Best College Football Games to Watch in Week 10: Top Matchups, TV Schedule & Preview

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Written By Justin Bales | Published at November 3, 2026
Oct 17, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (1) catches a touchdown during overtime against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The best college football games in Week 10 feature several ranked matchups with major College Football Playoff implications and conference championship stakes. The Week 10 college football schedule is loaded from start to finish, with rivalry games, potential CFP elimination spots, and some of the biggest matchups of the 2026 season.

Miami travels to Notre Dame for a top-five showdown, while BYU and Utah meet in a highly anticipated edition of the Holy War. Georgia-Ole Miss and Alabama-LSU headline a massive SEC slate with plenty at stake.

Below, we’ll break down the best Week 10 college football matchups, including why each matchup matters, key players and storylines, kickoff times, locations, and TV and streaming information.

Best College Football Games to Watch in Week 10

Rankings play a major role in determining the best college football games this week, but they aren’t the only factor. We ranked the top Week 10 matchups based on College Football Playoff stakes, conference championship implications, rivalry history, rankings, and the overall quality of each matchup.

Week 10 features several ranked matchups across the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, and ACC/Notre Dame landscape. With the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season coming this week, every result carries even more weight as teams begin separating themselves as playoff contenders.

1. Miami vs. Notre Dame

Why It Matters

No. 1 Miami travels to face No. 4 Notre Dame in the biggest game of the Week 10 slate. The Hurricanes enter 8-0, while the Fighting Irish sit at 7-1, making this a matchup with massive College Football Playoff implications.

The Miami vs. Notre Dame matchup will be the first top-five meeting since 1988, which featured a controversial fourth-quarter fumble and a failed two-point conversion for a one-point Notre Dame win.

Miami survived a 38-35 road test against North Carolina last week, while Notre Dame bounced back with a 35-13 win over Navy. A win would strengthen Miami’s case for the No. 1 seed in the CFP, while Notre Dame could significantly improve its playoff position by handing the Hurricanes their first loss.

Key Matchup to Watch

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah against Notre Dame’s defense should be one of the most important battles of the game. The Hurricanes lead the country at 47.6 points per game, while the Fighting Irish allow just 13.4 points and 236.1 total yards per game.

Miami receiver Malachi Toney and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore will face off as two of the best players at their respective positions. Toney has emerged as one of the country’s most dangerous receivers, while Moore helps lead an Irish secondary that ranks among the best in the country.

Broadcast Info

2. BYU vs. Utah

Why It Matters

No. 3 Utah hosts No. 7 BYU in one of the biggest editions of the Holy War in rivalry history. The Utes enter undefeated, while the Cougars have just one loss, giving this matchup major Big 12 and College Football Playoff implications.

The BYU vs. Utah rivalry is also the first top-10 matchup in its history. Utah is in a strong position in the Big 12 title race, while BYU likely needs a win to remain firmly in the CFP conversation. The Cougars have won each of the last three meetings.

Key Matchup to Watch

BYU’s offense faces a difficult test against a physical Utah defense. Bear Bachmeier and company will need to avoid negative plays and finish drives, making red-zone efficiency especially important in a matchup that is projected to stay close throughout.

Broadcast Info

3. Georgia vs. Ole Miss

Why It Matters

No. 2 Georgia and No. 12 Ole Miss will face off in a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Georgia enters this game at 7-1 and remains firmly in the national championship picture, while Ole Miss is 6-2 and likely needs a win to keep its CFP hopes alive.

The Rebels have beaten Georgia in two of the last three meetings, adding another layer to an already important SEC matchup.

Key Matchup to Watch

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss against Georgia’s defense will be the matchup to watch. The Rebels will need to create explosive plays against a Georgia unit that just held Florida to eight points.

If Georgia can limit big gains and force Ole Miss into long drives, the Bulldogs could have the advantage.

Broadcast Info

4. Alabama vs. LSU

Why It Matters

No. 9 Alabama against No. 15 LSU matches up two teams with 6-2 records through eight games. With two losses already on each resume, this matchup could effectively serve as a College Football Playoff elimination game.

Both teams remain alive in the SEC race entering Week 10, making the stakes even higher. The Crimson Tide have had the upper hand recently, including a 42-13 win in Baton Rouge in 2024.

Key Matchup to Watch

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell against the defenses will be the matchups to watch in this game. Both quarterbacks are capable of creating explosive plays, putting pressure on each defense to limit chunk gains.

Avoiding turnovers and overall efficiency from both quarterbacks could be the key to deciding this game.

Broadcast Info

5. Kentucky vs. Tennessee

Why It Matters

No. 8 Kentucky has been one of the biggest surprises in the SEC, entering Week 10 at 7-1 with a legitimate path to the College Football Playoffs. No. 16 Tennessee sits at 6-2 and remains in the postseason picture as well, making this one of the more important games on the SEC schedule.

The Wildcats are beginning a brutal three-game stretch against Tennessee, Florida, and Missouri. A win in Knoxville would significantly strengthen their position in both the SEC and CFP races.

Key Matchup to Watch

The biggest question is whether Kentucky can keep its offense on schedule against Tennessee’s pass rush. The Volunteers are averaging 4.4 sacks per game, so protecting the quarterback and avoiding obvious passing situations will be crucial.

The Wildcats’ ability to consistently win on early downs could determine whether this stays a competitive game throughout.

Broadcast Info

6. Texas vs. Missouri

Why It Matters

No. 10 Texas and No. 19 Missouri both enter Week 10 at 6-2, with little margin for error left in the SEC or College Football Playoff race. Missouri has been outstanding at home, while Texas is coming off a dominant win over Mississippi State.

This is the first meeting between the former Big 12 rivals as SEC opponents, adding some extra intrigue to the matchup.

Key Matchup to Watch

Missouri’s rushing attack could be the biggest factor in this game. Jamal Roberts and Ahmad Hardy combined for 178 rushing yards last week, and the Tigers could lean on both backs to control the game.

On the other side, Arch Manning is coming off a three-touchdown game without an interception against Mississippi State. The Longhorns will look for another dominant performance from him through the air.

Broadcast Info

Other College Football Week 10 Games to Watch

Above are the six best college football games to watch in Week 10, but several other matchups deserve attention.

Oregon vs. No. 11 Ohio State could have major Big Ten implications, particularly with the Buckeyes looking to rebound from last week’s loss to USC. This game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Texas A&M vs. No. 23 South Carolina is another intriguing SEC matchup. The Gamecocks enter with momentum after a convincing win over Oklahoma and will host the Aggies at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The night slate includes No. 21 Iowa vs. Northwestern at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX, with both teams looking to remain in the Big Ten race.

Final Thoughts

Week 10 has a strong argument as one of the best college football slates of the 2026 season. Miami-Notre Dame earns top billing because of its top-five rankings and enormous CFP implications, while BYU-Utah combines playoff stakes with one of the sport’s best rivalries.

Georgia-Ole Miss and Alabama-LSU could reshape the SEC and national playoff picture, while Kentucky-Tennessee and Texas-Missouri give the conference even more meaningful games.

With ranked matchups spread throughout Saturday, there should be consequential college football from noon through the late-night window.

Check out our latest Week 8 college football odds and CFB game previews before placing wagers.

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