College Football Playoff Race Intensifies: BYU-Texas Tech Highlights Crucial Week 11 Slate Amidst NBA and NHL Action

With the release of the inaugural College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings for the 2025 season, the competition for the expanded 12-team national championship field has entered a critical phase. November fixtures carry heightened significance, as a single defeat can derail a team’s playoff aspirations or jeopardize its path to a conference championship game. Week 11 presents several pivotal matchups poised to shape the landscape of college football.

Saturday, November 8, 2025, is anchored by a marquee Big 12 showdown, featuring undefeated BYU against a formidable one-loss Texas Tech squad. The Red Raiders, widely considered conference favorites, cannot afford another setback, while the Cougars, despite their perfect record, may lack the "style points" to absorb a loss without severe repercussions. Texas Tech enters the contest as a substantial 10.5-point favorite on their home turf.

Beyond the Big 12 clash, other notable Week 11 games with significant playoff implications include No. 6 Oregon’s visit to Iowa, Missouri hosting an undefeated Texas A&M, and Navy challenging Notre Dame. All six programs in these matchups boast two or fewer losses, with Texas A&M entering the weekend unblemished, and each maintains a tangible route to the CFP.

While college football commands Saturday’s spotlight, the day’s sports calendar is robust, offering an eight-game NBA slate and a comprehensive 13-game NHL schedule, providing a diverse array of viewing options for sports enthusiasts.

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Below is a detailed overview of key matchups and betting insights for Saturday, November 8, and a look ahead to Sunday’s NFL action. All times are Eastern.

College Football: Key Matchups and Betting Insights

No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech

Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo (try for free)
SportsLine Picks: Model: Over 52.5 | Expert: BYU +10.5 (Mike Tierney)

It is a rare occurrence for an undefeated, top-10 ranked team to enter a contest as a double-digit underdog, yet this is the reality for the No. 7 BYU Cougars as they travel to Lubbock for a critical Big 12 encounter with No. 8 Texas Tech. The 2025 campaigns for these two teams have unfolded distinctly. Texas Tech has largely dominated its opponents, with its sole defeat coming against Arizona State. Conversely, BYU, while maintaining a perfect record, has secured three of its five conference victories by a single score, with the remaining two decided by just two scores. This perceived lack of dominant performances, often referred to as "style points" in playoff discussions, combined with the formidable home-field advantage of Texas Tech, contributes to BYU’s considerable underdog status in this crucial November clash.

The SportsLine model projects a high-scoring affair, with the Over 52.5 hitting in over 60% of simulations. SportsLine expert Mike Tierney, however, anticipates BYU will cover the spread, a feat the Cougars have consistently achieved this season. "The Cougars are as feisty as their quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, with seven covers in their last eight outings as underdogs," Tierney stated. "Their defense can curtail Tech’s big-play potential and keep the margin in single figures." The Big 12 championship race is directly impacted by this game, with the winner gaining a significant advantage in the conference standings and the CFP picture.

No. 6 Oregon at Iowa

Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
TV: CBS and Paramount+
Stream: Fubo (try for free)
SportsLine Pick: Model: Oregon -6.5 | Expert: Oregon -6 (Thomas Casale)

The Iowa Hawkeyes have navigated the 2025 season with a degree of quiet success, registering only two losses: a narrow 16-13 defeat to rival Iowa State and a 20-15 loss to No. 2 Indiana. Notably, the Hawkeyes’ offense, traditionally known for its conservative approach under head coach Kirk Ferentz, has shown uncharacteristic potency, scoring 34 points or more in five of its other six games. Week 11 presents a significant opportunity for Iowa as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks arrive in Iowa City. A victory could propel the Hawkeyes into serious playoff contention if they can win out the remainder of their schedule.

For Oregon, this game marks the commencement of a challenging four-game November stretch that includes ranked matchups against USC and rival Washington. The Ducks possess considerable offensive firepower and talent. However, their most significant victory to date came against a Penn State team that subsequently dismissed its head coach. This fixture against Iowa arguably represents Oregon’s most rigorous test of the season, outside of its home loss to Indiana.

