By Bryan Fischer
FOX Sports activities School Soccer Author
Three weeks right into a younger faculty soccer season is an honest sufficient pattern dimension to shed a few of our preseason expectations and kind new opinions on how this wild endeavor will play out over the approaching months.
Maybe probably the most stunning notion change from August to September has come on the high. Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State stay settled contained in the elite tier of School Soccer Playoff contenders, however their order has modified three weeks operating within the polls. The Bulldogs have confirmed to not have misplaced a step in any respect from 2021, the Tide appeared mortal throughout their journey to Austin and the Buckeyes' preliminary victory over Notre Dame is just not as spectacular because the model identify would point out.
But there’s a giant line of demarcation by way of expertise, teaching and intangibles between these three and the remainder of the pack chasing them. Discovering a fourth college so as to add to the playoff combine stays frustratingly huge open.
RJ Younger's High 25: Oklahoma strikes as much as No. 4
RJ Younger explains why he thinks the Sooners have an opportunity to compete for a spot within the School Soccer Playoff.
Many anticipated Clemson to return to kind after "solely" successful 10 video games a yr in the past. Up to now although, the Tigers' offense nonetheless appears caught in second gear as huge receivers fail to create separation and quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei ranks fifty fifth in passing effectivity. Defensively, the group has given up as many 20-plus-yard performs as Boston School and Bowling Inexperienced, amongst others.
At this level, the default is to only go together with No. 4 Michigan and name it a day. Which may be wonderful for now, however the Wolverines have three wins over opponents who've but to beat an FBS group.
As an alternative, maybe it’s time to start out wanting extra intently at two sides tied collectively by Lincoln Riley — the group he left behind and the group he’s taken to brighter days. One scorned, one saved, however each able to reaching the ultimate 4? Looks as if it.
Oklahoma is again to being the Massive 12 favourite and hasn’t appeared to skip a beat below new coach Brent Venables. The offense remains to be prolific and coming off a beating at Nebraska wherein the starters averaged 7.7 yards per play and scored seven touchdowns. QB Dillon Gabriel is finishing two-thirds of his passes and hasn’t thrown a choose but. Coordinator Jeff Lebby has barely even scratched the floor of his playbook past the occasional trick play to maintain issues mild.
Associated: No. 6 Oklahoma's rout of Nebraska a warning to Massive 12
Most encouraging for Sooners followers is a newfound defensive toughness put in by Venables. They’ve allowed simply six scoring drives whole and 10 factors per recreation amid their scorching begin. An excellent higher signal that this progress is sustainable is the truth that they’re fourth within the nation in sacks and eleventh in yards per play allowed. A feisty entrance seven will get after you and doesn’t let up.
OU’s postseason path additionally appears a lot simpler than it did amid the unknowns of the preseason. Reigning convention champ Baylor has not been as sharp within the passing recreation as hoped with the spring transfer to Blake Shapen at quarterback. Kansas State simply misplaced to Tulane. TCU and Oklahoma State stay untested. The Purple River recreation towards an ascending Texas facet may show fascinating — however provided that Quinn Ewers returns from damage in time. Kansas and Iowa State are undefeated and look fairly pesky, however nonetheless are at a giant expertise drawback. West Virginia? Nicely, the dialogue surrounding the Mountaineers' coach and his scorching seat tells you all you could know.
It hasn’t been good in Norman, however it is time to sit up and take discover.
The optimistic vibe is analogous out West, the place Riley’s tenure in cardinal and gold has gotten off to a fair higher begin than most imagined. Prolific doesn’t even do the USC offense justice, because the group has scored 40-plus factors in its opening three video games for the primary time since 2005.
Caleb Williams to Jordan Addison!
USC QB Caleb Williams hits Jordan Addison to offer the Trojans and early lead over Fresno State on Saturday.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is fourth in FBS completion proportion and averaging 10.2 yards/try. New pal Jordan Addison is second within the nation in landing receptions and hasn’t performed into the fourth quarter. The complete offense is averaging a sturdy 7.96 yards per play and has confronted the fewest third downs of any group that’s performed three video games.
Excessive-scoring affairs are nothing new within the Pac-12, however the hole between what the Trojans are trotting out and all people else is as huge because the Grand Canyon proper now. To beat this group you’re going to have to attain and rating some extra. The risk in that division is extra OSU (Ohio State) and UA (Alabama) than Oregon State and Arizona.
