Rivalries, Revenge Games, Playoff Dreams, and Potential Chaos

Welcome to Week 10 of college football.

We're officially entering the part of the season where every possession matters, every loss feels like a death sentence, and the College Football Playoff picture can change in the blink of an eye.

And this week's slate?

ABSOLUTELY LOADED.

We've got the Holy War between BYU and Utah, a pair of traditional powers fighting for their playoff lives in Columbus, Alabama traveling to Death Valley, and a massive showdown between No. 1 Miami and No. 4 Notre Dame.

Oh, and Georgia gets another shot at the Ole Miss team that sent the Bulldogs packing in January.

Revenge games. Undefeated teams. Hostile environments. Playoff implications.

What more could you possibly want?

Let's get into our Week 10 score predictions and best bets.

---

NO. 7 BYU (7-1) @ NO. 3 UTAH (8-0)

Weather: 47°F Spread: Utah -5.5 Over/Under: 48.5

THE HOLY WAR — AT 9 A.M.?

If you're like me, you're probably wondering why the hell one of the biggest rivalry games in college football is being played at 9 a.m. Pacific.

Then you take one look at Saturday's schedule, and it starts making sense.

Personally, I would've swapped this game with Oregon–Ohio State. But apparently, the networks figured most of the people watching BYU–Utah wouldn't be hungover from the night before.

Or maybe ESPN is still punishing Utah for the treatment Pat McAfee received during College GameDay a few weeks ago.

Either way, this matchup deserves a bigger spotlight.

Utah enters undefeated and fresh off an absolute dismantling of Cincinnati on the road. The Utes jumped all over the Bearcats, building an absurd 42-6 halftime lead.

That's not winning a football game.

That's sending a message.

BYU, meanwhile, struggled at home against an average Arizona State team, entering the fourth quarter tied before eventually pulling away.

And there's another matchup that concerns me for the Cougars.

BYU struggled to contain UCF quarterback Keyone Jenkins in its loss earlier this season.

Now it gets Devon Dampier.

That's a problem.

Dampier presents a similar dual-threat challenge, and Utah has the offensive balance to exploit BYU's defensive weaknesses.

The Holy War is rarely predictable, but I trust Utah's defense, physicality, and quarterback play more in this matchup.

Give me the Utes to remain undefeated.

SCORE PREDICTION: UTAH 31, BYU 20

BEST BET: UTAH MONEYLINE

---

NO. 5 UCLA (8-0) @ MINNESOTA (5-3)

Weather: 48°F Spread: UCLA -5.5 Over/Under: 39.5

THOSE POOR GOLDEN GOPHERS

Seriously.

What did Minnesota do to deserve what happened last week?

The Gophers appeared to have pulled off a massive upset against Indiana after drilling a 60-yard field goal late in regulation.

That's right.

A 60-yard field goal.

In college football.

You make that kick, you deserve to win.

Unfortunately for Minnesota, Charlie Becker had other plans.

The Indiana receiver made an absolutely ridiculous catch to put the Hoosiers into what apparently qualifies as field-goal range these days.

Indiana then drilled a 60-yarder of its own as time expired to force overtime.

Because apparently 60-yard field goals are just extra points now.

Indiana scored on its first play of overtime, held Minnesota scoreless, and sent the Gophers home with one of the most heartbreaking losses imaginable.

Now Minnesota has to turn around and face undefeated UCLA.

Wonderful.

The Bruins cruised past Nevada last week in a game that was never particularly competitive.

UCLA's defense completely overwhelmed the Wolf Pack, forcing four turnovers and pitching a shutout.

And that's the unit I'm trusting again this week.

Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach has improved to 3-0 as a starter, but UCLA doesn't need him to throw for 350 yards to win football games.

The Bruins can win with defense.

They can win with field position.

And they can win ugly.

That's exactly what I'm expecting Saturday.

Minnesota will be motivated, and I expect its defense to keep this game competitive.

But UCLA's defense is elite, and I don't see either offense consistently moving the football.

Points will be at a premium.

Give me the Bruins in an old-fashioned Big Ten rock fight.

SCORE PREDICTION: UCLA 16, MINNESOTA 10

BEST BET: UNDER 39.5

---

NO. 10 TEXAS (6-2) @ NO. 19 MISSOURI (6-2)

Weather: 52°F Spread: Texas -2.5 Over/Under: 42.5

THE ARCH MANNING SHOW HITS COLUMBIA

Texas has spent the last two weeks taking care of business against the state of Mississippi.

First Ole Miss.

Then Mississippi State.

