College Football Picks: Week 10 Predictions for Every Game

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Florida State (4-4) at NC State (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET

Florida State needed a rescheduled game to continue its bowl streak last year. It'll probably end at 36 unless the Seminoles win at NC State. Although the Wolfpack's defense has been shaky lately, the front seven should generate enough pressure to contain FSU.

Prediction: NC State 27, Florida State 23

Navy (2-6) at Cincinnati (7-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

The switch from Malcolm Perry to Garret Lewis at quarterback has gone OK, but Navy's defense is still a disaster. Cincinnati will ride the running game to hold off the Midshipmen, who've surrendered 5.2 yards per carry this season.

Prediction: Cincinnati 34, Navy 21

Tulane (3-5) at South Florida (7-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

Although the Green Wave have a respectable run defense at No. 60 overall, each of their four least efficient days happened on the road. If that trend continues as expected, South Florida should also be able to pick apart Tulane's secondary and stave off an upset.

Prediction: South Florida 31, Tulane 24

Louisiana (4-4) at Troy (6-2), 3:30 p.m. ET

Excluding the expected losses to SEC opponents, Louisiana has gotten steady defensive performances. The drastically varying offensive outings are problematic, though, and Troy should provide the sort of resistance that has doomed the Ragin' Cajuns this year.

Prediction: Troy 28, Louisiana 20

Kansas State (3-5) at TCU (3-5), 3:30 p.m. ET

TCU has lost the turnover battle in seven straight games. That's not an automatic way to fall short, but it's a terrific blueprint. Fortunately for the Horned Frogs, K-State isn't an opportunistic team and leans heavily on its running game. That's the strength of TCU's defense.

Prediction: TCU 23, Kansas State 17

Minnesota (4-4) at Illinois (3-5), 3:30 p.m. ET

Throw out the win over Rutgers, and the Illini have ceded 46-plus points in four straight games. Minnesota has encountered its fair share of defensive issues, but the Gophers have totaled 15 red-zone opportunities in the last three contests. Converting those at a higher clip could result in a blowout win for Minnesota.

Prediction: Minnesota 42, Illinois 27

UTEP (0-8) at Rice (1-8), 3:30 p.m. ET

In the battle to avoid the Conference USA basement, two sluggish offenses will try to capitalize on shoddy defenses. UTEP's quarterback carousel is most concerning, though, and the Miners will whiff on a prime chance for a win in 2018.

Prediction: Rice 22, UTEP 21

Liberty (4-3) at UMass (3-6), 3:30 p.m. ET

During its last four outings, Liberty has topped the 40-point mark three times en route to a 3-1 record. UMass could take advantage of a weak defense, though that's contingent on the offense's red-zone success. The 20 percent touchdown rate over the last two weeks is unacceptable, but it should change Saturday.

Prediction: UMass 41, Liberty 35

Charlotte (4-4) at Tennessee (3-5), 4 p.m. ET

Both offenses are no better than average relative to their normal competition. Still, Tennessee has a distinct talent edge, so Charlotte must win the turnover battle to have a chance. Outside a horrid day against Florida, however, Tennessee has just four giveaways this season.

Prediction: Tennessee 34, Charlotte 17

Alcorn State (7-2) at New Mexico State (2-7), 4 p.m. ET

New Mexico State ranks 108th nationally in yards allowed per carry. That's a problem for this matchup and Alcorn State's run-first attack. NMSU will fall short unless quarterback Josh Adkins overwhelms the Braves through the air. And that's not guaranteed.

Prediction: Alcorn State 35, New Mexico State 28

Appalachian State (5-2) at Coastal Carolina (5-3), 5 p.m. ET

Last week, Appalachian State's defense truly struggled for the first time all season in a loss to Georgia Southern. Coastal Carolina's running game could similarly frustrate the Mountaineers, but CCU's porous defense—the third-worst in the nation as measured by yards per play—will be a decisive problem.

Prediction: Appalachian State 34, Coastal Carolina 27

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