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Who mentioned school soccer is just too predictable?
September supplied a number of surprises which have threatened the entrenched institution on the high. Week 4 put these findings in plain sight, and that concerned a few of these preseason School Soccer Playoff contenders.
Listed below are 4 surprises no one noticed coming:
Clemson is not going to make the School Soccer Playoff
The truth hit earlier than DJ Uiagalelei’s fourth-and-5 move sailed over Justyn Ross’ head in double time beyond regulation.
“Cardiac Clemson” is not meant to be in 2021. The Tigers’ streak of 36 wins in opposition to unranked groups ended with a 27-21 loss to N.C. State on Saturday. Truthfully, Clemson shouldn’t have been in that place.
AFERIAT: Clemson lands in unfamiliar territory
The Wolfpack missed three discipline objective makes an attempt in regulation. The Tigers had been held to seven three-and-outs and restricted to 2 of 11 on third-down conversions. Accidents to linebacker James Skalski and working again Will Shipley didn’t assist.
“This level at 2-2, you take a look at the whole lot,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said, via The Athletic. “There’s nothing that you do not consider. However I believe DJ is our quarterback.”
Uiagalelei’s struggles within the passing recreation resurfaced (12 of 26, 111 yards, two TDs, one INT), however he rushed 9 instances for 63 yards. He must be extra of an element as a runner to beat a few of his early-season struggles.
The uncommon problem Swinney faces now’s to maintain Clemson (1-1 in convention play) within the ACC championship hunt, which will not be straightforward given the rampant unpredictability of the convention from week to week. After all, no two-loss staff has made the CFP.
That is also actuality for the Tigers.
Arkansas-Georgia is a top-10 showdown
The Razorbacks had been 11-35 with a 4-30 report in SEC play the final 4 seasons. Now, Arkansas is 4-0 and has swept Texas and Texas A&M within the first month of the season behind a dynamic speeding assault led by KJ Jefferson. The Razorbacks possible can have a top-10 rating heading right into a highway check at Georgia.
Will second-year coach Sam Pittman, the previous Bulldogs offensive line coach, pull off one other unbelievable upset?
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Dawgs have a case for No. 1
OSU’s one-loss makeover is spectacular
Kyle McCord began rather than C.J. Stroud (shoulder) in opposition to Akron in Week 4, and the freshman quarterback accomplished 13 of 18 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns. That, mixed with fellow freshman TreVeyon Henderson’s 93 yards and two touchdowns speeding, must be terrifying for the Buckeyes’ opponents for the following three years. The much-maligned protection had eight sacks in opposition to the Zips.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day has been proactive and aggressive because the Week 2 loss to Oregon, however there are questions.
MORE: Backup LB appears to quit Buckeyes in middle of game
Will McCord take over because the starter? What does that imply for Stroud and a quarterback room that additionally options reclassified freshman Quinn Ewers and Jack Miller III? It’s a sequence of first-world issues for the four-time defending Large Ten champions, however the Buckeyes can be in place for one more Large Ten championship given the tender convention schedule the following 4 weeks.
Spencer Rattler’s struggles linger
The Sooners improved to 4-0 with a 16-13 victory in opposition to West Virginia, however preseason Heisman Trophy favourite Rattler was booed in the first half. Rattler hit 26 of 36 passes for 256 yards, a TD and an interception, a part of a troublesome first month by which he averaged 237.7 yards passing, with three TDs and three INTs in opposition to the Sooners’ three FBS opponents.
Rattler is among the many school stars who benefitted before the season from NIL, and that makes him a straightforward goal. Kaleb Williams, a heralded five-star freshman, noticed motion in Oklahoma’s first two video games however looks like a lengthy shot to take over the beginning job until the Sooners lose. Would Lincoln Riley be daring sufficient to entertain a change if Oklahoma proceed to wrestle?
Rattler can ease these issues at Kansas State. He threw three interceptions in a 38-35 loss to the Wildcats in 2020.
These are 4 surprises no one noticed coming in September. What is going to October convey?
With that, listed here are extra Week 4 takeaways:
Notre Dame can alter Playoff image
Notre Dame cannot run the ball, has one other quarterback controversy with Brian Kelly and goes to be the thorn within the 2021 school soccer season.
So, enterprise as common.
The Irish had been tied 10-10 within the fourth quarter with Wisconsin at Soldier Discipline earlier than making massive performs in each side of the sport and pulling away for a 41-13 victory. The Irish, 6 1/2-point underdogs within the recreation, flipped the script with special teams and defense.
MORE: Kelly talks ND legacy after passing Rockne
The Badgers took a 13-10 lead with 14:14 remaining, however Chris Tyree responded with a Rocket Ismail-like second: a 96-yard kickoff return for a landing. Third-string quarterback Drew Pyne, who changed an injured Jack Coan, threw a landing move to Kevin Austin Jr. The protection pressured 4 turnovers within the fourth quarter, capped by pick-sixes from linebackers Jack Kizer and Drew White.
