College soccer Week 7: Picks and preview

Ranked for the primary time since 2011, Illinois is getting it carried out, surprisingly, with a protection that is allowed 48 factors this season. And, simply 15 at dwelling, the place the Illini have but to permit a landing in 4 video games. Minnesota, in the meantime, hasn’t performed because it was held to 10 factors in a 20-10 dwelling defeat to Purdue on Oct. 1. Though it is unsure if injured Illini beginning quarterback Tommy DeVito (ankle) will play, this contest options the nation’s high rusher in Illinois’ Chase Brown (879 yards) and Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim (ranked seventeenth with 567, plus eight TDs). Brown ran for 147 on 32 carries within the Illini’s 14-6 street win over the Gophers in 2021.

Prediction: Illinois (+3 1/2)

On Nov. 28, 2020, Michigan misplaced 27-17 at dwelling to Penn State. Since then, the Wolverines are 18-1 through the common season and gained 11 straight such contests. That run additionally included a 21-17 street victory over the Nittany Lions from final season. Penn State, nonetheless, has outscored its opponents 172-74, and already gained at Purdue at Auburn. Behind star Blake Corum (735 dashing yards, 11 touchdowns), the Wolverines rank third within the Big Ten, averaging 212.3 dashing yards. But, Penn State is fifth within the nation, yielding simply 79.6 on the bottom per contest.

Prediction: Michigan (-7)

The Sooners could be in a tailspin whereas permitting a mean of 48.3 factors throughout their three-game shedding streak, all throughout the Big 12. However, ought to Kansas’ upstart 2022 marketing campaign embody a win in Norman, it’d simply be the defining second of its season. Looking to rebound from their first ’22 defeat, the Jayhawks have dropped 17 straight to the Sooners and final gained at Oklahoma in 1996. Trying to finish that slide with out injured stud quarterback Jalon Daniels (shoulder), doubtless makes the duty more durable. Then once more, it is a Kansas squad that does not appear to care concerning the previous.

Prediction: Oklahoma (-9)

The second half of Mississippi’s schedule is actually extra daunting than their first six video games. The Rebels have misplaced six in a row to Auburn, and final beat the Tigers at dwelling in 2012. After this, Ole Miss makes journeys to LSU and Texas A&M. Then, Alabama, Arkansas, and the Egg Bowl are on the horizon. First off, ending that prolonged run of distress towards the Tigers, who’ve averaged simply 14.0 factors whereas shedding three of their final 4 video games. Auburn has additionally dropped 5 straight towards Top 25 opponents.

Prediction: Ole Miss (-14 1/2)

So, what will we make of the Longhorns’ 49-0 rout of rival Oklahoma? Is Texas actually a legit Big 12 title contender? Or, is Oklahoma simply not on par with the remainder of the league? We’ll see, however we do know that Bijan Robinson could be residing as much as his preseason Heisman hype whereas averaging 129.3 dashing yards and scoring eight touchdowns over the past 4 contests. He’s totaled 144 yards with no landing within the final two video games with Iowa State, which has gained three in a row through the sequence, The Cyclones, although, have dropped its final three general by a mixed 11 factors.

Prediction: Iowa State (+17)

Following back-to-back, less-than-dominant performances towards Kent State and Missouri, Georgia rolled to a 42-10 win over Auburn final weekend. Is that sufficient to ease any considerations among the many Bulldog devoted? If not, count on Georgia to maintain piling up the factors once more this weekend whereas attempting for a fifth consecutive victory over Vandy. The Commodores have been outscored 178-33 over the last 4 conferences with Georgia.

Prediction: Georgia (-38 1/2)

One should return to 1987 for the final time Syracuse gained its first six soccer video games. And, with N.C. State’s star quarterback Devin Leary (1,265 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, eight interceptions) coping with a shoulder harm, the Orange would seem in a very good place to perform that feat once more — and snap a three-game skid on this sequence. Syracuse has not allowed greater than 29 factors in any recreation this season. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack totaled 39 in splitting its first two ACC contests versus Clemson and Florida State.

Prediction: Syracuse (-3 1/2)

The final remaining undefeated groups within the Big 12 hook-up. It’s additionally a matchup of the 2 groups tied for third within the nation, averaging 46.4 factors. Those offenses are led by two of the highest quarterbacks within the nation with TCU’s Max Duggan (1,305 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, one interception; 204 dashing yards) and Spencer Sanders (1,394 passing yards, 12 TDs, two interceptions; 241 dashing yards, six dashing TDs) of Oklahoma State. The Horned Frogs have gained two straight and 5 of the final six at dwelling on this sequence.

