School soccer Week 4: Picks and preview

Is Fresno State poised to the category of the Mountain West Convention? We’ll see how that performs out, however the Bulldogs’ lone loss got here at Oregon by seven factors and so they simply gained 40-37 at then-No. 13 UCLA. Quarterback Jake Haener leads the nation with 1,464 passing yards and has thrown 10 touchdowns to only one interception, whereas Jalen Cropper is second within the nation with 29 receptions. UNLV has allowed 120 factors and 1,426 whole yards in 2021.

Prediction: Fresno State (-30 1/2)

Since beginning the 2020 season with 5 straight losses, Penn State has gained seven in a row by a mean margin of 17.3 factors. The Nittany Lions have allowed 112 factors throughout a run that is spanned two seasons. Do not anticipate Penn State’s profitable streak to finish towards Villanova, which is ranked eleventh within the Stats Perform FCS Poll, however has not confronted a ranked opponent since November 2008. These Pennsylvania foes final met in 1951.

Prediction: Penn State (-29)

Georgia simply could be the very best staff within the nation, due to a protection that is allowed solely 23 factors, compelled six turnovers, and recorded 13 sacks. That may’t be good for a Vanderbilt program that is totaled 34 factors throughout a three-game residence shedding streak to Georgia. The Bulldogs are on the lookout for a seventeenth consecutive street victory towards unranked SEC groups since falling at Tennessee in October 2015.

Prediction: Vanderbilt (+35 1/2)

The storyline throughout the story of two ranked Midwestern groups assembly, for the primary time since 1964, at Soldier Subject, is Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan going through his former college. Coan handed for greater than 3,200 yards in three seasons for the Badgers, now goals to maintain the Irish undefeated regardless of trying less-than dominant of their first three contests. Wisconsin has had a few weeks to organize, and a protection that is yielded 23 factors and 389 whole yards might be robust for Coan and Co. to deal with.

Prediction: Notre Dame (+6 1/2)

Coastal did not have a simple time pulling out a 28-25 win at Buffalo final weekend, however there could be a world of concern if it struggled towards lowly UMass. The Minutemen have allowed 138 factors this season and now should face gifted Chanticleers quarterback Grayson McCall, who’s 46-of-59 for 739 yards with six touchdowns and an interception. Coastal has gained 9 straight at residence whereas UMass will probably be seeking to keep away from a thirteenth consecutive street defeat.

Prediction: Coastal Carolina (-36)

This doubtlessly might be the sport of the week within the SEC, or the whole nation, for that matter. Taking part in it at a comparatively impartial website, nonetheless, might hinder the Razorbacks’ possibilities of pulling off an upset this time. Texas A&M will probably be on the lookout for a ninth consecutive victory throughout the sequence, and seventh straight when performed at a impartial website — the place three in a row and 5 of the final six have been determined by seven or fewer factors.

Prediction: Texas A&M (-5 1/2)

Iowa State has gained three of the final 4 conferences over Baylor and is coming off a wanted 48-3 rout of UNLV from final weekend. Nonetheless, the Bears are off to considerably of a shock begin due to an offense that is averaging 46.7 factors. Although their three wins have come towards groups with a mixed two victories. The Cyclones’ offense has struggled with consistency early on, however their protection has yielded 40 factors and 578 whole yards.

Prediction: Iowa State (-7)

In the mean time, Iowa, on the lookout for a tenth win in a row, simply could be probably the most full squad within the nation. The Hawkeyes have totaled 91 factors and allowed 30 by three video games. They’ve rushed for 431 yards and compelled eight turnovers. That every one cannot be good for Colorado State, which did simply pull out a 22-6 street win over Toledo, however has dropped 4 straight video games towards Massive Ten opponents.

Prediction: Iowa (-23)

Maybe it is considerably stunning that each Michigan and Rutgers are undefeated at this level. Nonetheless, the Wolverines could be the largest shock within the convention, outscoring their first three opponents 141-34 after rolling over Northern Illinois 63-10 final weekend. Michigan enters the weekend main the nation with 1,051 speeding yards, paced by Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins, who’ve mixed for 688 and 11 touchdowns. Rutgers has dropped six straight to Michigan following final season’s triple-overtime residence defeat, it is allowed 34 factors up to now in 2021.

