School soccer’s Week 12 outcomes made the playoff race just a little bit clearer. Many packages have simply two video games remaining to lock up their spot or crumble below the stress.
Listed here 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 residence 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 no less than 4 of the six contenders will clinch School Soccer Playoff berths, barring any collapses.
Texas has regressed to non-playoff contender kind
The Longhorns offense was torpid from the soar, 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 received as shut as 13-10 early within the fourth quarter earlier than Ewers engineered a stable drive to place the sport out of attain. However the efficiency was less than customary for the No. 3 group 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 might very properly be headed to the School Soccer Playoff. It’ll, nevertheless, require No. 13 Boise State (9-1) to lose no less than 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 document. If Tulane had been to tug the upset, it could have a ranked win and have a higher 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 onerous to make a case for anybody apart 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 group’s 16-13 win over Wisconsin, failing to throw a landing go. Boise State operating 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 will not be 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 usually are not indicators of well being within the locker room. Inversely, Napier’s squad has proven flashes of progress with freshman quarterback DJ Lagway below heart.
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 value it after three years. No SEC titles nor playoff appearances is not what the college is paying him practically $10 million for.
South Carolina is one of the best non-playoff group in school soccer
The No. 21 Gamecocks have gained 4 straight video games, together with two in opposition to ranked opponents. At 7-3, they will not qualify for the SEC title recreation, not to mention the School Soccer Playoff, however based mostly on how they’re taking part in, they’re on observe to be one of many first two groups exterior the 12-team area.
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 might’ve been one of many nation’s greatest packages had one or two performs gone their means initially of the 12 months.
