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Saturday’s slate for Week 11 in the 2025 college football season features three matchups between ranked teams. A showdown between BYU and Texas Tech in the Big 12 headlines the must-see contests, with Oregon-Iowa and Texas A&M-Missouri rounding out the weekend’s top games. Alabama aims to move one step closer to the SEC Championship Game with a win over LSU, while Georgia looks to avoid a road loss at Mississippi State. Outside of the Oregon-Iowa matchup, Indiana at Penn State headlines the other top contests in the Big Ten. Iowa State-TCU and Kansas-Arizona provide intrigue in the Big 12, with Wake Forest-Virginia and Florida State-Clemson among the top games from the ACC. With those contests on tap, along with over 40 other games this Saturday, the Week 11 slate is sure to produce plenty of surprises. Which teams will emerge with a victory in some of Saturday’s biggest contests? Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan and Kyle Wood preview and predict the 10 biggest games for Saturday’s slate in Week 11. 1. No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech Kickoff/TV: Noon ET on ABC Spread: Texas Tech -10.5 Steven Lassan: Could this be a preview of the Big 12 Championship Game in December? If not, it’s at least a significant matchup for determining how the conference title race will play out. Texas Tech’s (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) only loss in Big 12 play came at Arizona State with quarterback Behren Morton sidelined due to injury, while BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) continues to roll as one of the four remaining unbeaten teams in the nation. The Cougars are also expected to have running back LJ Martin available after he battled injury against Iowa State on Oct. 25. However, running against Texas Tech’s much-improved front and defense isn’t going to be easy for BYU. Combine the homefield edge, Morton getting back into rhythm after last week’s start against Kansas State, and a defense poised to give Martin and true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier trouble, I think the Red Raiders pick up a key win on Saturday. Prediction: Texas Tech 34, BYU 24 Kyle Wood: Saturday’s showdown in Lubbock is shaping up to be the game of the year in the Big 12. But remember what happened the last time a Red Raiders game got this kind of hype? Texas Tech trounced Utah, announcing itself to the nation as a force to be reckoned with. While there was the slipup against Arizona State, coach Joey McGuire’s team is the real deal, especially with quarterback Behren Morton back in the lineup. BYU deserves its flowers for an undefeated start — that includes a narrow win over the Utes, these teams’ one common opponent. Bear Bachmeier, the Cougars’ true freshman quarterback has been sensational, and he’ll be under pressure to perform in the face of a ferocious pass rush. (Running back LJ Martin’s return is big for BYU.) This is a good spot for the Red Raiders, who have found their footing since their lone loss and haven’t been held under 42 points at home all season. Prediction: Texas Tech 30, BYU 20 Related: 12 Pivotal Games That Will Shape the College Football Playoff Field 2. No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 22 Missouri Kickoff/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC Spread: Texas A&M -6.5 Lassan: The off week last Saturday came at a good time for both teams. Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC) had a chance to reset after the huge victory against LSU to move to 8-0, while the time off afforded Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC) a chance to get new quarterback Matt Zollers ready following Beau Pribula’s injury against Vanderbilt. The Aggies haven’t been as strong on defense on the road, surrendering over 40 points in wins over Notre Dame and Arkansas. However, this group matches up well with Missouri’s strengths in the trenches and at running back with Ahmad Hardy. Zollers played well in limited snaps against the Commodores, but he’s still largely a mystery here. Missouri’s defense will make things difficult for Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed at times, but coach Mike Elko’s team finds a way once again to escape a tough road environment with a win. Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Missouri 23 Wood: While technically still alive in the CFP race, the Tigers cannot afford another loss. Given their position, the undefeated Aggies are the last team they want to see rolling into Columbia. Texas A&M knocked LSU out of the playoff picture the last time it took the field, winning going away in one of the toughest environments in the country in spite of two turnovers. Quarterback Marcel Reed has been sensational this season, but Missouri’s defense has fared well against mobile quarterbacks. The focus in this matchup is on Tigers’ true freshman quarterback Matt Zollers, who’s set to take over for the injured Beau Pribula. Though Zollers played well in relief in the loss to Vanderbilt, Texas A&M’s pass rush poses a stiff challenge. The Aggies’ offense is rolling and can get the jump on a defense that’s only given up 30-plus points once this season. Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Missouri 21 3. No. 9 Oregon at No. 20 Iowa Kickoff/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Spread: Oregon -6.5 Lassan: With remaining games against Iowa, USC, and Washington, Oregon (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) still has work to do in order to solidify its playoff spot. Kinnick Stadium is always a tough place to play, and the Hawkeyes (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) have a knack for beating highly-ranked opponents in November. These two teams are two of the best in the Big Ten on the ground and also tough against the run. However, Oregon is better at generating big plays or more consistency in the passing game, which is likely to be the difference in a close game on Saturday afternoon. Prediction: Oregon 24, Iowa 20 Wood: The second half of the Ducks’ schedule is littered with minefields, starting this weekend in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes already gave Indiana its closest scare this season, holding the highest-scoring offense in the country to 20 points. After a scare against Wisconsin, Oregon is in need of a bounceback. On the other hand, Iowa just put together its more complete performance in a blowout over Minnesota. Both of these offenses will have a tough time scoring, but the Ducks have more counter punches to throw. Dante Moore gives his team an edge under center and only Navy averages more yards per carry than Oregon. Iowa is always a tough out, especially at home, but coach Kirk Ferentz’s team also hasn’t beaten a top-25 team since 2021. Prediction: Oregon 24, Iowa 16 PREDICTIONS: Picks for Every College Football Game in Week 11 4. LSU at No. 4 Alabama Kickoff/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC Spread: Alabama -10 Lassan: This game is usually one of the must-see matchups in the SEC but has lost quite a bit of luster with LSU’s 5-3 record (2-3 SEC) and coach Brian Kelly’s dismissal. While the Tigers haven’t played up to expectations and have massive issues along the line of scrimmage, interim coach Frank Wilson could help spark this team in a tough road spot. Of course, a short-term bump and a win in Tuscaloosa are two different things. Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC) desperately needed last week’s off date after playing a strong run of high-profile matchups, and coach Kalen DeBoer’s team can move one step closer to a spot in the SEC Championship Game with a victory. The battle between quarterback Ty Simpson and the Crimson Tide receiving corps against LSU’s standout secondary should be a must-see matchup. The Bayou Bengals might win some battles against Simpson, but LSU’s offense won’t have enough behind quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to pull off the upset. Prediction: Alabama 30, LSU 20 Wood: Some of the air has been taken out of this rivalry given the turn the Tigers’ season has taken, but both teams will be up for this game. Having dropped three of its last four games and fired coach Brian Kelly, Bryant-Denny Stadium could be a house of horrors for LSU and its struggling offense. The only time the Tigers won in Tuscaloosa in the past decade was 2019. The Crimson Tide are coming off arguably their worst showing in SEC play, a come-from-behind win at South Carolina, so their bye week came at an ideal time. Neither of these teams run the ball effectively, so Ty Simpson stands to be the difference maker for a ’Bama team that has blown out better iterations of LSU in back-to-back seasons. Prediction: Alabama 34, LSU 24 5. Navy at No. 10 Notre Dame Kickoff/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Spread: Notre Dame -26.5 Lassan: Notre Dame (6-2) has lost only four times to Navy (7-1, 5-1 American) since 1964 in their annual series. In addition to continuing their dominance over the Midshipmen, the Fighting Irish can move one step closer to the College Football Playoff with a victory. Next week’s game at Pitt looms large for Notre Dame’s playoff hopes, but a tricky matchup against Navy can’t be overlooked. Since struggling on defense at the start of the year, coach Marcus Freeman’s group has tightened things up. This unit has held four out of its last five opponents to 13 points or less and is giving up only 5.1 yards a snap. Navy quarterback Blake Horvath will test this group, but even if the Midshipmen find success at times on offense, it’s tough to see coach Brian Newberry’s defense doing enough to contain Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr and running back Jeremiyah Love. Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Navy 17 Wood: The recent history of this rivalry has not gone well for the Midshipmen. Their best team in years lost to the Fighting Irish by 37 at home a season ago. Now, Navy heads to South Bend to face a Notre Dame team that once again has its back against a wall. The Mids are coming off their first loss of the season, which saw them score a season-low 17 points against North Texas. The Irish weren’t at their best last time out against Boston College, scoring their fewest points since the opener. CJ Carr and Jeremiyah Love shouldn’t have any problem moving the ball against a Navy defense that has allowed 30-plus points in four straight games, many against less potent offenses. Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath can keep the Mids within this sizable spread, but Notre Dame should roll at home. Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Navy 17 BUBBLE WATCH: Who’s In? Who’s Out? Who’s on the Cusp Entering Week 11? 6. No. 5 Georgia at Mississippi State Kickoff/TV: Noon ET on ESPN Spread: Georgia -9.5 Lassan: Is this a trap game for Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC)? After last week’s win over Florida, along with a date against Texas next week, coach Kirby Smart’s team could be in for a tougher-than-expected fight against Mississippi State (5-4, 1-4 SEC). Jeff Lebby’s Bulldogs got their first win in SEC play since 2023 with a 38-35 victory at Arkansas last week. But in order to pull off the upset, Mississippi State has to stop the run better, as a unit that ranks 15th in the SEC faces a tough assignment against Georgia’s ground game and quarterback Gunner Stockton. Smart’s defense could also create issues for quarterback Blake Shapen, especially with injuries creating a shorthanded offensive line. Of Georgia’s five wins in SEC play, four came by 10 points or less. Mississippi State also took Tennessee and Texas to overtime in Starkville. Those two factors, along with the look ahead on the schedule to the Longhorns, Lebby’s team could make this a four-quarter battle. Prediction: Georgia 31, Mississippi State 24 Wood: Are the Bulldogs headed into a trap game in Starkville? Georgia is coming off a hardfought rivalry game against the Gators, and on the horizon is a visit from No. 11 Texas — a rematch of the SEC Championship. Mississippi State, which just ended a 16-game losing streak in conference play, has taken Tennessee, Texas and Florida to the brink. Georgia’s Gunner Stockton vs. Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen is an intriguing quarterback matchup, and these defenses have struggled to get stops. Georgia has not been in the business of blowing teams out, eking out one-score wins with a 3-1 record in such games. Mississippi State has struggled in those scenarios, going 2-3 with a pair of overtime losses. Prediction: Georgia 35, Mississippi State 27 7. Iowa State at TCU Kickoff/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox Spread: TCU -7 Lassan: Iowa State (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) looked like a Big 12 title contender once again after its win over Kansas State in Ireland, along with a 5-0 start. However, the Cyclones have been trending in the wrong direction as the injury report for coach Matt Campbell has piled up over the last two months. Iowa State still needs a win over TCU, Kansas, or Oklahoma State in November to reach bowl eligibility and reaching that goal on Saturday is a tough challenge. TCU (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) should benefit from a week off, with quarterback Josh Hoover and receiver Eric McAlister poised to attack a beat-up Cyclones’ secondary. And at 3-2 in Big 12 play, along with looming matchups against BYU and Cincinnati, the Horned Frogs still have a shot to reach the conference title game with a strong finish (and some help). Prediction: TCU 34, Iowa State 27 Wood: The Cyclones’ season began to go sideways in October and is off to a bad start so far in November. Iowa State heads to take on a hot Horned Frogs team in the midst of a five-game skid. In true road games, coach Matt Campbell’s team is 1-2 with the one win at Arkansas State. Conversely, TCU has won six in a row in Fort Worth, in part due to the underrated play of quarterback Josh Hoover. The Horned Frogs are no defensive stalwarts, but their run defense can take away Iowa State’s strength on offense and force Rocco Becht — who has thrown five interceptions in his last three games — to air the ball out. With another win, TCU could be on the cusp of a return to the top 25. Prediction: TCU 28, Iowa State 20 BEST BETS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Our experts’ picks for Week 11 8. Wake Forest at No. 14 Virginia Kickoff/TV: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Spread: Virginia -7 Lassan: Close calls have defined Virginia’s run to 8-1 (5-0 in ACC play) and No. 14 