Prediction: Michigan (-20)

We talked concerning the concern degree at Clemson already, nevertheless it’s been elevated following a 14-8 residence win versus Georgia Tech. Sure, the Tigers have allowed simply 21 factors, however have totaled 17 towards their two FBS opponents and D.J. Uiagalelei (59.3 completion proportion, 475 yards, one landing, two interceptions) has underachieved by most accounts. North Carolina State misplaced 24-10 in its first 2021 take a look at at Mississippi State on Sept. 11 however has gained 5 straight at residence. The Wolfpack have misplaced eight in a row versus Clemson.

Prediction: North Carolina State (+9 1/2)

Auburn proved its price, even throughout a 28-20 loss towards a top-10-ranked Penn State squad final weekend. Bryan Harsin seems to have a superb factor going early on at Auburn, and this week presents an clearly robust alternative to bounce again. Auburn’s backfield duo of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter (663 mixed speeding yards, six touchdowns) has been enjoyable to observe. It should not be too nice for Georgia State, which has allowed 577 speeding yards by three video games.

Prediction: Auburn (-27)

Stanford has already knocked off one Los Angeles-based Pac-12 staff this season and now tries to take down one other. UCLA adopted up its 38-27 residence victory over then-No. 16 LSU by shedding 40-37 to a then-unranked Fresno State squad on the Rose Bowl. The Bruins want to enhance a cross protection that is allowed 785 yards and 5 touchdowns within the final two video games. Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee is 50-of-70 for 570 yards with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions this season.

Prediction: Stanford (+5)

Florida fell brief in knocking off Alabama final weekend however earned some deserved props within the course of. The Gators might need a problem on the quarterback place, however they rank second within the nation averaging 340.3 speeding yards and among the many nation’s leaders with 11 touchdowns on the bottom. Tennessee has allowed simply 163 speeding yards this season however misplaced 4 straight and 15 of the final 16 towards the rival Gators.

Prediction: Florida (-20)

OK, possibly it is Michigan’s close by rival from East Lansing that’s the greatest shock within the Massive Ten up to now. The Spartans have not began 4-0 since 2015 and might need lastly discovered some offensive consistency with Payton Thorne (726 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, zero interceptions) and Kenneth Walker III (493 speeding yards, 5 TDs) main a unit averaging 39.3 factors. Nebraska confirmed some moxie in its 23-16 loss within the renewed rivalry recreation versus then-No. 3 Oklahoma. Nonetheless, the Cornhuskers are 0-12 on the street towards ranked opponents since a 17-14 victory at then-No. 12 Penn State on Nov. 12, 2011.

Prediction: Michigan State (-5)

Kansas State is attempting to open with 4 straight wins for the primary time since 2012. It is in that place due to working again Deuce Vaughn, who has rushed for 371 yards, averaged 6.0 yards per carry, and scored 5 touchdowns on the bottom. Nonetheless, the Wildcats have dropped two straight towards the Cowboys, and 6 of the final seven at Stillwater. Oklahoma State’s three victories over Missouri State, Tulsa, and at Boise State final week have been determined by a mixed 13 factors.

Prediction: Kansas State (+6)

Florida gave Alabama a run for its cash final weekend, however the Crimson Tide held on for a seventeenth straight victory. The reigning nationwide champions have not been their anticipated dominant selves early on, however they’re nonetheless the category of the nation for the time being. That ought to not change this week versus Southern Miss, which has misplaced eight in a row to Alabama by a mean margin of twenty-two.1 factors.

Prediction: (Southern Miss (+45)

This can be a residence recreation in Atlanta for Georgia Tech, however not at their campus stadium. Which may give North Carolina a greater probability at incomes a 3rd consecutive victory. Sam Howell has thrown eight of his 9 touchdowns with only one interception whereas the Tar Heels have scored 59 factors in every of the final two video games. He threw for 376 yards with 4 touchdowns throughout Carolina’s 38-22 win at Georgia Tech within the groups’ most up-to-date assembly.

