Was one thing within the air this weekend? 5 top-25 groups misplaced to unranked packages, together with No. 9 Missouri dropping by a big margin to No. 25 Texas A&M. Probably the most chaotic weekend of school soccer thus far left many questions left unanswered as we strategy the midseason level of the common season.
In what may be one of many largest upsets in SEC historical past, Vanderbilt took down No. 1 Alabama in Nashville as quarterback Diego Pavia and the Commodores executed an ideal plan to take down their top-ranked opponent. Following this shocking loss, are there extra questions surrounding Kalen DeBoer’s program, and what he can do, as convention play continues subsequent week?
Boise State stays within the high 25 after a blowout win over Utah State that made it the No. 1 scoring offense amongst FBS packages. Broncos’ Ashton Jeanty showcased but once more why he stays in Heisman Trophy conversations as he surpassed 1,000 dashing yards in simply 5 video games.
After many shocking upsets this previous weekend, 5 new packages be part of our top-25 record this week. Military takes the No. 25 spot after its greatest begin in 28 years, alongside SMU, Pitt, Texas A&M and Illinois.
This is the most recent high 25 from our school soccer consultants, who present their perception on every workforce’s Week 6 efficiency.
Earlier rating: 3
Jeremiah Smith continued to ship on his sensational freshman season, reeling in yet one more landing on a one-handed snag. Sparked by Smith’s electrical scoring seize, the Buckeyes scored 28 unanswered factors within the second half to place Iowa away 35-7. Ohio State’s different star receiver, Emeka Egbuka, added a career-high three landing catches.
In Smith and Egbuka, the Buckeyes boast what might be the highest receiving duo in school soccer. With Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, who mixed for an additional 139 yards whereas averaging 5.8 yards per carry Saturday, Ohio State would possibly personal the most effective working again tandem, as effectively. The high-powered Buckeyes handed their first main check after a delicate begin to their schedule. However a much bigger one awaits subsequent weekend in a Massive Ten showdown at Oregon. — Jake Trotter
Earlier rating: 7
On paper, what was — at first — an uncharacteristic day for Dillon Gabriel (two interceptions thrown earlier than any touchdowns) may have been a recipe for catastrophe because the Geese hosted unranked Michigan State on Friday evening. As an alternative, Gabriel and the Oregon offense confirmed as soon as once more why its flooring is so excessive. Gabriel bounced again and threw for 2 touchdowns, whereas the Geese’ protection held the Spartans to 10 factors on the evening for a 31-10 win. If there’s room for enchancment, it is in ending drives.
Oregon is at the moment ninetieth within the nation in pink zone conversion price. Its effectivity and sheer yardage achieve can solely look so good on paper with out it persistently turning into factors. By this time final season, Oregon had 4 video games during which scored 40 factors or extra. This yr, the Geese have just one. Towards opponents similar to Michigan State and Oregon State, this recipe has labored out simply advantageous. However as Ohio State heads to Eugene subsequent weekend, the Geese’ hardest check awaits. — Paolo Uggetti
Earlier rating: 2
The Longhorns, on a bye, sat again and watched school soccer burn this weekend, as an Alabama workforce that bypassed them for the highest rating final week misplaced to Vanderbilt. You’ll be able to ensure that Steve Sarkisian will use that as a reminder this week, not that Texas wants any motivation.
It is headed to Dallas to face Oklahoma for the primary SEC model of among the finest rivalry video games in school soccer, in arguably the most effective setting, in the midst of the State Truthful of Texas. The Longhorns ought to have Quinn Ewers again after per week of relaxation. — Dave Wilson
Earlier rating: 8
After a sluggish begin, the Nittany Lions acquired a lift offensively from receiver Liam Clifford, the youthful brother of former Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford. All three of Liam Clifford’s catches led to third-down conversions — and the primary 100-yard sport of his profession — on scoring drives, as Penn State dealt with UCLA 27-11.
Quarterback Drew Allar, who entered the weekend ranked sixth nationally in QBR, had one other environment friendly outing, throwing for 237 yards with a landing each passing and dashing in opposition to an underrated Bruins protection.
After 4 straight video games at Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions hit the highway for a crucial Massive Ten tilt subsequent weekend at USC. It will assist if main rusher Nicholas Singleton, who sat out the UCLA sport due to an undisclosed harm, returns in opposition to the Trojans. — Trotter
Earlier rating: 5
There was nothing significantly revelatory in regards to the Dawgs’ 31-13 win over Auburn. Carson Beck was advantageous (240 yards, 2 TDs) and the bottom sport was efficient (88 yards, two TDs for Trevor Etienne). It was a superbly mundane affair in opposition to a stable protection.
