Re-Ranking College Football Playoff After Tennessee Loss And TCU, Michigan Scares

Week 12 of the 2022 faculty soccer season supplied pure chaos, and but, it practically supplied a lot extra. Because of some enormous upsets and near-upsets, the School Soccer Playoff image has narrowed down as soon as once more forward of rivalry week, so it’s time for some new rankings.

The most important upset of the day befell within the SEC, the place South Carolina destroyed No. 5 Tennessee in a 63-38 blowout. Nonetheless, each Michigan and TCU got here near dropping as nicely, and Ohio State and Georgia additionally had their share of troubles. No. 7 USC had essentially the most spectacular efficiency of the day, defeating No. 16 UCLA 48-45 right away basic.

Whereas the highest 4 obtained by regardless of their struggles, different ranked groups weren’t fairly as fortunate. Seven ranked groups in complete misplaced on Saturday, most to heavy underdogs. Now, the playoff image appears to be like a lot clearer with one week left within the common season.

Earlier School Soccer Playoff re-rankings: Week 11 | Week 10

With out additional ado, let’s rank the highest 10 faculty soccer groups following Week 12’s motion.

10. Oregon Geese (9-2)

Following final week’s devastating loss to Washington, Oregon rebounded to defeat Utah 20-17 at residence on Saturday night time to earn the No. 10 spot in these School Soccer Playoff rankings. Bo Nix performed nicely by way of harm, throwing for 287 yards and a landing. Nonetheless, the Geese’ protection was the important thing to victory, as they intercepted Cameron Rising 3 times and conceded only one landing.

With the win, Oregon is one win away from incomes a spot within the Pac-12 Championship Recreation. That win received’t come straightforward, although, because the Geese journey to face 8-3 Oregon State subsequent Saturday. In the event that they do get the win, they are going to be in nice place for a New 12 months’s Six bowl sport no matter what occurs within the convention championship sport.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2)

In every week the place so many high groups struggled, Penn State had arguably essentially the most convincing win of any high group. The Nittany Lions crushed Rutgers on the highway, profitable 55-10. Whereas the offense racked up 436 yards, together with 237 on the bottom, the Nittany Lions rode three non-offensive touchdowns to the victory.

Though Penn State has two losses this season, they’ve come towards two of the most effective groups within the nation. Though the Nittany Lions can not win the Huge 10, they’re nonetheless in prime place for a New 12 months’s Six bowl. If they’ll beat Michigan State at residence subsequent week, they need to lock in an at-large berth to a high bowl sport.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-2)

As is custom, Alabama crushed an FCS foe earlier than the Iron Bowl, defeating Austin Peay 34-0. Jase McLellan ran 17 occasions for 156 yards and two touchdowns with Jahmyr Gibbs sidelined, and Jermaine Burton had his greatest sport at Alabama with seven catches for 128 yards and two scores. Defensively, the Crimson Tide held Austin Peay to 206 complete yards and compelled two interceptions.

The win over an FCS group is fairly meaningless for Alabama within the huge image. Whereas the Tide are virtually definitely out of playoff competition, they’ll all however clinch a New 12 months’s Six berth by beating Auburn at residence subsequent week. Alabama could have fallen under expectations this season, however the Tide will all the time take pleasure in beating their archrival.

7. Clemson Tigers (10-1)

Clemson continued to dominate at residence by destroying Miami 40-10 on Saturday. The Tigers’ protection was very good, permitting solely 98 yards and simply eight within the first half. DJ Uiagalelei additionally performed very nicely, accounting for 316 complete yards and three touchdowns.

With the win, Clemson finishes ACC play undefeated for the primary time since 2019. The Tigers’ finale towards South Carolina additionally obtained much more attention-grabbing after the Gamecocks thrashed Tennessee on Saturday. Clemson is a near-lock for the New 12 months’s Six, and so they nonetheless have an opportunity on the School Soccer Playoff if sufficient goes its method.

