On the heels of two of the extra riveting weeks of faculty soccer in current reminiscence comes a jam-packed Saturday that incorporates a trio of SEC headliners, together with a top-five conflict between blue bloods. There’s additionally a number of rivalry video games that characteristic boots (kind of), and a possible School Soccer Playoff showcase in Bloomington, Indiana, of all locations.
Bless this sport.
Let’s rank the highest 10 video games of Week 8, beginning with honorable mentions and counting down.
Honorable Point out: Oklahoma State at No. 13 BYU, Ohio at Miami (Ohio), Virginia at No. 10 Clemson, Auburn vs No. 19 Missouri, Louisiana at Coastal Carolina, Toledo at NIU, Colorado at Arizona, James Madison at Georgia Southern, UCF at No. 9 Iowa State.
(All level spreads come from BetMGM; click on right here for reside odds. Stream school soccer on fubo. All kickoff occasions are Jap and on Saturday except in any other case famous.)
Let’s give flowers to 2 groups which have exceeded expectations within the Huge 12. Each have been projected to complete close to the underside of the convention, however the winner on Saturday could have performed its manner into the convention title dialog. Arizona State and wrecking-ball working again Cam Skattebo have been proving the doubters unsuitable for weeks. However the Solar Devils will probably be with out beginning quarterback Sam Leavitt as a consequence of a rib harm; fifth-year journeyman Jeff Sims will begin in his place. The Bearcats and gunslinging switch QB Brendan Sorsby will attempt to make the most of a depleted ASU crossing two time zones for an early kickoff.
Line: Cincinnati -4.5
9. UNLV (5-1) at Oregon State (4-2), 10 p.m., Fubo, The CW
The Rebels rebounded from an time beyond regulation loss to Syracuse by hanging a 50-burger on Utah State final week, conserving tempo with Boise State within the Mountain West standings. It units up an enormous recreation in Las Vegas subsequent week in opposition to the Broncos that may have large implications on the convention race and battle for the Group of 5’s spot within the CFP. However a win this Saturday in Corvallis would add a pleasant bullet level to UNLV’s resume within the meantime. Oregon State, trying to recuperate from a shocking loss to Nevada, ought to finally make for an instructive frequent opponent between the 2. The Beavs play at Boise State subsequent month.
Line: UNLV -7
8. No. 17 Kansas State (5-1) at West Virginia (3-3), 7:30 p.m., Fubo, Fox
There are intriguing matchups involving the Huge 12’s three ranked groups this week, together with Oklahoma State at No. 13 BYU and UCF at No. 9 Iowa State. However Okay-State has essentially the most at stake. It’s the solely of these three ranked squads occurring the highway, and the one one with a loss. Of the groups within the high 5 of the Huge 12’s preseason ballot, the Wildcats are additionally the just one that hasn’t been a disappointment up to now. A second defeat, nonetheless, would rapidly put their convention title and CFP hopes on life help, even within the ever-chaotic Huge 12. Kansas State can’t afford to stumble in Morgantown in opposition to a streaky however resilient West Virginia, in a face-off of two proficient speeding assaults.
Line: Kansas State -3
7. No. 24 Michigan (4-2) at No. 22 Illinois (5-1), 3:30 p.m., Fubo, CBS
A bit shocking for a ranked matchup to be this low on the record — aside from the truth that Michigan has one of many worst offenses in school soccer (and perhaps shouldn’t be ranked?). Illinois simply wanted time beyond regulation to beat a horrible Purdue group that scored 40 factors second-half factors. Nonetheless, hat tip to the Illini, who’re 5-1 and taking part in the primary ranked matchup at Memorial Stadium since 2000. Illinois may also honor legendary halfback Purple Grange — the Galloping Ghost — a century after his epic 402-yard, six-touchdown recreation in opposition to the Wolverines. The Illini will sport throwback uniforms and painted by hand helmets that took 18 months to create.
Line: Michigan -3.5
GO DEEPER
What does Michigan-Illinois imply? Previewing a sneaky massive recreation for Wolverines, Illini
Anticipate this one to play out otherwise than the 55-0 shutout that Notre Dame pitched when these groups final met in 2021. Sadly, accidents will probably be a storyline. The Irish misplaced All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison to a season-ending hip harm, and Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King will probably be a game-time resolution after struggling a knock in final week’s win over North Carolina. If King can’t go, the job will fall to sophomore backup Zach Pyron, who has accomplished 5 of seven passes and rushed for 4 touchdowns in restricted motion. Both manner, the Irish can’t take this one calmly, with a remaining schedule that appears rather a lot more durable than all of us anticipated, together with ranked video games in opposition to Navy and Military forward of the regular-season finale at USC.