After the loss to Alabama (and the shaky exhibiting in opposition to Kentucky in Week 3), it nonetheless appears as if one thing is lacking from the Georgia machine. The second-half comeback in opposition to the Tide was a reminder that, when the Dawgs are clicking, they’re practically unstoppable. It’d simply be good to see that occur for a full sport someday quickly. — David Hale
Earlier rating: 6
The Hurricanes erased a 25-point second-half deficit to beat Cal 39-38, as quarterback Cam Ward was spectacular down the stretch. Nonetheless, it might be arduous to have a look at their 6-0 document with out fascinated with how the officiating performed a task the previous two weeks, with controversial late-game selections each figuring out of their favor.
If the Hail Mary choice in opposition to Virginia Tech does not get flipped and Miami is known as for focusing on, this very same workforce would nearly actually be 4-2. But it surely did not, and it isn’t. So, now Miami heads into the again aspect of the schedule undefeated and in nice place to achieve the playoff, both because the ACC champ or an at-large workforce. — Kyle Bonagura.
No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide
Earlier rating: 1
The No. 1 workforce within the nation was not prepared for Diego Pavia and the large killers at Vanderbilt. Alabama suffered one of many largest upsets in SEC historical past, a wild 40-35 defeat that ended with a objective put up being carried down Broadway. It was a surprising failure for Kalen DeBoer and a workforce that had simply flexed its muscle by beating Georgia.
Vandy executed the proper plan to take down the Crimson Tide, beginning with an enormous edge in time of possession (42:08 to 17:52) that saved Jalen Milroe off the sphere as Pavia saved delivering blows to Bama’s protection with 12 third-down conversions. Whereas it is cliché to say the honeymoon interval is over for DeBoer, the reality is he and his new teaching workers have quite a bit to scrub up. It is a actual second of reality for this workforce and its trajectory with South Carolina arising subsequent. — Max Olson
Earlier rating: 11
Although the Tigers didn’t rating 40 or extra factors in opposition to Florida State, they did rack up 500 yards of offense for the third time this season in a 29-13 win over the Seminoles. Coach Dabo Swinney was fast to reward freshman kicker Nolan Hauser for making 5 subject objectives, however the flip aspect of that’s Clemson struggled within the pink zone — settling for subject objective makes an attempt quite than touchdowns on 5 journeys that ended contained in the 20-yard line.
Phil Mafah had an enormous sport on the bottom, with a season-high 154 yards. As for quarterback Cade Klubnik, he has gone 74-of-114 for 1,077 yards with 14 touchdowns and one interception in his previous 4 video games. Up subsequent is a visit to Wake Forest. Wake final beat Clemson in 2008. — Andrea Adelson
Earlier rating: 4
For many of the second half Saturday evening in Fayetteville, Tennessee simply wanted yet one more large play, yet one more rating to place issues away. Even with a misfiring offense, it took a 14-3 lead halfway by way of the third quarter, and the Volunteers’ protection was rolling. However the Vols punted on 4 straight drives, and ultimately Arkansas‘ offense, leaning on backup quarterback Malachi Singleton after an harm to Taylen Inexperienced, began making some performs.
His 11-yard landing run with 1:17 left gave the Razorbacks a stunning 19-14 lead, and after driving Tennessee to the Arkansas 20 within the closing seconds, Nico Iamaleava scrambled out of bounds because the clock expired. For the second straight sport, Tennessee leaned on protection to hold the workforce on the highway as an alternative of placing an excessive amount of on Iamaleava’s shoulders. It did not work the second time. — Invoice Connelly
Earlier rating: 13
The Cyclones are 5-0 for the primary time since 1980, pulling away from a Baylor workforce that jumped out to a superb begin. The Cyclones rolled in 542 yards, their most previously two years, with Rocco Becht (16-25, 277 yards, 2 TDs) and Jayden Higgins (8 catches, 116 yards and a TD) persevering with to be a formidable connection. Higgins caught a landing for his seventh straight sport.
Iowa State additionally acquired a breakout sport from Jaylon Jackson, a senior switch from Japanese Michigan who had his first profession 100-yard sport with 107 yards and two TDs. The Cyclones additionally blocked a punt and returned it for a landing. Subsequent up: an evening sport in Morgantown in opposition to West Virginia. — Wilson
Earlier rating: 15
Lane Kiffin’s Rebels responded effectively to final week’s gut-wrenching loss to Kentucky. They constructed a 14-0 lead on South Carolina inside 10 minutes, ripped off 5 positive factors of 20-plus yards to the Gamecocks’ one and coasted by way of your complete second half of a 27-3 win.
