Texas

College football Week 10 streaming guide: Vanderbilt-Texas, ‘GameDay’ in Utah, chaos awaits

Published

7 months ago

October 29, 2025

College football Week 10 streaming guide: Vanderbilt-Texas, ‘GameDay’ in Utah, chaos awaits

Another upside-down weekend for a shaken-up FBS season. Vanderbilt’s quarterback is drawing Heisman hype. Utah’s campus hosts “College GameDay.” Power conference coaches are getting midseason pink slips as the sport’s intelligentsia tries to model Indiana’s sideline. When the going gets weird, the weird get … into shotgun with Trinidad Chambliss.

This weekend has entertainment value and chaos potential on its horizon. Both befit the unhinged trip that is 2025. Come Saturday, Diego Pavia’s Commodores are the main attractions at Texas Memorial Stadium, while Georgia has a marshy trap game within the Gainesville swamp. Nos. 1 and 2 are both active in the Big Ten slate. Two rising ACC programs go on the road to risk undefeated conference records. There’s a possible “Mr. November” lacing up from Berkeley to Denton.

Week 10 lines up games from Tuesday through Saturday. As we’ve done all season, we’re sorting the broadcast windows by headliner status (“best on paper”), weirdness in the air (“chaos potential”) and low-key appeal (“sleeper pick”).

All times ET, and all odds via BetMGM.

Week 10 viewing guide

Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Tulane at UTSA	7:30 p.m., Thurs.	ESPN
Memphis at Rice Advertisement	7 p.m., Fri.	ESPN2
Vanderbilt at Texas	Noon, Sat.	ABC Advertisement
Penn St. at Ohio St.	Noon, Sat.	Fox
Navy at North Texas	Noon, Sat. Advertisement	ESPN2
Georgia at Florida	3:30 p.m., Sat.	ABC
Virginia at Cal Advertisement	3:45 p.m., Sat.	ESPN2
Mississippi St. at Arkansas	4 p.m., Sat.	SECN Advertisement
South Carolina at Ole Miss	7 p.m., Sat.	ESPN
Oklahoma at Tennessee	7:30 p.m., Sat. Advertisement	ABC
Cincinnati at Utah	10:15 p.m., Sat.	ESPN

ABC and Fox are free over the air. Fox also streams on Fox One. All ESPN network content, including ABC and SECN telecasts, is available on ESPN Unlimited.

Thursday

The light stretching: Tulane at UTSA, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

According to The Athletic’s College Football Playoff projections, Tulane has boosted its postseason tournament chances up to 36 percent. There is no room for slippage in the American Athletic Conference, especially with Navy’s unbeaten mark and Memphis’ national profile. More on that below. We’d expect to see Jon Sumrall’s 6-1 Green Wave comfortably favored versus the 3-4 Roadrunners. Nothing makes sense this year, though, so the spread has shed down to just -3.5 as of Monday. There’s a reason to hop inside the Alamodome on Thursday. And wait … could it be? … yup, another McCown quarterbacking in a remote corner of the football multiverse. Let’s put our hands together for UTSA’s Owen, son of Josh, who has 13 touchdowns to four interceptions in seven games.

Friday

The warmup: No. 25 Memphis at Rice, 7 p.m. on ESPN2

After waiting for the Wave to crest Thursday night, 7-1 Memphis will take a different Texas field in a similar trap spot. Senior QB Brendon Lewis was born upstate in Melissa. He can show out under Friday night lights, before his Tigers host a decisive Tulane tilt next week. The Athletic’s CFP model has Memphis at 7 percent odds of crashing the bracket.

We’re not deprived enough to recommend North Carolina at Syracuse (7:30 p.m. on ESPN). But it is Halloween night, and Bill Belichick keeps finding cursed ways to take uniquely-tailored Ls. Something eerie probably awaits those brave enough to watch.

Saturday, early window

Best on paper: No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 20 Texas, noon on ABC

“On paper” are the operative words here. Paper can be awesome — sometimes it has kind words written by a close friend, or for the real sentimentalists, a section and row assignment for the Longhorns game. But paper also rips.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning didn’t practice Monday, after taking a tough hit in last weekend’s Mississippi State comeback. His absence would spoil the cool draw of a promised sensation in Manning versus a distant vision actualized in Pavia. Vanderbilt, unaccustomed to being here, has its best AP ranking since 1937. Texas, worlds away from preseason No. 1 props, at least has its talent-rich, burnt-orange defense (10th in points allowed per game thanks to LB Anthony Hill Jr. and CB Malik Muhammad). Pavia has a deceptively tough matchup. These are the storms that one Texas superfan tried to chase down. If Manning can’t suit up, Matthew Caldwell will get the nod. He audibled into the game-winning fade throw on Saturday.

