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School soccer Week 7 takeaways — 20 video games and what they imply for the remainder of the season

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They rushed the sphere in Knoxville. And Fort Value. And Salt Lake Metropolis. And Syracuse. They did not rush the sphere within the Anchor-Bone Traditional or Dakota Marker as a result of the highway groups gained each video games (by a mixed three factors). Florida State followers might need rushed the sphere at Doak Walker Stadium, however Clemson was too cussed to allow them to. They did not must rush the sphere on the Massive Home as a result of Michigan followers are fairly used to seeing their crew stomp Penn State.

I am not going to definitively declare Week 7 of the 2022 season as probably the greatest weekends in faculty soccer historical past. Stated historical past is just too deep, too wealthy and too lengthy to make an announcement like that. However I’ll definitively say this: Saturday was why we watch. It was why we go to such lengths to plan our lives round a foolish, ridiculous sport. It was why we put up with all of its frequent and maddening nonsense. We knew it was going to be an enormous weekend due to the amount of huge video games — three unbeaten-vs.-unbeaten matchups, plus three different battles of ranked groups — and someway it exceeded all expectations.

On the backside of my weekend recap column this season, I’ve been itemizing my 10 (or so) favourite video games of the week. To rejoice a weekend like what we simply noticed, I am simply going to make the whole column out of that record. From Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium to Ferris State’s Prime Taggart Subject and in every single place in between, listed below are my 20 favourite video games of Week 7 and what their impacts could be transferring ahead.

What occurred: It took 60 full minutes, however the Vols beat Bama for the primary time since 2006 and scored their first house win between top-10 groups since 1999 due to an early burst — they led 21-7 after 11 minutes and 28-10 within the second quarter — and a wobbly 40-yard area objective on the buzzer by Chase McGrath. The kick most likely would have been good from about 42 yards and no extra, however it fell between the uprights. Then the goalposts got here down.

UT’s Hendon Hooker went toe-to-toe with Bryce Young, throwing for 385 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception in simply 30 passes. Receiver Jalin Hyatt, in a efficiency that conjured names like DeVonta Smith and Torry Holt, caught six balls for 207 yards and all 5 of Hooker’s scores.

Alabama charged again from down 18 to take the lead two totally different instances, however Hyatt’s last landing tied the sport at 49, and after Bama’s Will Reichard missed a 50-yard area objective strive with 15 seconds left, Hooker accomplished passes to Ramel Keyton for 18 yards and Bru McCoy for 27 to set McGrath up for the winner.

What it means: Granted, the win could be much more important if Tennessee and Alabama have been in the identical SEC division, through which case this could function a helpful tiebreaker, however this recreation modified so much from an odds perspective. My SP+ rankings now give the Vols a 37% likelihood of profitable the SEC East and a 19% likelihood of profitable the SEC. The Allstate Playoff Predictor, in the meantime, greater than doubled their CFP possibilities, from 23% to 48%.

Now comes possibly the only largest CFP-related query of the second: Can somebody knock Bama out this time? Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide suffered an nearly an identical loss this time final 12 months — 41-38 through a last-second area objective to Texas A&M on Oct. 9 — however gained out, then beat Georgia within the SEC championship recreation to snare a CFP bid. One other loss would not formally eradicate the Tide, however it very almost would. Listed here are their projected win chances, per SP+, for the remainder of the season:

Oct. 22: Mississippi State 80%
Nov. 5: at LSU 75%
Nov. 12: at Ole Miss 58%
Nov. 19: Austin Peay 98%
Nov. 26: Auburn 89%
Dec. 3: vs. Georgia (in a hypothetical SEC title recreation): 47%
Dec. 3: vs. Tennessee (in a hypothetical SEC title recreation): 57%

Clearly, the Tide’s almost certainly second loss could be in Atlanta, and in the event that they win out, they’re there. However after shedding in Tennessee’s largest house recreation in ages, they could be enjoying in Ole Miss’ largest house recreation in ages in a couple of weeks, too. Lane Kiffin’s Rebels oscillate between good and sleep mode and face relative toss-ups in every of their subsequent two video games (63% win chance at LSU, then 62% at A&M). However they’re seventh in SP+, and if they’ll take a minimum of one of many subsequent two video games, they’d be in place to grab management of the West with an upset of the Tide.

