College football picks: Predictions, odds for key top 25 games in Week 10

The college football season is in full swing as we head into weekend marathons. The action takes center stage on Saturday with seven games featuring top-25 vs. top-25 teams, each with significant College Football Playoff implications.

Start your day off right with the Holy War in Utah when No. 9 BYU takes on No. 3 Utah (noon ET). The Utes are currently in the driver's seat in the Big 12, but BYU could shake up the race with a win over its in-state rival. How this game shakes out could have a big impact on how many bids the Big 12 secures this season.

In another top-tier matchup, No. 7 Texas at No. 18 Missouri is set to clash, with each team hoping to stay in the mix for a playoff spot. The SEC is looking strong as well, with No. 5 Alabama at No. 14 LSU potentially being a playoff eliminator.

On the road, No. 10 Ole Miss could clinch a spot in the field if it can beat a No. 2 Georgia program it knocked out of last year's playoff. Unfortunately for the Rebels, they'll be without star running back Kewan Lacy, who had two touchdowns against the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl.

In Knoxville, Will Stein and No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats are looking to keep the best story in college football going with a road win over No. 13 Tennessee. One of the more intriguing games takes place in Columbus between No. 23 Oregon and No. 12 Ohio State, where both teams have struggled without their star quarterbacks.

Finish your night off with No. 1 Miami at No. 11 Notre Dame, with the game having significant stakes for the Fighting Irish. A loss could doom Notre Dame to another missed playoff appearance.

The best unit on this field is the Texas defense, which should be able to slow down a Missouri offense that hasn't faced a swarming unit of this caliber. If Arch Manning can just take care of the football like he did last week, Texas can lean on its defense and put stress on a Missouri defense that showed real vulnerability in losses to Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

In one of the best college football games of the season, BYU has shown brilliance in wins over Arizona and Notre Dame, but is not playing its best football. Conversely, Utah has been unbelievably steady. Still, 4.5 points is simply too much in a rivalry game decided by an average of 2.0 points over the past two years.

The Ducks have to pick up where they left off offensive if they want to have a chance here, and should push the tempo a bit and try to stretch things out in the air. Ohio State should be able to run the ball well, and at home I would expect Fahey and the offense to operate a bit better in the red zone.

In one of the most anticipated games of the season, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell provide the potential for plenty of points. However, this game could end up being decided by both defenses.