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Cavaliers are 4-1 in one-score games this season, and a win over Wake Forest (5-3, 2-3 ACC) on Saturday would move coach Tony Elliott’s team one step closer to the ACC Championship Game. Playing close games will eventually catch up to Virginia, but Wake Forest might not have enough to pull off the upset in Charlottesville. The Demon Deacons have one of the ACC’s top running backs in Demond Claiborne, but the passing game has been inconsistent (No. 108 nationally in success rate), and the defense allows 28.2 points in ACC play. I think the Cavaliers are going to stumble again before the end of the regular season. But not this Saturday. Prediction: Virginia 27, Wake Forest 20 Wood: Instability at quarterback doomed the Demon Deacons last week in a troubling loss to Florida State. That was the first time all season Wake Forest, in its first season under coach Jake Dickert, has looked uncompetitive. That’s a bad spot to be in before a trip to Charlottesville. Though atop the ACC picture, the Cavaliers have been living on the edge with one-score wins — last week’s 10-point victory over Cal was their first by more than a possession since the conference opener. The Demon Deacons won’t give up anything easy on defense to Chandler Morris and a reliable UVA run game. However, their offense isn’t especially threatening with 20 points over the last two weeks. A trip to Charlotte is within reach for the Cavaliers, and coach Tony Elliott will have his team ready to avoid a letdown. Prediction: Virginia 24, Wake Forest 17 9. San Diego State at Hawaii Kickoff/TV: 11 p.m. ET on Spectrum/Mountain West Network Spread: San Diego State -6.5 Lassan: With Boise State and UNLV losing last week, the race to win the Mountain West is wide open entering Week 11. San Diego State (7-1, 4-0 MW) is the only remaining team without a loss in conference play, and this trip to Honolulu to play the Rainbow Warriors and a high-powered offense behind quarterback Micah Alejado is a tough assignment. The Aztecs have one of the top defenses in the nation, holding teams to just 3.83 yards a snap. Edge rusher Trey White (six sacks) is one of the best in college football and will cause havoc against a Hawaii (6-3, 3-2 MW) front giving up 25 sacks this year. San Diego State’s offense is still a work in progress (No. 67 nationally in success rate), but coach Sean Lewis’ team should do enough to escape Honolulu with a close win. Prediction: San Diego State 27, Hawaii 20 Wood: If a team from outside the American were to crash the CFP party, it might just be the Aztecs. San Diego State has pitched three shutouts this season, and held all but two of its opponents to 10 points or fewer. This defense is about as stingy as it gets — and they travel well. Led by Micah Alejado, the Rainbow Warriors are a pass-happy offense that’s gone for 30-plus points in all but one of their conference games. Even at home, Hawaii will be hard-pressed to put up those kinds of numbers with the Aztecs in town. Plus, its defense could have its hands full with Jayden Denegal under center and Lucky Sutton leading the run game. The ’Bows are used to playing shootouts — like last week’s game in San Jose — but this will be a defensive duel. Prediction: San Diego State 23, Hawaii 16 Related: How Timmy Chang Resurrected Hawaii 10. No. 2 Indiana at Penn State Kickoff/TV: Noon ET on Fox Spread: Indiana -14.5 Lassan: Indiana (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) has never won in Happy Valley, but odds are high that streak will end in ‘25. The Hoosiers are rolling on offense behind quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and the defense is limiting teams to just 10.8 points a game. Coach Curt Cignetti’s squad is dealing with a few injuries on both sides of the ball, but Penn State’s (3-5, 0-5 Big Ten) struggles will likely prevent it from taking advantage with a massive upset. The Nittany Lions battled at Ohio State last Saturday but lack offensive firepower through the passing game with young quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer still finding his footing at the helm. Penn State’s defense and the home crowd may cause Indiana some early trouble. Expect the Hoosiers to pull away after the first quarter. Prediction: Indiana 38, Penn State 13 Wood: The Hoosiers have laid waste to Big Ten opponents for the past months, while the dam finally broke for the Nittany Lions last week. Fernando Mendoza leads the highest-scoring offense in the country, and Indiana’s run game might be even more dangerous than its passing attack. That’s a tough combo for Penn State to put up with on the heels of a blowout loss to Ohio State. On the line for the Hoosiers is their first-ever win in State College. IU, which is favored by more than two scores, has covered lines larger than this more than two times over, including on the road last week at Maryland. Prediction: Indiana 41, Penn State 13