What actually makes USC a contender to achieve the Playoff — and illustrate that this rebuild is extra superior than anticipated — is the protection. This group is not fairly a throwback to Pete Carroll’s items in Los Angeles, however it's been exceedingly opportunistic and helps the group lead the nation in turnover margin. Riley has by no means been identified for leaning on that facet of the ball as a head coach — his Sooners allowed at the very least 5.84 yards per play on three journeys to a semifinal.
USC at the moment sits at 5.60 yards per play allowed because it heads to Corvallis to tackle Oregon State this week.
It doesn’t damage that the Trojans might play simply two or three ranked groups the remainder of the season and will probably be appreciable favorites in each recreation they've left. On paper, a visit to Salt Lake Metropolis to face No. 13 Utah is the largest hurdle on a docket that misses No. 15 Oregon and No. 18 Washington within the rotation. USC followers are principally simply giddy at arriving on the Coliseum to see a group with a training benefit for the primary time in a dozen years.
Plus, Riley has been there earlier than. He’s 58-10 operating a program and is aware of what playoff-caliber soccer actually is.
His alternative in Norman does too, albeit this time round as a first-time head coach.
Each appear enthusiastic about what they need to work with.
As we shed our early expectations and handicap the race to crack the highest 4 come December, it’s most likely time to start out believing in Oklahoma and USC as effectively.
Penn State makes Massive Ten an influence trio?
Within the Massive Ten, the notion that the highest three groups within the East Division have a substantial hole between them and all people else was underscored once more on Saturday, as Michigan trudged alongside destroying overmatched opposition and Ohio State discovered the tip zone with a regularity you would set your watch by.
The Wolverines, regardless of changing each coordinators and key gamers like No. 2 choose Aidan Hutchinson, discover themselves coming into Week 4 with the nation's No. 1 scoring offense and No. 4 scoring protection. Given the quantity of change in Ann Arbor this offseason, it’s been spectacular work by coach Jim Harbaugh & Co., laying waste to the opponent regardless of how lackluster the schedule is perhaps. The Buckeyes appear again to their ordinary destroyer-of-world selves after a 77-21 victory over Toledo, main the nation in yards per play even with out star Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his healthiest.
Associated: How Jaxon Smith-Njigba grew to become Ohio State's subsequent nice
However no one made an even bigger assertion that they need to additionally earn consideration atop the Massive Ten fairly like Penn State did, changing into the primary program from the convention to win on the Plains in a 41-12 thumping of Auburn.
They received push up-front for his or her younger tailbacks (176 yards mixed for freshmen Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen), stored issues pretty clear within the pocket for QB Sean Clifford and had been opportunistic on protection to the tune of 4 turnovers. It’s not typically a group as gifted because the Tigers is outclassed in each space by a group from up North, however that was the case — and it may have been worse if not for Auburn QB T.J. Finley’s capability to scramble round. The play within the trenches for the Nittany Lions will probably be key in these season-defining clashes towards Michigan and Ohio State in October.
However, for all of the kudos the Massive Ten powerhouses deserve, it was a largely forgettable weekend for everyone else. Nebraska and Michigan State had been taken to the woodshed on nationwide TV, Indiana wanted a 17-point fourth quarter plus time beyond regulation to defeat Western Kentucky, Rutgers struggled to place away Temple, Purdue snatched a loss from the jaws of victory at Syracuse, and Maryland dedicated penalty after penalty whereas escaping vs. SMU at residence. Oh and Northwestern, which has made a behavior of these items recently, was pushed round by a Southern Illinois group that was winless coming in after two FCS losses of its personal.
Minnesota has, at the very least, taken care of enterprise, however the boat has been rowed towards three packages who don’t personal a win to their identify.
There’s power in numbers, however to date the Massive Ten is wanting like fairly a dichotomy between these on the high and a lackluster backside half.
Pac is again?
The Pac-12 has been taking it on the chin throughout the month of September the previous few years, however maybe the narrative is popping out West in 2022. Per Jon Wilner of the Pac-12 Hotline, Saturday was the primary time the convention beat two ranked groups on the identical day since Sept. 14, 2013. 9 years is a very long time for that to happen and got here thanks to 2 spectacular statements by Oregon over then-No. 12 BYU and Washington over then-No. 11 Michigan State. The Geese and Huskies each appeared superior within the trenches and had a pair of switch quarterbacks who had been completely dealing in Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr.