Jaxson Dart was 14-for-27 for 285 yards, the Insurgent protection recorded 10 tackles for loss and 6 sacks — Walter Nolen had three of the previous and two of the latter — and, whereas the Rebels’ offense struggled on third downs, it did not matter. Higher but: With each Alabama and Tennessee struggling upset losses, Ole Miss reinserted itself within the SEC race. — Connelly
Earlier rating: 16
BYU sat out upset weekend in school soccer and can look to achieve the halfway level of its schedule undefeated when it hosts Arizona on Saturday. The Massive 12 may be probably the most unpredictable convention in school soccer, so whereas the Cougars are sitting fairly at 5-0, there is not a single sport left on the schedule that looks as if a gimme.
Particularly with as inconsistent as BYU’s offense has been. It is a workforce that has proven it could win video games in quite a lot of methods and possibly that is its identification, however it looks as if there’s a lot to be taught in regards to the Cougars over the subsequent few weeks. — Bonagura
Earlier rating: 14
The open date got here at an opportune time for the Irish, each as a result of they missed the slew of upsets to unranked foes (one thing Notre Dame acquired out of its system in Week 2) and since it affords OC Mike Denbrock an opportunity to refine the offense a bit.
Of the 48 remaining undefeated or one-loss groups in school soccer, Notre Dame ranks thirtieth in offensive effectivity, fortieth in offensive EPA per sport, forty second in offensive success price and forty fourth in passing EPA per sport. It isn’t a demise knell for Riley Leonard to be extra of a playmaker along with his legs than his arm, however the Irish positively want extra stability in the event that they wish to make an actual run in 2024. — Hale
Earlier rating: 19
For the fifth sport in a row, Indiana scored 40 factors or extra on its method to sustaining its undefeated, now 6-0 document. That streak of 5 video games, by the way in which, is a faculty document. The Hoosiers are averaging 515 yards of offense per sport, which is sixth within the nation and practically 200 yards extra per sport than final yr. First-year head coach Curt Cignetti appears to be pushing all the precise buttons thus far, together with putting in Mike Shanahan as offensive coordinator.
The Hoosiers’ offense thus far cannot be nitpicked a lot — they’re averaging over 7 yards per play and have probably the most environment friendly passing items within the nation because of quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who has thrown for 14 touchdowns and simply two interceptions. With its sixth win of the season, Indiana is now bowl eligible for the primary time since 2020 and one of many tales of the yr. Their schedule will get a bit more durable however not by a lot till they need to face Michigan and Ohio State in November. — Uggetti
No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies
Earlier rating: NR
The Aggies made an emphatic assertion with their largest win over a top-10 workforce in historical past, wanting each bit the a part of a contender. The offense was devastatingly balanced, passing for 276 yards and dashing for 236, and averaging 8.8 yards per play. Quarterback Conner Weigman‘s return supplied a lift to the passing sport; he accomplished 82% of his throws, a number of into tight home windows or on back-shoulder throws to defeat good protection, which supplies the Aggies an added dimension.
The protection was in a position to strain Brady Cook dinner all day with out promoting out, including six sacks and eight tackles for loss. After a season-opening loss to Notre Dame, Mike Elko has his Aggies enjoying confidently and bettering each week. Now 3-0 within the SEC, the Aggies are headed to Mississippi State this week earlier than LSU involves School Station on Oct. 26. — Wilson
Earlier rating: 17
Whereas the remainder of the SEC was falling into chaos, LSU was stress-free. Following a 42-10 win over South Alabama, its most full efficiency of the season, Brian Kelly’s 4-1 Tigers had been on a bye and getting ready for subsequent week’s go to from Ole Miss.
They had been in all probability additionally nonetheless working to plug holes in a protection that performed effectively in opposition to South Alabama however nonetheless entered the week ranked 77th in factors allowed per drive and 94th in yards allowed per play. However the passing sport has remained dynamite: Garrett Nussmeier is averaging 330 yards per sport, with 4 receivers having gained between 239 and 371 yards. This workforce is a fireworks present. We’ll see if that is still the case because the energy of schedule will increase. — Connelly
No. 17 Boise State Broncos
Earlier rating: 21
Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos had been dominant but once more Saturday in a 62-30 rout of Utah State in its Mountain West opener. Jeanty acquired solely 13 carries within the blowout, however he turned his first carry right into a 63-yard rating, hit a 75-yard landing within the second quarter and surpassed 1,000 dashing yards on simply his ninetieth carry of the season.
