What the Big Ten might be missing this weekend with lopsided matchups and bye weeks, the SEC makes up for with three ranked-vs.-ranked games carrying playoff implications.
That doesn't mean there aren't potential trap games on the schedule and the Big 12 is full of intrigue: Oddsmakers expect BYU to lose for the first time this season while Houston has a chance to for a marquee win and a 7-1 record.
No. 8 Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1 SEC) at No. 13 Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1)
An Ole Miss offense averaging 37.4 points per game faces the nation's No. 1 defense. The Sooners lead the nation with the fewest yards allowed (213 per game) and average the most sacks (4.0 pg). The will go after Trinidad Chambliss, who has thrown for 1,549 yards and eight touchdowns. The winner stays in the hunt for the SEC title and bolsters its case for the College Football Playoff. BetMGM Sportsbook: Oklahoma by 5.5.
No. 10 Vanderbilt (6-1, 2-1 SEC) vs. No. 15 Missouri (6-1, 2-1)
Another game that could determine good from great in the SEC and it matches two of this season’s biggest surprise teams, Vanderbilt and Missouri. The winner is poised to climb into the conference’s upper tier and strengthens its CFP resume. Missouri has won the last five meetings, including a double-overtime thriller in 2024. BetMGM Sportsbook: Vanderbilt by 3.
No. 3 Texas A&M (7-0, 4-0 SEC) vs. No. 20 LSU (5-2, 2-2)
Texas A&M has climbed 16 spots in the AP Top 25 since Week 1, a steady rise to its highest ranking since 1995 era of the Wrecking Crew defense. But the Aggies have faced a ranked opponent since Week 3 and just gave up 42 points to Arkansas. LSU has struggled to live up to high expectations and a win here would keep its faint CFP hopes on life support. BetMGM Sportsbook: Texas A&M by 2.5.
No. 11 BYU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) vs. Iowa State (5-2, 2-2)
BYU has answered critics all season long but a lot can change on any given Saturday, and this one presents a big test for the Cougars. Iowa State will be hungry for a win after back-to-back losses to Cincinnati and Colorado. BetMGM Sportsbook: Iowa State by 2.5.
No. 18 South Florida (6-1, 3-0 American) vs. Memphis (6-1, 2-1)
A week ago this was a ranked vs. ranked showdown but Memphis was shocked by UAB. The Tigers are at home for a visit from South Florida and an offense that has averaged 476 yards and 41.7 points per game behind quarterback Byrum Brown. BetMGM Sportsbook: USF by 6.
Houston (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) at No. 24 Arizona State (5-2, 3-1)
Houston and Arizona State meet for the first time since 1990, this time as conference opponents. The Cougars are bowl eligible for the first time since 2022 and Arizona State re-entered the rankings after handing Texas Tech its first loss of the season. BetMGM Sportsbook: Arizona State by 7.
No. 23 Illinois (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) at Washington (5-2, 2-2)
These are two of the eight Big Ten teams with 5-2 overall marks, but the bad news for the Huskies and Illini is that nine other teams have better league records, too. A loss here is trouble in the conference chase for these two teams that once harbored playoff hopes. BetMGM Sportsbook: Washington by 3.5
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Murder for Two Read moreMurder For Two
Kicks or Treats: Dance for Free Week at CY Danceworks! Read moreKicks or Treats Dance for Free Week at CY Danceworks
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.