School soccer season is lastly upon us after months of untamed modifications, a switch portal stuffed with surprises, and a possible convention re-alignment nightmare forward.
For now, we are able to lastly finish months of hypothesis and watch some children hit one another on a few of the greatest levels in America.
That is the ultimate installment within the DailyMail.com 5 half sequence devoted to previewing the entire Energy 5 conferences in Division I FBS soccer.
Every day this week, we will likely be grouping every of the groups within the greatest conferences into 4 classes:
- 1. School Soccer Playoff Contenders: the groups we count on to be within the nationwide dialog all 12 months lengthy.
- 2. Cinderella Hopefuls: the groups that will likely be near the highest of the school soccer panorama, however will in all probability simply miss out on glory. But when they do, they’re going to be the most important tales of the 12 months.
- 3. Additionally-rans: the groups we count on to be within the bowl dialog, perhaps even enjoying near New 12 months’s Day, however will in all probability not shake the tree of the CFB elite.
- 4. Backside feeders: be it a tricky schedule, a brand new coach, or only a younger crew in full transition, these are the squads that can in all probability not make any noise in faculty soccer this 12 months
At this time we will likely be looking on the 14-teams of the Southeastern Convention (SEC).
School Soccer Playoff Contenders
After a uncommon Nationwide Championship loss, Alabama coach Nick Saban appears to be like to win all of it once more
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide
When Alabama misplaced to Georgia within the nationwide championship, all was proper with the world for these of us dwelling outdoors of Tuscaloosa. However very similar to the Black Knight from Monty Python’s Holy Grail, that solely gave the impression to be a flesh wound.
Nick Saban is again and he’s indignant – on the loss, on the system, seemingly at Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher – and he is able to win once more with a squad constructed at each degree to take action.
Heisman profitable QB Bryce Younger is again within the pocket for the Crimson Tide with new go catching weapons like Louisville switch Tyler Harrell and Georgia defector Jermaine Burton.
Georgia might have had the nation’s #1 protection, however ‘Bama’s protection was no slouch. In contrast to the Bulldogs, main contributors like Justin Eboigbe, DJ Dale, Byron Younger, Henry To’o To’o, Kool-Support McKinstry, DeMarcco Hellams, and Jordan Battle are returning. That is not even mentioning the affect of Will Anderson Jr., arguably the very best participant in faculty soccer.
Exterior conventional powerful matchups towards LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn, Alabama seemingly solely Texas appears able to inflicting bother, however the Tide ought to nonetheless have the ability to dispatch them simply.
Undoubtedly, Alabama is our consensus pre-season choose to win the nationwide championship.
Georgia QB Stetson Bennett holds the trophy he helped win for the Bulldogs in 2022
No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs
Heavy is the top that wears the crown, and for the Georgia Bulldogs, that weight will appear somewhat heavier with the departure of many prime defensive gamers.
UGA’s protection final 12 months was the very best within the nation by a longshot – permitting a median of solely 9.5 factors per sport – however they misplaced Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Lewis Cine, Nakobe Dean, Channing Tindall, and Derion Kendrick to the NFL Draft.
These gamers had a mixed 424 tackles, 231 solo tackles, 23.5 sacks and seven interceptions as a part of some of the storied defenses in faculty soccer historical past. Nevertheless, head coach Kirby Sensible believes the crew is not rebuilding because of its fourth straight top-3 recruiting class.
Offensively, QB Stetson Bennett is again for one final experience, joined by three of his prime 4 targets from final season. That provides him the prospect to attain sufficient factors and permit Georgia the prospect to go undefeated in one other season Between the Hedges in Athens.
A spicy argument over the offseason units up an thrilling Alabama sport for A&M’s Jimbo Fisher
No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies
We will discuss how TAMU could have an adjustment interval on offense with a brand new quarterback and the lack of rusher Isaiah Spiller. Or how final 12 months’s no. 3 protection within the nation must rebuild, however has the items to take action because of the very best recruiting class in faculty soccer.
However why would we try this when the wonderful scent of beef has been wafting round School Station the second Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher began a confrontation?
Saban claimed at a gathering in Might that the Aggies ‘purchased each participant’ in its class with NIL offers. Fisher characterised these feedback as ‘dispicable’, labeled Saban a ‘narcissist’, and steered there are skeletons in his closets.
All we all know is that this: there could also be no extra anticipated sport this season than Week 6 when the Aggies head to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa to throw this beef on the hearth.
Cinderella Hopefuls
Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson could lead on the Razorbacks to the entrance of the nationwide dialog
No. 19 Arkansas Razorbacks
Welcome again to the massive time, Arkansas – now get able to face the third hardest schedule within the nation.