Throw in Tennessee’s Nov. 5 journey to Athens, and we’re a very unbelievable early November slate within the SEC.

What occurred: USC’s lovely offense almost knocked Utah out early with touchdowns on every of its first three drives. However the Trojans’ ugly protection allowed 5 TDs on the Utes’ last six drives — the one time they did not rating was once they misplaced a fumble on the USC 3 — and Cameron Rising‘s landing and 2-point combo rushes put Utah forward for the primary time with 48 seconds left.

The groups mixed for 1,118 yards (7.7 per play), and whereas USC recovered each of the sport’s fumbles and subsequently gained the turnover margin, the Trojans went 0-for-2 on fourth downs whereas Utah went 3-for-3. That made the eventual distinction.

What it means: Within the large image, it means the Pac-12 is now far much less more likely to have a crew within the CFP. The Playoff Predictor put USC’s odds at 19% heading into Week 7, whereas nobody else was above 4%. Now the Trojans nonetheless paved the way at solely 8%.

We should always know by now, nevertheless, that playoff bids aren’t a direct proxy for convention energy — Clemson snared a bid by means of a principally weak ACC on many events, in spite of everything — and Utah’s win simply made a doubtlessly wild Pac-12 title race much more intriguing. SP+ offers UCLA a 40% likelihood of profitable the convention title, whereas Oregon is at 30%, Utah 17% and USC 12%. (SP+ has by no means favored USC as a lot as ESPN’s FPI, the motive force of the Playoff Predictor, and it has favored UCLA extra for a lot of the season.)

These odds will see one other shift after subsequent week’s UCLA-Oregon recreation. The plot twists would possibly solely be starting. However Saturday affirmed that as elite as USC’s offense is, the protection, which now ranks 56th in defensive SP+ and 87th in yards allowed per play, is on no account CFP worthy. And now the Trojans most likely will not be both.

What occurred: The truth that a double-overtime recreation between two unbeatens ranked third on this record says so much about Saturday’s basic awesomeness. However this one was a thriller too. OSU shortly went up 14-0 due to a pair of Spencer Sanders landing runs, and the Cowboys made that benefit final for so long as doable. However they went scoreless over their final 4 possessions in regulation, and TCU scored twice within the last 10 minutes to tie the sport at 30.

The Horned Frogs almost gained within the first additional time interval, however Oklahoma State transformed a fourth-and-9 to arrange a brief Dominic Richardson landing. OSU’s Tanner Brown kicked a 52-yard area objective to start out the second additional time session, however TCU responded with six rushes and a game-winning Kendre Miller landing.

What it means: For starters, it means TCU is for actual. Granted, we most likely already knew that following its blowout of Oklahoma and final week’s 38-31 survival over Kansas. However in case there have been any remaining inklings of doubt, the Horned Frogs’ skill to soak up early photographs towards a mature and bodily OSU crew and are available again to win anyway ought to erase them.

This Frogs crew is resilient and assured and is now a possible co-favorite within the Massive 12. SP+ offers 4 groups between a 14% and 30% likelihood of profitable the convention — Texas (30%) and TCU (28%) are the front-runners, with Kansas State (20%) and OSU (14%) a step behind and Baylor (4%) and Kansas (1%) clinging to hope of a turnaround.

What occurred: Clemson and UNC seized management of their respective ACC divisions (from an odds perspective, anyway), albeit in utterly alternative ways. Dabo Swinney’s Tigers gained with a patented Dabo idea: the center eight.

With the sport tied at 14 approaching halftime, the Tigers scored 10 factors within the last two minutes of the primary half, then scored on the opening play of the second half as properly to go up by 17. They have been up 20 when Florida State started inching again into the sport. The Noles obtained to inside six however by no means obtained the ball with an opportunity to win late.