Throw in 3-0 begins by Oregon State and Washington State, and the Pacific Northwest contingent may very well be as sturdy because it has been since divisional play started in 2011.
By no means thoughts the conditions in Tempe and Boulder although …
You play to win the sport, however if you don’t …
Arizona State parted methods with Herm Edwards on Sunday, ending an experiment that many predicted from the beginning would by no means work. It wasn’t simply that he did not win and have become the primary Pac-12 coach to ever lose to a MAC group within the common season, it was the dearth of consistency week-to-week that plagued the Solar Devils when the ever-quotable head coach was not making excuses.
The college is in an fascinating spot as a result of the job — when considered in a vacuum — is an effective one given entry to expertise, respectable amenities and an enormous alumni base that's ripe to make the most of within the NIL period. The specter of NCAA sanctions looms, however it’s not loopy to suppose that USC/UCLA’s departures in 2024 may permit Arizona State to thrive down the street in a new-look Pac-10.
Then again, no one has been capable of elevate this system regardless of all these built-in benefits. No coach has left the college with a shedding file since 1979, however Todd Graham's 59% successful proportion stays the high-water mark since John Cooper left for Ohio State in 1988.
Complicating the approaching search is just not the specter of future scholarship losses however fairly management on the very high. Athletic director Ray Anderson was Edwards’ agent earlier in his profession and has overseen a division that has not gotten out of its personal manner in a number of sports activities. It’s not out of the realm of prospects that he may very well be moved to the college facet by President Michael Crow whereas a brand new AD is put in to make the soccer rent. teaching candidates may need readability on that earlier than taking the gig.
The change in Tempe additionally makes it back-to-back weeks for Energy 5 packages making a training transfer. Auburn’s Bryan Harsin, Georgia Tech’s Geoff Collins, Colorado’s Karl Dorrell and several other others are hoping it’s not going to be three in a row.
Late-game mismanagement
For all of the discuss a brand new, younger wave of coaches taking up on the NFL and faculty ranges, the "Madden Era" positive isn’t doing any higher on the subject of recreation administration — one thing on full show Saturday.
Take South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack, who referred to as for presumably probably the most disastrous faux discipline aim ever referred to as with an opportunity to increase the Jaguars' lead towards UCLA on the Rose Bowl.
Thoughts you, the one purpose the group was able to make the kick was that UCLA received a late hit penalty to increase the drive.
On the opposite facet of the nation, Troy deliberately took a security when up simply 4, then squibbed the following kickoff, later permitting probably the most unbelievable walk-off Hail Mary in Solar Belt historical past.
— Liberty mounted a stirring comeback towards Wake Forest however opted to go for 2 and the win (wonderful) by … operating a two-point conversion play which will have been taken from a Pop Warner playbook (with predictable outcomes).
— Purdue scored a go-ahead landing with 51 seconds left … and misplaced. Penalties killed the Boilermakers, who additionally gave up 22 within the closing quarter.
— Then there was Mario Cristobal, who didn’t appear to study something from so many bungled endings at Oregon, and stored choosing discipline objectives late as an alternative of going for the tip zone on the street towards a beatable ranked opponent. Selecting to punt whereas down 17-9 within the closing three minutes at midfield was additionally a alternative.
In a day and age the place analytics have been woven into the material of most selections in soccer, Saturday wasn’t the best showcase for following the script.
The underside is dangerous!
Georgia Tech has been outscored 83-10 by FBS groups this season and has solely two touchdowns in its final 18 quarters towards Energy 5 groups. New Mexico State is our first 0-4 squad and has been outscored by 115 factors this season. The MAC has simply two groups above .500 in the intervening time, none of that are within the East Division. Colorado suffered its thirty seventh double-digit street loss since 2011, 29 of which have been losses by greater than 20 factors.
Woof.
The underside is sweet!
