Just a note that Big Ten games are not included below since they are covered in the conference preview.
Duke at (#7)Miami
Noon, ABC
Perhaps I just really want a Duke upset for Manny Diaz, but there are reasons to believe that the Blue Devils may actually be able to pull it off. Diaz is as good as anyone at drawing up a defensive game plan to throw typically productive offenses completely out of whack. Nate Sheppard is the best running back in the nation, and can beat up a defense to make it even harder
to take him down in the second half. Duke has won its last two games by a combined score of 88-5 (yes, it was NC State and B.C., but still…). Miami is coming off an emotionally charged prime time game against Notre Dame and have to turn around and play a sneaky good team at noon. They will also again be without Malachi Toney, the Heisman hopeful who accounted for most of the Miami offenses’ productivity. Maybe the ‘Canes come out angry after its first loss of the season, but this could get very interesting. Prediction: Miami-26, Duke-24
(#13)Wake Forest at SMU
Noon, ESPN
Two programs that have risen from the dead over the last few years battle for relevancy and a possible shot at the ACC Championship Game. Wake Forest has been on an absolute warpath during its six-game win streak, while SMU is coming off a beatdown of Virginia Tech after its stunning loss to Syracuse. Both teams are playing some of their best football of the season, and this could be a hard-fought, entertaining shootout.
Prediction: Wake Forest-37, SMU-33
Cincinnati at Iowa State
Noon, TNT
I’ll admit I watch way too much college football, which means I’ve seen both of these teams play multiple times this season. This game has zero playoff stakes, but it will be one of the most entertaining games of the day, with defense optional.
Prediction: Cincinnati-48, Iowa-43
Oklahoma at (#19)Ole Miss
4:15 p.m., SECN
The Sooners offense has gone from “downright terrible” to “nearly mediocre.” Oklahoma upset Florida last week, and it may be primed for back-to-back ranked victories with ailing Ole Miss coming to Norman.
Prediction: Oklahoma-21, Ole Miss-17
(#2)Utah at (#23)Arizona
7:30 p.m., FOX
This is not only an important game for both programs, it’s also a fantastic quarterback battle between Noah Fifita and Devon Dampier. Utah has looked like the more complete team, with the physicality to hang in the Big Ten or SEC. But don’t count out the Wildcats at home, as they hope to take advantage of an extra day of rest after beating TCU on Friday and a possible letdown game for Utah after winning the biggest Holy War in the history of their storied rivalry with BYU.
Prediction: Utah-30, Arizona-24
(#6)Texas at (#21)LSU
7:30 p.m., ABC
Both of these teams have been inconsistent, but Texas has the much better resume despite missing key players to injury in recent weeks. LSU fans thought they had the coach and roster to get them in the thick of the national title race, but were dealt another dose of reality with last week’s 31-13 loss to Alabama at home. You can expect a full blown meltdown from the fan base that comes out of this on the losing side.
Prediction: Texas-24, LSU-17
(#12)Texas Tech at (#25)Oklahoma State
9:30 p.m., ESPN
“Someone knows something” as they say, with Oklahoma State a small favorite to take down Texas Tech. Maybe that something is that the Red Raiders aren’t not a shoo in for the Big 12 crown as everyone expected heading into the season. Texas Tech has needed to squeak by several opponents this season, and are not nearly as dominant as you’d expect from the outsized amount of cash going into the roster. Drew Mestemaker could be the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and that hype will only build with an upset of the Red Raiders just one season following a dreadful 1-11 campaign in 2025.
Oklahoma State-41, Texas Tech-37
