Road to Vegas: 5 matchups to watch in Week 10 of college football

Week 10 of the college football season is a big one featuring 23 Top 25 teams in action including nine from the Top 10 and six ranked-on-ranked matchups.

With several programs eyeing the top spot in their respective conferences, here are five games to watch as the season winds toward the 2027 CFP title game in Las Vegas in January.

No. 1 Miami at No. 4 Notre Dame

For the third straight week, the Hurricanes hold the top spot in the national rankings and now head to South Bend for a Top 5 matchup against the Irish.

Miami enters the game undefeated at 8-0 after closing out a nail-biter against North Carolina in Week 9, while the Irish are 7-1 following a 35-13 win over Navy.

This season, Miami has had one of the nation’s most productive offenses, averaging 47.6 points and 534.9 yards per game, led by a passing attack that averages 332.4 yards per game. But the ‘Canes’ will be without top receiver Malachi Toney, who was lost to a high ankle sprain and needs surgery.

Meanwhile, the Irish have been effective at creating turnovers, ranking third nationally with a plus-14 turnover margin, while allowing an average of 13.4 points and 236.1 yards per game.

No. 7 BYU at No. 3 Utah

The longstanding “Holy War” rivalry between BYU and Utah takes center stage in Salt Lake City as the Cougars visit the undefeated Utes for the first Top 10 matchup in the series.

Utah enters at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in Big 12 play after defeating Cincinnati 49-25 in Week 9, while BYU is 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference games after outlasting the Sun Devils 27-20.

Utah holds a 62-37-4 advantage in the all-time series and will look to defend its home field in the 104th meeting between the programs. BYU has won the past three meetings, including a 24-21 victory in Provo in 2025.

No. 2 Georgia at No. 12 Ole Miss

Georgia travels to Oxford for an SEC matchup against Ole Miss after a 27-8 win over Florida at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, improving the Bulldogs’ record to 7-1 in 2026.

The Bulldogs enter Saturday with one of the nation’s most productive offenses and top defenses, averaging 41 points and 450.9 yards per game while allowing 14.9 points per game and limiting opponents to 86.8 rushing yards per contest.

While facing a Georgia defense that has allowed 20 points just twice this season, Ole Miss will look to remain undefeated at home. The Rebels’ offense has averaged 37.1 points and 439.6 yards per game.

The programs last met in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal last season, when Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34 in New Orleans.

No. 9 Alabama at No. 15 LSU

A ranked SEC showdown awaits in Baton Rouge as the Crimson Tide take on Lane Kiffin’s Tigers, with both programs still in contention in the conference title race. Both teams enter at 6-2 overall, while Alabama sits at 4-2 in conference play and LSU at 3-2.

LSU is coming off a 38-17 win over Auburn, highlighted by quarterback Sam Leavitt throwing for a career-high 387 yards, while wide receiver Jackson Harris added nine catches for 178 yards.

Alabama enters after defeating Texas A&M 31-20 on Oct. 24, when sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Crimson Tide to their sixth win of the season.

Alabama has won the past three meetings, including a 20-9 victory in Tuscaloosa last season.

No. 8 Kentucky at No. 16 Tennessee

The Wildcats and Volunteers meet in Knoxville for a matchup between two programs looking to build momentum. Kentucky enters at 7-1 overall and 5-1 in SEC play, tied with Georgia for first place in the conference standings, while Tennessee is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

The Wildcats are coming off a 34-17 win over Vanderbilt and have averaged 32.9 points per game while ranking fourth nationally with a plus-13 turnover margin.

The Volunteers have averaged 213 rushing yards per game, led by running back DeSean Bishop, who has rushed for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

Donovan Hicks Las Vegas Review-Journal