College soccer Week 5: Picks and preview

BYU senior receiver Gunner Romney (117 profession receptions, 1,900 yards, 9 touchdowns) seems set to make his 2022 debut this week. That definitely could be a lift for a Cougars offense that ranks twenty fifth within the nation, averaging 296.5 passing yards per contest. Romney has caught 11 passes for 113 yards with two touchdowns in three profession video games versus Utah State. BYU is making an attempt for a 3rd consecutive victory over Utah State, which has gained two of the final three conferences in Provo.

Prediction: Utah State (+24)

Washington final began 5-0 in 2017. However, for the reason that begin of the 1981 season, they’re 3-12 at UCLA. Though the Huskies did win their most up-to-date go to to Pasadena in 2018. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. leads the nation averaging 347 passing yards whereas throwing 12 touchdowns and only one interception. UCLA, which final went 5-0 in 2013, hasn’t allowed greater than 258 passing yards in any sport this season and has already intercepted 4 passes. Catching this marquee Pac-12 matchup is not a nasty means for faculty soccer followers to spend a Friday evening.

Prediction: UCLA (+3)

Of course, that 42-3 loss to Michigan in final season’s Big Ten Championship remains to be recent within the thoughts of the Hawkeyes. That’s simply a part of the motivation this week for Iowa, which has gained the final 4 residence conferences towards the Wolverines — by a mixed distinction of 14 factors — courting to 2005. One would count on this to be one other tight contest. It can be fascinating to see how J.J. McCarthy (693 passing yards, 5 touchdowns) handles the setting at Iowa City, and a Hawkeyes’ protection that is allowed 23 whole factors and a median of 236.3 yards per contest.

Prediction: Iowa (+11)

Two of the 4 groups atop the early Big 12 standings meet up in Manhattan. Kansas State debuts within the Top 25 for 2022 after successful 41-34 at then-No. 6 Oklahoma. The mixture of Deuce Vaughn (468 speeding yards, three touchdowns) and former Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (538 passing yards; 298 speeding yards, six speeding TDs) has been electrical thus far. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is making an attempt to go 3-1 towards ranked opponents this season following final weekend’s 37-34 victory over then-No. 22 Texas. The Wildcats have gained six straight and 10 of the final 11 towards the Red Raiders.

Prediction: Kansas State (-8)

Is this the 12 months Minnesota captures the Big Ten West Division title and makes its first look within the league championship sport? One would possibly need to name the Gophers a front-runner within the West after outscoring its first 4 opponents 183-24. Highlighted by final weekend’s 34-7 rout at Michigan State. Minnesota has additionally gained 4 straight over Purdue, although the final three conferences had been determined by a mixed 17 factors. The Boilermakers’ 2022 losses to Penn State and Syracuse got here by a complete of seven factors.

Prediction: Minnesota (-12)

Kentucky struggled to place away Northern Illinois final week and now faces one other severe street take a look at at Ole Miss. Sure, the Wildcats must be assured after successful at Florida earlier this season, however since 1986, they’re 0-6 at Oxford — however final performed there in 2010. A Kentucky run sport that ranks 123rd averaging 81.5 yards ought to get a lift with the season debut of star Chris Rodriguez (2,740 profession speeding yards, 26 touchdowns in 38 video games). Ole Miss, in the meantime, has allowed simply 40 factors this season however gave up 262 yards on the bottom throughout final week’s 35-27 residence win over Tulsa.

Prediction: Kentucky (+6 1/2)

So, the teaching workers would possibly look completely different, however will protection stay the Sooners’ Achilles’ heel once more in ’22? After permitting 505 whole yards of their first true take a look at of the season whereas dropping 41-34 to Kansas State at residence, there’s cause to be involved. Looking to start out 4-0 for the primary time since 2017, TCU is averaging 46.3 factors. Of course, the Horned Frogs have managed to attain 30 or extra factors simply as soon as throughout an eight-game dropping streak to Oklahoma that dates to a 37-33 victory in 2014.

Prediction: Oklahoma (-6 1/2)

Losing tight finish and prime pass-catcher Brant Kuithe (19 receptions, 206 yards, three touchdowns) to an obvious knee harm is an enormous blow to the Utes. However, it possible will not make a distinction this weekend as Utah goals for a sixth win in seven residence victories towards Oregon State. The Beavers blew a late lead in final weekend’s 17-14 residence loss to then-No. 7 USC, and whereas they’re off to a strong begin, have dropped 13 straight street video games towards Top 25 opponents since successful at then-No. 19 UCLA in September 2012.

