Week 1 of faculty soccer is within the books and the game proved as soon as once more why it is without doubt one of the finest. Oregon and Michigan performed nearer video games than they’d have appreciated whereas Colorado wanted all 60 minutes to say a victory over North Dakota State. Statements had been made by USC, Notre Dame, Georgia and Miami, whereas others like Florida and Florida State have inquiries to reply.
One other high quality slate of video games awaits in Week 2. Listed below are the highest 5, ranked in inverse order.
5. Boise State at No. 7 Oregon | Saturday | 10 p.m. ET | Peacock
Final week, Oregon regarded shaky in a 24-14 win over Idaho whereas Boise State confirmed its offensive prowess in a 52-point explosion at Georgia Southern. This one will come all the way down to which protection can cease the opposing workforce’s finest participant. Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty ran for 267 yards and 6 touchdowns on 20 carries final week. The Geese should sluggish him down, however the Broncos must discover a method to get to Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. In his Geese debut, Gabriel was comfy within the pocket, finishing 41 of 49 passes. Effectivity like that on Saturday will doom Boise State.
Prediction: Oregon finds its stride and wins a enjoyable one, 45-28.
4. Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State | Saturday | midday ET | ABC
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman may use a giant win. He’s getting into the season on the recent seat, so a win over a nationally ranked Energy 4 workforce could be big. New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino had the offense trying improved and it’ll should be simply pretty much as good to maintain tempo with Oklahoma State. OSU working again, Ollie Gordon II, is a Heisman contender, however the Hogs could have the protection to cease him. In line with PFF, Arkansas’ defensive tackles and edge defenders registered 41 tackles for a loss or no achieve in 2023, the second most amongst SEC faculties. 4 defensive linemen who performed 300 snaps or extra returned for 2024. Right here comes their first massive take a look at of the season.
Prediction: Ollie Gordon II makes a Heisman assertion, main the ‘Pokes to a 42-17 win.
3. Colorado at Nebraska | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBC
There’s a lot at stake on this one. Each groups are surrounded by hype with second-year coaches attempting to revive their respective program to its former glory. It’s additionally an outdated Large 12 rivalry that was renewed final season when the Buffs took down Nebraska, 36-14. Control the quarterbacks. Extremely touted freshman Dylan Raiola and potential NFL Draft No. 1 choose Shedeur Sanders will present the theater.
Colorado’s rebuilt offensive line must preserve Sanders upright. He was sacked solely as soon as final week towards North Dakota State, and as he proved once more: when he’s given time to throw, he’s almost unstoppable.
Prediction: Nebraska will get a giant win for head coach Matt Rhule. It’s a shootout, 38-33.
2. No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
These two groups meet in Charlotte underneath the lights on Saturday. NC State’s 38-21 win in Week 1 towards Western Carolina wasn’t convincing, particularly contemplating WCU’s 361 yards of offense was greater than NC State allowed in seven video games final season. The Wolfpack D have to be higher towards Tennessee.
This can be a battle of wills between a usually staunch NC State protection and an explosive Tennessee offense. Search for Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava to make a press release in primetime.
Prediction: Tennessee retains it rolling with a 34-17 victory, giving the SEC one other spherical of bragging rights over the ACC.
1. No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan | Saturday | midday ET | Fox
Two powerhouses enjoying on campus is school soccer bliss.
The Wolverines obtained off to a sluggish begin of their opener towards Fresno State whereas Texas shut out Colorado State 52-0. Maybe Michigan’s sluggish begin was to be anticipated seeing that it has a brand new head coach, quarterback and a slew of different starters on each side of the ball. They received’t be afforded any time to determine it out on this one.
The matchup that can resolve the sport is Michigan’s working recreation towards Texas’ protection. The Longhorns protection solely allowed 82.4 speeding yards per recreation in 2023. Final week, the unit allowed 118 yards speeding. If Texas lets Michigan get a lead and working backs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings take over, Large Blue will get a giant W.
Prediction: Texas wins a nail-biter 24-20. Quinn Ewers is environment friendly and Texas does simply sufficient towards Michigan’s working recreation to come back away with a resume-boosting victory.