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Pac-12 and Clemson-Notre Dame among five big college football questions to be answered in Week 10

November 5, 2020
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The Pac-12 makes its arrival to the college football season fashionably late and with ground to make on the rest of the country if it hopes to get a team into the College Football Playoff.


The two biggest contenders to make the field — Oregon and Southern California — face divisional rivals at home and have an opportunity to get off on the right foot. But there can’t be many missteps along the way with such little margin for error with a seven-game schedule.



a group of baseball players playing a football game: Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett throws a pass in the second half of his team's game against Kentucky at Kroger Field.

© Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett throws a pass in the second half of his team’s game against Kentucky at Kroger Field.

Four other playoff hopefuls in the top 10 square off in the two biggest games of the weekend. Clemson and Notre Dame meet in what could be the first of two matchups in the ACC. Georgia and Florida should decide the SEC East in their annual Jacksonville showdown.

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An intriguing Big Ten schedule for the third week is highlighted by Michigan looking to bounce back from a shocking loss. Brigham Young is hopeful of cementing its place in the New Year’s Six against Boise State, which has its own aspirations of being in a major bowl.

Here are the five biggest questions for Week 10:

Will the Pac-12 favorites start strong?

Already late to the party, the Pac-12 could see its playoff hopes evaporate should the favorites for national contention stumble out of the gate. One is USC, which will be challenged by Arizona State. Given Utah’s loss of talent and UCLA’s unpredictability, beating the Sun Devils could set the Trojans on track for an unbeaten push to the conference championship game. Oregon gets started against rival Stanford with a new quarterback and without star left tackle Penei Sewell, who opted out of the season. While on the outside of the Top 25 in the Amway Coaches Poll, California and Washington meet as legitimate contenders for the Pac-12 title. The Golden Bears’ defense looks like the best in the conference. 

FASHIONABLY LATE: Better late than never, the Pac-12 joins playoff race

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HEISMAN WATCH: Alabama’s Jones now ahead of Clemson’s Lawrence

Can Stetson Bennett lead Georgia to a top 10 win?

The Bulldogs have one of the best defenses in the country. They’ve also got a strong running game. What is holding back their offense, though, is the inconsistent play of their quarterback. Bennett was fine against Arkansas and Auburn. He struggled with critical mistakes against Alabama and Kentucky. That can’t happen this week. For as good as Georgia’s defense is, it can’t hold Kyle Trask and Florida down for 60 minutes. Bennett is going to have to be effective throwing to allow the Bulldogs to keep the ball and put points on the board. If not, it’ll be the end of the College Football Playoff hopes.

Who is the best quarterback in Clemson-Notre Dame?

The answer would’ve been easy if Trevor Lawrence wasn’t out after testing positive for COVID-19. The Tigers will again turn to true freshman D.J. Uiagalelei, who was outstanding in pulling off last week’s comeback win against Boston College. The future is blindingly bright for the five-star recruit. But where Uiagalelei has the physical tools to be an immediate success, his lack of experience is highlighted by the comparison to Notre Dame senior Ian Book. While working with a rebuilt receiver corps has cut into Book’s numbers, he continues to be the focal point of an offense that is averaging more yards per attempt and per carry than a season ago. In a close game, Book’s maturity could give the Irish the edge.

How does Michigan respond to loss?

The positive wave from an opening road win against Minnesota was washed away by a surprise loss to rival Michigan State last week. Where the 25th-ranked Wolverines go next can say a lot about this season and possibly the rest of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. Talk of a departure seems premature, but the pressure will rise if Michigan is unable to beat Indiana. It won’t be easy. The No. 13 Hoosiers have already taken down Penn State at home and are one of just five Big Ten unbeatens remaining. A win could step them up for a historic season.

Can Boise State slow down BYU?

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson has been one of the top stories of the regular season and the main driver behind the Cougars’ push for a perfect regular season. If not against the most demanding schedule, Wilson has more touchdown passes (19) than Mac Jones, is averaging more yards per attempt (11.2) than Justin Fields and has a higher completion percentage (74.2) than Trevor Lawrence. Boise State will present the toughest test of the regular season. While stopping Wilson is unlikely, the Broncos may have the personnel to at least slow down this passing game. But that might not be the ultimate solution: BYU’s overshadowed running game ranks 24th nationally in yards per carry and third in touchdowns.


Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson scores an incredible touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium.



Florida receiver Kadarius Toney scores the Gators’ first touchdown against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.



BYU wide receiver Gunner Romney catches a pass against Western Kentucky defensive back Roger Cray in the first half.



Duke running back Mataeo Durant catches the ball during the second half against the Charlotte 49ers at Wallace Wade Stadium.



Southern Methodist wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) leaps for the ball against Navy cornerback Cameron Kinley (3) during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.



Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith makes a catch over the top of Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes at Bryant-Denny Stadium.