Best potential chaos agent: Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State, noon on Fox

How did we arrive at this call? The ultra-scientific method of wondering, “What’s the most deranged thing that could happen in this nonsensical season?” This was supposed to be a Big Ten title game preview, or heck, a possible national title game preview. Instead, Penn State is going for its first conference win — the Nittany Lions lost to UCLA after it fired its coach and to Northwestern despite it still being Northwestern.

Fine, a sliver of real analysis on how this could get close. In recent years, Penn State has turned OSU week into a ceremonial rock fight, and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was with the Buckeyes for their 2024 championship run. He knows Ryan Day’s tendencies and preferred game scripts. That’s about all we can put forth in good faith. Jeremiah Smith had 97 yards against Wisconsin last outing, but he’s still seeking his first triple-digit day in conference play.

Sleeper pick: Navy at North Texas, noon on ESPN2

Can we interest you in some points? So many points, the kind of feast that requires a tucked-in napkin and loose-fitting jeans. North Texas leads the nation in scoring, averaging more than 46 points so far. It airs out behind Drew Mestemaker, who starts the week at No. 6 in passing yards per game. Navy hits the scoring potluck with more than 37 points per outing. It paces the nation on the ground with its usual religious devotion to funny formations (the “flexbone” these days). We’ve got 7-0 versus 7-1, a meaningful game for a fun American Conference campaign.

Saturday, afternoon window

Best on paper: No. 5 Georgia at Florida, 3:30 p.m. on ABC

The Okefenokee Oar is brought into the jaguar den. Per usual, Georgia and Florida split the difference by meeting in Jacksonville. One of college football’s fiercest series (and top tailgates) gets renewed. Admittedly, the Bulldogs have owned this of late with four consecutive wins, and coach Kirby Smart is 7-2 against the Gators since his 2016 takeover. At least Florida has a serviceable defense, one that should test Georgia’s Gunner Stockton (10 TD, 1 INT, sixth in Heisman odds). Maybe it’s coasting a bit on legacy, but this rivalry gets main billing for the afternoon audience.

Best potential chaos agent: No. 15 Virginia at Cal, 3:45 p.m. on ESPN2

This is UVA’s highest ranking since 2004. The Cavs now have to hold it on a long flight over to California. Saturday marks the very first head-to-head between these two programs. Also consider the Cavs’ last three finishes: won by 1 (UNC), won by 2 (Washington State), won by 3 (Louisville). Let’s get weird. Chandler Morris is grinding toward campus legend, even if this is his fourth school stopover (Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas). Golden Bears running back Kendrick Raphael is a high-volume lead option, and good things are happening with California Kendricks right now.

Sleeper pick: Mississippi State at Arkansas, 4 p.m. on SEC Network

Two sides with a combined 0-8 conference record? Rock with us for a second. Oddsmakers have set a total of 67.5 points, which is either low-stakes cool or much-needed comic relief. Mississippi State is coming off the 45-38 overtime thriller with Texas, and it took Tennessee to an OT ending four weeks ago. Arkansas gave Texas A&M a jump scare in Week 8 (45-42), and it also lost to Tennessee by a field goal. There’s not much to lose down in Fayetteville.

Saturday, evening window

Best on paper: No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 14 Tennessee, 7:30 p.m. on ABC

This should be a blast for all unaffiliated viewers: Tennessee is a three-point home favorite, which indicates a near-even pairing, and Bill Connelly’s SP+ model has the Sooners winning with a 28-27 final score. The Vols have a blow-by gadget in Chris Brazzell II (four grabs for 138 yards last Saturday) and a chance-taker in Joey Aguilar (fourth in the nation at 2,344 passing yards). Sooner counterpart John Mateer has not looked right since injuring his hand in late September, but he will face an inconsistent secondary and can rely on a strident defense. Oklahoma is fifth in scoring defense, and edge flexer R. Mason Thomas has 5.5 sacks in his prior five games. We’re rooting for a close and compelling finish, which basically makes us Rob Lowe in the NFL shield hat, but whatever.