The Longhorns capped that stretch with a dominant 31-3 victory over the Bulldogs.

And I'm beginning to think Arch Manning just likes the attention.

Because whenever the spotlight gets brighter, he seems to find another gear.

He'll have plenty of attention this weekend.

Texas travels to Columbia to face a Missouri team coming off a hard-fought road victory over Arkansas.

The Tigers are physical, disciplined, and capable of making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

Austin Simmons has been a pleasant surprise for Missouri, providing stability and playmaking ability to an offense that has exceeded expectations.

But there's one problem.

He hasn't faced a defense like Texas.

The Longhorns are dealing with injuries, but their defensive talent remains among the best in the country.

I expect Texas to generate pressure, limit explosive plays, and force Simmons into some uncomfortable situations.

On the other side, Manning should have opportunities to make plays against Missouri's defense.

This won't be easy.

Columbia will be rocking, and I expect Missouri to keep it close throughout.

But when the game is on the line, I'm betting on Arch Manning to steal the spotlight.

Again.

SCORE PREDICTION: TEXAS 24, MISSOURI 20

BEST BETS: TEXAS MONEYLINE | OVER 42.5

---

OREGON (5-3) @ NO. 11 OHIO STATE (6-2)

Weather: 53°F Spread: Ohio State -7.5 Over/Under: 46.5

TWO POWERHOUSES. ONE DESPERATE SITUATION.

It's honestly crazy to think that both Oregon and Ohio State could miss the College Football Playoff this season.

Two of the most talented programs in America.

Two teams with championship expectations.

And both are fighting to keep their seasons alive.

Injuries to Julian Sayin and Dante Moore have completely changed the trajectories of these programs.

Neither team has looked particularly comfortable without its expected leader under center.

Oregon managed to rally against Northwestern last week, keeping whatever playoff hopes remain alive.

Ohio State?

Not so much.

The Buckeyes were absolutely demolished by USC in Los Angeles.

And the highlight of that game might have been USC freshman tight end Mark Bowman's ridiculous 70-yard catch-and-run, complete with a hurdle that will probably live on highlight reels for years.

Now Ohio State returns home with its season hanging in the balance.

Oregon has won in Columbus before.

And Dylan Raiola has enough offensive weapons available to make things interesting.

But I don't trust Oregon's defensive front.

The Ducks have been vulnerable against physical offensive lines, and that's exactly where Ohio State should have the advantage.

I expect the Buckeyes to establish the running game early, control the line of scrimmage, and force Oregon into obvious passing situations.

That's when things could get ugly.

Ohio State's defensive front should have opportunities to generate consistent pressure.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Buckeyes finish with five or six sacks.

Oregon will fight.

But I think Ohio State is simply better equipped to win this particular matchup.

Give me the Buckeyes to officially end Oregon's playoff hopes.

SCORE PREDICTION: OHIO STATE 28, OREGON 13

BEST BET: UNDER 46.5

---

NO. 9 ALABAMA (6-2) @ NO. 15 LSU (6-2)

Weather: 76°F Spread: LSU -5.5 Over/Under: 52.5

DON'T LOOK NOW, BUT LSU CONTROLS ITS OWN DESTINY

Seriously.

Take a look at LSU's remaining schedule.

Alabama at home.

Texas at home.

Then road trips to Tennessee and Arkansas.

It's not easy.

But if LSU keeps playing the way it has over the last couple of weeks, there's a legitimate path to the College Football Playoff.

The Tigers have been playing outstanding football since their overtime loss to Kentucky.

And considering how good Kentucky has become, that loss doesn't look nearly as bad as it once did.

LSU has responded with consecutive dominant victories behind excellent quarterback play from Sam Leavitt and a defensive front that's generating pressure at an impressive rate.

Alabama, meanwhile, is heading in the opposite direction.

The Crimson Tide have struggled offensively since their matchup with Georgia, losing two of their last three games.

And now they're walking into Death Valley.

Granted, this game won't have the traditional Saturday night atmosphere.

ESPN decided Georgia–Ole Miss deserved that spotlight.

Honestly?

I can't really blame them.

Still, Baton Rouge will be rocking.

Alabama's remaining schedule is relatively favorable, but losing this game would create a serious problem for its playoff résumé.

Especially if LSU finishes with a similar record.

But enough playoff hypotheticals.

Let's talk football.

I trust LSU's defensive front to create pressure and disrupt Alabama's offensive rhythm.

I also trust Leavitt to make enough plays to keep the Tigers moving.

This should be competitive for three quarters.

Then I expect LSU to pull away late.

