We’re getting down to it now. The last month of the regular season begins this weekend and we have a packed schedule of games to go over. A wild New Mexico appears, there’s a Holy War out west, and the SEC will be begging for your attention all day long. No worries, the playoff committee is locked in for the SEC.

2026 Betting Record

Against the Spread: 26-33
Straight Up: 35-24

I’m not sure I’m going to get back to .500 against the spread this season. Last week’s picks only netted 2 wins against 4 losses. The straight up picks were a more robust 4-2.

Week 10 Games to Watch

All times are Eastern. Rankings are from the CFP Committee.

New Mexico [-9.5] at Nevada
Friday, November 6, 9:00 PM, CBS Sports Network

A quick look at a Friday night game with the New Mexico Lobos ranked (in the AP Poll) for the first time ever in school history. Is Jason Eck DGT™ out there? He’s 16-5 in his second season with New Mexico which is darn good. They also gave Oklahoma a ton of problems in Norman earlier this year. I think they’ll pick up this road game against Nevada (the Wolf Pack offense has been pretty poor and UNM’s defense may be among the best in the Mountain West) although a tough finishing schedule is coming up that likely brings them back down to earth and out of the playoff picture.

New Mexico 27
Nevada 12

#8 UCLA [-5.5] at Minnesota
Saturday, November 7, 12:00 PM, Fox

The spread is a giveaway that UCLA has to be darn careful not to cough up their perfect season and lead atop the Big Ten this weekend. I don’t know how Minnesota are keeping it close in a bunch of games (one score games with Washington, Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana) this season when their offense is one of the worst in the power conferences. UCLA has been running the ball well but I doubt we’ll see 200 passing yards combined between these teams on Saturday. We’re just waiting for the Bruins to drop one and this is a good spot, an early start in the Midwest with some chilly fall weather. But, I don’t think it happens. Minnesota is going to be sluggish coming off that near-victory over Indiana.

UCLA 19
Minnesota 10

#9 BYU [+5.5] at #3 Utah
Saturday, November 7, 12:00 PM, ABC

Let us Holy War, amen.

It’s the 104th edition of the Holy War with kickoff at 10 AM local time. Alrighty then! Insert jokes about caffeine here. If Utah wins this game they are pretty close to a lock for the playoffs, I think. Some chaos may need to occur this month for them not to make the Big 12 Championship in that scenario, as well. Maybe Morgan Scalley will become coach of the year, too. This series has been controlled by BYU in recent additions, though. The last 2 games were super close, decided by a combined 4 points. I think we’ll see the Cougars edge this one out and things start to get weird in the Big 12 to finish the season.

BYU 37
Utah 35

#7 Texas [-2.5] at #18 Missouri
Saturday, November 7, 12:00 PM, ESPN

I can’t get these Texas picks right. But, I think they are well positioned to make the playoffs with 2 or 3 losses based off the initial committee rankings. The Horns just need to avoid an Arch Manning meltdown against a very good Missouri defense. I’m going to swing big and predict a quality victory for the burnt orange.

Texas 28
Missouri 14

#23 Oregon [+7.5] at #12 Ohio State
Saturday, November 7, 3:30 PM, CBS

I said last week that Ohio State was in trouble of missing the playoffs and now they’re really in a tight spot after last week’s loss to USC. They have 4 very losable games remaining but also no one good enough to pad their resume, either. Yet, suddenly the committee has a “ranked” Oregon team in front of them. I did think the Buckeyes showed enough last week that they can still win out. This won’t be easy for Oregon coming to Columbus, either. Let’s go with an Ohio State cover.

Ohio State 32
Oregon 20

#5 Alabama [+5.5] at #14 LSU
Saturday, November 7, 3:30 PM, ABC

Alabama has lost twice in the last month, including by 16 points to Tennessee, but debuts at 5th in the committee rankings. That win over Kentucky is doing some heavy, heavy lifting. The signal is clear, Alabama can lose here and be pretty safe for the playoffs. LSU is going to win, move up to 7th, and the Tide will drop to 8th or 9th–a good 15 spots ahead of any other 3-loss teams. This is college football in 2026, help us all.

LSU 35
Alabama 32

#6 Kentucky [+6.5] at #13 Tennessee
Saturday, November 7, 6:15 PM, ESPN

Consider: Top 5 Tennessee.

Kentucky is sitting in 2nd place within the SEC right now despite being only +9 in point differential within league play. Surely, the Cats aren’t going to be marching to the SEC Championship, right? Despite a shaky quarterback situation, I think we’re going to have to be ready to see Tennessee jump way up in the committee rankings after this weekend. They have 2 close losses AND beat Bama! The Vols might be top 5 next Tuesday.

Tennessee 27
Kentucky 23

#2 Georgia [-3.5] at #10 Ole Miss
Saturday, November 7, 7:30 PM, ABC

The consensus seems to be circling around Georgia being the best team in the country and favorite to win it all right now. Let’s hope that’s even more true with a Miami loss this weekend. The Dawgs still have a tough schedule remaining, while Ole Miss should they win on Saturday night, could be in a great spot. They’d be heavily favored for 10-2 and may not have to deal with the SEC title game and potential for a 3rd loss. Not that such a loss would keep them out of the playoffs. I think they’ll lose to Georgia and be forced to backdoor their way into the postseason.

Georgia 41
Ole Miss 27

#19 Iowa [+3] at Northwestern
Saturday, November 7, 7:30 PM, Fox

Is Northwestern running out of steam after a fun start to 2026? Are we going to see Iowa make their first playoff appearance as a program? Is there a world where Iowa is only 1 of 3 Big Ten teams to make the playoffs? I think there is such a world!

Iowa 32
Northwestern 28