Best potential chaos agent: South Carolina at No. 7 Ole Miss, 7 p.m. on ESPN

Like Vanderbilt-Texas, this is about an unusual and poetic quarterback duel. Trinidad Chambliss was playing in Division II last fall. The reluctant transfer has become college football’s overachieving inspiration of 2025, running through the SEC with a smile. His Rebels are riding high, but no one is safe in this year’s chaos vortex. On the other sideline, LaNorris Sellers entered the season with Heisman chances and top-line hype, only to lose five of his first eight starts. There’s ample room for improvement in his decision-making, but Sellers does have the frame and size to ball out once everything clicks. South Carolina led Alabama last Saturday before it allowed a fourth-quarter Tide rally.

The Lane Kiffin-LSU rumors are rustling already, because of course they are.

“Sleeper” pick: No. 17 Cincinnati at No. 24 Utah, 10:15 on ESPN

A “sleeper” in name only because of its late start, this game kicks off more than two hours after the rest of the evening window. The only slot behind it is the insomniac’s Hawaii action. And just saying, that Hawaii-San José State has its own Mountain West chaos energy.

Still, this matchup itself is fantastic. That’s why “College GameDay” is coming to Salt Lake City. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier missed his team’s Week 9 win over Colorado (53-7, sheesh) due to an ankle issue. In his place, Byrd Ficklin cruised to 140 passing yards, 151 rushing yards and three total scores.

On the other side, DE John Henry Daley enters with 9.5 sacks, with at least half a sack in every Utes game thus far. He’s a 6-foot-4 game-wrecker who somehow had just one sack in his first two collegiate seasons, and he leads all FBS defenders with 13.5 tackles for loss. Daley has to chase down Brendan Sorsby, who has looked eminently cozy at a 20:1 TD-INT rate. The Bearcats lost a three-point teeth-grinder to Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium, and have since ripped off seven straight Ws. Cinci is tied with BYU atop the Big 12, and the Cougars have a bye this weekend.

It should be a worthwhile watch, so long as your caffeine intake of choice is available.

Updated Week 10 college football odds

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Texas

Can data center project help Texas town pay for repairs?

Published

10 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Press Room

Can data center project help Texas town pay for repairs?

The Waco Bridge is a nonprofit local news organization supported by The Texas Tribune, reporting on Waco government, education and community. Sign up for the Bridge’s free newsletter here.

Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback.

Jim Wallingsford drove his white Chevy truck one morning last month down North Walnut Street in Lacy Lakeview, dodging potholes on his way to inspect a repair project on a sewer lift station.

As public works director for this Waco suburb of 8,000 residents, Wallingsford is always triaging the city’s needs: Cracked and cratered streets, aging pipes and pump stations and the old water tower, which needs a $1 million facelift.

The Connally Lift Station under repair on April 16. The lift station pumps sewage from deeper underground to a higher elevation. “You know the shape that our streets are in, our water and sewer mains are in the same shape. We replace when we can and repair when we have to,” Wallingsford said. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

“I want to be a good steward of the City of Lacy Lakeview with the money I’m given to spend,” he said. “So I give everything a weighted scale and I base it off of the likelihood and consequences of failure.”

Out of two water towers in Lacy Lakeview, this one needs significant repairs, including a new catwalk and paint. In the meantime Wallingsford said “I wouldn’t send anyone up there.” Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Lacy Lakeview, population 8,000, is typical of many small Texas towns that lack the resources to keep up with streets and pipes that are wearing out. Most of that infrastructure in Lacy Lakeview was installed more than 50 years ago. And the longer maintenance is deferred, the faster it deteriorates.

Water from the City of Waco is pumped into the storage tank on the right, before being pressurized with compressed air from the smaller tank, and pumped into the Lacy Lakeview’s water system. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Mayor Chuck Wilson has pointed to the city’s maintenance backlog to justify the pursuit of a data center. He wants to partner with Infrakey to develop and annex a proposed $10 billion data center north of town near Ross.

That development represents tax base that would increase Lacy Lakeview’s tax base enough to increase city tax revenues from $6.5 million to $50 million a year. But the project has drawn a backlash from neighbors of the Infrakey site, as well as from some Lacy Lakeview residents, who just elected data center opponent Amy Gage to the City Council.

Cars often crash into raised manhole covers along Route 77 in Lacy Lakeview. The city would replace or relocate the manholes with additional tax revenue from the proposed Infrakey data center. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

As Wallingsford sees it, the city needs new development, or the existing taxpayer and utility ratepayers will be on the hook for improvements.

