Each week, The Game Haus will preview every college football game featuring teams in The Associated Press Top 25. We’ll also give an expanded look at three Week 10 Top 25 matchups especially worth watching.
Here we go with our Week 10 Top 25 previews (all times Eastern):
Key Games
No. 8 Georgia (6-1) vs. No. 6 Florida (7-1) (at Jacksonville, Fla.), 3:30 p.m, Saturday
Scouting the Bulldogs: It’s cocktail party time in north Florida, and kicks off our Week 10 Top 25 previews. Georgia has won the last two meetings between these rivals.The Bulldogs have also had two weeks to prepare for the Gators, and making sure they keep their shot at an SEC title still intact.
Scouting the Gators: Like the Bulldogs, Florida has had two weeks to get ready for this matchup. The Gators are facing their third top 10 team in 2019, and are 1-1. However, that win came against Auburn at home, and beating Georgia on a neutral field would be a major statement.
Winner: Georgia
No. 9 Utah (7-1) at Washington (5-3), 4 p.m., Saturday
Scouting the Utes: Utah has won allowed just 23 points during its four-game winning streak. That’s the good news for Utes’ fans. The bad: they are 1-6 all-time against Washington since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. This might be the year that trend is halted.
Scouting the Huskies: They’re part of the of the Week 10 Top 25 previews, but not as a ranked team. Yet, we’ve already explained Washington’s dominance over the Utes, and, perhaps its a gut feeling, that its success in this series will continue.
Winner: Washington
No. 15 SMU (8-0) at No. 24 Memphis (7-1), 7:30 p.m., Saturday
Scouting the Mustangs: At the moment, SMU is headed to a New Year’s Six bowl. However, this is a major hurdle the Mustangs must clear. While physically, SMU has what it takes, what’s the mental approach that goes with losing five in a row to Memphis?
Scouting the Tigers: They’re only loss came at Temple – by two points. Part of the Week 10 Top 25 previews, Memphis has also won six in a row at home and has one of the nation’s top rushers in Kenneth Gainwell (979 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns). This could be a special night for the Tigers and their fans.
Winner: Memphis
The Rest
Georgia Southern (4-3) at No. 20 Appalachian State (7-0), 8 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: Appalachian State has won 13 in a row since losing to Georgia Southern last October. That should be plenty of incentive for the Mountaineers, who also have allowed just 17 total points over their last three contests.
Winner: Appalachian State
West Virginia (3-4) at No. 12 Baylor (7-0), 8 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: With Oklahoma’s loss at Kansas State last weekend, Baylor now sits alone atop the Big 12. The Bears remain one of the best stories in all of college football, and can continue that by avoiding a fourth consecutive loss to West Virginia.
Winner: Baylor
No. 14 Michigan (6-2) at Maryland (3-5), Noon, Saturday
The Skinny: The Wolverines’ season likely won’t live up to their preseason expectations, but that rout of Notre Dame might do wonders for the soul. Of course, not laying an egg against a struggling Maryland squad should be Michigan’s focus this week.
Winner: Michigan
North Carolina State (4-3) at No. 23 Wake Forest (6-1), Noon, Saturday
The Skinny: The Demon Deacons are on the verge of winning at least seven games for a fourth straight season. However, they should be shooting for bigger things. This is a confident team at the moment, and one that could be eyeing an ACC Atlantic title if the reigning national champs weren’t in the same division.
Winner: Wake Forest
Virginia Tech (5-2) at No. 16 Notre Dame (5-2), 2:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Last weekend’s loss at Michigan not only ended the Irish’s chances of reaching the College Football Playoff, but might have bruised their collective ego, as well. We’ll see. Notre Dame has won 15 in a row at home, but Virginia Tech is looking for a fourth consecutive victory and a second straight at South Bend.
Winner: Virginia Tech
No. 22 Kansas State (5-2) at Kansas (3-5), 3:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Is Kansas State’s Chris Klieman a serious contender for national coach of the year? He should be considered after the Wildcats knocked off then-No. 5 Oklahoma last weekend. Now, the focus must solely by on the rival Jayhawks, who will be looking to snap a 10-game losing streak in this series.
Winner: Kansas State
Wofford (5-2) at No. 4 Clemson (8-0), 4 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Let’s get into the numbers for the Tigers. They’ve won 23 straight games overall, 25 consecutive non-conference, regular-season contests and 20 in a row at home. Each of those streaks will continue Saturday.
Winner: Clemson
Mississippi (3-5) at No. 11 Auburn (6-2), 7 p.m. Saturday
The Skinny: Auburn held its own against LSU, but instead finished 1-2 on a stretch of three consecutive road contests within the SEC. That good news for the Tigers, they play their final four at home. They’ve also won three in a row over Ole Miss.
Winner: Auburn
No. 17 Cincinnati (6-1) at East Carolina (3-5), 7 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Cincinnati is eyeing a sixth consecutive victory, and more important, trying to keep up its hopes of possibly earning the Group of Five bid. The Bearcats have won seven of the last of the last eight meetings with the Pirates, but that defeat came at ECU in 2017.
Winner: Cincinnati
No. 7 Oregon (7-1) at USC (5-3), 8 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: These teams have not met since 2016. Oregon has won seven in a row since that opening loss to Auburn. The Ducks are still scoring at a high rate, but have allowed more than 30 points in each of their last two contests.
Winner: Oregon
No. 21 Boise State (6-1) at San Jose State (4-4), 10:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: The Broncos have had two weeks to prepare for their attempt to bounce back from that loss at BYU. It’s uncertain if injured freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier will play. SJSU, meanwhile, has wins over Arkansas and Army – on the road – this season.
Winner: Boise State
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!