It's the week we've all been waiting for. This is the best slate we'll see all year, with seven ranked matchups on deck Saturday.
Who will win the Holy War? Can Notre Dame make a statement to the College Football Playoff committee by taking down Miami? Let's break it all down.
Here are our picks and favorite bets against the spread.
👉 Check out all college football Week 10 lines on theScore Bet
Our trio of betting writers - Brenden Deeg, Dane Belbeck, and Eric Patterson - will make picks against the spread for the week's biggest games all season.
Brenden Deeg breaks down a few of this week's marquee matchups, adding his own analysis and insights. He also identifies three hidden gems the public may be overlooking.
Game time - 12 p.m. ET
🏈 Bet: Utah (-4.5)
The Holy War is one of College Football's most storied rivalries, and this weekend marks the schools' first meeting where both teams have been ranked in the AP Poll's top 10.
Utah's offense has been incredible under new play-caller Kevin McGiven. It ranks ninth in EPA/play across the country and, most importantly for this game, fifth in yards per carry. BYU has a great back seven, but it's been shaky at stopping the run. The Cougars rank 74th in rush-defense success rate when facing Power 4 opponents this season, according to TruMedia. BYU's defense is allowing Power 4 running backs to gain 3.46 yards after contact. Utah's Wayshawn Parker has forced 39 missed tackles this season and should have a great game.
The Utes' offensive line is also playing at an elite level, allowing a 27.9% pressure rate this season - which is inside the FBS' top 30. BYU, meanwhile, ranks 94th in pressure rate. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier is playing well and should have time to operate against this pass rush.
On the other side, LJ Martin's injury has hampered BYU's offense. It's unclear whether the star running back will return Saturday, and he's listed as questionable. If he does play, he'll reportedly be limited and won't be at 100%. In four games without Martin this year, the Cougars averaged 3.6 yards per carry, ranking 91st in the country during that stretch. Without a healthy Martin, I don't see BYU's offense gaining traction on the ground against a Utah defense that ranks 17th in EPA/designed rush allowed. It'll be tough for Bear Bachmeier to carry them to a win without a rushing attack.
Utah is 7-1 against the spread this year, including a 5-0 mark at home. I'll take the Utes to cover this number and keep their amazing season going. 👉 Add Utah to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
Game time - 7:30 p.m. ET
🏈 Bet: Notre Dame (-7.5)
Malachi Toney's injury has taken a ton of juice out of this game, as the Heisman candidate is set to miss four-to-six weeks with a sprained ankle that requires surgery. The spread is now over the key number of seven after sitting at 5.5 earlier this week.
Even though Notre Dame is now favored by more than a touchdown because of Toney's injury, the main reason this spread is so high is because of the Hurricanes' issues on the other side of the ball. Miami's defense has been suspect all season, and this is a great matchup for the Fighting Irish. Miami ranks 49th in EPA/dropback among all Power 4 programs and allows 251.9 passing yards per contest, 122nd in the country. Notre Dame has by far the best offensive line Miami will see all year, and I think CJ Carr will pick the Hurricanes apart.
Notre Dame is dealing with injuries on defense, but the team is still relatively healthy, and Toney's absence is truly a massive loss for Miami's offense. The sophomore wideout has accounted for over 38% of the Hurricanes' total yards, and instantly replacing his production is impossible. The Fighting Irish allow just 2.5 yards per carry and have a 68.1% rush-defense success rate, ranking sixth in the country. In order to make up for Toney's absence, Miami will have to run the ball well, and I don't see that happening.
Motivation is also a massive factor here. Notre Dame's had this game circled since it was left out of the College Football Playoff last year and needs a win after losing to BYU. The team is at home, and the stadium in South Bend will be rocking. Give me the Fighting Irish to make a statement Saturday and cover this number. 👉 Add Notre Dame to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
Game time - 9:30 p.m. ET
🏈 Bet: West Virginia (+17.5)
Texas Tech came to play last week in Thomas Castellanos' first start with the Red Raiders, taking down Arizona 34-26 at home. While the Red Raiders probably won't lose outright, I foresee West Virginia giving them trouble at Galaxy Stadium.
West Virginia has one of the best offenses in the country, ranking 12th in yards per game and 20th in EPA/play. Quarterback Michael Hawkins is second in the FBS in total touchdowns with 27. Texas Tech's defense hasn't been living up to the program's reputation - it's ranked 62nd in yards per play, and Cincinnati ran for 255 yards against it two weeks ago. That's a good sign for a West Virginia team that can run the ball. The Mountaineers also rank 20th in third-down conversion rate on offense, so I expect them to keep drives going to help cover this big spread.
While Castellanos showed flashes last week, he's not an elite passer: He's thrown 29 interceptions in 39 career games and ranks 80th among 83 qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage since 2023. West Virginia's pass defense isn't good, and the Mountaineers will give up points, but I expect this Big 12 showdown to be closer than the massive spread suggests. 👉 Add West Virginia to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
Game time - 12 p.m. ET
🏈 Bet: Baylor (-9.5)
Baylor came out firing last Friday night after dismissing Dave Aranda, taking down UCF 41-9 on the road, and I expect the Bears to keep rolling at McLane Stadium on Homecoming weekend.
Iowa State is coming off a massive upset win over Oklahoma State, and this has the makings of a letdown spot on the road. The Bears are a bad matchup for a Cyclones team that needs to run the ball to succeed - Baylor's defense ranks 20th in EPA/designed carry and 21st in rush success rate.
Injuries have torn apart the Cyclones' defense, which is allowing 7.9 net yards per pass attempt, the 119th-ranked mark in the country. They also allow 6.1 yards per play, ranking 116th in the FBS. DJ Lagway is coming off a tremendous game against the Knights, and I expect the quarterback to build on that success and finish the year strong. 👉 Add Baylor to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
Game time - 4:15 p.m. ET
🏈 Bet: Vanderbilt (+2.5)
Let's get greasy with an old-fashioned bottom-of-the-SEC matchup and ride with Vanderbilt on the road.
With Kamario Taylor out, Mississippi State scored a combined 18 points over its last three games and ranks 129th in the FBS in yards per play during that stretch. It's unclear whether Parker Puckett or AJ Swann will start at quarterback for this game, but I have no confidence in this offense without Taylor at the helm.
The Commodores, meanwhile, are coming off a bye week and will be well-rested against a Bulldogs team returning home after a loss to Texas. Mississippi State's defense ranks 125th in total EPA allowed through the air, and Jared Curtis has shown flashes. The freshman should have success against this banged-up Mississippi State defense, and Clark Lea's squad is 10-2 against the spread as a road underdog since 2024. Give me Vanderbilt to hand Mississippi State its fifth straight loss or cover this small number. 👉 Add Vanderbilt to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
Game time - 7:30 p.m. ET
🏈 Bet: Louisville (-14.5)
The biggest mismatch on Saturday's slate is Louisville's offense against Georgia Tech's defense.
Georgia Tech ranks 58th among all Power 4 programs in yards per play allowed and 129th among all FBS schools in rush success rate. Since Oct. 1, the Yellow Jackets have allowed opposing offenses to gain a whopping 5.6 yards per carry and rank 132nd in the country in total EPA surrendered on the ground.
This bodes well for a Louisville offense that ranks second nationally in yards per carry. Cardinals quarterback Lincoln Kienholz is eighth in the country in EPA/dropback and should be able to do whatever he wants.
Georgia Tech might be the worst Power 4 team in the nation, and the Yellow Jackets are 1-7 against the spread this season. Louisville should roll to an easy win. 👉 Add Louisville to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
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