Week 10 College Football Recap: Major Upsets, Poll Movers, and Key Betting Tips

Week 10 delivered a little of everything, with consistency at the top and chaos everywhere else. A slew of trap games went the upset route, but remarkably, the Top 7 of the AP Poll remained unchanged.

Georgia Tech, Miami, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee all lost games they should have won, and the poll changes reflected it. A few teams may have watched their playoff hopes fade, while others, like Texas, rekindled theirs. Let’s dive into the biggest results of the week and see how the madness unfolded.

Biggest Games and Upsets of the Week

NC State 48, Georgia Tech 36

Georgia Tech’s unbeaten run came to an end in Raleigh. Quarterback Haynes King was brilliant again, accounting for more than 500 yards and four touchdowns, but he couldn’t keep pace with NC State’s duo of CJ Bailey and Jayden Scott, who combined for nearly 550 yards and four scores. The Yellow Jackets will need a quick reset to stay alive in the playoff conversation.

Texas 34, Vanderbilt 31

So much for predictability. Arch Manning broke out of his funk, throwing for 328 yards and three touchdowns to lead Texas past Vanderbilt in a wild SEC battle. Diego Pavia did what he could for the Commodores, but their rushing attack vanished and the defense couldn’t get enough stops throughout. This was a massive win for Texas and a potential turning point for their season.

SMU 26, Miami 20

Carson Beck’s slide continues. After looking like a Heisman favorite in September, he struggled again with two interceptions and a loss to SMU. Kevin Jennings outplayed him with 365 yards and a touchdown, and the Mustangs secured their first home win over a top-10 opponent in more than 50 years. Miami has dropped from No. 2 to No. 18 in three weeks and now needs help to get back into the playoff race.

AP Top 25 Risers and Fallers

Risers

#11 Oklahoma (up 7): A huge win over Tennessee catapults the Sooners just outside the Top 10.

#13 Texas (up 7): The Longhorns jump back into the playoff conversation after their win at Vanderbilt.

#17 Utah (up 7): A blowout win over Cincinnati moves the Utes back into the Top 20.

Fallers

#23 Tennessee (down 9): The Volunteers took their third loss and are officially out of any realistic CFP conversation.

#25 Cincinnati (down 8): The Bearcats lose momentum after a flat performance and drop out of the Top 20.

#18 Miami (down 8): The Hurricanes need a Texas-style resurgence to re-enter the playoff mix.

#16 Georgia Tech (down 8): A trap-game loss knocks the Yellow Jackets well out of the Top 10.

Betting Strategy: Adjusting After Week 10

Be Ready for More Trap-Game Upsets

As fatigue sets in during the final third of the season, even strong defenses are showing cracks. Stay disciplined with research, but trust your gut when spotting underdogs that can catch a favorite off-guard.

Don’t Underestimate Iowa

The Hawkeyes face #6 Oregon and have hovered around the Top 25 all season. They rarely get blown out and are a live dog to cover or pull an upset.

Ride the Louisville Hot Hand

Louisville is peaking at the right time with a manageable schedule ahead. They still have a path to the playoff conversation, and they are worth riding while they’re hot.

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