Over in Durham, the Tar Heels used a 21-0 run to take a 10-point lead late within the third quarter earlier than Duke responded with a fast pair of touchdowns within the fourth. Down by 4 with two minutes left, the Tar Heels drove 74 yards, changing a fourth-and-5 after which scoring with 18 seconds left on a cross from Drake Maye to Antoine Green.

What it means: Every ACC division has a transparent favourite. Within the Atlantic, Clemson is 5-0 with a 79% likelihood of profitable the division, per SP+. Within the Coastal, UNC is 3-0, a recreation up on Georgia Tech (!) and 1.5 up on each Pitt and Miami, and has a 56% likelihood on the title. Since a irritating loss to Notre Dame, the Tar Heels have gained three in a row and overachieved their SP+ projection by a mean of 9.9 factors per recreation.

That mentioned, their largest competitors remains to be forward. Clemson hosts unbeaten Syracuse (18% Atlantic title odds) subsequent week in what nearly quantities to a winner-take-all matchup, whereas UNC has a bye week earlier than internet hosting Pitt (21% Coastal odds) in Week 9. The favorites are clear, they usually could possibly be even heavier favorites in a few weeks.

What occurred: What this recreation lacked in drama, it made up for with its resounding nature. Down 17-16 early within the second half after controlling the ball however giving up a few unlikely large performs — a future by Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford and a pick-six that bounced off two helmets — Michigan laid the hammer down, scoring two touchdowns in 4 minutes and working away with a 24-point win.

The Wolverines rushed for a jaw-dropping 418 yards on what had been, up to now, a good PSU run protection. Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum mixed to hurry for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns. In large video games, Michigan depends on its physicality, and because it did towards Ohio State final November, it labored wonders right here.

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Paul Finebaum ranks the highest groups that he thinks may make the CFP this 12 months.

What it means: Ohio State stays the Massive Ten favourite — the Buckeyes are No. 1 in each FPI and SP+ — however Michigan is sending the loudest doable message that the race is much from over. Solely Georgia and Michigan rank within the high eight in offensive, defensive and particular groups SP+. The Wolverines are with out a real weak spot, and if Saturday is any indication, they could be even higher on the physicality factor than they have been a 12 months in the past.

SP+ now offers Michigan a 35% likelihood of profitable the Massive Ten East — fairly a vote of confidence contemplating how a lot it likes Ohio State (and contemplating that their rivalry recreation is in Columbus this 12 months) — and the Playoff Predictor offers the Wolverines a 51% likelihood of reaching the CFP, with or with out a win over the Buckeyes.

What occurred: The Massive Ten’s largest matchup of the day was a blowout, and Ohio State was idle, however the convention nonetheless had a ridiculously enjoyable week. After what had been a reasonably straight-forward recreation in East Lansing, issues obtained funky late. Michigan State botched a area objective try on the finish of regulation, then provided Wisconsin one other lifeline when Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz threw the ball straight at two Spartans defenders in additional time and neither may maintain on for the interception. Within the second OT, Jacoby Windmon compelled a Braelon Allen fumble — Windmon has been MSU’s greatest participant by far this 12 months — and Jayden Reed caught a landing cross (after throwing one within the first OT) to seal the win.

In Bloomington, Maryland outgained Indiana by 91 yards and landed a plus-three turnover margin, however it could not put the Hoosiers away till a Billy Edwards Jr. landing with 2:11 left — Edwards, the backup QB, was within the recreation due to what appeared like a reasonably nasty knee damage for starter Taulia Tagovailoa — and an onside kick restoration within the last minute. And an analogous recreation broke out in West Lafayette, the place Purdue hogged the ball (101 snaps to Nebraska’s 52) and led a lot of the approach however gave up a sequence of huge performs that allowed the Huskers to remain shut. The Boilermakers obtained the ball again with 5:55 to go, transformed a fourth-and-1 close to midfield and put the sport away.

