Top five Week 10 CFB games: TV info, predictions, start times

There are only two ranked matchups on the college football calendar for Week 10, but that doesn’t mean the week isn’t worth watching.

No team is safe in college football and it’s ultra-important highly-ranked teams continue to win as the first set of College Football Playoff rankings on Nov. 5. 

Here are the top five games of the week, ranked in inverse order.

5. No. 13 Indiana (8-0) at Michigan State (4-4) | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET | Peacock

The Hoosiers look like a legitimate College Football Playoff contender, but the toughest stretch of the schedule is here. The next three games are at Michigan State, home against Michigan and at No. 4 Ohio State. The Spartans have lost four of their last five, but two of the losses were by one score and the other two were to Ohio State and No. 1 Oregon. Indiana’s defense will be the key to win No. 9.

Prediction: Indiana’s defense shuts down Michigan State and the Hoosiers remain undefeated, 37-10.

4. No. 19 Ole Miss (6-2) at Arkansas (5-3) | Saturday | noon ET | ESPN

Lane Kiffin’s squad has a 19% chance to make the CFP, leaving no room for error the remainder of the season. SEC defenses have proved difficult. In four games against non-SEC competition, Ole Miss averaged 55 points per game, but it has averaged just 18 points in four SEC games. Racking up yards isn’t the problem. Ole Miss ranks second in the nation at 538.1 yards per game. Perhaps the Rebels can find their groove against Arkansas. The Hogs allow 22 points per game, which is 11th in the SEC.

Prediction: The CFP hopes slip away as Ole Miss loses, 31-28.

3. No. 10 Texas A&M (7-1) at South Carolina (4-3) | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC

This is another matchup with a highly ranked team traveling to an inferior opponent that might be primed for an upset. South Carolina has three losses this season, but has been close to two major upsets. The Gamecocks lost by three to then-No. 16 LSU in September and by two to then No. 7 Alabama on Oct. 12. Can they finally breakthrough under the lights at home? It will come down to South Carolina’s defensive line against A&M’s running game. The Aggies are ninth in the nation in rushing offense, while South Carolina is 16th nationally in rushing defense.

Prediction: The Gamecocks get the upset, 24-19.

2. No. 18 Pitt (7-0) at No. 20 SMU (7-1) | Saturday | 8 p.m. ET | ACC Network

Don’t forget about the ACC. It may not be the ranked ACC matchup many expected, but it should be a fun one to watch. SMU has a 30% chance to make the playoff, while Pitt has a 20% chance. It’s a must-win game for both and points should be a plenty. Pitt ranks 25th nationally at 443.6 yards per game, while SMU is right behind in 26th at 443.5. SMU has the superior defense and that should be the difference in the game.

Prediction: Points come in bunches, but SMU prevails, 42-35.

1. No. 4 Ohio State (6-1) at No. 3 Penn State (7-0) | Saturday | noon ET | Fox

Can James Franklin finally defeat the Buckeyes? Penn State has lost seven straight to Ohio State and it won’t be easy Saturday. Penn State starting quarterback Drew Allar is a game-time decision after sustaining a first half injury at Wisconsin last week. Both teams possess elite defenses and it may not take many points to win. For Franklin, a Penn State win would be a narrative changer and it would give the Nittany Lions a clear path to the Big Ten championship.

Prediction: Whether Penn State has Allar or not, Ohio State comes away a winner, 27-21.