College soccer Week 12: Picks and preview

The first of three American Athletic Conference groups to be a part of the newest College Football Playoff rankings, Tulane should bounce again after UCF ended its five-game profitable streak. The Green Wave allowed a season-high 38 factors in that contest, and issues do not seem to get any simpler this weekend. SMU has scored greater than 41 factors in every contest throughout a three-game profitable streak that included a 77-63 overcome Houston. The Mustangs have additionally received the final seven conferences with Tulane.

Prediction: SMU (+3 1/2)

Central Florida has received three in a row. A run that features victories over Cincinnati and Tulane. Thus, giving the Knights the tiebreaker because the three groups share the highest spot of the AAC standings. Ole Miss switch John Rhys Plumlee has thrown for two,015 yards and likewise leads UCF with 708 speeding yards — after gaining 176 and scoring twice on the bottom in final week’s win over Tulane. Navy has allowed simply 141 speeding yards within the final three video games but in addition dropped three straight on the highway.

Prediction: Navy (-16 1/2)

It’s been greater than a month since Alabama received back-to-back video games. That will change this weekend towards FCS Austin Peay within the Crimson Tide’s tune-up for the Iron Bowl. There is perhaps some argument as to which of Alabama’s ultimate two regular-season video games will likely be harder. An SEC Championship will not be within the playing cards for the Tide this season, and neither is a College Football Playoff berth. So, what about Bryce Young (2,443 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 4 interceptions)? At least some on the market imagine it is time to relaxation the longer term first-round NFL decide.

Prediction: Alabama (OFF)

Week after week, TCU continues to show its value as probably the greatest groups within the nation. The newest got here with final weekend’s 17-10 victory at Texas. Next up is Baylor, which the Horned Frogs have defeated within the final two conferences, and 6 of the seven most up-to-date encounters. It may also be time for the nation to actually admire TCU operating again Kendre Miller, who’s second within the Big 12 with 1,147 speeding yards this season and has averaged 134,6 within the final 5 video games.

Prediction: TCU (-2 1/2)

Apparently, it is all about streaks on the subject of the 2022 model of the Seminoles. They opened with fourth straight victories, then misplaced three in a row — all towards ranked groups — earlier than their present three-game profitable streak, throughout which they personal a 124-22 scoring benefit. The latter included back-to-back highway wins over Miami and Syracuse, the place Florida State allowed three factors in every contest. Now, after going 5-3 in ACC play, they conclude with a pair of non-conference video games. After three straight double-digit win seasons, Louisiana is making an attempt to change into bowl eligible.

Prediction: Florida State (-24)

Michigan is 10-0 for the primary time below Jim Harbaugh, and Ohio State awaits subsequent week. But, it is most likely not clever to miss Illinois, which has secured its first profitable season since 2011, ranks third within the nation in scoring protection (12.5 common factors allowed), and might nonetheless win the Big Ten West Division regardless of shedding the final two — at dwelling — versus Michigan State and Purdue. Then once more, Michigan has received 5 straight on this collection and has the nation’s best-scoring protection (11.2). Regardless of historical past, this matchup may function two of the nation’s greatest rushers within the Wolverines’ Blake Corum (1,349 yards) and I llinois’ Chase Brown (national-best 1,442), if he is wholesome.

Prediction: Illinois (+17)

Kansas State has cut up its final 4 video games however nonetheless sits second within the Big 12. After throwing for 196 yards and three touchdowns, following an in-game damage to quarterback Adrian Martinez, in final weekend’s 31-3 win at Baylor, Will Howard (9 passing touchdowns, one interception) is perhaps the Wildcats’ MVP and will transfer ahead because the starter. Meanwhile, West Virginia simply fired its AD and has two league wins, however these got here towards Baylor and final weekend towards Oklahoma.

