Faculty soccer’s Week 9 slate wasn’t dramatic or filled with upsets, however the outcomes majorly shifted the convention and playoff landscapes.
Listed here are some knee-jerk reactions to Saturday’s motion:
Ohio State hasn’t absolutely recovered from the loss to Oregon
Regardless of defeating Nebraska, a 21-17 ultimate rating does not imply the No. 4 Buckeyes took care of enterprise on Saturday. The Cornhuskers led 17-14 deep into the fourth quarter, requiring Ohio State quarterback Will Howard to provide you with a game-winning drive. Nonetheless, the protection nonetheless needed to survive a tough targeting call that just about supplied Nebraska with a walk-off alternative. The offense was sluggish with a stalled operating recreation and can solely be exploited as Ohio State approaches key clashes with No. 3 Penn State (Nov. 2) and No. 13 Indiana (Nov. 23).
Notre Dame has its clearest path to the CFP
After bombarding No. 24 Navy 51-14 at MetLife Stadium, the Combating Irish seem like they’re all the way in which again after recovering from the early-season loss to NIU. No. 12 Notre Dame compelled six turnovers on Saturday towards a Navy squad that had solely given the ball up twice as much as that time. Granted, it wasn’t a Energy Convention opponent, nevertheless it was nonetheless a ranked win that can rely in the direction of Notre Dame’s seemingly inevitable inclusion within the 12-team playoff. Given its efficiency, Notre Dame appears to be like primed to maintain enterprise in its remaining schedule, which incorporates No. 23 Military (Nov. 23) and USC (Nov. 30).
The Huge Ten race is down to 2 groups, Penn State is susceptible
After strolling away with a significant victory over Ohio State in Week 7, No. 1 Oregon wanted to show it deserved the highest rank. Smashing No. 20 Illinois 38-9 at house is one other spectacular notch within the Geese’ belt and gives little purpose to imagine there’s anybody else remaining on its schedule that can threaten its path to Indianapolis. Assembly it there may be prone to be the 8-0 Hoosiers. They did not simply survive a great Washington group with out their beginning quarterback, they took care of enterprise by placing the Huskies down 31-17.
Getting into Week 9, Penn State would naturally be first on the checklist of challengers to Oregon. However quarterback Drew Allar left Saturday’s 28-13 win over Wisconsin early with a knee injury, creating an air of panic in Blissful Valley with how torpid Penn State’s offense was a majority of the sport. There’s an actual probability the Nittany Lions are on skinny ice for the ultimate month of the season (a possibility Ohio State may exploit in Week 10).
Alabama is not out of the CFP race but
It was clear Saturday’s contest towards No. 21 Missouri could be an elimination recreation for not solely the SEC title but in addition inclusion within the playoff. The Tigers have been embarrassingly shut out 34-0 in Tuscaloosa — losing starting quarterback Brady Cook late within the first half — leaving themselves no path again to the playoff bubble. No. 15 Alabama however, simply reestablished itself as one of the best two-loss group within the nation and has settled proper on the bubble with work nonetheless to be finished. We can’t be finished speaking concerning the Crimson Tide as we enter the ultimate month of the season.
Texas, Quinn Ewers nonetheless look shaky regardless of win
The No. 5 Longhorns wanted a bounce-back recreation after falling 30-15 to Georgia in Week 8, subsequently shedding its No. 1 crown. Every other 12 months Vanderbilt would’ve been that sort of recreation nevertheless it was simply unfortunate for Texas to face the Commodores at their hottest (and ranked No. 25). Texas would get its much-needed win 27-24 however quarterback Quinn Ewers was not again taking part in at his finest, throwing two picks which made the affair too shut for consolation. Head coach Steve Sarkisian must tighten his guys up if he nonetheless desires to threaten for the SEC title, doubtlessly getting a rematch with the Bulldogs in Atlanta.
BYU will characterize the Huge 12 within the CFP
At 8-0, the No. 11 Cougars have to be taken as severely as different conference-leading groups. BYU is the true deal on offense and protection, dispatching UCF 37-24 — a group that was chalked as much as be a entice recreation coming into Week 9. With four games remaining, BYU appears to be like to be in prime place to stroll into Dallas and declare the Huge 12 title with ease. Its solely different competitor, No. 10 Iowa State (7-0), has five games remaining, with one in all them towards No. 16 Kansas State (6-1), who may sneak into the convention title recreation with a win over the Cyclones.
Marcel Reed is Texas A&M’s solely hope to win the SEC
The No. 14 Aggies (6-1) at the moment are the one undefeated group remaining within the SEC, coming from behind handy No. 8 LSU a crushing second loss 38-24. Texas A&M was 4-for-5 in scoring touchdowns on drives with backup quarterback Marcel Reed beneath heart Saturday, notching a discipline purpose on the one that did not discover the endzone. Paired with its smothering protection, which picked off LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier thrice and sacked him twice, Reed is the one choice for the Aggies going ahead if it desires to benefit from the present state of the SEC.