What it means: Purdue was actually the one crew with main stakes to play for: With the win, the Boilermakers have a 43% likelihood of profitable the Massive Ten West, per SP+. Their odds are nearly an identical to these of Illinois; Purdue will journey to Champaign on Nov. 12 for what could be the least possible big recreation of the season.

What occurred: It was a past-and-present weekend for the Massive 12. We noticed each what the convention was greatest identified for (producing tons and tons of factors and yards) and what it does higher than anybody lately (producing shut video games). Three of 4 convention video games hit a minimum of 83 whole factors, and three of 4 have been determined by three.

West Virginia beat Baylor on Thursday evening with a blocked PAT conversion early within the fourth quarter and a Casey Legg area objective with 22 seconds left. And early Saturday, as Kansas and Oklahoma have been combining for 1,131 yards (701 from the Sooners), Iowa State and Texas mixed for 4 lead modifications in simply seven scores, with Xavier Worthy‘s fourth-and-goal landing making the distinction after some late, complicated officiating drama.

What it means: The god of shut video games is ceaselessly fickle and unreliable. Baylor and Oklahoma State went a mixed 10-3 in one-score finishes final season on their solution to the Massive 12 championship recreation, however each misplaced this week by matching 43-40 scores. In the meantime, Texas and ISU entered their matchup having each misplaced a downright Nebraska-esque seven of their previous eight one-score video games. They have been destined to play an in depth one, and the legal guidelines of nature dictated that somebody needed to win it.

What occurred: The Solar Belt’s hierarchy crystallized a bit with a pair of thrillers (and Outdated Dominion’s blowout of Coastal Carolina). Georgia Southern and James Madison mixed for 1,265 whole yards, however the host Eagles scored their third-ever win over a ranked crew by forcing 4 turnovers, overcoming an early 14-0 deficit and surviving a wild fourth quarter that featured 28 factors and leads for each groups. Derwin Burgess Jr. laid out for a 22-yard rating from Kyle Vantrease, barely a minute after JMU had taken the lead, to safe the win.

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Kyle Vantrease connects with Derwin Burgess Jr. to offer Georgia Southern the lead.

Down in Cell, South Alabama hospitably provided its guests a 17-10 second-quarter lead earlier than all however placing the sport away with a 31-3 run. ULM scored twice late to make it a one-score recreation, however South Alabama took the ball with 5 minutes left and by no means gave it again, changing a pair of third downs and working out the clock.

What it means: For one factor, it means South Alabama is your official Solar Belt West favourite … for a minimum of every week. SP+ offers the Jaguars a 52% likelihood of profitable the division, however they host second-favorite Troy (35%) subsequent weekend. The winner of that one will see the percentages shift massively in its favor. Within the East, JMU is ineligible for the title due to its provisional FBS standing, however whereas Outdated Dominion leads at 2-0, each eligible crew nonetheless has a shot, even 1-2 Georgia Southern (4% likelihood) and 0-2 Marshall (13%).

What occurred: After a gut-wrenching loss to Oregon State prolonged their FBS shedding streak to 11 video games, David Shaw’s Cardinal most likely felt they deserved a break. Notre Dame gave it to them, turning the ball over on downs on the Stanford 5 and shedding a fumble on the Stanford 21. Throw in some third-down superiority — Stanford was 7-for-16, Notre Dame 3-for-12 — and it was sufficient to safe a 16-14 upset in South Bend.

What it means: Notre Dame simply gave away all of its latest positive aspects. The Irish appeared like they’d stabilized, profitable three video games in a row and bodily controlling video games towards each North Carolina and Stanford. However this was an absolute dud. There was some poor turnover luck concerned, however Stanford additionally outgained its host by 74 yards, and Notre Dame dropped from twenty seventh to forty third in SP+ in consequence.

Marcus Freeman’s first Irish crew remains to be more likely to make a bowl (88% likelihood, per SP+), however barring one other turnaround, it’s possible both a 6-6 or 7-5 end. The Irish gained fewer than eight video games solely as soon as within the 12-year Brian Kelly period.