Oklahoma running back TJ Pledger is tackled by Texas Tech defensive back Tech McPhearson (8) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium.



Florida head coach Dan Mullen, far right, is held back by coaches and law enforcement after a fight broke out at the end of the first half during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.



Virginia running back Shane Simpson runs past North Carolina linebacker Chazz Surratt (21) en route to a touchdown in the first quarter at Scott Stadium.



Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson attempts to make a catch during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium.



Texas players and coaches celebrate after Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders was sacked on fourth down in overtime, ending the game.



Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller is met at the line of scrimmage by the Arkansas defense for a loss during the first quarter.



Rutgers offensive lineman Raiqwon O’Neal pitches the ball backwards during the Scarlet Knights’ wild (and penalized) eight-lateral play against Indiana.



Baylor running back Craig Williams carries the ball for a touchdown against the TCU during the second half at McLane Stadium.



UCF Knights defensive back Davonte Brown (7) lunges for the tackle on Houston Cougars wide receiver Tre’von Bradley (81) during the fourth quarter at TDECU Stadium.



Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers fumbles the ball as he stiff-arms Boston College defensive back Elijah Jones (20) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium.



Kansas running back Velton Gardner runs the ball as Iowa State defensive back D.J. Miller Jr. attempts the tackle during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.



West Virginia running back Leddie Brown dives for a touchdown during the second quarter against Kansas State at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.



Boise State Broncos wide receiver CT Thomas (6) makes a catch for a touchdown reception against Air Force at Falcon Stadium.



Memphis defensive back Quindell Johnson (15) upends Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Josh Whyle (81) in the first half at Nippert Stadium.



Boston College receiver Jehlani Galloway catches a pass near Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. during the first quarter against Boston College at Memorial Stadium.



Syracuse running back Cooper Lutz (24) breaks a tackle by Wake Forest defensive back Caelen Carson (29) in the second quarter at the Carrier Dome.



Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. runs with the ball against Georgia in the first half at Kroger Field.



Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels is sacked by Iowa State linebacker O’Rien Vance (34) and linebacker Mike Rose (23) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.



Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) tries to make a diving catch in the first half against Michigan at Michigan Stadium.



West Virginia safety Sean Mahone (29) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas State wide receiver Eric Hommel (18) during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium.



Coastal Carolina running back Reese White evades a tackle by Georgia State safety Antavious Lane as he runs for a touchdown during the first half in Atlanta.



Tulane running back Amare Jones runs the ball against Temple during the first half in Orleans, La.



TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (12) heads for the end zone on a 66-yard punt return for touchdown during the first half at McLane Stadium.



Michigan tight end Ben Mason leaps over Michigan State safety Tre Person in the first half at Michigan Stadium.



Clemson safety Nolan Turner (24) intercepts a pass intended for Boston College receiver Jaelen Gill (86) during the second quarter against Boston College at Memorial Stadium.



Houston cornerback Damarion Williams (6) tackles UCF running back Greg McCrae (30) during the first quarter at TDECU Stadium.



Rice running back Juma Otoviano (8) is knocked out of bounds by Southern safety Miss Ky’el Hemby (19) in the first quarter at M.M. Roberts Stadium.



Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed makes a touchdown catch during the fourth quarter against Rutgers defensive back Brendon White (7) and defensive back Avery Young (2) at Spartan Stadium.



Iowa linebacker Nick Niemann (49) tackles Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium.



Oklahoma State defensive end Tyler Lacy tackles Texas running back Bijan Robinson during the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium.



Rebels wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) regains possession along the sidelines against Commodores safety Dashaun Jerkins (33) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium.



Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) carries against LSU during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium.



The Wyoming Cowboys celebrate with the Paniolo Trophy after beating Hawaii at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.



Wyoming running back Xazavian Valladay celebrates a touchdown against Hawaii during the fourth quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.



Wyoming running back Xazavian Valladay dives for yardage during the second quarter against Hawaii.



Hawaii running back Dae Dae Hunter scores a touchdown against the Wyoming Cowboys during the second quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.



The Maryland Terrapins celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in overtime.



Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa reacts after scoring a touchdown against Minnesota in overtime.



Maryland running back Jake Funk reacts after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against Minnesota.



Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim runs through a tackle attempt during the third quarter against Maryland.



Minnesota’s Brock Walker kicks a field goal during the third quarter against Maryland.



Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against Maryland.



This effort by Fresno State wide receiver Keric Wheatfall against Colorado State was overturned.



Colorado State wide receiver A’Jon Vivens (20) rushes the ball during the second quarter against Fresno State.



Colorado State defenders tackle Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers (20) during the third quarter at Bulldog Stadium.



Fresno State linebacker Levelle Bailey hits Colorado State quarterback Todd Centeio (7) to force an incompletion during the third quarter at Bulldog Stadium.



52/52 SLIDES

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pac-12 and Clemson-Notre Dame among five big college football questions to be answered in Week 10

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