Today: October superlatives, predicting Week 10 matchups, ESPN networks blacked out, and upset alerts.

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NCAA FOOTBALL

Chris Low's superlatives: College football's best and worst of October

Fernando Mendoza, Lane Kiffin, Marcel Reed, Clark Lea

October will be remembered as the month when college football went a little bit broke and a little bit wild. Between the $168 million in buyouts already paid out, Alabama's surge back into championship form, and Vanderbilt's improbable playoff push, it has been a stretch loaded with drama, chaos, and more than a few surprises. Virginia's storybook rise continues, Lane Kiffin's star somehow shines even brighter, and one Vanderbilt student just kicked his way into national fame. From the nation's best players to the biggest snubs, here's a look at the standouts of a wild October.

Best player: Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed

Tough call here between Reed and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, but Reed just continues to get better. In leading Texas A&M to an 8-0 record and a No. 3 national ranking, the sophomore accounted for 12 touchdowns in October, including at least three in three of the Aggies' four games. He passed for two scores and ran for two more in last week's 49-25 rout of LSU, Texas A&M's first win in Tiger Stadium since 1994. "We have a ton of confidence in him and where he's going," coach Mike Elko said.

Best game: BYU 33, Arizona 27 (2OT)

When you are unbeaten this deep into the season, eventually you have to survive a scare. BYU did exactly that in Tucson. The Cougars trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter, sat through a lengthy rain delay, and still forced overtime when Bear Bachmeier ran it in from two yards out with 19 seconds left. On that same drive, guard Kyle Sfarcioc recovered a fumble in a pile at the Arizona 4 to save the season. BYU traded field goals in the first overtime, then won it on Bachmeier's keeper. Arizona's final fourth-down pass slipped through Javin Whatley's hands.

Best life: Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin

What is it like to be Lane Kiffin right now? His Rebels are 7-1 and ranked No. 7 nationally. He is about to be one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport, Ole Miss has proven it can win big under him, and the school is ready to double down. At the same time, two blueblood jobs are open in Florida and LSU. Kiffin will listen. Nobody said he is leaving, but listening? Absolutely.

Best kick: Tyler Hwang

By day, Hwang is a Vanderbilt chemical engineering student. By weekend, he is half a million dollars richer. Wearing a Diego Pavia No. 2 jersey during ESPN's GameDay in Nashville, Hwang nailed a 33-yard field goal to win Pat McAfee's kicking contest and a $500,000 prize. He once hit from 53 yards in high school, but none were more profitable than this one.

Biggest surprise: Cincinnati

Scott Satterfield's seat was warm in August. Now he has one of the hottest teams in the country. The No. 17 Bearcats have won seven straight after a season-opening loss, averaging 37 points per game in four October victories. Nobody expected much from a program that finished 4-14 in Big 12 play the past two seasons, but Cincinnati has flipped the script and is suddenly back in the national conversation.

Biggest snub: Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar

Where is Aguilar on the Heisman lists? The Tennessee signal caller leads the SEC in nearly every passing category and has been the heartbeat of an offense averaging 45.6 points per game. He did not even arrive until late May, but his quick command of the Vols' attack has been remarkable. Tennessee and UCLA swapped quarterbacks in the offseason, and it is safe to say the Vols would make that trade again and again.

See all 23 of Chris Low's October superlatives here.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Josh Pate predicts Week 10's biggest games

This is the time of year when games start to mean a little bit more. November brings some of the best matchups college football has to offer, and Josh Pate is here for it. This week, he broke down four pivotal Week 10 games: two in the SEC, one in the ACC, and one in the Big Ten. Each pick came with his usual mix of logic, model data, and gut feel.

No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 20 Texas (12:00 PM, ABC)

Anyone who watches Pate knows his "backup quarterback theory," which says teams often rally behind a new starter. With Arch Manning potentially sidelined by a concussion, Matthew Caldwell could once again lead Texas after throwing the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Mississippi State. The Longhorns have been grinding out results, and Pate believes they will summon the toughness to do it again. "If there's an ounce of pride, if Texas Fight really means something," he said, "we'll see it on display Saturday."

Pate's prediction: Texas wins and covers.

No. 10 Miami at SMU (12:00 PM, ESPN)

Pate called this a "warning light game" for Miami, meaning the result could expose flaws even if the Hurricanes win. He expects SMU to compete after a disappointing loss to Wake Forest. "There's a world where Miami wins this game at the gun," he said, "but there are all kinds of flaws that show." Pate believes Miami will take care of business, but it will not come easily.

Pate's prediction: Miami wins, SMU covers.

No. 23 USC at Nebraska (7:30 PM, NBC)

Pate said his model "leans Nebraska a little more," and he admitted he does not have a strong feel for the game. He expects a tight, one-possession contest with USC's talent barely carrying the day. "I think this is a very close one-possession type game," he said.

Pate's prediction: USC wins, but the Huskers cover.

No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 14 Tennessee (7:30 PM, ABC)

Pate called this a "loser leaves town game" for two teams trying to stay in the playoff hunt. His confidence in Oklahoma has slipped after recent inconsistency, especially with Brent Venables' struggles following losses. "I've lost trust in Oklahoma a little bit," Pate said. "They're not an automatic bounce-back outfit."

