Sports
Week 10 College Football Highlights: Top 18 Matchups and Key Playoff Implications
The most significant weekend of the 2026 college football season is underway. Week 10 features seven games involving teams in the first set of the College Football Playoff rankings, and six of those contests involve teams ranked in the top 18. The lineup has been expanded to six featured games because of the quality of the matchups.
No. 9 BYU vs. No. 3 Utah – 10 a.m. (Holy War) Utah entered the week at No. 3 after a decisive win over Cincinnati. The Utes traveled east after a victory over No. 17 Houston and a win against No. 15 Texas Tech. Utah scored touchdowns on all four of its offensive possessions before halftime and added two defensive scores. The Utes’ offense is the most efficient in the country at 6.9 yards per play. Running back Wayshawn Parker has 726 yards and nine touchdowns on 109 carries, and quarterback Devon Dampier has 23 touchdown passes. BYU could exploit Utah’s turnover tendency; Utah has forced two turnovers in five of its eight games but has also turned the ball over twice in each of its last four games. BYU has forced only five turnovers since Utah Tech’s four turnovers in Week 1. Star rusher LJ Martin is returning to practice after a lower‑body injury and could be a significant boost if healthy.
No. 7 Texas vs. No. 18 Missouri The loser of this game will need to win its last three games to keep any playoff hope alive. Missouri faces No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Kentucky next, while Texas has No. 15 LSU to play. Texas may be shorthanded: running back Hollywood Smothers is unlikely to play, edge rusher Colin Simmons is still recovering from an ankle injury, and wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman are dealing with shoulder injuries. Tackle Trevor Goosby is out for the season after a knee injury. Texas’ offense averages 5.5 yards per play after a 31‑3 win over Mississippi State. Raleek Brown has become Texas’ primary back with 452 yards and five touchdowns.
No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 14 LSU Alabama may have more playoff cushion than expected, while LSU needs wins over Alabama, Texas, and No. 13 Tennessee to feel secure. LSU defeated Auburn in Week 9, aided by wide receiver Jackson Harris, who has 634 yards and seven touchdowns in 2026. LSU’s quarterback Sam Leavitt has thrown eight interceptions in eight games but has not thrown a pick since October 10. Alabama rebounded from back‑to‑back losses with a 31‑20 win over Texas A&M in Week 9. Quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
No. 6 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Tennessee Kentucky’s first eight weeks have been impressive. The Wildcats will face Tennessee, the first of three straight games against ranked opponents. Kentucky’s quarterback Kenny Minchey has a 69% completion rate, 14 touchdowns, and one interception. The Wildcats have turned the ball over only five times all season and average fewer than five penalties per game.
No. 1 Miami vs. No. 11 Notre Dame The Irish are No. 4 in the AP poll but sit outside the top 10 in the CFP committee. Notre Dame’s final three games are against Boston College, SMU, and Syracuse. To beat Miami, Notre Dame will need to strengthen its run game. Running back Nolan James Jr. is Notre Dame’s top rusher, and freshman Jonaz Walton averages nearly seven yards per carry. Miami’s star receiver Malachi Toney is out with an ankle injury and is expected to miss 4‑6 weeks.
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 10 Ole Miss Georgia and Ole Miss have produced close games in the past. Ole Miss’s quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has thrown for 362 yards and two touchdowns in the CFP win and has 25 touchdowns this season. Running back Kewan Lacy is out for Saturday’s game.
Other games to watch • No. 8 UCLA vs. Minnesota – Noon ET, Fox • No. 23 Oregon vs. No. 12 Ohio State – 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS • No. 19 Iowa vs. Northwestern – 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox • Oklahoma vs. No. 24 Florida – 7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Frequently asked questions
Which teams are playing in the Week 10 top 18 matchups?
No. 9 BYU vs. No. 3 Utah; No. 7 Texas vs. No. 18 Missouri; No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 14 LSU; No. 6 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Tennessee; No. 1 Miami vs. No. 11 Notre Dame; No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 10 Ole Miss; plus other games: No. 8 UCLA vs. Minnesota, No. 23 Oregon vs. No. 12 Ohio State, No. 19 Iowa vs. Northwestern, and Oklahoma vs. No. 24 Florida.
What are the playoff implications for Texas vs. Missouri?
The loser must win its last three games to keep any playoff hope alive. Missouri faces No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Kentucky next, while Texas has No. 15 LSU to play.