What occurred: The extra painful a recreation appears to be like, the higher Kentucky’s odds of profitable are typically, and this one appeared painful. Quarterback Will Levis left the sport injured at one level within the third quarter however returned to finish a fourth-and-goal landing cross for the lead. Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 196 yards and two scores, and UK scored 21 of the sport’s last 28 factors to safe an enormous bounce-back win.

In Gainesville, LSU was doing the identical. After a blowout house loss to Tennessee, the Tigers used a 28-0 run to take a 42-21 lead into the fourth quarter. The Gators stormed again due to an unbelievable Anthony Richardson landing …

… however the Tigers put the sport away with a clock-eating area objective drive. Jayden Daniels completed with 349 passing yards, three passing scores and three speeding scores in a efficiency that landed him on this week’s Heisman record under.

What it means: Neither Kentucky nor LSU is more likely to threaten to win their respective divisions or something, however these have been pretty exhibits of resilience. Between them, the Wildcats and Tigers have 4 mixed video games remaining versus SP+ top-10 groups, so they’ll probably want even extra resilience quickly. However good wins are good wins.

What occurred: Memphis started the sport with a 17-0 run, to which ECU responded with a 23-3 run of its personal. East Carolina seemingly scored the profitable landing with 1:45 left, however Memphis tied it with 19 seconds remaining, sending the sport into additional time. Lastly, within the fourth OT possession, Memphis’ Seth Henigan overthrew Caden Prieskorn, and ECU prevailed.

What it means: The win retains ECU on the great aspect of the bowl gods — SP+ now offers the Pirates an 80% likelihood of reaching bowl eligibility — however whereas Memphis is at 91%, the what-ifs are piling up. This was the second straight recreation through which the Tigers blew a double-digit lead and misplaced to a convention foe. They’re 4-3 however may, or ought to, be doing significantly better.

What occurred: A pair of monumental rivalries produced classics. North Dakota State has been drifting alongside in third gear this season, however it appeared just like the top-ranked crew within the FCS had discovered its greatest self — the Bison scored on their first three drives and took a 21-7 lead into halftime.

NDSU’s last six drives, nevertheless, have been as follows: interception, punt, punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs. South Dakota State eased again into the sport with an Amar Johnson landing and a trio of Hunter Dustman area objectives, the final of which got here with 3:49 left and offered the game-winning factors. Nearly the heaviest damn rivalry trophy in faculty soccer remained with the Jackrabbits.

Nearly precisely the identical recreation performed out within the Anchor-Bone Traditional in Massive Rapids, Michigan. Host Ferris State, the defending Division II nationwide champ, took a 21-10 lead into the fourth quarter, however Grand Valley State, loser of six straight on this bitter rivalry, scored on back-to-back drives and took the lead on Jack Provencher’s 10-yard run. The GVSU protection then needed to seal the deal twice. The Lakers recovered a fumble with 3:20 left however fumbled it proper again to offer the Bulldogs one final shot. It fizzled shortly. Ferris went four-and-out, and GVSU kneeled out an enormous highway win.

What it means: These groups play in ranges with massive playoff fields, and all 4 groups are nearly sure to achieve the postseason. However these video games each produced some key tiebreakers and despatched some warning indicators. NDSU does not have an excessive amount of longer to rediscover the shape with which it gained 9 nationwide titles in 11 years, and if GVSU can win out as projected, the Lakers may safe the highest seed and a key bye of their tremendous area — and pressure Ferris State to win an additional playoff recreation (and doubtlessly win at GVSU) to defend its title.

Who gained the Heisman this week?

We’re making an attempt an experiment this season: What occurs if I award the Heisman Trophy each single week of the season and dole out weekly factors, F1 fashion (on this case, 10 factors for first place, 9 for second, and so forth)? How will this Heisman race play out, and the way totally different will the consequence be from the precise Heisman voting?

