November brings the College Football Playoff race into sharp focus, with the first CFP rankings revealing surprises and leaving several top teams on the bubble. Seven games in Week 10 will significantly shape the playoff picture, featuring top-ranked Miami at No. 11 Notre Dame, No. 9 BYU at No. 3 Utah, No. 5 Alabama at No. 14 LSU, No. 2 Georgia at No. 10 Ole Miss, No. 23 Oregon at No. 12 Ohio State, No. 19 Iowa at Northwestern, and UTSA at FAU.
Miami at Notre Dame
No. 1 Miami travels to No. 11 Notre Dame in a game that could determine both teams' playoff fate. The Hurricanes, with an unimpressive schedule and only one top-25 win, risk falling from the top spot to the bubble with a loss. Notre Dame, barely inside the field, needs a victory to solidify its position. Miami will be without wide receiver Malachi Toney due to an ankle injury.
BYU at Utah
No. 9 BYU faces No. 3 Utah in Salt Lake City. Despite wins over Notre Dame and Arizona, the Cougars' loss to UCF leaves them on the playoff edge. Utah, ranked third with only one ranked victory, relies on advanced metrics but could see its position damaged with a loss.
Alabama at LSU
No. 5 Alabama visits No. 14 LSU at Death Valley. The Crimson Tide are considered the most overranked team in the CFP rankings, having lost to Tennessee and Georgia. A third loss could cause a dramatic drop. LSU, outside the playoff field without a ranked win, boasts a strong defense under Lane Kiffin.
Georgia at Ole Miss
No. 2 Georgia meets No. 10 Ole Miss in an elimination game for the Rebels. Ole Miss has shown inconsistency, with impressive wins over Missouri and LSU but poor performances against Florida and Texas. Georgia will test whether the Rebels are playoff-ready.
Oregon at Ohio State
No. 23 Oregon travels to No. 12 Ohio State in what amounts to a last stand for the Buckeyes. Ohio State's two losses, including a 30-18 defeat to USC, have raised concerns. The Buckeyes' offense under Luke Fahey and regressing defense face a talented Oregon team that could play spoiler.
Iowa at Northwestern
No. 19 Iowa visits Northwestern, a 6-2 team left out of the initial top 25. A 10-2 Big Ten record could still push a team into the conversation. Iowa enters with momentum after a 30-0 win over Wisconsin, while Northwestern narrowly lost at Indiana and faces Ohio State next week.
UTSA at FAU
UTSA, 7-1 with its only loss to No. 7 Texas, remains undefeated in American Conference play. The Roadrunners face a road test against FAU's high-octane offense led by Zach Kittley on a nationally televised Thursday night.
