Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley (14) smiles as he stands next to Smokey after winning a NCAA football game against Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky on Oct. 25, 2025.
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) runs the ball to the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a NCAA men’s football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Baylor Bears, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Bearcats won 41-20.
Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen celebrates on the field after defeating Florida Atlantic Owls at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell after losing the game to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) signals a first down during a NCAA football game against Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky on Oct. 25, 2025.

Week 10 was one we had circled coming into the 2025 season.

Just looking at the preseason rankings, it looked like it would be one of the most loaded college football slates in recent memory. However, sometimes, this sport has other plans.

Several matchups that looked like they would define this weekend are now afterthoughts — *cough cough* Ohio State-Penn State *cough* — but the Week 10 slate is far from bare.

We get a trio of ranked-on-ranked matchups on Saturday, with perhaps the headliner being what looks like a College Football Playoff elimination game between Oklahoma and Tennessee in Knoxville. Elsewhere, Vanderbilt looks to continue its magical run on the road against Texas, while Cincinnati travels to hostile Salt Lake City looking to remain unbeaten in Big 12 play against Utah.

Here's a look at the watchability rankings for Saturday's action in Week 10.

All odds via BetMGM

Best game of the week: Oklahoma at Tennessee

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

A pair of two-loss SEC teams square off in Knoxville in primetime for our game of the week. The Sooners are coming off a frustrating home loss to Ole Miss, and they'll hope to fix some of their recent offensive woes against a Tennessee defense that has been pretty porous so far in SEC play. However, Oklahoma's own stellar defense will be put to the test against a Joey Aguilar-led Vols offense that has had no trouble putting up a lot of points this season.

This game is a de facto College Football Playoff eliminator, as the loser will exit this one with three losses while tough games still loom on the schedule.

Game with the most CFP implications: Cincinnati at Utah

Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

I'll be honest: The playoff stakes are probably higher in the previous matchup, but the same game is not eligible for two superlatives. Instead, we turn to Saturday's nightcap in Salt Lake City as Utah plays host to a 7-1 Cincinnati team that is a surprising 5-0 in Big 12 play.

The Bearcats control their own playoff destiny at the moment, but that could change against a Utah team that is coming off a 53-7 beatdown win over Colorado. Cincy's run game will be put to the test against a solid Utah front seven, especially with leading rusher Evan Pryor not expected to play.

Cincinnati will remain on track to reach the Big 12 title game with a win, but a loss would open up the door for one-loss Houston and Texas Tech teams.

Most intriguing weeknight game: UNC at Syracuse

Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Don't look now, but North Carolina is actually showing some signs of life under Bill Belichick. Unfortunately, it's been overshadowed by the absolutely heartbreaking losses the Tar Heels have taken in the last two weeks, coming literally inches shy of a win against both Cal and Virginia.

Now, they have a real chance to get into the win column against a Syracuse team that has struggled since losing quarterback Steve Angeli for the season in the win over Clemson. UNC will head to central New York in the only weeknight matchup between power conference opponents.

The "what could have been" game of the week: Penn State at Ohio State

Saturday, Noon ET, FOX

Many expected this one could be the game of the year coming into the season as both squads ranked in the preseason top three, but Penn State didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Amid a three-game losing streak, the Nittany Lions fired longtime coach James Franklin earlier this month.

The Nittany Lions have lost four games in a row and are still looking for their first win in Big Ten play. It likely won't come on the road against Ohio State, but perhaps Penn State can muster something in this game, even with starting quarterback Drew Allar out for the season.

Best Group of Five game: Navy at North Texas

Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN2

Thanks to losses from Memphis and South Florida over the last two weeks, the unbeaten Midshipmen find themselves in pole position in the American and control their own destiny as far as the CFP goes. However, that unbeaten start will be put to the test on Saturday.

Navy travels to face North Texas in what will be its most difficult game to this point, and its defense will certainly have its hands full against the high-powered Mean Green offense. A Midshipmen loss would open up the conference race, and therefore the Group of Five playoff race, entirely.

Sickos game of the week: Wake Forest at Florida State

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ACCN

Embattled Florida State coach Mike Norvell survived a tough loss against Stanford, but he really can't afford to fall to 0-5 in ACC play as FSU hosts Wake Forest after its bye. The Demon Deacons are a surprising 5-2 team, and Florida State is looking for its first home win over Wake since 2018.

If FSU loses this game, things are going to get absolutely nuclear in Tallahassee.

Also watch...

Vanderbilt at Texas: Saturday, Noon ET, ABC

Florida vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville): Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

USC at Nebraska: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., NBC

This article originally appeared on For The Win: College football Week 10 watchability rankings: Oklahoma faces Tennessee in CFP eliminator

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, For The Win / For The Win

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