Here is who gained the Heisman this week:

1. Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee (six catches for 207 yards and 5 TDs vs. Alabama)

2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah (16 catches for 234 yards and one TD vs. USC)

3. Cam Rising, Utah (30-for-44 for 415 yards and two TDs, plus 60 speeding yards and three TDs vs. USC)

4. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (21-for-30 for 385 yards, 5 TDs and one interception, plus 56 speeding yards vs. Alabama)

5. KJ Jefferson, Arkansas (29-for-40 for 367 yards and 5 TDs, plus 32 speeding yards and an absolute Heisman second vs. BYU)

6. Caleb Williams, USC (25-for-42 for 381 yards and 5 TDs, plus 57 speeding yards vs. Utah)

7. Jayden Daniels, LSU (23-for-32 for 349 yards and three TDs, plus 44 speeding yards and three TDs vs. Florida)

8. Chase Brown, Illinois (41 carries for 180 yards, plus 53 receiving yards and a TD vs. Minnesota)

9. Michael Penix Jr., Washington (36-for-44 for 516 yards and 4 TDs, plus a speeding landing vs. Arizona)

10. Myles Murphy, Clemson (six tackles, two sacks amongst 3.5 tackles for loss, one compelled fumble vs. Florida State)

I will be trustworthy: I knew who the highest 4 on this record ought to completely be, and I had no thought what order to place them in. Placing pass-catchers who had an amazing day forward of their quarterbacks who additionally had an amazing day feels a bit unusual, however what Hyatt and Kincaid did Saturday was patently ridiculous.

Hyatt is the primary individual to attain 5 touchdowns towards a top-five crew since 1997, and he did it in Tennessee’s first house win between top-10 groups since 1999. That is sufficient for the highest spot in my guide. In the meantime, previously 20 years, solely three gamers have caught a minimum of 16 passes in a recreation towards a top-10 crew: Baylor’s Terrance Williams (vs. West Virginia in 2012), Clemson’s Sammy Watkins (vs. Ohio State in 2013) and Kincaid. That is fairly spectacular firm proper there.

Many extra gamers deserved honorable mentions this week, by the way in which. Amongst them: Quentin Johnson, TCU; Drake Maye, North Carolina; Akheem Mesidor, Miami; David Perales, Fresno State; John Rhys Plumlee, UCF; Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky; Kyle Vantrease, Georgia Southern; Blake Watson, Outdated Dominion; and Bryce Younger, Alabama.

Additionally, save a shout for Michigan’s Donoblake Cordwards, the two-headed Wolverine working again menace of Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum that mixed for 44 carries, 339 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 34 receiving yards towards Penn State. They cut up the yardage so evenly that neither of them fairly made the highest 10, however the whole Michigan offense made an announcement and a half on Saturday.

By way of seven weeks, listed below are the general level totals:

1. Jalon Daniels, Kansas (24 factors)

2. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (23 factors)

3. Caleb Williams, USC (21 factors)

4T. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (17 factors)

4T. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA (17 factors)

4T. Bryce Younger, Alabama (17 factors)

7. Stetson Bennett, Georgia (15 factors)

8T. Adrian Martinez, Kansas State (14 factors)

8T. Drake Maye, North Carolina (14 factors)

10. Bo Nix, Oregon (12 factors)

Daniels’ early lead is holding, however most likely not for for much longer. He is possible out with damage for a minimum of a few extra weeks, and gamers resembling Stroud, Williams, Hooker, Thompson-Robinson and Younger (who was unbelievable within the loss to Tennessee) proceed to inch nearer.

I suppose it is noteworthy that every one 10 of the gamers above are quarterbacks. With the weekly horse race strategy, it is clearly simpler for QBs to face out constantly than it’s for his or her respective skill-corps targets. Gamers resembling Corum and Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs are unbelievable, and their Heisman odds are nonetheless first rate, per the sportsbooks, however they’re going to want a couple of big video games — and in Corum’s case, he a minimum of must outshine Edwards, his battery mate — to rise on this record.

In fact, quarterback is crucial place in crew sports activities, so it most likely is smart that they are getting preferential therapy on this approach.



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