bulldogs' defense forced three interceptions and two fumbles.
The Indiana Hoosiers outlasted the Minnesota Golden Gophers 23-16 in overtime; Texas continues working on its recovery from two back-to-back losses and dismantled Mississippi State 31-3.
The former No. 19-ranked SMU lost to unranked Syracuse 30-27, former No. 24 Oklahoma State lost to unranked Iowa State 51-49 in a shootout, and former No.25-ranked Wisconsin couldn’t find a way to score against Iowa and lost 30-0.
“It's very, very disappointing,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. “I'm not sitting here saying I've got any answers for you. I'm not pointing fingers at anybody or anything because in all three phases of the game, we were completely manhandled for 60 minutes.”
But enough with the recap.
Week 10 is loaded with prime games that have a crucial impact on the entire season. As the regular season is nearing its end, everything is on the line for the programs competing for the conference crowns and a potential playoff bid.
Don’t make any plans this Saturday. Grab your snacks, settle into your favorite spot on the couch, and keep that remote close. There is simply too much football to miss, and Week 10 promises to deliver plenty of drama from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
#3 Utah vs. #9 BYU
The battle for state of Utah bragging rights is here! Two powerhouses meet as BYU Cougars travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Utes in a matchup that could significantly affect the Big 12 race and the College Football Playoff picture.
Both programs enter the rivalry game ranked inside the top 10, making this an anticipated matchup between two elite teams. BYU took down Notre Dame and proved the Cougars are not to be messed with. Utah has built one of the best teams in school history - they are undefeated, and the last time the Utes were 8-0 was in 2010.
They are currently one of the premier programs in the country.
The Utah offense has been productive on the ground and through the air, making it extremely difficult for opposing defenses to stop it. Quarterback Devon Dampier has been a major part of that success. He threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 49-25 victory over Cincinnati, adding to his reputation as a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, with 83 carries for 393 yards this season.
But the Cougars are not scared of the favorite. They have playmaker Bear Bachmeier, who has already tallied 1,750 passing yards this year and led BYU to its big win over the Fighting Irish. He doesn’t shy away from the moment.
He will have to find a way to outplay Utah’s tight defense that only allows 15.9 points per game.
Utah is a 4.5-point favorite, but any predictions matter very little in in-state rivalries. Nicknamed “Holy War”, this contest is going to be electric.
Focus point: The Cougars have a great rushing game, but the rushing production has declined ever since star running back LJ Martin suffered a lower-leg injury in Week 4. BYU is impatiently looking out for his return, but he is still questionable for the Saturday showdown. Martin is the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and his potential return could provide a significant boost and advantage for the Cougars.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
#1 Miami vs. #11 Notre Dame
It doesn't get much bigger than this. The new king in college football strives to keep reigning, while Notre Dame targets a rebound after a disappointing loss to BYU. The Fighting Irish faced only one ranked opponent so far, and ended up losing.
A question immediately started rising: Is Notre Dame worthy of a playoff spot?
The showdown in South Bend has major implications for the postseason. Miami enters the weekend unbeaten and sitting at the top of the rankings, but the Hurricanes have little room for error.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame has an opportunity to make a statement against the nation's No. 1 team and strengthen its playoff resume.
The Hurricanes have one of the most explosive and dynamic offenses in the country. They average an astonishing 47.6 points per game, scoring at least 33 points in every contest.
Quarterback Darian Mensah has been sensational and has formed a duo with superstar receiver Malachi Toney, the team's leading receiver with 73 catches, 1,027 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
This duo has been giving opponents nightmares this year, but Miami suffered a devastating blow on Wednesday as Toney suffered a high ankle sprain in practice and will need surgery.
The recovery timeline is at least four weeks, and there are six weeks until the first round of the CFP. The Hurricanes must find another way to torch the Notre Dame defense.
The Fighting Irish have a golden opportunity to take down a title contender at home. Their defense has been outstanding, allowing just 13.4 points per game and ranking first nationally in total defense, surrendering only 236.3 yards per contest.