The SportsLine model favors the Ducks to secure a victory and cover the 6.5-point spread against the unranked home side. SportsLine expert Thomas Casale concurs, suggesting this game will serve as a "get-right" opportunity for Oregon. "I expect a razor-focused Oregon team on Saturday after a sloppy effort against Wisconsin at home before the bye," Casale commented. "Look for Oregon to pull away and cover the six points."

Other CFB Playoff Implications:
Missouri, with a strong record, hosts an undefeated Texas A&M in a crucial SEC clash. Both teams are vying for position in the competitive conference and a potential spot in the 12-team playoff. Similarly, Navy’s encounter with Notre Dame carries weight for both programs, as they aim to maintain their playoff hopes with two or fewer losses. The outcomes of these games will significantly influence the subsequent CFP rankings and the overall race for national championship contention.

NBA: Western Conference Showdown

Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers

Time: 10:30 p.m.
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo (try for free)
SportsLine Picks: Model: Los Angeles -5.5 | Expert: Under 227 (Bruce Marshall)

Two Western Conference rivals seeking momentum in the early stages of the 2025-26 NBA season will meet in Los Angeles on Saturday night, as the Clippers host the Suns in their second matchup in three days. Phoenix enters the contest with a 4-5 record, having defeated Los Angeles 115-102 on Thursday. The Clippers, currently at 3-5, are enduring a three-game losing streak.

Both franchises are navigating intriguing seasons. The Suns underwent a significant roster transformation in the offseason, trading Kevin Durant to Houston. This move firmly established Devin Booker as the team’s undisputed primary scorer, complemented by the additions of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. The Clippers, in contrast, largely retain a familiar roster featuring Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, with aspirations of advancing beyond the first round of the postseason, a hurdle they last cleared in the 2020-21 season.

The SportsLine model predicts a Clippers victory and cover of the 5.5-point spread, with Los Angeles covering in nearly 70% of simulations. SportsLine’s Bruce Marshall, who boasts a 4-1 record over his last five NBA picks, offers two predictions for this game, including the Under 227 total. "Neither offense, however, seems to be going full guns at the moment, and this total is being posted roughly the same as Thursday night when the teams stayed comfortably under in the desert," Marshall noted, highlighting both teams’ recent offensive struggles.

NHL: Full Slate Across the League

Saturday’s sports calendar also features a comprehensive 13-game NHL schedule. Early season standings are beginning to take shape, and every point earned or lost can significantly impact playoff positioning later in the year. Key matchups across both conferences will see teams battling for early season supremacy and crucial divisional points.

NFL: Looking Ahead to Sunday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Time: 8:20 p.m., Sunday, November 9
Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
TV: NBC
Stream: Fubo (try for free)
SportsLine Picks: Model: Pittsburgh +2.5 | Expert: Los Angeles -2.5 (R.J. White)

Two NFL playoff contenders are set to clash in prime time on Sunday Night Football in Week 10, as the Los Angeles Chargers host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh, now holding a 5-3 record, recently snapped a two-game losing streak with a decisive 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, handing Indy only its second loss of the season. The Steelers currently maintain control of the AFC North, a position they aim to solidify against a backdrop of a resurgent Baltimore Ravens team that has won two consecutive games and is regaining health.

The Chargers, after an impressive 3-0 start to the season, have seen their record adjust to 6-3. The team has been hampered by significant injuries to its offensive line and running back corps, placing increased pressure on quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert, who threw only three and seven interceptions in his previous two seasons, respectively, has already recorded eight interceptions this year, reflecting the challenges faced by the Chargers’ offense.

The SportsLine model projects the Steelers to at least cover the 2.5-point spread, with this outcome occurring in over 50% of simulations. Conversely, SportsLine expert R.J. White is backing the Chargers to both win outright and cover. "While the Steelers’ pass rush could be an issue, I’m not sure they’ll be able to cover all the weapons Herbert has at his disposal," White commented. "I’m more intrigued by the matchup on the other side, where the Chargers defense has looked excellent the last two weeks against the Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans." The outcome of this game will have significant ramifications for both teams’ playoff aspirations in their respective conferences.