Prediction: Georgia Tech (+12)

It hasn’t been a simple begin to the season for the Buckeyes, and pundits are already clamoring that they won’t be the very best staff within the Massive Ten this season. That would very properly be the case, however Ohio State should not have any drawback with this in-state foe this weekend, even with a protection permitting a mean of 28.7 factors. These applications final met in 2011, when the Buckeyes rolled to a 42-0 residence victory.

Prediction: Akron (+49)

Maybe we do not know what to anticipate from the Sooners following one other less-than-dominant effort — this time towards a middling Nebraska squad. Inconsistencies on either side of the ball have surfaced for Oklahoma, nevertheless it has gained eight straight over West Virginia, which is mired in a five-game general street skid. Nonetheless, the Mountaineers’ Leddie Brown (265 speeding yards, 5 TDs) is among the most underrated working backs within the nation.

Prediction: West Virginia (+16 1/2)

Since Oct. 19, 2019, BYU is 19-3 general and has gained 12 in a row at residence. In 2021, the Cougars have used a strong protection, that is allowed 50 whole factors whereas beating Arizona, and ranked Utah and Arizona State opponents, by a mixed 27 factors. None of that possible bodes properly for South Florida, which has dropped seven straight on the street and 12 of its final 14 contests away from residence.

Prediction: BYU (-23)

The Geese enter convention play feeling good about issues, and, for the time being, trying like the very best staff within the league. Anthony Brown has been a serviceable quarterback whereas working backs CJ Verdell and Travis Dye have totaled 483 speeding yards and 6 touchdowns on the bottom. Arizona, in the meantime, simply fell to the FCS’s Northern Arizona — its fifteenth consecutive defeat. The Wildcats have additionally misplaced 12 straight Pac-12 contests.

Prediction: Oregon (-28 1/2)

Wake is attempting to go 4-0 for the second time in three seasons as a result of it is outscored the primary three opponents 118-40. Final week’s 35-14 win over Florida State offers the Demon Deacons a little bit of credibility, however Virginia has averaged 41.3 factors. There are additionally some faculty soccer pundits who imagine Cavaliers quarterback Brennan Armstrong (87-of-121, 1,298 yards, 11 TDs, two INTs) who might have a profitable profession on the subsequent degree. Wake Forest has gained 4 straight on this sequence.

Prediction: Virginia (-4)

Texas has gained its two 2021 residence video games — versus then-No. 23 Louisiana and Rice — by a mixed 96-18 scoreline. Texas Tech is available in seeking to begin 4-0 for the primary time since 2013 when present NFL quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Davis Webb had been on the roster. This would be the Pink Raiders’ first true 2021 contest on the street, the place they’ve misplaced 5 straight and 11 of the final 12.

Prediction: Texas (-8)

The Seminoles try to keep away from going 0-4 for the primary time since that 1-10 season of 1974. Their quarterback scenario is murky, they misplaced to an FCS staff on a 59-yard, last-second landing cross and have allowed 96 factors in three video games — 35 in a 21-point loss at Wake Forest final weekend. Louisville, in the meantime, is 1-8 at Tallahassee since 1980 however has a potent offense led by versatile quarterback Malik Cunningham (733 passing yards; 207 speeding yards, six TDs). This might be a barn-burner.

Prediction: Florida State (+2)

It was 2018, the final time Kentucky opened 4-0. The Wildcats might need the expertise to attain that feat once more, behind quarterback Will Levis (800 passing yards) and working again Chris Rodriguez (369 speeding yards, three TDs). Kentucky also needs to be assured figuring out it is gained 5 of the final six versus South Carolina, which has dropped three consecutive SEC video games at residence, the place it is 5-8 in league contests for the reason that begin of the 2018 season.

Prediction: Kentucky (-5 1/2)