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

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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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Because of gusty winds and low humidity expected behind a cold front blasting through Texas on Tuesday, a fire weather watch is in effect for Wednesday across most of Central Texas and it could be upgraded to a red flag warning if conditions worsen, the National Weather Service said. 

The strong cold front that is moving through Central Texas on Tuesday will bring a quick shift in winds and usher in much cooler, seasonable temperatures for the rest of the week.

Although the front will pass through mostly dry, aside from a few spotty showers north and east of Austin, it will be easy to tell when the front arrives because wind will quickly shift to the north and become quite blustery, with some gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph, close to triggering wind advisories from the weather service.

Despite the weekend rainfall, Central Texas soil remains dry, with Austin cumulative rainfall for the year still running about five inches below normal. 

Unfortunately, the air behind this front will be even drier, setting the stage for critical fire weather conditions. Gusty north to northwest winds and low humidity values between 15% and 25% will create an increased risk of rapid wildfire spread and an elevated fire danger through midweek.

Currently, 146 counties across Texas are under burn bans, including all counties in Central Texas and the Hill Country.

In Travis County, the burn ban means that all outdoor burning is prohibited, including:

Practicing wildfire safety will be key over the next several days and Texans need to remain vigilant and report any signs of smoke or fire immediately. 

•    Avoid outdoor burning or welding when winds are strong. Sparks can easily ignite dry grass and brush.
•    Properly dispose of cigarettes, never throw them out of a vehicle window.
•    Park vehicles on paved or gravel surfaces, not on dry grass, as hot exhaust systems can ignite fires.
•    Secure trailer chains to prevent them from dragging and creating sparks on roadways.
•    Keep a defensible space around your home by clearing away dry leaves, brush, and debris within at least 30 feet of structures.
•    Have an emergency plan and know multiple evacuation routes in case wildfire threatens your area.