Issues do not begin simple for the Razorbacks, going through no. 23 Cincinnati at dwelling in Fayetteville to start their season. Later non-conference matchups at no. 25 BYU and Liberty could possibly be slippery as properly.
In convention, issues do not get simpler – with street journeys to Texas A&M and Auburn met with powerful video games at dwelling towards Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss.
The Razorbacks will possible be carried by junior QB KJ Jefferson, who returns after a season with 2,676 passing yards and 21 passing TDs alongside 664 dashing yards and 6 dashing TDs.
He will definitely miss throwing to Treylon Burks – now within the NFL – however the subsequent 5 go catchers with essentially the most yards from final season are nonetheless within the image as Arkansas tries to make their first SEC Championship sport since 2006.
UK senior Will Levis, a top-10 NFL Draft-eligible QB, hopes to carry glory to the Bluegrass State
No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats
By the point the Wildcats get to the meat of their schedule, they may realistically be 4-0 because of cupcake video games towards Miami (OH), Youngstown State, and Northern Illinois, plus a street journey to a reeling Florida crew.
Issues are solely comparatively downhill from there, with street journeys to Ole Miss and Tennessee proving probably powerful. Nevertheless, they play two of its hardest video games towards Georgia and Louisville at dwelling in Lexington.
Offensively, Kentucky ought to present a twin menace with each quarterback Will Levis – a 2,826 go yard 24 go TD sign caller that additionally grabbed 376 dashing yards and 9 dashing TDs – and 1,379 yard rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Nevertheless, what is going to finally value Kentucky is the lack of defensive expertise. The crew solely returns three starters from a squad that completed 4th greatest within the SEC in factors allowed.
Changing that a lot expertise will damage Kentucky, however not sufficient that they’re going to fall out of the bowl image or sufficient that groups like Georgia will underestimate them.
Additionally-rans
Vols sign caller Hendon Hooker needs to steer Tennessee to its first SEC title since 1998
Tennessee Volunteers
A 2-3 document towards ranked groups final season could possibly be giving followers in Knoxville somewhat hope going into this 12 months with a squad that has aged properly.
Twin menace QB Hendon Hooker is again after throwing over 2,900 yards final season and dashing for 620 yards whereas having an ungodly landing to interception ratio of 31-3. Prime go catcher Cedric Tillman remains to be on ol’ Rocky Prime having caught 12 TDs for over 1,081 yards final season.
The Vols have a reasonably properly balanced schedule – going through ranked groups in weeks 2, 7, 9, and 10 earlier than ending out the season with three comparatively simple video games.
So much has to go proper for Tennessee to go to the title sport in Atlanta, but when they bend with out breaking, they’ve nearly as good a shot as any within the SEC East.
Coach Lane Kiffin goals to disrupt the powers accountable for the SEC West – together with his previous boss
No. 21 Ole Miss Rebels
It is laborious to really decide what is going to occur in Oxford this season, with a crew transitioning at quarterback.
With Matt Corral now within the NFL, a heated battle between final 12 months’s Sugar Bowl hero Luke Altmyer and USC switch Jaxson Dart for the beginning QB spot is occurring. Whoever wins should take care of the lack of prime two targets Dontario Drummond and Braylon Sanders.
One factor probably going for the Rebels is the expectations aren’t as excessive contemplating Alabama and Texas A&M are in the identical division. They do not run into a tricky opponent till Week 5 towards Kentucky.
Again-to-back street video games towards LSU and Texas A&M will likely be adopted by a bye week after which a sport towards Bama in entrance of the house crowd at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium.
Brian Kelly grew to become the longest tenured coach in Notre Dame historical past – then he left for LSU
LSU Tigers
Transferring from storied program to storied program is an enormous feat for a soccer coach and it could possibly be argued that Brian Kelly made an ideal soar.
After turning into the longest tenured soccer coach in Notre Dame historical past, Kelly moved to the SEC for a brand new problem (and a increase of over $6 million) in Baton Rouge.
Challenges will present up for Kelly instantly after projected beginning QB Myles Brennan retired from soccer. That leaves the beginning job as much as a battle between Arizona State switch Jayden Daniels and redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier.
Former head coach Ed Orgeron left on the finish of a disappointing 6-6 season that noticed the Tigers protection quit the fifth most factors and yards per sport within the convention. It is unclear if there will likely be a lot of a change on that facet of the ball this season.
The crew begins with an fascinating take a look at towards Florida State, however ends the 12 months enjoying 4 ranked groups in 5 video games cut up evenly dwelling and away. Alabama and Ole Miss make the journey to Dying Valley, however LSU must journey to Arkansas and Texas A&M.
Off-field scandals have put Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin on the new seat this season
Auburn Tigers
Taking a detour from the on-field expectations, the highlight at Jordan-Hare Stadium will likely be shining on head coach Bryan Harsin after he went via a troubling offseason on The Plains and just one 12 months in cost.