Prediction: Utah (-10 1/2)

Alabama needed to rally at Texas in its first 2022 street sport, and now heads to Arkansas to face a Razorbacks squad that should recover from blowing its 14-0 lead in final weekend’s loss to Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide have gained the final 15 conferences with Arkansas, however final season’s tilt in Tuscaloosa was determined by a landing. This might very effectively be one other tight contest, and certain with the quarterbacks on the forefront. During the 2022 assembly, Alabama’s Bryce Young threw for 559 yards and 5 touchdowns, whereas Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson totaled 326 and three scores — neither was intercepted.

Prediction: Arkansas (+17 1/2)

Oklahoma State leads the nation averaging 51.7 factors. Meanwhile, Baylor is permitting simply 16.8 factors per sport. So, this has the makings of what could possibly be the perfect sport of the weekend, and a rematch of final season’s memorable Big 12 title contest. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (916 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception) is without doubt one of the greatest within the nation, however has thrown 5 touchdowns and been intercepted 10 instances in 4 video games versus Baylor.
Prediction: Oklahoma State (+2 1/2)

The first of two ACC matchups that includes a pair of ranked groups. Florida State final began 5-0 in 2015 however has misplaced the final two conferences with Wake. That mentioned, the Seminoles have gained 5 straight at residence over the Demon Deacons. FSU’s early 2022 success will be traced to a protection that is allowed 18.8 factors per sport and simply 165.8 yards by the air. However, Wake’s Sam Hartman (962 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions) has thrown for 794 yards with 4 touchdowns and two interceptions whereas going 2-1 towards the Seminoles.

Prediction: Wake Forest (+7)

What extra must be mentioned in regards to the Buckeyes, who rank third within the nation in scoring (48.8 factors per sport), eleventh in common passing yards (339.0), and nineteenth in common speeding yards (219.8)? Now, contemplate that they’ve outscored Rutgers 428-88 to win all eight conferences between the packages. At this level, Ohio State is a machine, extremely proficient, extraordinarily deep, and poised to dominate any staff that stands in its means. This week it is Rutgers. Good luck to the Scarlet Knights.

Prediction: Ohio State (-40 1/2)

Penn State operating backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton have mixed for 584 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. Northwestern simply allowed 216 on the bottom in a 17-14 loss to Miami (Ohio) from final weekend. The Nittany Lions might have a area day within the run sport, primarily as a result of they need to maintain the ball typically towards a Wildcats squad that is averaged 20.3 factors throughout its present three-game dropping streak.

Prediction: Penn State (-26 1/2)

The Aggies used a powerful rally to knock off then-No. 10 Arkansas final weekend however would possibly face an much more daunting process at Mississippi State. Texas A&M has misplaced 4 of its final six video games towards the Bulldogs however did win its final street contest within the collection from 2020. Mississippi State’s lone loss got here to LSU, in its first true take a look at of 2022. While the Bulldogs have been the higher staff throughout this collection in recent times, the Aggies’ win over Arkansas would possibly present the spark wanted for a severe run of success.

Prediction: Texas A&M (+3 1/2)

The ACC’s marquee matchup of the week has N.C. State making an attempt to win back-to-back video games versus Clemson for the primary time since 2002-’03. The Wolfpack, although, have dropped eight in a row at Clemson, courting to a 2002 victory. And ending that slide will not be simple towards a Tigers squad that proved its value by pulling out a wild 51-45, double-overtime victory at then-No. 21 Wake Forest final weekend. Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (1,033 yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception, 169 speeding yards) is definitely making an early case for ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

Prediction: Clemson (-6 1/2)

It could be simple to chide Georgia for beating Kent State by simply 17 factors. And positive, the 22 factors the Bulldogs allowed in that contest had been 12 greater than yielded of their first three video games of 2022. Maybe that can be a wake-up name for the Bulldogs, who’ve gained eight in a row over Missouri. We suppose the Bulldogs can be simply high-quality. Not together with the SEC Championship sport, Georgia has gained 12 consecutive regular-season league video games.

Prediction: Georgia (-28)

A training and athletic administration change is not going to assist Georgia Tech from one other possible lopsided defeat. The Yellow Jackets have been held to twenty factors in losses to Clemson, Missouri, and UCF. Pitt, in the meantime, has had its points defensively, nevertheless it ought to be capable to leap out early after scoring at the least 34 factors in three of its 4 contests. The Panthers can be searching for a fifth consecutive victory over Georgia Tech whereas internet hosting this collection for the primary time since 2018.