Prediction: West Virginia (+7 1/2)

The CFP continues to indicate its love for Pac-12 groups with no likelihood of reaching the highest 4. Then once more, the Beavers have an opportunity to win greater than seven video games for the primary time since 2012. Oregon State, which misplaced to Utah, USC, and Washington, has allowed simply 53 factors over the past 4 video games. Meanwhile, Arizona State has failed to attain 20 factors in two of its final 4 video games. That stated, the Sun Devils have received three straight and 17 of 18 at dwelling towards the Beavers.

Prediction: Arizona State (+8)

The Irish have averaged 38.8 factors throughout their present four-game profitable streak. However, they almost blew a 22-point lead towards Navy final weekend. Boston College may need simply three wins, however considered one of them got here final week at a then-ranked North Carolina State squad. Notre Dame has received eight in a row throughout this collection, however we noticed the house facet fall to a Stanford crew that entered with one win from 5 video games and has one in 4 contests since. Perhaps, as soon as once more, anticipate the surprising.

Prediction: Boston College (+20 1/2)

Remember previous to the season when many faculty soccer “experts” thought this is able to be the ACC Championship matchup? Well, Clemson held up its finish of the discount and secured a well-known spot atop the Atlantic Division. Miami, in the meantime, nonetheless is not even bowl-eligible and can attempt to win back-to-back video games for the primary time since beginning 2-0. This will not be straightforward, contemplating Clemson has received the final three conferences with the Hurricanes by a mean margin of 39.3 factors.

Prediction: Clemson (-19)

The Bulldogs stay No. 1 within the CFP rankings, have clinched the SEC East Division, and received 25 straight regular-season contests — not together with the league championship recreation. Georgia has received its final two true highway video games by a mixed 41 factors. It’s additionally received 12 in a row over Kentucky, which was simply shocked by Vanderbilt at dwelling. The Wildcats have averaged 18.0 factors throughout their present 2-4 stretch. Georgia, in the meantime, is giving up 11.6 factors per recreation.

Prediction: Kentucky (+22 1/2)

We talked about this week being a possible entice recreation for Michigan, however Ohio State may need to interrupt a collective sweat towards the Terrapins. The Buckeyes have been hit onerous by accidents to their operating again corps, however additionally they have C.J. Stroud (2,750 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, 4 interceptions). Not to say a protection that allowed 21 factors within the final two video games versus Northwestern and Indiana. None of that appears to bode properly for Maryland,  which was outscored 53-10 whereas shedding its final two at Wisconsin and Penn State.

Prediction: Maryland (+27 1/2)

The Nittany Lions have bounced again properly from that fourth-quarter breakdown versus Ohio State by outscoring Indiana and Maryland 75-14 to win the subsequent two video games. Meanwhile, Rutgers has totaled 38 factors throughout its present three-game shedding streak. Oh yeah, Penn State has additionally received 15 straight throughout this collection and has not allowed the Scarlet Knights to attain greater than seven factors in any of the final seven conferences. Since becoming a member of the Big Ten, Rutgers has totaled 24 factors whereas shedding all 4 dwelling video games to Penn State.

Prediction: Penn State (-19)

Even after shedding at dwelling to a then-two-win Boston College crew final weekend, N.C. State stays interesting to the CFP committee. That stated, the Wolfpack are usually not ranked within the AP Top 25, and rightfully so, and face one other probably stiff check at Louisville, which had its four-game profitable streak finish final week at Clemson, however can nonetheless document a fifth straight dwelling victory. N.C. State has received three of the final 4 on this collection.

Prediction: Louisville (-4)

Cincinnati continues to be within the hunt for the outright ACC lead. The Bearcats’ 5 league wins have been determined by a mixed 28 factors, so that they know how you can win the shut ones. And, their one defeat — to UCF — got here by 4 factors. While Cincinnati has received the final two general conferences with Temple, each at dwelling, it seems to keep away from a 3rd consecutive defeat towards the Owls in Philadelphia. Cincinnati receiver Tyler Scott has caught 17 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns within the final two video games.

