Week 10 College Football Playoff Race: Key Tests for Vanderbilt, USC

Week 10 of the 2025 college football season is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the race for the College Football Playoff (CFP). Teams across the nation are gearing up for crucial matchups, and the stakes? They’re sky-high.

This week marks the point where most schools have played two-thirds of their schedule. It also lines up with the first reveal of the College Football Playoff rankings.

With several ranked games on the slate, teams are under immense pressure to leave a lasting impression on the selection committee. Let’s dig into the key matchups and what they might mean for the CFP chase.

Vanderbilt’s Cinderella Story Faces a Tough Road

Vanderbilt has been the surprise story of the season, but their journey to the College Football Playoff is far from over. The Commodores face a challenging path, starting with a road game against a top-20 opponent.

They’ll also wrap up the season with a tough matchup against in-state rival No. 14 Tennessee. To stay in the mix for an at-large spot, Vanderbilt needs to at least split these two games.

They also have to handle business against Kentucky and Auburn, who have both struggled in SEC play this year. No room for slip-ups, honestly.

Key Factors for Vanderbilt

• Road Games: Vanderbilt’s ability to win on the road will be crucial. They face two top-20 opponents away from home.
• In-State Rivalry: The season finale against No. 14 Tennessee could be a make-or-break game for their playoff hopes.
• Remaining Schedule: Wins against Kentucky and Auburn are essential, given their combined 1-9 record in SEC play.

Texas and the Arch Manning Conundrum

All eyes are on Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who left the Week 9 game against Kentucky with a head injury. Backup Matthew Caldwell stepped up in overtime to help Texas avoid an upset loss.

Now, fans are clamoring for Caldwell to start. Texas faces a big decision that could impact their playoff chances in a big way.

Despite falling short of preseason expectations, the Longhorns have a chance to shake up the playoff race with a win this weekend. The pressure is on, and honestly, the quarterback debate isn’t making things any easier.

Texas’ Playoff Implications

• Quarterback Situation: The performance of either Arch Manning or Matthew Caldwell will be a key factor.
• Offensive Struggles: Texas needs to find consistency on offense to stay in the playoff hunt.
• Fan Expectations: Meeting or exceeding fan expectations can provide a morale boost for the team.

Oklahoma’s Narrow Margin for Error

The Sooners are in a tough spot, having dropped two of their last three games—including a loss to an unranked Texas team. With a crowd of 10-2 Power Four teams likely at season’s end, Oklahoma can’t afford another slip-up.

This weekend’s game is the second of four straight matchups against ranked opponents. Each game now feels like a must-win.

Challenges for Oklahoma

• Tough Schedule: Oklahoma faces four straight ranked opponents, making their path to the playoffs extremely challenging.
• Recent Form: The Sooners need to turn around their recent poor form to stay in contention.
• Pressure to Perform: Every game from now on is a must-win, adding immense pressure on the team.

Tennessee’s Defensive Woes

Tennessee has struggled defensively, allowing every conference opponent to score at least 30 points. With losses to both top-25 foes they’ve faced, the Vols are in a tricky spot.

Their end-of-season schedule is a bit more manageable, with home games against Oklahoma and No. 9 Vanderbilt, plus a road trip to a struggling Florida team. But Tennessee can’t afford to slip below two losses if they want to stay in the playoff conversation.

Key Areas for Improvement

• Defensive Performance: Tennessee needs to tighten up defensively to compete with top teams.
• Home Advantage: Capitalizing on home games against Oklahoma and Vanderbilt is crucial.
• Avoiding Upsets: The Vols must avoid any unexpected losses, especially against struggling teams like Florida.

USC’s Rollercoaster Season

USC has had an up-and-down season, struggling to hold onto a spot in the AP Top 25. The Trojans are 1-2 in their last three games, with both losses coming against ranked teams.

Coming off a bye week, USC faces a must-win game at Nebraska. Nebraska isn’t exactly a powerhouse, but a win could give USC some momentum heading into a tough late-season stretch, including a game at No. 6 Oregon.

USC’s Path Forward

• Consistency: USC needs to find consistency to stay in the playoff hunt.
• Upcoming Challenges: A tough late-season schedule, including a game at No. 6 Oregon, looms large.
• Momentum: A win against Nebraska could provide much-needed momentum.

Nebraska’s Struggles Under Matt Rhule

Nebraska has had a challenging season under coach Matt Rhule. After bouncing back from a rough loss to Minnesota by beating Northwestern, the Huskers still haven’t beaten a ranked team under Rhule.

With an 0-18 record against top-25 opponents since 2016, Nebraska faces an uphill battle this weekend. A win against USC would be a huge milestone for the program, not just for this year but maybe for the whole Rhule era.

Nebraska’s Key Challenges

• Record Against Ranked Teams: Nebraska needs to break their losing streak against top-25 opponents.
• Coaching Impact: Matt Rhule needs to prove his ability to win big games.
• Building Momentum: A win against USC could provide a boost for the remainder of the season.

Cincinnati’s Under-the-Radar Resurgence

Cincinnati has quietly put together an impressive season under coach Scott Satterfield. The Bearcats are one of two undefeated teams left in Big 12 conference play.

Their biggest test yet comes this weekend with a road game at Utah. Staying above the two-loss line is crucial, especially with a matchup against No. 10 BYU right around the corner.

Cincinnati’s Playoff Prospects

• Undefeated Streak: Maintaining their undefeated record in conference play is crucial.
• Upcoming Challenges: Tough games against Utah and BYU will test their playoff credentials.
• Coach’s Impact: Scott Satterfield’s leadership has been key to their resurgence.

Utah’s Last Chance for a Marquee Victory

Utah has done well against lower-tier teams but has struggled against top-15 programs like Texas Tech and BYU. This weekend’s game is their final shot at a marquee win.

Utah needs to prove they can compete at a higher level to stay relevant in the national conversation. It’s a big ask, but maybe not impossible.

Utah’s Key Factors

• Record Against Top Teams: Utah needs to improve their performance against top-15 opponents.
• Season Defining Game: This weekend’s matchup is crucial for their national standing.
• Consistency: Utah must find consistency to compete at a higher level.

SMU’s Potential Playoff Impact

SMU has been a force in the ACC, boasting an 11-1 record in conference play since joining. Even after a recent loss to Wake Forest, the Mustangs haven’t lost at home since September 2024.

A win against Miami this weekend would put them within striking distance of Georgia Tech and Virginia, the top teams in the conference standings. That’s not nothing, right?

SMU’s Playoff Path

• Home Advantage: SMU’s strong home record could be a decisive factor.
• Conference Performance: Maintaining their impressive ACC record is crucial.
• Potential Upset: A win against Miami could significantly impact the playoff race.

Week 10 is here, and the College Football Playoff race is getting wild. Vanderbilt’s got that underdog energy, while Texas is still figuring out its quarterback situation.

Every game feels like it could shake things up, honestly. For a deeper dive, check out the analysis at 247Sports.