We’re now roughly midway by way of the school soccer season, a crossroads the place each win is a step in the best route and each loss is scrutinized like an elimination sport.
Listed here are some knee-jerk reactions to the Week 6 motion:
Alabama did not need to be ranked No. 1
Shedding is one factor, however to surrender 40 factors to Vanderbilt in a sport that Alabama by no means led is downright unacceptable for the supposed No. 1 staff within the nation. The 40-35 rating line marked probably the most factors the Commodores have ever scored towards an AP No. 1 foe and the fourth time in school soccer historical past that the top-ranked staff has misplaced to an unranked program per week after beating a top-two opponent, per the SEC Community broadcast. Do not be shocked if the Crimson Tide tumble lots farther down than the place No. 5 Georgia presently resides.
Missouri was not who we thought they had been
The No. 9 Tigers seemed to be an actual menace after beginning 2-0 and outscoring opponents 89-0. However the two following weeks featured one-score wins that the staff barely squeaked out, resulting in suspicions that the staff’s explosive offense might not be sustainable within the SEC. On Saturday, Missouri’s sizzling hype was extinguished by hungry No. 25 Texas A&M, which held the Tigers offense to only 10 factors in a 41-10 beatdown. Tigers quarterback Brady Prepare dinner was held to a season-low 186 yards and an abysmal 25.3 QBR, tied for a career-worst since turning into the full-time starter.
Tennessee has misplaced all its momentum
It is truthful to say the No. 4 Volunteers had their humbling second Saturday, falling 19-14 to unranked Arkansas. Discovering the top zone simply twice after blowing out earlier opponents by a mixed rating of 216-28 doesn’t instill confidence in those that purchased into Tennessee’s candidacy to win the SEC and compete for a nationwide title. The one factor going for UT is the truth that no person however Texas is undefeated within the SEC any longer. The Volunteers face Alabama in two weeks and a win shall be crucial to remain within the School Soccer Playoff race.
Indiana is the (second) finest Large Ten staff
The No. 23 Hoosiers are one of just three teams in the FBS to have by no means trailed by way of six weeks and are the primary staff to grow to be bowl-eligible this season at 6-0. They’re additionally lucky to evade Penn State, USC and Oregon on their remaining schedule. Nevertheless, bouts with Michigan (Nov. 9) and Ohio State (Nov. 23) nonetheless stay late within the 12 months. If a kind of is Indiana’s solely loss on the 12 months, a visit to Indianapolis for a crack on the Large Ten title and a stamped ticket to the School Soccer Playoff is on the horizon.
Michigan and USC are all however eradicated from playoff rivalry
Talking of the Large Ten title, the No. 10 Wolverines and No. 11 Trojans each earned their second losses of the season and made their respective paths to the School Soccer Playoff extremely slim. USC is worse off resulting from its loss to Michigan two weeks in the past and never having Indiana, Oregon or Ohio State on its remaining schedule as marquee possibilities to bolster its resume. Michigan, whereas on the surface wanting in for the foreseeable future, has each Indiana and Ohio State left to doubtlessly upset (the latter being particularly unlikely) and sneak into an at-large bid.
Undefeated Military and Navy deserve extra respect
The 2 premier service academies ought to, on the very least, be incomes votes on this week’s AP ballot after defeating convention foes by a mixed rating of 83-14. Each packages stay undefeated for the primary time since 1945, per FOX Sports. And do not be shocked if Military-Navy turns into a de facto School Soccer Playoff play-in sport. Not the annual sport in December (that can always be a non-conference game). But when each are nonetheless undefeated after the common season, they may discover themselves opponents within the American Athletic Convention championship sport earlier than dealing with off once more for the Commander in Chief Trophy. There is a important likelihood the winner may earn a berth because the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty will break Barry Sanders’ 1988 season speeding document
With 186 yards and three touchdowns towards Utah State on Saturday, Jeanty eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark (1,031) after simply 5 video games. On the similar juncture during his 1988 Heisman Trophy-winning season, Barry Sanders had 1,002 yards. Jeanty is averaging 206.2 yards a sport and is on tempo for a 2,474-yard season. (Sanders completed with 2,628.) With No. 21 Boise State operating up the rating so early in contests, Jeanty hasn’t performed an entire 5 video games. So, if the teaching workers continues to bench him with profitable ends in hand, that might be the one factor that hampers his document quest.