Line: Notre Dame -12.5
5. Nebraska (5-1) at No. 16 Indiana (6-0), Midday, Fubo, Fox
I’ve completely loved the Indiana and Curt Cignetti media blitz this week, together with this stellar profile of Cignetti by Joe Rexrode. The Hoosiers are basking within the glow of their first 6-0 begin since 1967, and rightfully so. They’ve been one of many largest surprises this season in 12 months 1 beneath Cignetti, and have but to path by six video games. Fox’s Huge Midday Kickoff is headed to Bloomington as IU faces Nebraska and freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who’s appearing smart past his years. Huge-time recreation that includes a pair of top-10 defenses (and a top-five offense for Indiana). The Huskers, who’ve misplaced 25 straight to ranked opponents, will get two cracks in a row at Indiana after which at Ohio State. On the opposite aspect, one other win for the Hoosiers will shift the chatter from quick begin to legit Playoff contender.
Line: Indiana -6.5
4. No. 8 LSU (5-1) at Arkansas (4-2), 7 p.m., Fubo, ESPN
It’s the Battle for the Golden Boot, one of many extra underappreciated rivalry names and trophies in school soccer. LSU has gained seven of the final eight matchups, however each groups are coming off mammoth victories.
The Tigers gained a basic in time beyond regulation in opposition to Ole Miss regardless of by no means main till the sport’s ultimate play, and Arkansas popped the primary leak in Tennessee’s balloon a few weeks in the past. The Razorbacks are higher than anticipated — and Sam Pittman might have saved his job — whereas LSU has clawed again into the highest 10 and CFP image after the season-opening loss to USC. The Tigers will want extra consistency out of Garrett Nussmeier to make some noise within the SEC, however his efficiency on the finish of the Ole Miss victory confirmed how excessive his ceiling will be.
Line: LSU -2.5
3. No. 6 Miami (6-0) at Louisville (4-2), Midday, Fubo, ABC
Extra top-notch rivalry {hardware} — and footwear: The Schnellenberger Trophy, which was launched final season and at the moment resides with the Cardinals. Battle for the Golden Boots???
The Louisville Sports activities Fee publicizes Louisville and Miami will play yearly for The Schnellenberger Trophy: “Which options the precise western costume boots, now bronzed, worn by Coach Howard Schnellenberger when he led each applications to nationwide prominence.” pic.twitter.com/khBoFZOpHQ
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) July 24, 2023
This recreation is flying beneath the radar because of a loaded SEC slate, however it needs to be a enjoyable, high-scoring barnburner. Miami desperately wanted a bye after a pair of shut calls in opposition to Virginia Tech and Cal, however Heisman hopeful Cam Ward and the Hurricanes stay considered one of 11 unbeaten groups in school soccer. Louisville ended a two-game skid final Saturday with a win at Virginia, with a top-15 offense (7.2 yards per play) led by quarterback Tyler Shough. Miami has the high offense in FBS at 8.2 yards per play, and Ward leads all FBS quarterbacks in passing yards per recreation (369.8).
Line: Miami -5
2. No. 7 Alabama (5-1) at No. 11 Tennessee (5-1), 3:30 p.m., Fubo, ABC
An virtually top-10 matchup between two groups which can be both nationwide title contenders or full frauds, relying on which message board thread you learn. Both manner, the Third Saturday in October ought to present some perception, and it’s a important one as each groups attempt to keep away from a second loss and spiraling fan bases. It is a robust recreation to handicap: Alabama has a top-10 offense, Tennessee has a top-two protection, however each groups have been mercurial on the sphere. David Ubben did a pleasant job digging in on that variability for an nameless teaching confidential on the sport, and Kennington Smith III examined how first-year Alabama head coaches have fared within the Tennessee rivalry.
Line: Alabama -3
GO DEEPER
What is going on on with Alabama and Tennessee? Coaches who confronted them weigh in
1. No. 5 Georgia (5-1) at No. 1 Texas (6-0), 7:30 p.m., Fubo, ABC
Reward be: It’s our third top-five showdown of the season. The primary two — Georgia vs Alabama and Ohio State vs Oregon — resulted in two of the very best video games of the yr up to now. That is the sixth all-time assembly between Georgia and Texas and first because the 2019 Sugar Bowl.
The Dawgs are underdogs for the primary time within the final 50 video games (!), and may want a highway win over the top-ranked group within the nation to protect their CFP hopes. Texas, in the meantime, has been stellar on each side of the ball and is arguably in a category of its personal proper now, although it has but to face an opponent pretty much as good as Georgia. Quinn Ewers did look a tad rusty in his return from harm in opposition to Oklahoma final week, so we’ll see if that lingers. However coaches we spoke with for our teaching confidential on the sport see Texas having the higher hand.
One other win for the Longhorns would cement them because the clear nationwide title favourite. But when the chaos timeline of this school soccer season continues, we’ll see a barely diminished Georgia take down the Horns in Austin, and the highest of the game will formally look as weak because it has in years.
Line: Texas -4.5
GO DEEPER
Teaching confidential: Texas has the sting in opposition to Georgia in SEC showdown
Picture: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Pictures