Prediction: Oklahoma State (+3 1/2)

Is this the 12 months that Tennessee lastly takes down the Crimson Tide and ends a 15-game shedding streak within the sequence? If Bryce Young cannot go, then the Volunteers’ possibilities of pulling out the upset would appear higher. Tennessee final began 6-0 in 1998. That included a house win over Alabama, which has needed to grind out some victories this season . Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker (1,432 yards, 10 touchdowns; 231 dashing yards) is a critical Heisman candidate and threw for 282 yards with three touchdowns and an interception throughout a 52-24 loss at Alabama final season that was shut into the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Tennessee (+7 1/2)

It’s been fairly an introduction to the FBS degree for James Madison, which is ranked for the primary time at this degree and probably headed to a Sun Belt title. Sadly, the Dukes cannot qualify for a bowl however are the third group ever to start out 5-0 within the season transitioning from the FCS to FBS.  They’ve carried out it due to quarterback Todd Centeio (1,312 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, one interception; 289 dashing yards), working again Percy Agyei-Obese (354 yards, 4 TDs), receiver Kris Thornton (32 receptions, 516 yards, 5 TDs) and a protection that is allowed 75 factors. Georgia Southern, in the meantime, is 1-3 since successful at Nebraska on Sept. 10 and permitting a mean of 35.0 factors towards FBS foes this season.

Prediction: James Madison (-11 1/2)

Clemson is slightly methodically proving to be top-of-the-line groups within the nation. The Tigers have allowed 44 second-half factors and scored at the very least 30 in each contest. Meanwhile, in relation to this sequence, Clemson has gained six straight over the Seminoles by a mean margin of 20 factors. Florida State’s 4-0 begin has been adopted by losses to ranked Wake Forest and N.C. State squads. This is clearly a tall process for the ‘Noles, who’re 2-16 towards ranked opponents for the reason that begin of the 2017 season.

Prediction: Clemson (-3 1/2)

While Mississippi State is in search of a fourth consecutive victory, Kentucky is attempting to keep away from a 3rd straight defeat. If there’s one space of weak point harbored by the Bulldogs, it is a run protection that is allowed a mean of 194.3 yards in SEC play. Kentucky ranks 123rd within the nation averaging simply 92.5 dashing yards, however maybe that is the week for a breakout. The Wildcats have gained the final three sequence of conferences in Lexington.

Prediction: Kentucky (+6 1/2)

USC sits atop the Pac-12, whereas Utah simply allowed 42 factors to the surging UCLA Bruins throughout its second lack of the season. However, the Utes are at dwelling, the place they’ve gained 11 in a row and 22 of the final 23. We count on the environment to be massively energetic, with the house crowd doing all they will to rattle the Trojans. That mentioned, this is a chance for Lincoln Riley’s  USC group to actually show its price, whereas Utah has an opportunity to indicate it could possibly nonetheless contend for a convention title.

Prediction: Utah (-3 1/2)

Returning from an off week, Baylor appears to be like to rebound from that dwelling loss to then-No. 9 Oklahoma State. And with that, attempt to finish its struggles at West Virginia. The Bears are 0-5 at Morgantown since 2012. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers’ Big 12 losses to Kansas and Texas got here by a mixed 31 factors. Depending on who’s doing the speaking, West Virginia coach Neal Brown may begin feeling the warmth if this system’s struggles proceed.

Prediction: Baylor (-3 1/2)

Much has been made about Wisconsin’s points on either side of the ball throughout a irritating first half of the season, however Michigan State’s current slide is sort of revealing. The Spartans outscored a pair of Mid-American Conference opponents 87-13 to open the season, however have been on the improper finish of a 149-68 scoring drawback throughout their four-game skid. The Badgers prevented a 3rd straight defeat by rolling Northwestern final week and now attempt to win back-to-back video games at Michigan State for the primary time since 2000 and ’02.

Prediction: Wisconsin (-7 1/2)

When the season began, there was a good likelihood each the Tigers and Gators can be ranked for this October rivalry matchup. Instead, there nonetheless appear to be extra questions than solutions concerning each groups. Florida can be attempting for a 3rd straight win after beating Eastern Washington and Missouri at dwelling however has dropped three in a row to the Tigers. However, LSU should discover a method to rebound from final weekend’s tough 40-13 dwelling loss to then-No. 8 Tennessee.

Prediction: Florida (-3)

Since these opening losses to Ohio State and Marshall, Notre Dame has rebounded with three straight wins. Each of the Irish’s 5 video games has been determined by 13 or fewer factors. On the flip facet, Stanford has suffered three losses by at the very least 13 factors, however did fall to Oregon State by some extent final weekend. Dating to final season, Stanford has dropped 5 straight on the street. The Cardinal additionally misplaced their final three conferences with Notre Dame, together with one at South Bend, by a mixed 73 factors.

Prediction: Stanford (+17)

Nebraska is 2-1 within the post-Scott Frost period, with each wins coming in every of the final two weeks of Big Ten play — towards Indiana and Rutgers. The Cornhuskers are nonetheless inconsistent on either side of the ball, and that might be exploited by Purdue, which is in search of a 3rd consecutive victory — after successful back-to-back street contests with Minnesota and Maryland — general, and fourth within the final 5 conferences towards Nebraska.

Prediction: Nebraska (+13 1/2)

The Tar Heels sit atop the ACC Coastal Division, thanks partially to the sturdy play of quarterback Drake Maye (1,903 yards, 21 touchdowns, three interceptions; 308 dashing yards, three TDs). They common an ACC-best 42.3 factors on the season. North Carolina has additionally gained three straight over rival Duke, which is seeking to rebound from a loss to resurgent Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils, although, are giving up simply 19.7 factors per contest.

Prediction: Duke (+7)