6. LSU Tigers (9-2)

LSU took care of enterprise in its remaining residence sport of the season, defeating UAB 41-10. After a poor efficiency towards Arkansas the week earlier than, Jayden Daniels regarded like a Heisman contender as soon as once more, accounting for 408 complete yards and two touchdowns. Noah Cain additionally had a robust day on the bottom with 13 carries for 76 yards and three scores, whereas the Tigers’ protection held the Blazers to simply 48 dashing yards.

The Tigers shut out the common season on the highway towards lowly Texas A&M subsequent Saturday. Nonetheless, the true check is within the SEC Championship, the place they face top-ranked Georgia in Atlanta. If the Tigers can stun the school soccer world, they’ll virtually definitely be the primary two-loss group in CFP historical past.

5. USC Trojans (10-1)

For weeks, critics derided USC for not having a signature win this season. The Trojans silenced these critics with an exciting 48-45 win over archrival UCLA on the Rose Bowl. Caleb Williams was incredible with 503 complete yards and three complete touchdowns, boosting his spectacular Heisman case. Austin Jones (21 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns) and Jordan Addison (11 catches for 178 yards and a landing) each had superb performances as nicely.

The Trojans conquered the primary of three main exams to shut out the season. They shut the common season towards a surging Notre Dame group after which will possible face Oregon within the convention championship. If they’ll get by way of this stretch unscathed, the Trojans are all however a lock for the School Soccer Playoff.

4. TCU Horned Frogs (11-0)

The Horned Frogs haven’t made something straightforward all season, however they proceed to win anyhow and keep within the high 4 of those School Soccer Playoff rankings. Saturday’s sport towards Baylor was the epitome of that, with the Horned Frogs defeating the Bears 29-28 on a last-second area aim. Even that area aim wasn’t straightforward, as TCU needed to rush its kicking unit on the sphere with a working clock.

Max Duggan had one other sturdy sport with 377 complete yards and a passing landing. Nonetheless, TCU’s concern is the standing of Kendre Miller and Quentin Johnston, who each left with harm. The Horned Frogs will want their main rusher and receiver to remain undefeated and make the School Soccer Playoff.

3. Michigan Wolverines (11-0)

Michigan has dominated practically each opponent this season, however that wasn’t the case towards Illinois on Saturday. The Wolverines struggled with the Illini, even trailing by seven coming into the fourth quarter. Because of Jake Moody’s area aim within the remaining minute, the Wolverines prevented catastrophe and remained undefeated this season with a 19-17 win.

Heisman contender Blake Corum completed with 18 carries for 108 yards and a landing, however left the sport with an harm. He got here again within the second half, however solely performed one snap earlier than exiting once more. The Wolverines want him for subsequent week’s heavyweight showdown towards Ohio State, and Saturday’s shut name confirmed precisely why.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0)

The Buckeyes didn’t battle as a lot as their rival, however they nonetheless had some bother with Maryland. Ohio State trailed 13-10 at halftime, however pulled away within the second half for a 43-30 win. Dallan Hayden stepped up with the Buckeyes’ high two working backs out, dashing for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Zach Harrison was the star of protection with two sacks, together with a strip-sack within the remaining minute.

Regardless of some struggles, Ohio State made it to the Michigan sport unscathed. This sport is without doubt one of the greatest within the rivalry’s historical past, with the winner going to the Huge Ten Championship Recreation and the School Soccer Playoff. Each groups will want all fingers on deck for this epic showdown.

1. Georgia Bulldogs (11-0)

Even when not at its greatest, Georgia nonetheless beat an SEC foe on the highway convincingly. The Bulldogs defeated Kentucky 16-6 because of a dominant defensive efficiency, holding Will Levis and co. to underneath 300 yards of offense and only one landing within the fourth quarter. Stetson Bennett had a quiet sport, however Kenny McIntosh confirmed out with 143 dashing yards and a landing.

The Bulldogs shut out the common season towards Georgia Tech earlier than enjoying LSU within the SEC Championship. Barring an unprecedented collapse, Georgia can be within the School Soccer Playoff. It should take a exceptional efficiency to cease the Bulldogs from profitable one other nationwide championship.