This was wonderful contemplating Notre Dame had 24 speeding makes an attempt for minus-8 yards heading into that last quarter. The Irish even have a quarterback controversy now with Coan (leg) and Tyler Buchner (hamstring) coping with accidents forward of subsequent week’s showdown with Cincinnati. Pyne, who completed 6 of 8 for 81 yards and a landing, might be the starter.
Kelly, who passed Knute Rockne as Notre Dame’s all-time winningest coach along with his 106th victory, may need a School Soccer Playoff staff in any case. The Irish haven’t got the ACC highlight this season and doubtless would get squeezed out with one loss, however that is the staff the remainder of the FBS goes to be taught to root in opposition to for the following two months.
Convention name: Shock unbeatens
How concerning the Energy 5 groups that completed September with an ideal 4-0 report? Here’s a take a look at the unbeatens who should not within the AP Prime 25:
ACC: Boston School is 4-0 for the primary time since 2007 after a 41-34 time beyond regulation victory in opposition to Missouri. Pat Garwo III (5-8, 214 kilos) emerged because the bowling ball in Jeff Hafley’s offense, contributing 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns in opposition to the Tigers whereas averaging 6.8 yards per carry. The Eagles get Clemson subsequent. Bear in mind final yr’s 34-28 thriller the place BC had a 28-13 lead at halftime?
Wake Forest improved to 4-0 by disposing of Virginia 37-17 on Friday evening. Quarterback Sam Hartman has 9 touchdowns and one interception by 4 video games, and the Demon Deacons haven’t got a ranked opponent on the schedule till November.
Large Ten: Taulia Tagovailoa is an rising star for Maryland, which improved to 4-0 with a 37-16 victory in opposition to Kent State. Tagovailoa is averaging 335 passing yards per recreation with 10 touchdowns and one interception. The Terps get to play spoiler the following two weeks in opposition to Iowa and Ohio State.
Large 12: Oklahoma State is off to a 4-0 begin after beating Kansas State 31-20. The Cowboys have a productive backfield with Spencer Sanders and Jaylen Warren. Bedlam might be in enterprise.
Iowa State was speculated to be the breakthrough staff within the Large 12. Baylor didn’t get the memo. The Bears improved to 4-0 by beating the Cyclones regardless of being outgained 469-282. Second-year coach Dave Aranda has created perception in Waco, and Baylor is simply two years faraway from a Large 12 championship look.
SEC: Kentucky edged South Carolina in an unsightly 16-10 victory that moved the Wildcats to 4-0. That leaves them because the second unbeaten staff within the SEC East heading into Saturday’s matchup in opposition to Florida. Will Levis struggled in opposition to the Gamecocks with 102 passing yards and an interception. Can Kentucky stake a declare because the second-best staff within the division?
Sneak peek at Week 5
— Ole Miss had an further week to arrange for Alabama and the Rebels lead the FBS with 52.7 factors and 635.3 yards per recreation. Lane Kiffin is 0-2 in opposition to Nick Saban, however these video games are memorable for 2 causes.
Alabama beat Tennessee 12-10 on Oct. 24, 2009, with a last-second discipline objective block by Terrence Cody. Final season, the Crimson Tide beat Ole Miss in a 63-48 shootout. Alabama gained nationwide championships each seasons, however Kiffin’s groups had been the hardest out within the common season each instances.
— Michigan faces some doubts after an uneven second half in a 20-13 victory in opposition to Rutgers. If the 4-0 Wolverines need to be thought-about for actual, it would not harm to seize a victory at two-loss Wisconsin. They haven’t gained in Madison since a 20-17 victory in 2001, when Hayden Epstein kicked the game-winning discipline objective with 14 seconds remaining. This can be a strength-on-strength matchup with the Wolverines’ working recreation going up in opposition to Wisconsin’s run protection. A related rating might be within the works. The Badgers have gained the final two conferences in blowout trend.
Further factors
— Bowling Inexperienced shocked Minnesota in a 14-10 upset Saturday. The Falcons, 30 1/2-point underdogs, are attempting to interrupt a string of 5 straight shedding seasons. Bowling Inexperienced is 4-5 in opposition to Large Ten opponents since 2014. Go determine.
— On the lookout for an off-the-wall Group of 5 Playoff buster? UTSA seems to be the half after Hunter Duplessis hit a last-second 42-yard discipline objective to beat Memphis 31-28. The Roadrunners additionally upset Illinois. Working again Honest McCormick logged 42 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to the Tigers.
— Military improved to 4-0 with a 23-10 victory in opposition to Miami (Ohio). The Black Knights did that with zero passing yards. Christian Anderson completed 0 of 5 passing, however he made up for it with 15 carries for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Anderson is averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Military has an attention-grabbing matchup in opposition to Wisconsin on Oct. 16.
—Florida State and Arizona are the lone Energy 5 groups with no victory in September. The Seminoles misplaced 31-23 in opposition to Louisville; the third straight loss at Doak Campbell Stadium in 2021. Florida State is 3-5 at house below second-year coach Mike Norvell, and Syracuse visits Tallahassee in Week 5. Arizona dedicated 5 turnovers in a 41-19 loss to Oregon.
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