TRENDING Ravens look ugly on 'TNF' LSU women break D-I record Week 9 fantasy sleepers NFL trade deadline buzz Ranking NBA rookie phenoms Story by Story by 4 bold college football predictions for Week 10: Notre Dame to capitalize on Miami’s injury Trent Knoop · The Big Lead Fri, November 6, 2026 at 6:31 PM UTC · 5 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What a slate of college football this weekend. There will be seven top-25 showdowns and there will be must-see football from Friday night up to late Saturday. But not only is there good football to see, but there are major College Football Playoff implications on the line.
The winner of BYU at Utah will stamp their football in the Big 12 , and will be the clear leader in the conference. A BYU loss could also really damage the Big 12's chances of sending two teams into the Playoff. In the Big Ten, Ohio State needs to beat Oregon, but the Ducks are hot and will send pressure on freshman Luke Fahey.
There are several big-time games in the SEC , including Alabama at LSU. Then there is Miami at Notre Dame. The 'Canes will be without Malachi Toney and will need to find a way to generate offense.
Here are four bold predictions for Week 10.
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Oct 31, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) and wide receiver Kyler Kasper (3) celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
There is so much parity in college football that these conferences are beating each other up. The SEC was the king of the first College Football Playoff rankings reveal. There were five SEC teams ranked inside the top 12. Which is going to make it hard for both the ACC and Big 12.
There are four contenders in the Big 12 to make the playoff: Utah, BYU, Texas Tech, and Houston to some degree. But the Cougars and Utes play one another this weekend and the game will take place in Utah. The Cougars haven't played well since beating Notre Dame. A loss to UCF and a narrow win over Arizona State since.
BYU is going to struggle to win this game, and being ranked No. 8, it could end the Cougars' chances of making the playoff. Texas Tech would be the next team in line, but the Red Raiders aren't playing at a real high level this season and games at Oklahoma State and Texas Tech could end in defeat.
Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola, walks off after the Ducks' win as the Oregon Ducks host the Northwestern Wildcats on Oct. 31, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Don't look now, but Oregon is hot. The 5-3 Ducks are coming off an impressive win over Northwestern. Dylan Raiola was reinserted into the starting lineup and he picked apart a good Wildcats' defense. Raiola will now play an even better defense this weekend, but Ohio State showed plenty of flaws in the 30-18 loss to USC last weekend.
Clearly, Raiola has made mistakes, which is what got him demoted earlier this season. But he has experience after starting two seasons at Nebraska. The former five-star will be tasked with beating Ohio State using his arm. Running back Jordan Davison is out against Ohio State.
The Buckeyes looked very mortal last weekend and Ohio State's offense needs to gel in a hurry with Luke Fahey behind center. Ohio State is the logical pick here with the Buckeyes being at home, but don't count Oregon out. If the Ducks find a way to win , that will likely squash OSU's playoff bid.
Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
It's clear how highly the committee views the Crimson Tide. Not only is Alabama the top-ranked two-loss team, but it's ranked No. 5. Alabama is ahead of undefeated UCLA, who the committee clearly isn't high on.
This weekend's game won't be easy for Kalen DeBoer. LSU also has two losses and Lane Kiffin can't afford a third loss with being ranked No. 14. The Tigers have the top-ranked offense and defense in the SEC, and we saw Georgia beat Alabama earlier this season.
If Sam Leavitt doesn't turn the ball over, the Tigers will be tough to beat in Death Valley. But even if LSU wins, Alabama won't fall from No. 5 out of the top-12, barring a blowout loss. That will just create more friction between the college football fanbase and the playoff committee.
Oct 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (1) runs with the football against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
This is not good for Miami. The top-ranked Hurricanes have to head into South Bend to take on a Notre Dame team that has a chip on its shoulder. The Irish are on the cusp of being out of the top-12 and if Notre Dame loses both of its biggest games this season, that will be disaster for Marcus Freeman.
Not only does Notre Dame need to win this game, but Miami is without its best player. Wide receiver Malachi Toney reportedly injured his ankle in practice and will miss the game on Saturday. The Hurricanes have relied on Toney as much as anytime relies on a player.
Darian Mensah is good and Mark Fletcher is good, but Miami needs Toney. We saw Florida State move the ball up and down on Miami a couple of weeks ago, and CJ Carr's team is better than FSU. Things could get ugly for the 'Canes if they struggle to score.
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Source: Sports
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