“Everything that we purchase is going up, literally,” he said. “The only other solution is that we have to have a rate increase just to be able to keep up.”

Wallingsford said a dump truck will be the first pieces of equipment replaced once more funding is secured. “We’re going to have to get at least one dump truck,” Wallingsford said. “ I’d like to get two in this next year’s budget because, you know, these dump trucks are 25 years old.” The current maintenance outweighs the cost of the current fleet. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Wallingsford stopped his truck at the Meyers water pump station, which was under repair after it was observed to be leaking.

“The consequence of them failing is pretty high but their issues aren’t critical and they continue to operate,” he said. “The city only needs one pump to operate and we have three, so there’s a backup.

The Meyers Pump Station in Lacy Lakeview is outdated and in need of upgrade as of April 16. The pumps leak, even when they aren’t running. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

“At the end of the day when something fails, we go back and work off of the plan.”

Wallingsford, a former city of Waco staffer, said utility infrastructure like this typically has a 50-year lifespan, and the ideal practice in public works is to set aside 2% of the system’s cost each year for replacement.

“I haven’t worked for a city that’s ever done that,” he said.

Even more visible is the wear and tear on Lacy Lakeview’s 30 miles of city streets. Asked which ones need to be repaved, he didn’t hesitate.

“All of them,” he said. “They all need to be done. I’d say we have about 15 critical streets” that need to be repaved.

South Barbara Street is the first street on the list to be repaired in Lacy Lakeview in 2026. The city currently has a 30-mile backlog of streets that need significant work. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

A view down Avenue B at its intersection with South Barbara Street shows the contrast of before and after. Avenue B was rehabilitated last year using the city’s “zipper” recycling machine, while South Barbara Street, seen at center, awaits its fix. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

The city is now repairing and reconstructing streets using a $9.5 million bond issue that voters approved in 2024. To save money, the city is using its own workers and equipment to grind up and recycle pavement, which is then compacted and resealed.

Among the most critical projects is Walnut Street, which is being reconstructed along with replacement of water, sewer, fiber optic and gas utilities under the street. That project is to be completed in February 2027.

Wallingsford explained: “That is what our guys do probably eight months out of the year. They use this zipper machine here to eat up the old asphalt. Then we compact it with a rolling machine over there, and then we come back and chip seal the existing roads. It’s a cheaper way of getting the potholes out of the roads and giving the citizens a smoother surface to drive on.” The equipment was purchased in a bond election to save the city money by paying outside contractors to repave the city’s streets. Previously the maintenance department was only able to fill potholes. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

This article first appeared on The Waco Bridge.

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Texas

Houston-area raids expose Texas loophole allowing illegal game rooms to reopen, costing taxpayers

Published

22 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

Houston-area raids expose Texas loophole allowing illegal game rooms to reopen, costing taxpayers

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – On a February afternoon, 2 Investigates showed up to a North Harris County strip mall.

Minutes earlier, deputies raided what law enforcement described as an illegal gaming room operating in plain sight. The operation to shut down the room ended quickly, as one person was arrested and more than 80 gaming machines were seized. The scene was littered with evidence, including cash and a firearm.

However, what 2 Investigates uncovered was a bigger component after the raid: this was not a new location.

“We’ve been here a couple of times,” said Lt. Jeffrey Lee with Harris County Constable Precinct 4, referring to the same location being raided in September of last year.

Law enforcement officials, from investigators to prosecutor, we spoke with over the course of our investigation say these operations have become increasingly common across the Houston area and Texas.

“It’s extremely common. We run these operations numerous times,” Lee said.

Why authorities say these operations matter

Every member of law enforcement, from the courts to the streets, we spoke with during our months-long investigation made it clear that illegal gaming rooms create more than just gambling concerns.

“At its base, these gaming operations prey on the vulnerable members of our community-those on a fixed income, older people-promising these huge payouts that never materialize,” said Lee, who went on to add, “At its wider angle, these are funding operations for much more serious criminal enterprises like human trafficking, drug trafficking, and things like that.”

Criminal defense attorney Rick Detoto, who has experience with these cases, said the locations for these rooms can also become magnets for violent crime

“They are targets.” Detoto went on to add, “There is a lot of cash there, their security is minimal at best, and they go in there and they rob them and people get shot and there are capital murders and aggravated robberies and all kinds of stuff that come out of those game rooms.”

Houston police raid Lucky J Social Club in Midwest Houston, arrest several in illegal gambling bust

In February, an illegal game room in Southwest Houston was the site of the shooting death of a security guard during a robbery.

