RJ Younger
FOX Sports activities Nationwide Faculty Soccer Analyst
In a season that feels match for groups who’ve confirmed to be good within the Faculty Soccer Playoff period, however not fairly adequate to be one of many groups invited into what was a four-team event, it is not perennial powers like Ole Miss, Wisconsin, USC and Florida who’re benefiting from the expanded subject.
As an alternative, it is the Indiana Hoosiers.
With respect to BYU and Iowa State, this Indiana program can be essentially the most stunning entrant into the 12-team CFP subject this season.
Indiana is 8-0. Indiana has gained 9 video games simply twice in program historical past (1945, 1967). Indiana is 2 wins away from successful 10 video games for the primary time ever. And sure, Indiana has 4 video games left to do it.
With Oregon wanting like not solely the highest staff within the Huge Ten, however in all the nation, it is Indiana who has proven to be the most important problem to the Geese, together with Ohio State and Penn State.
With that, here is a have a look at my high 25 rankings following Week 9 of the school soccer season:
1. Oregon (8-0)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Illinois, 38-9
Since defeating Ohio State, 32-31, again in Week 7, the Geese have outscored opponents 73-9. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns, whereas additionally including a speeding rating within the Geese’ win.
2. Georgia (6-1)
Week 9 end result: Idle
3. Ohio State (6-1)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Nebraska, 21-17
The Buckeyes wanted to mount a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Huskers and keep alive within the chase for a Huge Ten title. Wideout Jeremiah Smith tied Cris Carter’s freshman report for touchdowns with eight, hauling in a 60-yard TD within the victory.
Will Howard hyperlinks up with Jeremiah Smith for a 60-yard TD, extending Ohio State’s lead over Nebraska
4. Penn State (7-0)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Wisconsin, 28-13
The Nittany Lions trailed Wisconsin 10-7 at halftime. Following a 90-yard TD-scoring drive, PSU managed simply 45 yards on its subsequent 14 offensive performs. Drew Allar was pressured to depart the sport within the first half on account of damage and didn’t return within the second half.
That did not cease Penn State’s protection from imposing its will. The Nittany Lions retook the lead on a pick-six and backup QB Beau Pribula noticed the Lions by way of to the top.
5. Texas (7-1)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Vanderbilt, 27-24
Quinn Ewers accomplished 27 of 37 passes for 288 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions within the win. The Longhorns staved off a second-half comeback try by the Commodores, who’ve but to play a recreation towards a Energy 4 opponent that didn’t finish as a one-score recreation.
6. Miami (Fla.) (8-0)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Florida State, 36-14
Regardless of the primary ho-hum recreation of the season from Heisman contender Cam Ward — 22-of-35 for 208 yards with zero passing touchdowns — the Miami Hurricanes cruised to a win towards rival FSU. Operating again Damien Martinez wanted simply 15 carries to hurry for 148 yards with two touchdowns.
7. Clemson (6-1)
Week 9 end result: Idle
8. Iowa State (7-0)
Week 9 end result: Idle
9. BYU (8-0)
Week 9 end result: Defeated UCF, 37-24
The Cougars by no means trailed the Knights on this one. BYU working again LJ Martin rushed for 101 yards within the win. Martin has rushed for 100-plus yards in consecutive video games for the primary time this 12 months. This season marks simply the second time since 1990 that BYU has begun its season 8-0.
10. Texas A&M (7-1)
Week 9 end result: Defeated LSU, 38-23
Trailing 17-7 within the third quarter, Mike Elko felt like he wanted a change. He known as on Marcel Reed, hoping the dual-threat signal-caller might present a spark to the offense, and that is precisely what he did. Reed got here off the bench to run for 3 second-half touchdowns and lead the Aggies to a powerful win and hold their undefeated report in SEC play intact.
11. Tennessee (6-1)
Week 9 end result: Idle
12. Indiana (8-0)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Washington, 31-17
Indiana is 8-0.
Indiana might win 9 video games for simply the third time in its historical past, and 10 video games for the primary time ever.
And Indiana has 4 video games to do it.
13. Notre Dame (7-1)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Navy, 51-14
The Preventing Irish put collectively a definitive assertion win towards a previously-undefeated opponent. Jeremiyah Love rushed for 102 yards with two touchdowns on simply 12 carries.
14. Alabama (6-2)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Missouri, 34-0
The Tide bounced again from their loss to Tennessee to reclaim their defensive swagger with a shutout victory. In doing so, they dashed Mizzou’s hopes of incomes a spot within the SEC title recreation and the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Jamarion Miller rushed for 2 touchdowns within the win.
15. LSU (6-2)
Week 9 end result: Misplaced to Texas A&M, 38-23
Garrett Nussmeier threw three picks after halftime and the Tigers’ protection could not cease A&M QB Marcel Reed on the bottom. Nussmeier completed the sport with 405 yards and two touchdowns with a career-high three interceptions.
16. Boise State (6-1)
Week 9 end result: Defeated UNLV, 29-24
Although Ashton Jeanty was held to simply 128 speeding yards speeding on 33 carries, the Broncos wore down the Rebels. The Broncos’ protection sacked Hajj-Malik Williams six instances and recorded an interception within the win.
17. Kansas State (7-1)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Kansas, 29-27
Avery Johnson threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, whereas additionally including 67 yards and a rating on the bottom. The Wildcats’ protection got here up large in the long run, stopping Kansas on fourth right down to hold their CFP probabilities alive and safe their sixteenth straight win over their largest rival.
18. Pitt (7-0)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Syracuse, 41-13
The Panthers picked off Syracuse QB Kyle McCord 5 instances, together with three pick-sixes within the first half. Pat Narduzzi has this staff taking part in elite-level protection as they improved to 7-0 on the season.
19. Missouri (6-2)
Week 9 end result: Misplaced to Alabama, 34-0
After shedding quarterback Brady Prepare dinner with only a few minutes left to play within the first half, backup Drew Pyne struggled towards the Alabama protection. He accomplished simply 6 of 12 passes for 42 yards with three interceptions.
20. Ole Miss (6-2)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Oklahoma, 26-14
With out Tre Harris, the Rebels struggled to search out an offensive catalyst, however their protection managed 9 sacks and two turnovers towards the Sooners.
21. SMU (7-1)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Duke, 28-27
One other week, one other win for the Mustangs. They’ve now gained 5 in a row, with this win coming towards an excellent Duke staff in extra time. Brashard Smith led the best way on the bottom with 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
22. Military (7-0)
Week 9 end result: Idle
23. Illinois (6-2)
Week 9 end result: Misplaced to Oregon, 38-9
The Illini struggled offensively on this recreation. Regardless of incomes their strategy to the Oregon 2-yard line to open the second half, the Illini turned the ball over on downs.
24. Colorado (6-2)
Week 9 end result: Defeated Cincinnati, 34-23
Similar to it has been so many instances this season, it was the Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter present on Saturday evening in Boulder. Sanders accomplished 25 of 30 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns, each of which went to Hunter, who completed with a game-high 9 catches for 153 yards. With the victory, Coach Prime’s Buffs turned bowl eligible.
25. Navy (6-1)
Week 9 end result: Misplaced to Notre Dame, 51-14
Navy turned it over six instances on Saturday in its loss to Notre Dame. That is the kind of recreation the place you throw out the tape and transfer on. This staff continues to be undefeated in convention play.
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.” Observe him at @RJ_Young.
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