Georgia-Tennessee leads jam-packed list of college football games to watch in Week 10
November is here, and that means the college football season is heading into the home stretch.
The SEC takes center stage in Week 10 with a pivotal contest in each division. There’s just one other top-25 matchup beyond those two headliners, but the Saturday slate also includes a playoff contender looking to avoid a stumble on the road, another big game in the Little Apple, and a poll newcomer trying to stay ranked.
As always, we recognize that your personal rooting interest will influence your viewing choices, and unexpected events might well draw our attention to action in other locales. But we think these six games will be the most watchable on Saturday.
No. 3 Tennessee at No. 1 Georgia
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Why watch: They don’t get much bigger than this. The winner of this showdown seizes control of the SEC East and will be able to forge its own path to the College Football Playoff. The loser would not be out of the picture but needs help and must place its fate in the hands of the committee. Tennessee brings the nation’s top-ranked offense into Athens, and there’s little secret about how the Vols want to move the ball. QB Hendon Hooker picks up yardage in big chunks, averaging 10.7 yards per pass attempt. His favorite target, WR Jalin Hyatt, leads the Bowl Subdivision with 14 TD catches. The excellent Bulldogs’ defense anchored by LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson doesn’t often get gashed up front, but its secondary will be tested. UGa will also be without LB Nolan Smith, a mainstay in the pass rush game, for the remainder of the season due to a pectoral injury. Georgia QB Stetson Bennett can also throw it a bit, but the Bulldogs’ offense is built for power. The RB trio of Daijun Edwards, Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton have 17 rushing TDs among them, though Milton did not play in last week’s win against Florida and remains questionable with a quad issue. Tennessee's defense has given up its share of yards but has 16 takeaways. You’ll likely see DB Trevon Flowers around the ball often.
Why it could disappoint: It’s hard to believe that it will. While it might appear Tennessee’s offense is better equipped to score quickly, the Bulldogs can put up points in bunches as well. Neither team has been excessively turnover prone, so it’s unlikely either side will build an insurmountable advantage.
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No. 6 Alabama at No. 17 LSU
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Why watch: Alabama-LSU is usually the SEC headliner at this point on the calendar. It’s still important, as it will go a long way toward deciding the SEC West race, but it takes a back seat to the above showdown in Athens. Both teams had last week off and should therefore be as healthy as possible at this juncture of the season. LSU’s pass rush has not been exceptional, so QB Bryce Young might actually have time to work. RB Jahmyr Gibbs has done well finding open spaces, but Tigers LB Micah Baskerville will be monitoring him closely. LSU QB Jayden Daniels often takes matters into his own hands, but he’s going to need help from WR Malik Nabers and RB Josh Williams if he hopes to avoid frequent collisions with Crimson Tide LB Will Anderson.
Why it could disappoint: The Crimson Tide is rarely on the short end of a rout, so if it gets away it will likely be in Alabama’s favor. LSU couldn’t keep up with Tennessee last month, so the Tigers can’t afford to fall behind early again.
No. 5 Clemson at Notre Dame
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Why watch: With the Atlantic Division all but wrapped up, Clemson steps outside the ACC for this contest that falls more under the "better not lose" than the "must win" category. The Fighting Irish have already made life difficult for a couple of other ACC members but have yet to play a strong 60 minutes on their home field. Clemson fans will be extremely interested in the performance of QB D.J. Uiagalelei, who was pulled in favor of backup Cade Klubnik in the Tigers’ comeback win against Syracuse two weeks ago. LB J.D. Bertrand and the Notre Dame defense figure to focus their attention on Tigers’ RB Will Shipley and force Uiagalelei to make sound decisions. On offense, the Fighting Irish will again rely on RB Audric Estime to keep the pressure off the struggling passing attack. QB Drew Pyne has been inconsistent, and he might be in for a long night if under duress from DE Myles Murphy and the formidable Clemson D-line.
Why it could disappoint: As mentioned, the Irish have been inconsistent at best in front of their home crowd for whatever reason. The Tigers would like to remove any suspense while also averting any QB controversy.
Texas at No. 14 Kansas State
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, FS1
Why watch: After turning in arguably the most impressive performance in Week 9 in a whitewashing of Oklahoma State, the Wildcats are well positioned to earn a likely rematch with TCU in the Big 12 title game. A few obstacles remain, however, beginning with the hot-and-cold Longhorns who came up a touchdown short in their most recent outing against those same Cowboys two weeks ago. The Texas offense is much more effective with QB Quinn Ewers back in the lineup, but LB Austin Moore and the K-State defense turned in a master class on this field a week ago. Wildcats QB Adrian Martinez remains week-to-week with a knee injury, but the offense will be in good hands if veteran backup Will Howard is called on to start again. Longhorns LB Jaylan Ford figures to become well-acquainted with K-State RB Deuce Vaughn.
Why it could disappoint: Big 12 games rarely do this season, but both these teams have shown take-over ability. Neither has been on the short end of a blowout, however, so figure on this one remaining competitive.
No. 19 Wake Forest at No. 20 North Carolina State
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ACC
Why watch: The ACC championship is off the table for these preseason hopefuls, and the Orange Bowl is unlikely now as well. But while there’s little more than in-state bragging rights on the line, the intensity level should still be quite high as these rivals look to retain their place in the poll and possibly move into New Year's Six consideration. The Wolfpack dug a 21-3 hole last time out against Virginia Tech but rallied behind freshman QB M.J. Morris, who will have the keys to the offense now with Devin Leary out for the year with a torn pectoral muscle. Wake QB Sam Hartman looks to bounce back from last week’s disastrous outing at Louisville in which the Demon Deacons gave the ball away six times in the third quarter alone.
Why it could disappoint: There are blowout scenarios both ways. Wake’s pass protection difficulties could trigger another barrage of giveaways, or the Wolfpack’s offense could bog down as everybody tries to adjust to new personnel. But these teams split 45-42 shootouts the last two times they’ve gotten together, so another wild ride seems more likely.
No. 23 Liberty at Arkansas
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, SEC
Why watch: As an independent, Liberty faces long odds to earn a New Year’s Six bowl invitation. The Flames, in fact, didn’t appear at all in the playoff committee’s initial rankings. Even so, taking down an SEC team on the road would be a nice feather in their cap. The Razorbacks will have other ideas, however, as they try to make their way into the top 25. Liberty had a week off to enjoy its Oct. 22 thrashing of BYU, fueled by RB Dae Dae Hunter and QB Johnathan Bennett. But a week earlier, the Flames narrowly escaped Championship Subdivision member Gardner-Webb. Solving the Arkansas defense, still led by LB and all-name team fixture Bumper Pool, will be a challenge. QB KJ Jefferson and RB Raheim Sanders were in top form last week as the Razorbacks snapped a three-game SEC losing streak at Auburn. LBs Mike Smith and Ahmad Walker anchor the Flames’ ground defense that will try to contain them.
Why it could disappoint: The Flames could be overmatched here, but Hugh Freeze is familiar with the SEC and with coaching in its hostile environs. If Liberty can produce points early, the game could be a four-quarter battle that the Razorbacks don’t particularly want at this juncture.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia-Tennessee leads college football games to watch in Week 10