A raid is underway in Harris County of an illegal game room (KPRC 2026)

The “8-Liner” loophole

At the center of the gaming controversy are machines commonly known as “8-liners.” These are not unfamiliar machines for Texans, as many can be found inside gas stations, convenience stores, or small strip mall businesses. Under Texas law, certain gaming devices may legally operate if they are considered entertainment-only machines and do not provide illegal cash payouts. In some cases, stores may offer small prizes or store credits instead.

However, critics and elected leaders have asked for clarification from the state, saying some operators exploit a gray area in the law centered around whether a machine is considered a “game of skill” or a “game of chance.”

What is the difference between a game of skill and a game of chance?

As Detoto explained, “A game of chance [is] you press a button and there is a computer program that randomly picks the numbers or the fruit or whatever and you win, compared to a game of skill where it’s based on memory or perception or your timing, where you are kind of playing a game and you have to remember things. That’s the loophole that these people are exploiting, and it’s allowing some of these games to be legally put into these stores.”

Warrants executed at 20 locations around Hitchcock believed to be involved in illegal gambling operation

Investigators say some operators allegedly go beyond the legal boundaries by offering cash payouts either privately or openly. 2 Investigates found one machine advertising as much in Fort Bend County.

Detoto said the machines are becoming more common throughout everyday neighborhoods, including his. “I’ve started to notice them every time I get gas,” he said. “I go in to get a Coke or something to drink, water-there are three 8-liners there that weren’t there before.”

A raid is underway in Harris County of an illegal game room (KPRC 2026)

Raids, auctions, and recycled machines

Authorities say shutting down illegal game rooms can become expensive for taxpayers due to investigations, raids, manpower, and evidence storage. However, another issue emerged during our investigation: many confiscated machines are not destroyed after they are seized. Instead, there are law enforcement jurisdictions that auction them off.

Investigators confirmed to us that some of those machines seized by other agencies eventually make their way back into circulation because they’ve been made available again, “We do see reintroduction of machines and the equipment that come from these game rooms back in again,” Lee said.

Lee’s constable office does not engage in the practice of auctioning off machines.

How did Detoto describe the system? “It’s a revolving door of law enforcement seizing the machines, waiting until a case gets resolved, selling them, making a profit for the asset funds, and doing it over again.”

Multiple sources interviewed for this story questioned whether current enforcement efforts are actually deterring illegal operations.

Detoto said criminal prosecutions tied to 8-liners are relatively rare.

“I’ve never seen, in my experience, anyone go to jail for these 8-liners.” The Houston-based defense attorney added, “The prosecutors don’t have the time to deal with these cases. They are not the most important case on their docket.”

Lee agreed that stronger oversight and penalties may be needed: “There is room for improvement with regards to the oversight, the laws, and the stuff that concerns these gaming rooms-that we could actually enact some stiffer penalties to discourage this behavior.”

When 2 Investigates asked whether Texas lawmakers need to do more, Lee responded: “We would like to see some improvements, yes.”

A police officer seizes an illegal gaming machine in north Harris County, Texas (KPRC 2026)

Calls for legislative change

Texas State Senator Bob Hall, who represents Senate District 2, said the current system leaves too much room for abuse. “We need to do more to make sure that we can shut down and stop the operation of the illegal game rooms,” said Hall, who added, “There is no question about that.”

During an interview at his Dallas-area office, Hall acknowledged that changing the law could prove to be difficult. “It will be a challenge because it will depend on our local law enforcement doing its job the way it should be done,” Hall said.

Bottom line for Hall regarding a problem hiding in plain sight? “There is no reason for a gambling machine to exist in Texas.”

Texas

A French revolution in Texas

Published

1 day ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

The oil and gas industry is king in Texas, but it still doesn’t have enough power to save Republican incumbents.

The state’s largest oil producers couldn’t stop hard-right activist Bo French from winning the Republican runoff Tuesday for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission — despite pouring money into the campaign of incumbent Jim Wright. An oil and gas fundraising advantage also wasn’t enough to keep four-term Sen. John Cornyn from losing his Senate primary to Texas Attorney General and MAGA darling Ken Paxton.

The twin losses are animating Democrats, who see an opening for a spot on Texas’ powerful oil and gas regulatory commission — and for a Senate seat that could help decide which party controls the chamber come 2027.

“While Republicans are facing their nightmare scenario… Democrats are one step closer to winning a Senate majority,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

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