Week 10 isn’t set up to be a banger, but it does feature one of the biggest matchups of the year.
No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 4 Ohio State in a pivotal Big Ten matchup to kick off the day. The Buckeyes already have a conference loss, so another one on Saturday would be crippling in their hunt for the Big Ten title. As for the Nittany Lions, everybody is aware of James Franklin’s struggles in big-time matchups. A win over Ohio State would be huge for him and it’d go a long way toward securing a playoff spot for PSU.
Here are the biggest games on Saturday. (Scroll down to follow the action live.)
The status of Penn State QB Drew Allar was in question all week, but he’s starting in the Big Ten showdown. Saturday’s contest is the best test for a new-look Penn State offense that was abysmal against top opponents in 2023. The Buckeyes are dealing with their own injuries on the offensive line and struggled to put away Nebraska last week.
After scoring at least 40 points in each of its non-conference games, Ole Miss hasn’t scored more than 27 against an SEC opponent. For Arkansas, the key is turnovers. The Razorbacks have had multiple turnovers in half of their games this season, and they’re 1-3 in those contests. They will also likely be playing without RB Ja’Quinden Jackson.
Week 10 is a great chance to check in on Clemson if you haven’t watched the Tigers much since their Week 1 blowout loss to Georgia. QB Cade Klubnik is now the No. 5 favorite for the Heisman and the receiving corps is deep. Cardinals QB Tyler Shough has thrown for 2,348 yards through eight games and has 20 TDs and five interceptions.
The Panthers got some good news Wednesday when coach Pat Narduzzi said QB Eli Holstein would be able to play against the Mustangs. SMU is dealing with its own QB injury issues. Kevin Jennings is officially listed as questionable but says he’ll be ready to go Saturday in what’s a massive game in the ACC standings.
Live17 updates
TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE!
Ohio State was facing a third-and-5 and Will Howard made a huge mistake. PSU’s Zion Tracy jumps the route and returns it 31 yards to the house.
What a start for Penn State!
Ole Miss scores defensive TD
Meanwhile, a few plays after Arkansas made a goal line stop to get the ball back, Ole Miss forced a fumble and Jared Ivey fell on it in the end zone to give the Rebels the early lead.
Penn State starts with field goal
The Nittany Lions milked a lot of time off the clock with a meandering opening drive that featured plenty of running from Drew Allar. The Buckeyes defense held strong in the red zone though, forcing a 29-yard field goal from Ryan Barker.
PSU 3, OSU 0
Cam Ward is already doing Cam Ward things with Miami hosting Duke.
Beau Pribula comes in for a play for Penn State (by design). It appears we’ll be seeing both Nittany Lions quarterbacks in this one.
Penn State will have the ball first and Drew Allar is in at quarterback.
We are underway with our first wave of games!
We’ll mostly be focusing in on Ohio State vs. Penn State, but we’ll also drop in updates from around the country as warranted.
What to watch: Week 10 college football viewing guide
SEC to crack down on dubious injury timeouts: ‘Play football and stop the feigned injury nonsense’
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia has quickly become one of the SEC’s — and especially Hugh Freeze’s — worst nightmares
Will James Franklin, Penn State finally win the big one against Ohio State? ‘I think it’s our time’
How’d Pat Narduzzi turn around Pitt? NIL cuts, tough conversations and an offensive overhaul. ‘S*** I have to clean house’
Has Mike Elko finally awakened the sleeping giant that is Texas A&M?
Which of these longshots can work their way into Heisman conversation in November?
Michigan QB Jack Tuttle medically retires from football after latest concussion
College Football Playoff Picture: Here’s what the 12-team bracket looks like ahead of Week 10
Good morning and welcome to our live tracker for Week 10 of the college football season!
The action doesn’t get underway for another 30 minutes or so. Here’s some light reading material to catch you up on all the news from this week while we wait.