Week 10 isn’t meant to be a blowout, but it does feature one of the biggest matchups of the year.
No. No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 4 Ohio State in a crucial Big Ten matchup to start the day. The Buckeyes have already suffered a conference loss, so another loss on Saturday would cripple their hunt for the Big Ten title. As for the Nittany Lions, everyone is aware of James Franklin’s struggles in big games. A win over Ohio State would be huge for him and would go a long way toward securing a playoff spot for PSU.
These are the most important matches on Saturday. (Scroll down to watch the action live.)
Time: afternoon | Television: Fox | Line: Ohio State -3.5 | Total: 45.5
Penn State QB Drew Allar’s status has been in question all week, but he’s heading into the Big Ten showdown. Saturday’s game is the best test for a new-look Penn State offense that has been terrible against top opponents in 2023. The Buckeyes are dealing with their own injuries on the offensive line and struggled to put away Nebraska last week.
Time: afternoon | TV: ESPN | Line: Ole Miss -7 | Total: 53.5
After scoring at least 40 points in each of its non-conference games, Ole Miss has not scored more than 27 points against an SEC opponent. For Arkansas, turnovers are key. The Razorbacks have scored multiple times in half of their games this season, and they are 1-3 in those games. They will also likely play without RB Ja’Quinden Jackson.
Is this the biggest game left for the Ducks? Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel is one of the betting favorites for the Heisman Trophy and the Ducks have not scored fewer than 31 points against an FBS opponent this season. Michigan star cornerback Will Johnson will reportedly miss the game. The Wolverines went back to Davis Warren at QB, but struggled to score points regardless of who was under center.
Week 10 is a great chance to check out Clemson if you haven’t seen much of the Tigers since their Week 1 loss to Georgia. QB Cade Klubnik is now the No. 5 favorite for the Heisman and the receiving corps is deep. Cardinals QB Tyler Shough has thrown for 2,348 yards through eight games and has 20 TDs and five interceptions.
The Panthers got some good news on Wednesday when coach Pat Narduzzi said QB Eli Holstein could play against the Mustangs. SMU is dealing with its own QB injury issues. Kevin Jennings is officially listed as doubtful, but says he will be ready to compete in a huge game in the ACC standings on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a few plays after Arkansas made a goal-line stop to get the ball back, Ole Miss forced a fumble and Jared Ivey fell on it in the end zone to give the Rebels the early lead.
Penn State starts with a field goal
The Nittany Lions milked a lot of time off the clock with a meandering opening drive that featured plenty of running from Drew Allar. However, the Buckeyes defense held firm in the red zone, forcing a 29-yard field goal from Ryan Barker.
PSU3, OSU0
Cam Ward is already doing Cam Ward things with Miami hosting Duke.
Beau Pribula comes in for a play for Penn State (by design). It looks like we’ll see both Nittany Lions quarterbacks in this one.
Penn State has the ball first and Drew Allar is the quarterback.
We’re on our way with our first wave of games!
We’ll mainly focus on Ohio State vs. Penn State, but we’ll also post updates from around the country as needed.
What to watch: Week 10 college football viewing guide
SEC will crack down on dubious injury time-outs: ‘Play football and stop the feigned injury nonsense’
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia has quickly become one of the SEC — and especially Hugh Freeze’s — worst nightmares
Will Penn State’s James Franklin finally win the big one against Ohio State? ‘I think it’s our time’
How did Pat Narduzzi turn Pitt around? NIL cuts, tough talks and an offensive overhaul. ‘S*** I gotta clean the house’
Has Mike Elko finally woke up the sleeping giant Texas A&M?
Which of these longshots could find their way into the Heisman conversation in November?
Michigan QB Jack Tuttle medically retires from football after latest concussion
College Football Playoff Photo: Here’s what the 12-team bracket looks like before Week 10
Good morning and welcome to our live tracker for Week 10 of the college football season!
The action doesn’t start for another 30 minutes or so. Here’s some light reading to keep you up to date with all this week’s news while we wait.