SCORE PREDICTION: LSU 33, ALABAMA 24

BEST BETS: LSU MONEYLINE | OVER 52.5

---

NO. 8 KENTUCKY (7-1) @ NO. 16 TENNESSEE (6-2)

Weather: 59°F Spread: Tennessee -6.5 Over/Under: 50.5

YES, KENTUCKY IS REALLY RANKED NO. 8

That's right, folks.

It's Week 10.

And Kentucky is sitting inside the Top 10.

What a time to be alive.

The Wildcats are off to their best start in roughly 40 years, powered by a physical rushing attack and outstanding quarterback play from Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey.

But what makes this Kentucky team particularly dangerous is its offensive creativity.

Will Stein has done an excellent job utilizing exotic formations, pre-snap motion, and misdirection to create favorable matchups.

And Kentucky has already proven it can win against quality opponents in hostile environments.

That's important this week.

Because Neyland Stadium isn't exactly a relaxing place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Tennessee presents a completely different challenge.

The Volunteers rely on a suffocating defense and a physical running game led by DeSean Bishop.

They want to control the line of scrimmage.

They want to dictate tempo.

And they want to make opposing offenses earn every yard.

But I think Kentucky is built to handle this type of game.

The Wildcats have the offensive balance to keep Tennessee guessing and the physicality to avoid getting bullied up front.

And with nearly a touchdown in our pocket?

I absolutely love the value.

Actually...

I'm going one step further.

GIVE ME THE WILDCATS OUTRIGHT.

SCORE PREDICTION: KENTUCKY 27, TENNESSEE 23

BEST BET: KENTUCKY +6.5

---

NO. 1 MIAMI (8-0) @ NO. 4 NOTRE DAME (7-1)

Weather: 43°F Spread: Notre Dame -6 Over/Under: 57.5

THE GAME WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR

Here we go.

No. 1 Miami.

No. 4 Notre Dame.

South Bend.

College Football Playoff implications everywhere.

THIS IS WHAT COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT.

Miami enters undefeated and looking to prove that its incredible season isn't just the product of a favorable schedule.

Notre Dame?

The Irish are desperate to show America they belong among the nation's elite.

And frankly, they need this game more than Miami does.

Notre Dame already failed its biggest test of the season, losing to BYU on the road.

If the Irish lose another marquee matchup, are we really going to reward them with a playoff berth based on that cupcake schedule?

I'm not convinced.

Miami, meanwhile, faces its toughest challenge since Wake Forest.

And the Hurricanes have two players who could be among the most dangerous offensive weapons in college football.

Darian Mensah.

Malachi Toney.

Both are legitimate Heisman candidates.

Both have been spectacular.

And both have consistently delivered explosive plays when Miami needs them most.

This matchup is loaded with future NFL talent.

But the biggest story might be the defenses.

Both teams feature incredibly efficient offenses.

Both secondaries have shown vulnerability.

And Notre Dame's recent injuries in the defensive backfield only make Miami's passing attack more dangerous.

I expect Notre Dame to move the football.

I expect Miami to answer.

And I expect this game to come down to whichever quarterback has the ball last.

Give me Mensah and the Hurricanes.

GIVE ME MIAMI IN A SHOOTOUT!

SCORE PREDICTION: MIAMI 34, NOTRE DAME 31

BEST BET: OVER 57.5

---

NO. 2 GEORGIA (7-1) @ NO. 12 OLE MISS (6-2)

Weather: 53°F Spread: Georgia -3.5 Over/Under: 56.5

REVENGE IS ON THE MENU

You think Georgia has forgotten what happened in January?

Not a chance.

The last time these teams met was in the Sugar Bowl, where Ole Miss delivered one of the most memorable performances of the College Football Playoff.

After the chaos surrounding Lane Kiffin's departure, the Rebels entered that matchup with plenty of people counting them out.

Apparently, Trinidad Chambliss didn't get the memo.

Chambliss made one incredible play after another, establishing himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in college football.

And when Lucas Carneiro delivered the decisive kick, Georgia's season was over.

Ole Miss advanced.

The Bulldogs went home.

You can bet Kirby Smart has been thinking about that one ever since.

Georgia looked like the best team in America for much of this season.

Then came the shocking loss to Auburn.

But the Bulldogs responded exactly how championship-caliber programs are supposed to respond.

They absolutely dominated Florida last week.

Offense.

Defense.

Special teams.

Georgia controlled all three phases.

The Gators' only points came courtesy of a pick-six.

Now Georgia gets its rematch.

And while Ole Miss has the offensive talent to make this another classic, I expect the Bulldogs to be much more disciplined this time around.