Prediction: Temple (+17)

For simply the second time in class historical past, North Carolina is headed to the ACC Championship. The league’s hottest crew, driving a six-game profitable streak, clinched the ACC Coastal Division with final weekend’s 36-34 win at a reeling however nonetheless above-average Wake Forest squad. This is a crew that has a high-powered sufficient offense (40.1 factors per recreation) to compensate for a somewhat beneficiant protection (permitting 31.3 factors per recreation). Georgia Tech has misplaced three of the final 4 however received at Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech this season.

Prediction: North Carolina (-21)

For the third time this season, Tennessee dropped no less than 63 factors on an opponent. Missouri was none too completely satisfied following final weekend’s 66-24 loss at Knoxville . This model of Josh Heupel’s Volunteers would not need to depart any doubt on the subject of the result. Tennessee leads the nation averaging 47.4 factors. Meanwhile, South Carolina has allowed greater than 30 factors 3 times this season however is coming off a 38-6 loss at Florida. The Gamecocks have received 4 straight throughout this collection, however that is the primary assembly since 2011.

Prediction: South Carolina (+22)

The Rebels have dropped two of three following that 7-0 begin, and their hopes of an SEC West title have passed by the wayside. Though Arkansas is 2-5 since its 3-0 begin and totaled 29 factors in shedding the final two versus Liberty and LSU, this could nonetheless be a large problem for Ole Miss. The Razorbacks have misplaced three of the final 4 conferences with Mississippi, however that lone victory got here in the newest matchup at Fayetteville, from 2020.

Prediction: Arkansas (+2 1/2) 

This 12 months’s version of Bedlam has misplaced a lot of its luster, Oklahoma State has two wins in its final 5 video games, whereas the Sooners are attempting to keep away from a 3rd consecutive defeat following their three-point loss at West Virginia. Still, this matchup has earned a prime-time viewers. Oklahoma State snapped its six-game shedding streak within the collection, however Oklahoma has received three in a row and eight of the final 9 conferences in Norman.

Prediction: Oklahoma State (+7)

UCLA’s dwelling loss to Arizona final weekend took a few of the shine off this anticipated rivalry matchup. Still, USC presently sits atop the Pac-12 standings, and a victory Saturday would safe it a spot within the league’s championship recreation. Trojans, who’ve totaled no less than 41 factors in every of the final 4 video games and simply dropped 55 on Colorado, have received two of the final three conferences. Meanwhile, the Bruins have yielded 70 factors of their final two video games. We anticipate this to be a wild one if the rest.

Prediction: USC (-1)

Brian Kelly took loads of warmth and was usually mocked for his choice to depart Notre Dame for LSU. Well, it seems as if Kelly made the appropriate alternative. The Tigers have received 4 straight, clinched the SEC West Division, and can attempt to upset Georgia within the league title recreation. First, there are a few regular-season hurdles to clear, starting with this dwelling finale. LSU is 60-1, and amid an 11-game dwelling profitable streak, towards non-conference opponents at Baton Rouge.

Prediction: LSU (-14 1/2)

Coming off that spectacular 37-34 victory at Oregon, Washington has received its final 4 video games by a mixed 23 factors. However, we anticipate the Huskies to have extra respiratory room this weekend. They common 38.4 factors and now face a Colorado squad that permits 41.7 per contest and simply gave up 55 in a 38-point loss at USC. Washington boasts two of the Pac-12’s greatest receivers in Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, who’ve mixed for 120 catches, 1,706 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Prediction: Washington (-30 1/2)

USC-UCLA will not be the one marquee matchup within the Pac-12. This explicit contest bought slightly extra fascinating after Oregon was upset by Washington final weekend. That stated, we anticipate the Ducks will likely be fired as much as rebound as they nonetheless management their very own future by way of reaching the Pac-12 title recreation. Then once more, Utah is just about in the identical boat on the subject of the league. The Utes beat Oregon twice final season, together with within the Pac-12 Championship recreation, by a mixed 59 factors to win the league title. But they haven’t performed in Eugene since 2017. Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (2,774 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 512 speeding yards, 14 touchdowns) was nicked up towards Washington, so will probably be fascinating to see how he feels this weekend.

Prediction: Oregon (-3)