Predictions for top SEC, college football games during loaded Week 10

Arguably the biggest week of the college football season is upon us with seven top 25 matchups in Week 10, four of which come in the SEC alone.

This week is basically a "separation Saturday" in the SEC. In fact, there are eight teams in the SEC with one-or-two losses and all of them are playing another team in that group this week. This week will play a huge role in who ends up making the College Football Playoff (CFP) in a month, as well as the (potentially final) SEC Championship Game.

With big stakes attached this Saturday across the sport, here are some of the biggest matchups of Week 10, as well as predictions for each.

Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars

• TV Info: Noon ET on ABC
• Prediction: BYU 28, Utah 24

While a lot of the talk about this matchup has been over the angst about what time it is being played in a 10 am local time kick for the two in-state rivals, this rendition of the "Holy War" is a huge game in both the Big 12 race and the CFP race. Bear Bachmeier and Devon Dampier are two of the most fun dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, but I'm going with BYU with the potential return of star running back LJ Martin.

Missouri Tigers vs. Texas Longhorns

• TV Info: Noon ET on ESPN
• Prediction: Texas 28, Missouri 17

Missouri star running back Ahmad Hardy made his return last week, which is as noteworthy and good to see as any story nationally. If he can continue to work his way back, that will make Missouri's attack even stronger paired with Jamal Roberts. With that being said, in their losses to Mississippi State and Ole Miss, Missouri allowed 360 passing yards to Kamario Taylor and then 257 rushing yards to Ole Miss. This is an opportunity for Texas' up-and-down offense to win them a game.

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. UCLA Bruins

• TV Info: Noon ET on FOX
• Prediction: UCLA 24, Minnesota 13

Minnesota came up heartbreakingly short of a big upset last week in an overtime loss to Indiana after both teams traded 60-yard field goals in the final minute of regulation, but they get a second chance at an upset this week against unbeaten UCLA. UCLA's defense has been lights out the last five games, holding their opponents to seven points per game over that stretch and I believe that defense will be the difference for UCLA to stay unbeaten and ward-off the upset attempt.

LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

• TV Info: 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
• Prediction: LSU 34, Alabama 31

I've gone back and forth on this one. The game is in Tiger Stadium, but it's also not a night game. LSU has great defensive numbers, but they have only truly played one top-level offense, and allowed 32 points and lost that game to Ole Miss. I'm giving the slight edge to LSU, but this game is very tight to me. I think both offenses will have big days, but I'm giving the slightest of edges to LSU.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon Ducks

• TV Info: 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS
• Prediction: Ohio State 21, Oregon 14

In a battle of backup quarterbacks, I'm giving the edge to the team that, A., has the best player on the field in Jeremiah Smith and, B., has one of the best defenses in the country. This is a must-win game for both teams when it comes to the CFP, and this will have to be the first step in Ohio State learning to live without Julian Sayin after last week's loss without him.

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kentucky Wildcats

• TV Info: 6:15 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Prediction: Tennessee 21, Kentucky 17

Two teams with a lot to prove. Kentucky is one of just two SEC teams with one loss, but it still feels like people are hesitant to put them in the SEC's upper tier. Tennessee meanwhile is the fourth-highest ranked two-loss SEC team in the CFP rankings and is eight spots behind an Alabama team they beat by 16. Both teams have a lot to play for, but I'm giving the edge to Tennessee behind DeSean Bishop.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Miami Hurricanes

• TV Info: 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
• Prediction: Miami 31, Notre Dame 28

Miami got bad news on the injury front this week as star receiver and Heisman Trophy candidate Malachi Toney is reportedly set be out for a while, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Not to mention that this is arguably their toughest test of the season. However, they still have another Heisman candidate in quarterback Darian Mensah. This is potential must-win game for Notre Dame after they were slotted all the way down at No. 11 in the initial CFP rankings. However, I think Miami's fire power, even without Toney, will be too much for the Fighting Irish to overcome.

Ole Miss Rebels vs. Georgia Bulldogs

• TV Info: 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
• Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Georgia 24

Kirby Smart has a losing record against just three schools, one of which is Ole Miss. Smart is also 0-3 against Ole Miss away from Athens, as well as 0-2 in Oxford. Trinidad Chambliss excelled against Georgia last season, and there's a lot of pressure on his shoulders with Ole Miss' CFP hopes potentially on the line and Ole Miss without star running back Kewan Lacy. This could be a Heisman moment for Chambliss. Georgia is going to need the Gunner Stockton that showed up against Alabama, and not the one from the Auburn and Florida games.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Predictions for top SEC, college football games during loaded Week 10