Georgia's defensive front should create enough pressure to make Chambliss uncomfortable.

And offensively, the Bulldogs should be able to establish their physicality.

This won't be easy.

Oxford will be electric.

But revenge is a powerful motivator.

And Georgia has been waiting a long time for this opportunity.

SCORE PREDICTION: GEORGIA 27, OLE MISS 23

BEST BET: GEORGIA MONEYLINE

---

WEST VIRGINIA (5-3) @ NO. 13 TEXAS TECH (7-1)

Weather: 53°F Spread: Texas Tech -17.5 Over/Under: 64.5

DON'T FORGET ABOUT LAST YEAR

49-0.

That's what Texas Tech did to West Virginia last season.

Not 49-7.

Not 49-14.

FORTY-NINE TO NOTHING.

At West Virginia.

You think the Mountaineers have forgotten that embarrassment?

I doubt it.

West Virginia enters this matchup with revenge on its mind and an extra week to prepare after its bye.

And while Texas Tech has been one of the more impressive teams in the Big 12, I think this matchup could be much closer than the sportsbooks suggest.

The Red Raiders made a quarterback change against Arizona last week, and the offense immediately appeared more explosive.

That's encouraging heading into the most important stretch of the season.

But West Virginia presents an interesting challenge.

The Mountaineers feature the fifth-ranked rushing attack in the country, while Texas Tech has one of the nation's toughest run defenses.

Something has to give.

On the other side, West Virginia's pass defense ranks dead last nationally.

That's obviously a major concern against an improving Texas Tech passing attack.

And with the Red Raiders favored by 17.5 and the total sitting at 64.5, the market is clearly expecting Texas Tech to put up a massive number.

I'm reading this differently.

West Virginia has had extra time to prepare.

The Mountaineers have revenge on their minds.

And I think their rushing attack can shorten this game and keep Texas Tech's offense standing on the sideline.

Do I think West Virginia wins?

No.

But do I think the Mountaineers can make this uncomfortable?

Absolutely.

Give me Texas Tech to win.

But give me West Virginia to cover.

SCORE PREDICTION: TEXAS TECH 27, WEST VIRGINIA 17

BEST BET: WEST VIRGINIA +17.5

---

WEEK 10 SCORE PREDICTIONS & BEST BETS

Matchup	Score Prediction	Best Bet
No. 7 BYU @ No. 3 Utah	Utah 31, BYU 20	Utah ML
No. 5 UCLA @ Minnesota	UCLA 16, Minnesota 10	Under 39.5
No. 10 Texas @ No. 19 Missouri	Texas 24, Missouri 20	Texas ML / Over 42.5
Oregon @ No. 11 Ohio State	Ohio State 28, Oregon 13	Under 46.5
No. 9 Alabama @ No. 15 LSU	LSU 33, Alabama 24	LSU ML / Over 52.5
No. 8 Kentucky @ No. 16 Tennessee	Kentucky 27, Tennessee 23	Kentucky +6.5
No. 1 Miami @ No. 4 Notre Dame	Miami 34, Notre Dame 31	Over 57.5
No. 2 Georgia @ No. 12 Ole Miss	Georgia 27, Ole Miss 23	Georgia ML
West Virginia @ No. 13 Texas Tech	Texas Tech 27, WVU 17	WVU +17.5

---

WEEK 10 UPSET ALERTS 🚨

We're calling for two outright upsets this week.

NO. 8 KENTUCKY OVER NO. 16 TENNESSEE

The Wildcats have the offensive creativity, physicality, and quarterback play to pull off a massive road victory in Knoxville.

NO. 1 MIAMI OVER NO. 4 NOTRE DAME

Yes, Miami is the No. 1 team in the country.

But Notre Dame is favored by six points at home.

We're taking the Hurricanes to walk into South Bend and leave undefeated.

---

FINAL THOUGHTS

Week 10 has everything.

The Holy War.

A pair of desperate programs fighting for their playoff lives in Columbus.

Alabama traveling to Death Valley.

Georgia looking for revenge.

Kentucky trying to prove its dream season is no fluke.

And the No. 1 team in America walking into South Bend as an underdog.

By the time Saturday night rolls around, the College Football Playoff picture could look completely different.

Somebody's championship dreams are going to take a serious hit.

Somebody's going to pull off an upset nobody saw coming.

And somewhere, a fanbase is going to spend the next seven days arguing about whether its team deserves to be ranked.

WELCOME TO NOVEMBER COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

Every game matters. Every possession counts. And the chaos is just getting started.

— Sizzlin Sports