That unit will face its biggest challenge of the season against Miami's high-powered offense, but the opportunity to make a statement is there. Quarterback CJ Carr has accounted for 21 touchdowns so far and will put Miami’s defense to a major test.
South Bend is going to be on its toes on Saturday night.
Focus point: Notre Dame has a chip on its shoulder. After missing the playoffs last season and later declining to play in a bowl game, the Fighting Irish have been on a mission: prove everybody wrong and show they belong among the nation’s best. Losing to the former No.8-ranked BYU hurt Notre Dame, and another loss to a ranked opponent could significantly affect the program’s journey to the postseason. This game has an enormous weight for the Irish,
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
#2 Georgia vs. #10 Ole Miss
Is there a curse surrounding the No. 2 teams in the nation? After beating Florida last weekend and moving up in the rankings, Georgia is officially in the hot seat.
The No. 2 team in the nation lost the last three games in each of the past three weeks. Georgia have a prime opportunity to break the spell and record a huge SEC win.
The Bulldogs enter the weekend with a 7-1 record and plenty of confidence after handling the Gators with ease. The Bulldogs have been one of the most complete teams in the country - they average 41 points per game while allowing just 14.9.
Their ability to produce on both sides of the ball has made them a legitimate national championship contender.
Gunner Stockton is a fifth-year quarterback who knows the program better than anyone. He boasts a 71.8% completion rate and has been the centerpiece of the offense. The Bulldogs are tremendous at running the ball, too, as Georgia averages about 200 rushing yards per game.
However, elite running back Chauncey Bowens is listed as questionable, and his absence could change the game plan for Georgia.
Ole Miss enters the game with a 6-2 record, knowing that a victory over the No. 2 team in the country could completely change its playoff outlook. Another could seal the fate for the Rebels and leave them out of the playoffs.
Their passing attack is one of their biggest strengths, averaging 282.1 yards per game.
Wide receiver Deuce Alexander, who leads the team with 669 receiving yards, will be an important target, especially because the Rebels will be without a critical offensive weapon - star running back Kewan Lacy is still out with a shoulder injury, and Ole Miss must find ways to replace his production.
Still, the Rebels have plenty of offensive firepower to make this a competitive matchup. They scored 45 points in last week's victory over Auburn, including 28 unanswered points to close out the game. They will need that same offensive rhythm against Georgia.
Focus point: This game will bring an epic battle between two elite quarterbacks. Georgia has Gunner Stockton; Ole Miss relies on Trinidad Chambliss. Both have been consistent staples of their teams and have proved that they can compete with the best. Chambliss has thrown for 2,189 yards and 18 touchdowns, while Stockton has tallied 1,671 yards and 16 touchdowns. Both have tools to propel their teams to a massive victory.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
#5 Alabama vs. #14 LSU
One of the most anticipated games of the season. Two SEC powerhouses are going to clash for a chance to keep their conference title game hopes alive. Two proven football dynasties. On Saturday, there will only be one winner.
Both programs enter the weekend with 6-2 records, meaning there is very little room for another mistake.
A third loss could seriously damage either team's postseason chances, while a victory would provide a much-needed boost heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Alabama had a challenging stretch in October - they lost two back-to-back games before beating Texas A&M at home. Now, the Crimson Tide will play on the road, and Death Valley will be rocking as the Tigers look to end Alabama's recent dominance in the rivalry.
Alabama’s quarterback Keelon Russell has shown plenty of potential in his first season leading the offense. He has thrown for 2,057 yards and 15 touchdowns against five interceptions, completing 67% of his passes.
Russell delivered one of his best performances of the season against Texas A&M, throwing for 311 yards and three touchdowns. LSU has Sam Leavitt, a poised fourth-year player relying on experience.
The Tigers average more than 300 passing yards per game, and it will be key for the Crimson Tide to stop the passing attack. They surrender 222.4 passing yards per contest on average, and Alabama cannot let Leavitt get loose and get comfortable in the pocket.