Pate's prediction: Tennessee wins and covers.

Read all of Pate's breakdowns here.

SPORTS BUSINESS

ABC, ESPN now blacked out on YouTube TV

If you're one of YouTube TV's nearly 10 million subscribers, you woke up this morning without ESPN, ABC, SEC Network, or ACC Network.

The previous deal between YouTube TV and Disney expired at midnight, and the two sides are now in a carriage dispute. The blackout arrived right on schedule after both sides spent weeks trading statements and buying ad space to win the public narrative.

Disney said Google's YouTube TV "refused to pay fair rates" and accused the tech giant of using its market power to undercut competitors. It reminded viewers that its networks carry "the best lineup in live sports," including 13 of the top 25 college teams playing this weekend.

YouTube TV expressed disappointment and urged Disney to negotiate in good faith. The company said it would offer subscribers a $20 credit if the blackout continues, though that will not help fans trying to watch Saturday's games.

The timing could hardly be worse for Disney. ESPN is entering the home stretch of the college football season, the NBA and NHL are both underway, and ABC has aired 21 of the 25 most-watched college football games this fall.

YouTube TV prices have risen over 50% since 2019, with seemingly never-ending carriage disputes in between. Now, the mass exodus begins to find alternate TV providers before kickoff tomorrow.

What it means

Fans lose big: No ESPN, ABC, or conference networks on YouTube TV during one of the busiest sports weekends of the year.
Disney turns up the pressure: Its statement was written to rally angry subscribers.
YouTube TV digs in: The $20 credit hints this may take time to resolve.
High-stakes timing: With the playoff race and multiple pro seasons in full swing, both sides risk backlash the longer the blackout lasts.

Read the full story.

PRESENTED BY BETMGM

Best Bets: Brett McMurphy's Week 10 picks

After a 3-5-2 week to bring his season total to 35-40-2, Brett McMurphy is back with his Week 10 selections, looking to rebound with a slate that features several intriguing conference matchups. He's eyeing points in Jacksonville, a potential scare for Louisville, and a live underdog out west. As always, lines courtesy of BetMGM.

Join now using code 'On3' and get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses.

Georgia vs. Florida: Over 50.5
USC at Nebraska: Over 59
Louisville at Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech +10.5
Georgia Tech at NC State: Over 58
Hawaii at San Jose State: Hawaii +1.5

See all 11 of McMurphy's picks here.

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

Josh Pate's Week 10 college football upset alerts

Ryan Day, Lane Kiffin, Brent Key, Mario Cristobal

This is the time of year when every Saturday feels heavier. November means championship races, playoff dreams, and heartbreak waiting around every corner. Josh Pate knows that better than anyone, rolling out his latest Upset Alert Meter on Thursday's show. He spotlighted several potential shockers this week, rating each matchup from mild worry to full-blown concern. As always, all odds are courtesy of BetMGM.

Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State (-19.5)

What could have been. A game that once looked like a top-five showdown has lost its shine. Penn State's midseason collapse has Pate expecting a one-sided result in Columbus. "No way Ohio State is about to let this happen," he said. "I expect it to be a very quick game. I don't expect it to be in doubt in the fourth quarter."

Concern meter: 2.5/10
Expectations: Ohio State cruises at home and keeps full control of the Big Ten race.

South Carolina at No. 7 Ole Miss (-12.5)

Pate is not sounding the alarms in Oxford but is keeping one eye open. South Carolina has shown signs of life and could hang around if Ole Miss starts slowly. "This is one where I wouldn't totally be shocked if things fell the right way," Pate said. He rated it a moderate 5.5, noting that Lane Kiffin's team needs to stay sharp to avoid a scare.

Concern meter: 5.5/10
Expectations: Ole Miss wins but might be sweating in the fourth quarter.

No. 8 Georgia Tech at NC State (+5.5)

Pate called this his biggest worry of the week. "I'm putting an eight on this game," he said. "I have moderate to severe concerns for Georgia Tech." The Yellow Jackets' run defense ranks 87th nationally, and NC State running back Hollywood Smothers has been dominant, leading the ACC with 825 yards. That matchup has Pate uneasy.

Concern meter: 8/10
Expectations: NC State is in position to pull the upset behind a big day from Smothers.

No. 10 Miami at SMU (+10.5)

Pate doubled down on a theme from earlier in the week: Miami wins, but it may not look comfortable. "This is a seven for me," he said. "Still picking Miami to win, still rolling with them to go to the Playoffs. But that doesn't mean I can't be a little nervous."

Concern meter: 7/10
Expectations: Miami survives a close one, but SMU covers again.

See all the games Pate has circled.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I started 51 straight college games, setting an NCAA record for consecutive starts by a quarterback.
I led NC State to four straight bowl games, winning three of them and earning two bowl MVPs.
Before my final home game, my No. 17 jersey was retired after I set nearly every NCSU and ACC passing record, throwing for more than 13,000 career yards and 95 touchdowns.

Answer at the bottom.

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