RJ Younger
FOX Sports activities Nationwide School Soccer Analyst
With Texas‘ 30-15 loss to Georgia this previous weekend, each group within the SEC has misplaced a sport earlier than November for the primary time since 2007. And there are nonetheless 9 groups within the convention ranked among the many 25 finest within the sport, based on the newest Related Press Prime 25 Ballot.
Put one other manner: There are 10 undefeated groups left within the sport. Solely 9 are ranked within the AP ballot. None are within the SEC.
New members of the now 16-team SEC are getting the total dose. Texas and Oklahoma are the freshmen Coach introduced as much as the varsity to “get the expertise” and all they’re “experiencing” is getting pummeled by upperclassmen.
The very best wins on Texas’ résumé are Oklahoma and Michigan. Now, Texas has to carry up a 15-point loss to Georgia as its finest sport this season. Yikes.
In the meantime, the Huge Ten, Huge 12 and ACC all boast undefeated groups of their respective leagues. Count on to see extra SEC groups within the CFP than every other league at this level.
Let’s get to my fourth set of CFP projections for the 2024 school soccer season:
1. Oregon
Convention: Huge Ten
Document: 7-0
2. Georgia
Convention: SEC
Document: 6-1
3. Miami (Fla.)
Convention: ACC
Document: 7-0
4. Iowa State
Convention: Huge 12
Document: 7-0
5. Ohio State
Convention: Huge Ten
Document: 5-1
6. Penn State
Convention: Huge Ten
Document: 6-0
7. Texas
Convention: SEC
Document: 6-1
8. Clemson
Convention: ACC
Document: 6-1
9. BYU
Convention: Huge 12
Document: 7-0
10. LSU
Convention: SEC
Document: 6-1
11. Tennessee
Convention: SEC
Document: 6-1
12. Boise State
Convention: Mountain West
Document: 6-1
Now that we’ve the projected seeding set, let’s check out what the first-round matchups would seem like:
1. Oregon: Bye (would then play the winner of 8. Clemson vs. 9. BYU)
2. Georgia: Bye (would then play the winner of seven. Texas vs. 10. LSU)
3. Miami: Bye (would then play the winner of 6. Penn State vs. 11. Tennessee)
4. Iowa State: Bye (would then play the winner of 5. Ohio State vs. 12. Boise State)
***
5. Ohio State (Huge Ten championship runner-up) vs. 12. Boise State (highest-ranked Group of 5 champion)
This sport could possibly be in jeopardy. The Broncos face a UNLV group that’s the finest to return out of Las Vegas in 40 years, and Brennan Marion’s unorthodox GoGo offense has confirmed tough to cease. Nonetheless, Ashton Jeanty has been essentially the most unstoppable offensive participant within the nation by means of six video games, and if he will get unfastened, UNLV may not have a solution.
Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty has been essentially the most unstoppable offensive participant within the nation by means of six video games this season. (Photograph by Loren Orr/Getty Pictures)
6. Penn State (one of many top-12 groups) vs. 11. Tennessee (one of many top-12 groups)
Tennessee nonetheless hasn’t discovered learn how to create explosive passing performs towards SEC competitors, and quarterback Nico Iamaleava has but to throw for 200-plus yards in league play. Nevertheless, Dylan Sampson is likely one of the best tailbacks within the sport, and Tom Allen’s Nittany Lion protection may need a tough time stopping him on a impartial area.
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava accomplished 14 of 27 passes for 127 yards with a landing and an interception within the Vols’ win over Alabama. (Photograph by Butch Dill/Getty Pictures)
7. Texas (one of many top-12 groups) vs. 10. LSU (one of many top-12 groups)
For the primary time this season, Texas’ offense seemed mortal. The Longhorns had been held scoreless within the first half towards Georgia and managed simply 15 factors complete within the loss due to Georgia’s skill to generate stress. If LSU may mimic UGA’s defensive sport plan, this sport could possibly be pretty much as good as 2019 Texas vs LSU in Austin — a sport that sparked an undefeated nationwide title run for LSU.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers has thrown for 1,101 yards, 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 5 video games this season. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Pictures)
8. Clemson (ACC championship runner-up) vs. 9. BYU (Huge 12 championship runner-up)
Whereas BYU is undefeated, the Cougars have hardly seemed unbeatable. In the meantime, the Tigers have seemed unstoppable since dropping to Georgia earlier this season. With Cade Klubnik and Jake Retzlaff at QB, this potential matchup appears to be like like an exhilarating encounter, rather more so than anybody thought at first of the season.
BYU Cougars QB Jake Retzlaff has thrown for 1,644 yards and 16 touchdowns whereas main BYU to an ideal 7-0 mark. (Photograph by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)
RJ Younger is a nationwide school soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast “The Quantity One School Soccer Present.” Observe him at @RJ_Young.
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