The Crimson Tide certainly have enough talent to win this game. They have a better turnover margin, and if they force LSU into turnovers and then capitalize on them, the momentum could be in Alabama’s favor.
Focus point: Rushing could be a critical aspect of this game. Alabama averages just 151.9 rushing yards per game, and their inability to establish the run has occasionally placed too much responsibility on Russell. LSU's defense has been tremendous against the run - it allows only 85.5 rushing yards per game, so finding success on the ground might be a difficult task. But if Alabama wants to come on top, the team must find a way to attack from the air and the ground instead of being one-dimensional.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
#23 Oregon vs. #12 Ohio State
Oregon has had a turbulent season. After the Ducks opened the year as the No. 2 in the preseason, the team has struggled to find consistency and momentum. After suffering an upsetting loss to Oklahoma State, Oregon lost its superstar quarterback Dante Moore to a head injury in a win over USC, then dropped games against UCLA and Illinois.
Last week, the Ducks bounced back by upsetting the former No. 20-ranked Northwestern.
The Ducks are 3-2 in the Big Ten and have plenty to prove. Oregon is looking to make a late-season push and fight for the playoffs. Ohio State has been dominant after losing its home opener to Texas but was hit by major adversity as team leader and proven quarterback Julian Sayin injured his throwing arm in Week 8 and hasn’t returned yet, as his recovery is going to take several weeks.
The Buckeyes were the No. 1 team in the country in preseason, and it’s a bit of a sad story to see both teams struggle and fall out of the top 10. But there’s still time to fight, and this game is absolutely crucial for both programs.
Most likely, the loser can say goodbye to a Big Ten title game and a playoff spot. The winner will significantly boost their chances of achieving something significant this season.
Oregon’s Backup playmaker Dylan Raiola has shown that he can make plays through the air, and Oregon still has dangerous weapons at wide receiver. Dakorien Moore has been productive, recording 23 receptions over his last three games.
Evan Stewart is another important option who can stretch the field and create explosive plays.
The Buckeyes face a bigger challenge at the quarterback position - after losing Sayin, they now rely on freshman Luke Fahey. Luckily, they still have one of the most dangerous wide receivers in college football, as Jeremiah Smith is the centerpiece of the passing attack and a matchup nightmare for opposing secondaries. His size, speed, and ability to win contested catches make him a threat every time he touches the football.
Focus point: Ohio State has a defensive advantage, as the Buckeyes have been outstanding on defense. They rank 11th nationally in points per game (15.5) and also rank among the nation's best against both the pass and the run, allowing approximately 178 passing yards and 96 rushing yards per game. If Ohio State wants to be successful, they must pressure Raiola into fast and rushed decisions. Defense could be the difference maker in this matchup.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Honorable mention: Army vs. Air Force
From a pure football standpoint, this game isn’t the most electrifying. Neither roster overflows with NFL talent, and the matchup can get a bit slow as both teams will execute the triple option to perfection. But this is more than just a rivalry game. Another clash of service academies is here, and the winner will get closer to the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy!
Army leads the FBS with 342.5 rushing yards per game, while Air Force ranks second with 341.0. Both teams want to control the clock, wear down the opposing defense, and dictate the tempo.
Saturday's game could ultimately come down to which team can make the most of its limited possessions.
The Black Knights average 33.6 points per game and 342.5 rushing yards, but its defense has significantly struggled. Army allows 396.5 total yards per game and 22.1 points per game.
That is a major concern against an Air Force offense capable of controlling possession and keeping opposing offenses on the sideline.
Focus point: Air Force has won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy 21 times, the most of any academy. But the Falcons haven’t stood on top since 2022 and are looking to snap the unpleasant streak. They have already defeated Navy, and a victory over Army would give the Falcons a perfect 2-0 record in the competition and clinch the competition title. The Black Knights must defeat the Air Force to keep their hopes alive.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Michie Stadium, West Point, New York.