The previous Boise State head coach was attacked on-line after his Tigers crew went from proudly owning a 6-2 document to dropping 5 straight to finish the season, which was made worse when a rumor started spreading on Twitter that Harsin was having an affair along with his assistant.
Auburn investigated this system after a mass exodus of coaches and gamers, which Harsin referred to as a ‘private assault’ by individuals who underestimated the problem of beginning a job with calls for as excessive as this one in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The college has a historical past of boosters meddling and pressuring the soccer program to make sure strikes with teaching workers – which could possibly be the case once more right here. Even when Auburn has an honest season this 12 months, you’ll be able to’t blame Harsin if he wished to depart this system after what he is been via.
Former Oklahoma Sooner QB Spencer Rattler will likely be a lift to the Gamecocks offense
South Carolina Gamecocks
It was a tough season on the quarterback place final 12 months for South Carolina, however the cavalry is coming within the type of Oklahoma switch Spencer Rattler.
After taking the Large 12 by storm in 2020, he misplaced a quarterback battle to Caleb Williams and promptly left for the confines of Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. He’ll present fast reduction to a quarterback room that did not have a single passer throw for greater than 1,000 yards final season.
Rattler nonetheless has the Gamecocks’ prime three huge receivers from final 12 months to throw to, however will face strain to carry out with restricted assist elsewhere on offense.
South Carolina will likely be thrown into the hearth early, enjoying at Arkansas in Week 2 and residential towards Georgia in Week 3 – with powerful matchups towards Texas A&M and Clemson later within the season.
QB Will Rogers has an exceptional stat line, however faces a tricky schedule this season
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Need proof that that is the very best convention in faculty soccer? Mississippi State had 15 votes in ‘others receiving’ for the AP Preseason Ballot they usually’re nonetheless on this place in our rankings. That is as a result of the SEC West is a spot the place good groups get stomped out by nice groups, and Mississippi State is only a good crew at this level.
Positive, the Bulldogs play an excellent portion of their hardest video games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, however they nonetheless journey to play LSU, Kentucky, Alabama, Ole Miss and non-conference opponent Arizona.
State has a bunch of fine issues going for it, together with some of the underrated QB’s within the nation within the type of 4,700+ yard, 36 TD passer Will Rogers and a protection that gave up the fourth least yards within the convention.
Nevertheless, MSU performs in a bend-don’t-break division – and there could possibly be sufficient cracks to sluggish them down. However Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense all the time leaves room for surprises.
Backside feeders
After the firing of Dan Mullen, former Louisiana coach Billy Napier takes the reins in Gainesville
Florida Gators
When Dan Mullen was fired following an embarrassing additional time loss to Missouri, there was a seismic change in Gainesville felt by everybody within the soccer division.
Sixteen gamers transferred out of this system, together with starters Jacob Copeland, Mohamoud Diabate, and Kenmore Gamble.
In steps head coach Billy Napier, previously of Louisiana-Lafayette to take management of a crew not anticipated to compete within the SEC East. He’ll use this season to hopefully construct a basis for potential future success.
Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers will likely be listless this season in Columbia
Missouri Tigers
Even within the weaker of the 2 divisions, Missouri would not seem to be they’re going to be aggressive any time quickly.
Ever because the Tigers received the SEC East in 2014, Mizzou has solely managed two profitable seasons and did not make an affect on the SEC panorama.
With 15 gamers transferring out of this system, together with beginning QB Connor Bazelak, and solely two defensive starters getting back from a unit that was the second worst within the convention and within the bottom-5 amongst Energy 5 faculties, Missouri will wrestle this season.
Commodores coach Clark Lea needs Vandy to turn out to be the very best program within the nation
Vanderbilt Commodores
In each different convention, we have mentioned that the underside feeder class was crammed with groups that will not make a bowl sport, however the SEC is a completely totally different beast.
There have been 4 groups that tied for the second worst document within the SEC final 12 months, with Mizzou, Florida, Auburn, and LSU all ending 6-6 within the common season and making a bowl sport.
Vanderbilt had the worst document within the convention for the second 12 months in a row, ending 2-10, and on the danger of not being imply, we determined to not create a fifth class only for them on the backside.
Additionally, did I point out they’ve the statistically hardest schedule amongst all Energy 5 groups? Vanderbilt’s opponents this 12 months had a mixed document of 105-55 final season.
Second 12 months head coach Clark Lea made the daring declare this summer time that he was decided to make Vandy the ‘greatest program within the nation.’ It is an admirable aim, however one thing laborious to see coming to Nashville any time quickly contemplating the Commodores have not owned a profitable document since 2013.