Faculty soccer rankings: Ohio State (with protection!) is now the clear No. 1

By RJ Younger
FOX Sports activities Faculty Soccer Author

COLUMBUS, Ohio — From the sideline at Ohio Stadium, I couldn’t assist enthusiastic about Ivory Christian making an attempt to inform Odessa Permian coach Gary Gaines what it was wish to play towards Dallas Carter in "Friday Night time Lights."

"They’re quick," Christian stated. "They’re large … plus, they’re quick."

That’s how Ohio State seemed — particularly within the second half — towards Iowa on Saturday. After a shaky begin by the offense, C.J. Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka started taking part in the sort of soccer Tanner McCalister, Tommy Eichenberg and the Buckeye protection had all afternoon.

Ohio State put collectively a definitive assertion win towards an Iowa protection that has proved to be a measuring stick for Massive Ten opponents.

Undefeated Michigan beat Iowa 27-14 in Iowa Metropolis. 

The Buckeyes did higher.

Protection fuels Buckeyes' dominant win

RJ Younger reacts to the Buckeyes' spectacular protection in Saturday's victory towards Iowa.

Ohio State scored 38 unanswered factors and allowed simply 158 whole yards whereas forcing Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz to drag starter Spencer Petras. The Buckeyes' 54 factors are essentially the most Iowa has given up since Ferentz grew to become head coach in 1999.

The Buckeyes, but once more, are taking part in the sort of soccer a No. 1-ranked group ought to.

1. Ohio State (7-0)

Defeated Iowa, 54-10

Whereas the Buckeyes offense sputtered out of the gates, the protection picked up the slack, forcing six turnovers and making life depressing for the Hawkeyes.

2. Georgia (7-0)

Idle.

3. Michigan (7-0)

Idle.

4. Tennessee (7-0)

Defeated UT Martin, 65-24

Nothing like an SEC group taking part in an FCS group in October to make them appear to be a CFP group. Sure, I’m being sarcastic, as a result of — come on — how lengthy are we gonna hold performing prefer it’s OK for the SEC to schedule groups a division under in October and November?

An interview with Hendon Hooker

Matt Leinart chats with Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker concerning the Vols' probabilities of successful a nationwide championship.

5. Clemson (8-0)

Defeated Syracuse, 27-21

The final time the Tigers discovered themselves dealing with a halftime deficit, DJ Uiagalelei introduced Clemson again from an 18-point deficit to defeat Boston Faculty and preserve a successful streak.

This time, down within the third quarter to undefeated Syracuse at house, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney benched his former five-star quarterback for former five-star freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik.

It was a daring transfer for a head coach who as soon as thought (simply final week) that it was "embarrassing" to even contemplate the thought he may bench Uiagalelei for Klubnik. But he did, and Klubnik helped the Tigers to claw again for a win and a thirty eighth straight win at house, a streak courting again to Nov. 12, 2016.

Now, there’s a QB controversy in Dying Valley.

6. Alabama (7-1)

Defeated Mississippi State, 30-6

After giving up 52 to Tennessee, the Tide gave up not a rattling factor within the first half of play towards Mike Leach’s Bulldogs. Alabama led 24-0 at halftime.

7. TCU (7-0)

Defeated Kansas State, 38-28

Max Duggan handed for 280 yards and three touchdowns because the Horned Frogs outscored the Wildcats 21-0 within the second half to stay undefeated.

8. Oklahoma State (6-1)

Defeated Texas, 41-34

The Pokes gained the sort of sport they misplaced only a week in the past. This time it was Oklahoma State that clawed again and gained the sport within the waning moments with exact offensive play and well timed defensive takeaways.

The Pokes picked off Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers twice on the Longhorns’ ultimate two possessions to seal a win. The Longhorns dedicated 14 penalties for 113 yards and the Pokes didn’t commit a single one.

9. Oregon (6-1)

Defeated UCLA, 45-30

And with the win, the Pac-12 has cannibalized itself as soon as once more, eliminating the final unbeaten group within the league earlier than the final week of October. Now, it’s a race to search out out which group can hold tempo with the Geese to earn entry into the Pac-12 title sport.

Highlights: Oregon fingers UCLA first loss

Bo Nix threw for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns to assist the Geese knock off the Bruins.

10. UCLA (6-1)

Misplaced to Oregon, 45-30

The Bruins noticed their undefeated run stymied at Autzen — a spot the place no visiting group has gained since 2018.

11. USC (6-1)

Idle.

12. Penn State (6-1)

Defeated Minnesota, 45-17

The Nittany Lions rebounded properly from their large loss to Michigan final week.

13. Ole Miss (7-1)

Misplaced to LSU, 45-20

With Texas A&M and Alabama developing of their subsequent two video games, the Rebs are in a decent spot.

14. Kentucky (5-2)

Idle.

15. Utah (5-2)

Idle.

16. Wake Forest (6-1)

Defeated Boston Faculty, 43-15

The Demon Deacons have put up a minimum of 31 factors in each sport they’ve performed — averaging 41.2 per sport — and look able to difficult Clemson for the ACC title in December.

17. Syracuse (6-1)

Misplaced to Clemson, 27-21

Puzzlingly, Syracuse’s star participant, working again Sean Tucker, carried the ball simply 5 occasions — for 58 yards — in a sport that felt prefer it was begging for him to take it over amid a quarterback controversy on the opposing sideline. 

18. Illinois (6-1)

Idle.

19. Tulane (7-1)

Defeated Memphis, 38-28

The Inexperienced Wave led the Tigers 35-0 at halftime and appear to be difficult the Bearcats for American Athletic Convention supremacy.

20. Kansas State (5-2)

Misplaced to TCU, 38-28

Quarterback Adrian Martinez left with an obvious leg damage, doubtlessly tough information for the Wildcats transferring ahead.

21. North Carolina (6-1)

Idle.

22. LSU (6-2)

Defeated Ole Miss, 45-20

Jayden Daniels handed for 248 yards and rushed for 121 extra within the spectacular Tigers win. 

23. Cincinnati (6-1)

Defeated SMU, 29-27

The Bearcats staved off a late-comeback bid by SMU, which fell a two-point strive in need of tying the sport with simply over two minutes left to play.

24. Oregon State (6-2)

Defeated Colorado, 42-9

With video games towards Washington, California and Arizona State up subsequent, the Beavers may very well be a quiet nine-win group after they meet Oregon in Corvallis for the state championship.

25. Liberty (7-1)

Defeated BYU, 41-14

A one-point loss to Wake Forest is the one blemish on Liberty's document.

Learn extra:

RJ Younger is a nationwide school soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast "The Quantity One Faculty Soccer Present." Comply with him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to "The RJ Younger Present" on YouTube.

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