Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) is pressured by Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the third quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 43-20.

Week 10 of the 2025 college football season isn't just another Saturday; it's a midseason crossroads.

With CFP résumés hanging in the balance, ranked teams are vying to climb, and the underdogs are itching to rewrite expectations. This weekend's slate of games delivers more than marquee games; it demands headlines.

The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the weekend undefeated, challenged by a reinvention from the Penn State Nittany Lions. Meanwhile, rising programs like the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Texas Longhorns square off with conference implications.

Whether giants stay lofty or cracks start to form in the façade, we will see the verdicts this weekend. Here are five must-watch games for Week 10.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

Ohio State and Penn State kick off on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 12:00 p.m. ET on Fox. The Buckeyes have won eight straight games over the Nittany Lions, yet their average winning margin is only 6.75 points. Despite the history of tight games, this one is expected to be a blowout, with the Buckeyes listed as heavy favorites at 20.5 points.

2. Texas Longhorns vs. Vanderbilt Commodores

Also at noon ET on Saturday on ABC, this matchup presents a résumé boost opportunity for both teams. Texas needs to avoid a letdown, while Vanderbilt can catapult itself. Texas' defense has quietly become the backbone of their season as they have given up just 14.6 points per game and are ranked among the nation's best in limiting rushing yards and stopping third-down conversions. That stinginess on third-downs could tip the scales when they face a Vanderbilt unit that thrives on long, methodical drives and dominating time of possession.

3. Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators

This classic rivalry kicks off on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC with fresh stakes at play. Georgia is trying to maintain dominance, while the Gators are looking to reset, reclaim, or at least make a statement. Florida's fresh face at the helm seeks to inject hope into a program craving momentum. Expect history to be on Georgia's side, but rivalry weekends are never just about the record.

4. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Oklahoma Sooners

A matchup under the lights in Knoxville as the Vols host the Sooners at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Two programs with major upside and significant expectations. Tennessee boasts the SEC's top scoring offense, while Oklahoma brings one of the nation's elite defenses. With both squads sitting at 6-2 ahead of this contest, the loser may see its championship hopes slip through its fingers.

5. Utah Utes vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

This game is a late kickoff at 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, so there's no excuse to miss it. The Big 12's marquee matchup features the conference frontrunner Cincinnati against upstart Utah. The Bearcats' balanced offense meets the Utes' stout defense. The ground game for Utah threatens to flip Cincinnati's rhythm.

Final Word

These five matchups in Week 10 combine high stakes, conference relevance, and potential playoff ramifications. Ohio State and Penn State will shape the Big Ten's hierarchy. Texas and Vanderbilt could rewrite the SEC's pecking order. Georgia and Florida rekindle tradition, while Tennessee and Oklahoma test their offenses under prime-time lights. Then Cincinnati and Utah will close out the day under the stars. November has officially arrived, buckle up.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: The 5 biggest games in Week 10 of the 2025 college football season

Reporting by Lauren Beasley, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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