Prediction: Pittsburgh (-21 1/2)

Not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 marketing campaign, USC hasn’t began 5-0 since 2006. But after surviving a go to to Oregon State final weekend, the Trojans are a staff that seems to know the right way to win video games. Perhaps misplaced within the shuffle of USC’s big-time offensive names, is a protection that is allowed a median of 18.3 factors this season. Meanwhile, Arizona State has totaled 51 factors whereas going 0-3 towards FBS opponents in 2022.

Prediction: USC (-25 1/2)

It was only some brief years in the past that this was a marquee matchup on the nationwide scene, not to mention the Pac-12. But, Stanford did cease Oregon a 12 months in the past. The Ducks, although, have rebounded somewhat properly following that 46-point debacle of a loss to Georgia. Though Oregon’s protection allowed 41 factors at Washington State final weekend, it is averaged 51.7 factors throughout a three-game successful streak. Bo Nix has thrown for 927 yards with 10 touchdowns and an interception in these three contests.

Prediction: Oregon (-17)

It’s been a middling begin for each of those conventional Mountain West powers. Both groups have struggled to attain, with Boise coming into Week 5 ranked 107th within the FBS for factors per sport (22.0) and SDDU tied for 111th (20.5). It’s additionally been fairly per week f or the Broncos, who fired offensive coordinator Tim Plough and introduced quarterback Hank Bachmeier is coming into the switch portal. That leaves redshirt freshman Taylen Green to start out towards the Aztecs, who’ve allowed 73 factors of their two losses towards Power Five opponents this season.

Prediction: Boise State (-6)

Coach Brett Bielema has the Illini off to an honest begin, however this weekend he returns to Madison for the primary time since he left Wisconsin in late December 2012 for the Arkansas job. The Badgers gained 24-0 of their first assembly with Bielema’s Illini final season on the street, and Illinois has dropped eight straight by a median margin of 21.5 factors at Camp Randall. However, it is going to be fascinating to see if these Badgers can decisively rebound from final week’s 52-21 thrashing by the hands of Ohio State.

Prediction: Illinois (+8 1/2)

Safe to say, Kansas is the early feel-good story of the 2022 faculty soccer season. Should the Jayhawks snap a seven-game skid towards Iowa State and enhance to 5-0 for the primary time since 2009, then maybe they may discover a spot within the Top 25. Kansas is on this place due to an offense that is averaging 48.5 factors and led by budding star in versatile quarterback Jalon Daniels (890 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception; 320 speeding yards, 4 speeding TDs). Meanwhile, Iowa State held its first three opponents to 27 factors earlier than final weekend’s 31-24 residence loss to then-No. 17 Baylor.

Prediction: Kansas (+3)

Perhaps Michigan State’s early dominance towards a pair of Mid-American Conference groups was a facade. In the final two weeks, the Spartans misplaced to Washington and Minnesota by a mixed 38 factors. Michigan State has gained 4 in a row over Maryland, however the Terps performed Michigan robust final week at The Big House. Plus, Taulia Tagovailoa (1,102 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 4 interceptions) has the potential to provide a frazzled Spartans protection matches.

Prediction: Michigan State (+7 1/2)

Former USC coach Clay Helton has obtained Georgia Southern off to a strong begin, which included that memorable win at Nebraska which lastly ended the Scott Frost period. This week presents one other tough take a look at towards Coastal Carolina, which might once more be the category of the Sun Belt Conference in 2022. However, the standing of star Chanticleers quarterback Grayson McCall (1,001 yards, 11 TDs, one interception) could possibly be somewhat cloudy after he injured his ankle at Georgia State final weekend.

Prediction: Georgia Southern (+10)

It’s potential the distant results of Hurricane Ian will be current for this prime-time SEC contest. Records apart, neither Tigers program can be difficult for a convention title. Auburn bounced again from that 29-point loss to Penn State, by edging Missouri at residence final weekend. Yet, this presents one other stiff take a look at towards LSU, which has outscored its final three opponents, together with Mississippi State, 134-33, following that 24-23 loss to Florida State. Auburn can be making an attempt for a 3rd consecutive victory on this collection.

Prediction: LSU (-8 1/2)