CFB Week 10: Expert Top 25 Spread Picks

**Top Analysts Divided as College Football’s Week 10 Marquee Matchups Promise High Drama and Tight Finishes**

**November 3, 2023** – As Week 10 of the college football season geared up for Saturday, November 4th, a slate of high-stakes Top 25 matchups had experts across the nation intensely dissecting every angle, from historical rivalries to potential upsets against the spread. Playoff aspirations, conference title races, and Heisman Trophy narratives hung in the balance, setting the stage for a pivotal weekend.

The Bedlam rivalry, marking its likely final chapter as a Big 12 conference game, captivated analysts. No. 9 Oklahoma, favored by 6 points against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, was largely picked to win outright. However, a significant contingent of experts leaned heavily toward Oklahoma State covering the spread, with some even forecasting a Cowboys upset on their home turf. The reasoning centered on Oklahoma State’s robust run defense and the potent emotional factor inherent in the heated rivalry, especially with the Sooners’ impending move to the SEC.

Another critical Big 12 clash saw No. 7 Texas, a 3.5-point favorite at home against No. 23 Kansas State. Despite playing in Austin, the Longhorns found themselves under scrutiny, as a notable number of analysts threw their weight behind Kansas State to cover. The reigning Big 12 champion Wildcats had been playing exceptional football, leading experts to believe they could keep the contest remarkably close or even spring an upset over a Texas team with national championship aspirations.

One of the weekend’s marquee attractions was the SEC showdown between No. 14 LSU and No. 8 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide, favored by 3 points, drew a strong consensus from experts who not only predicted an Alabama victory but also expected them to cover the tight spread. The formidable home-field advantage at Bryant-Denny Stadium, coupled with Alabama’s powerful run game poised to exploit LSU’s defensive vulnerabilities, formed the core of this prediction. This game was widely seen as a de facto SEC West championship decider.

Out on the West Coast, the Pac-12 spotlight shone on No. 5 Washington, a 3-point favorite visiting No. 24 USC. Experts expressed considerable confidence in the Huskies, picking them to cover. The primary rationale pointed directly to USC’s well-documented defensive struggles, which Washington’s high-octane offense, led by Heisman-contending quarterback Michael Penix Jr., was expected to exploit mercilessly.

The highly-ranked No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, heavily favored by 15.5 points against No. 12 Missouri, were widely expected to secure a comfortable victory at home in their quest for a third consecutive national title. Yet, a substantial number of experts favored Missouri to cover the significant spread. While acknowledging Georgia’s dominance, analysts highlighted Missouri’s surprisingly strong and improved performance throughout the season, suggesting they possessed the resilience to avoid a blowout.

The clash between No. 15 Notre Dame and Clemson, with the Tigers favored by 3 points at home, generated a more divided opinion. However, a notable contingent of experts leaned towards Notre Dame to cover, with some even predicting an outright win for the Fighting Irish, banking on their traditionally stout defense to control the game.

In other key matchups:
* No. 13 Utah, despite a recent string of injuries and mixed form, entered as an 8.5-point underdog at No. 8 Oregon. While the Ducks were widely expected to win at home, some experts believed Utah’s characteristic grit and tough-nosed approach could see them cover the spread against their Pac-12 rival.
* No. 18 Penn State, fresh off a bye week, was favored by 9 points against Maryland. Analysts largely picked the Nittany Lions to cover, anticipating they would be well-prepared and re-energized after their break.
* No. 22 Miami traveled to NC State as a 4-point underdog. Experts generally favored NC State to win and cover, emphasizing the Wolfpack’s strong home-field advantage and a Miami team that had shown flashes of inconsistency.

As the dust settled on the predictive landscape, the stage was set for a weekend of collegiate gridiron action that promised both expected outcomes and potential surprises across the nation.