Faculty soccer’s Week 12 outcomes made the playoff race a bit of bit clearer. Many packages have simply two video games remaining to lock up their spot or crumble underneath the stress.
Listed below are some knee-jerk reactions to Saturday’s motion:
The SEC will not be determined till the ultimate week
No. 12 Georgia’s 31-17 win over No. 7 Tennessee did not really feel like an upset. The Dawgs prolonged their historic dwelling win streak to 29 video games (third longest within the SEC) off a red-hot second-half efficiency. The Volunteers had been shut out within the closing two frames, with quarterback Nico Iamaleava stymied at 167 yards and a fumble.
The convention race is down to 6 groups with completely no signal as to who has the true inside observe. With simply two weeks remaining to resolve who will play in Atlanta, it is evident at the very least 4 of the six contenders will clinch Faculty Soccer Playoff berths, barring any collapses.
Texas has regressed to non-playoff contender kind
The Longhorns offense was torpid from the leap, solely managing 10 factors in every half. Regardless of quarterback Quinn Ewers throwing for 2 touchdowns, it was the Texas protection that stored Arkansas’ comeback bid at bay.
The Razorbacks bought as shut as 13-10 early within the fourth quarter earlier than Ewers engineered a strong drive to place the sport out of attain. However the efficiency was less than commonplace for the No. 3 crew within the nation nor that of a program with SEC and nationwide title expectations. Three of Texas’ final 4 video games have ended inside one rating.
The AAC champion is one Boise State stumble away from the CFP
No. 25 Tulane (9-2) and No. 24 Military (9-0) will face one another within the AAC Championship Sport on Dec. 6, and the winner may very properly be headed to the Faculty Soccer Playoff. It can, nevertheless, require No. 13 Boise State (9-1) to lose at the very least as soon as extra.
As a result of the Broncos’ solely loss is to Oregon (now undefeated and No. 1), Military’s energy of schedule is a detriment no matter its file. If Tulane had been to drag the upset, it could have a ranked win and have a larger likelihood at gaining the committee’s approval — offered Boise State additionally has two losses.
The Heisman Trophy is now Travis Hunter’s to lose
It is arduous to make a case for anybody aside from Hunter to win the season’s most coveted particular person award at this level. With 55 receiving yards, a speeding landing and an interception on Saturday, Hunter turned the primary participant since 1996 to log such a stat line, per the Fox broadcast.
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel put up a suboptimal efficiency in his crew’s 16-13 win over Wisconsin, failing to throw a landing move. Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty’s 159 yards and three scores are admirable, however energy of schedule aids the Colorado star. Barring an damage, there’s nothing left to disclaim Hunter the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
Brian Kelly is the issue at LSU; Billy Napier isn’t for Florida
After a 6-1 begin to the season, Kelly and the No. 22 Tigers have misplaced three straight contests by two or extra scores. And scenes like that of Kelly chewing out a receiver on the sideline aren’t indicators of well being within the locker room. Inversely, Napier’s squad has proven flashes of progress with freshman quarterback DJ Lagway underneath middle.
Florida has one thing to look ahead to subsequent season, whereas LSU should look within the mirror and resolve if the Brian Kelly expertise in Baton Rouge has been price it after three years. No SEC titles nor playoff appearances is not what the varsity is paying him practically $10 million for.
South Carolina is one of the best non-playoff crew in faculty soccer
The No. 21 Gamecocks have received 4 straight video games, together with two towards ranked opponents. At 7-3, they will not qualify for the SEC title sport, not to mention the Faculty Soccer Playoff, however based mostly on how they’re taking part in, they’re on observe to be one of many first two groups outdoors the 12-team subject.
Saturday’s 34-30 win over No. 23 Missouri was primed to be a detailed loss with simply over a minute remaining, however a clutch drive proved South Carolina may’ve been one of many nation’s greatest packages had one or two performs gone their method firstly of the 12 months.