As dangerous as these groups listed above have been, some regulars within the also-ran part are literally thriving to start out the 2022 season. The final time Kansas, Duke, Rutgers and Vanderbilt received at the very least three video games in the identical season was 2014. All 4 groups are 3-0 after Week 3. The truth is, the six winningest Energy 5 packages in males’s basketball (Kansas, Kentucky, UNC, Duke, Syracuse, UCLA) are a mixed 18-0 after Week 3. Toss in Indiana and it’s 21-0.
Extremely, of the 20 worst Energy 5 packages by all-time successful proportion, 11 of them are 3-0 to start out 2022. Simply three of the underside 20 actually have a shedding file proper now and a type of (Northwestern) truly sits atop the Massive Ten West standings.
Solar Belt regression, SEC escapes
Convention reputations are fickle issues, and this previous weekend in faculty soccer was an ideal illustration of how wildly issues can swing.
The week after the best Saturday in Solar Belt historical past:
— Appalachian State wanted a miraculous Hail Mary to beat Troy.
— Marshall was upset by a Bowling Inexperienced squad that misplaced in 7OT to an FCS opponent the week prior.
— Georgia Southern threw three interceptions in a loss to UAB.
— Louisiana’s nation-leading 15-game win streak was convincingly snapped by Rice.
— Georgia State fell to beforehand winless Charlotte.
— Outdated Dominion and South Alabama each misplaced within the closing second after late fourth-quarter leads.
Lest we expect that was the one convention in that a part of the nation to publish some struggles, Arkansas wanted a late surge to place away Bobby Petrino and Missouri State, USF was an honest snap from forcing time beyond regulation at Florida, Auburn was blown out, Vanderbilt trailed at halftime at Northern Illinois and Texas A&M muddled its method to a house win over Miami.
Followers can go forward and hold chanting these three little letters, however possibly take the following few days off after current outcomes.
Saturday superlatives
Finest Participant: Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton
Group of the Week: Japanese Michigan
Goat of the Week: Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald
Coach of the Week: Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Cumbie
Heisman 5: 1. Brock Bowers (Georgia), 2. Caleb Williams (USC), 3. Bryce Younger (Alabama), 4. C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), 5. Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)
Projected Playoff: 1. Georgia, 2. Ohio State, 3. Alabama, 4. USC
Tweet of the Week:
Tremendous 16
Right here’s my poll for the FWAA/NFF Tremendous 16 this week:
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Oklahoma
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Washington
9. Clemson
10. Arkansas
11. Oregon
12. BYU
13. Minnesota
14. Oklahoma State
15. N.C. State
16. Kansas
Simply missed the minimize: Utah
Better of the remainder: Kentucky, Baylor, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas, Wake Forest, Texas A&M, Pitt
Pre-snap reads
Maryland at Michigan (Midday ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app)
Taulia Tagovailoa and a speedy receiving corps for the Terps current the largest problem so far for a renewed secondary of the Wolverines, however this has all of the makings of a contest over earlier than halftime.
Duke at Kansas (Midday ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports activities app)
GAME OF THE WEEK? Winner will get the No. 1 seed in March? Make all of the jokes you need, however that is truly a reasonably fascinating matchup between two undefeated groups. Mike Elko has made an instantaneous affect on the Blue Devils' protection, however they is perhaps overmatched by the explosiveness of the Jayhawks' offense.
Clemson at Wake Forest (Midday ET)
What occurs when a barely shifting offense faces a protection that struggled to cease Liberty? We’re about to seek out out, because the Demon Deacons hope to tug their first win towards the ACC overlords since 2008. This has all of the makings of a low-scoring affair with numerous punts for 3 quarters earlier than Clemson discovers it might probably run the ball and find yourself successful by two scores.
Kansas State at Oklahoma (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app)
The Wildcats' loss to Tulane definitely took some luster off this matchup, which has been difficult for the Sooners in recent times. Adrian Martinez and Deuce Vaughn can mix for some magic whereas making one thing out of nothing however nonetheless haven’t fairly clicked below new OC Collin Klein. If this was within the Little Apple, an upset could be within the playing cards, however because it’s in Norman, count on OU to place up factors and win comfortably.
Bryan Fischer is a university soccer author for FOX Sports activities. He has been overlaying faculty athletics for practically 20 years at shops reminiscent of NBC Sports activities, CBS Sports activities, Yahoo! Sports activities and NFL.com amongst others. Comply with him on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
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