Maddux Madsen threw for 256 yards and three scores, Dylan Riley scored a 96-yard landing on his first profession kickoff return, and kicker Jonah Dalmas turned this system’s profession factors chief. Boise State now has the No. 1 scoring offense within the FBS (50.6 factors per sport) and appears ready to play its greatest soccer with highway video games at Hawai’i and UNLV up subsequent. — Olson
Earlier rating: 18
Following its spectacular 42-20 win in opposition to Oklahoma State final week, the Wildcats had been off this week forward of their journey to Colorado. Rapidly, the Buffs appear like they may be the most effective workforce Okay-State may play for weeks — probably up till their journey to Iowa State to finish the common season.
For the Wildcats, the continued development of quarterback Avery Johnson figures to be key as he tries to construct on his excellent efficiency in opposition to OSU. — Bonagura
No. 19 Pittsburgh Panthers
Earlier rating: NR
The Panthers are 5-0 for the primary time since 1991, and redshirt freshman QB Eli Holstein turned the primary Pitt QB to win his first 5 begins since Dan Marino. So, issues are nice within the Metal Metropolis, proper? Effectively, nobody’s going to complain — apart from coach Pat Narduzzi — however Pitt may stand to get a bit extra success within the floor sport.
In its previous two contests vs. Energy 4 foes, Pitt is averaging simply 3.2 yards per designed run, largely as a consequence of a scarcity of push from the O-line. — Hale
Earlier rating: 22
The Sooners had the week off and further time to prep for his or her showdown with Texas within the Pink River Rivalry. The bye week was significantly effectively timed for this workforce, giving Brent Venables’ workers extra time to regulate on offense and construct up QB Michael Hawkins Jr.’s confidence forward of the true freshman’s second school begin.
Extra importantly, Hawkins’ playmakers must get wholesome. Brent Venables stated WR Deion Burks and RB Taylor Tatum may doubtlessly return for Pink River. Oklahoma will want all palms on deck in opposition to a Texas protection that is permitting seven factors per sport. — Olson
Earlier rating: 20
Sitting at house throughout their bye week, the Utes’ win in opposition to Oklahoma State seems much less spectacular, their loss to Arizona seems worse and optimism in regards to the season’s outlook continues to dwindle and not using a clear expectation in regards to the standing of quarterback Cam Rising. These are the kinds of overreactions which are typical in school soccer.
At 4-1, Utah continues to be in a superb place — and if Rising returns this week in opposition to Arizona State, there can be loads of causes to count on the Utes to get again on monitor. However as issues sit, the vary of potentialities about how this season may play out is broad. — Bonagura
No. 22 SMU Mustangs
Earlier rating: NR
Since making the change to QB Kevin Jennings as a starter after a Week 2 loss to BYU, SMU’s offense has been borderline unstoppable. In three video games, the Mustangs are averaging 3.56 factors per drive (successfully a landing each different drive) and 210 dashing yards per sport, and have punted simply 4 instances.
Jennings is finishing 74% of his throws, has a 91.4 Whole QBR and has turned the ball over simply as soon as (a fumble). Within the win over Louisville, Jennings accounted for practically 400 yards of offense. — Hale
Earlier rating: 9
Eli Drinkwitz stated he was embarrassed by the Tigers’ efficiency in a 41-10 loss to Texas A&M, and there wasn’t a lot to look again on fondly. Missouri gained solely 79 complete yards within the first half, going into the break down 24-0, then gave up a 75-yard landing run on the primary play of the second half. Texas A&M’s protection made Brady Cook dinner uncomfortable within the pocket, and even when he threw it, he typically went deep and missed throws, going 5-of-17 on throws greater than 15 yards.
The protection, which hadn’t allowed greater than 325 yards in a sport all season, allowed 512, together with 236 dashing on 6.6 yards per carry. The Tigers have a highway journey to UMass this week earlier than going through Auburn and Alabama, and shall be searching for solutions. — Wilson
No. 24 Illinois Preventing Illini
Earlier rating: NR
The Illini had per week off to stew after their first loss, a sport during which they held up defensively however could not generate sufficient offense to upset Penn State. Coach Bret Bielema’s groups traditionally have been recognized for working the ball, however Illinois is averaging solely 104 dashing yards per sport and three.1 yards per carry in opposition to FBS competitors. The Illini must get their floor sport going in opposition to one of many nation’s worst dashing defenses this week in Purdue, earlier than an enormous house showdown Oct. 19 in opposition to Michigan within the Memorial Stadium rededication sport.
Illinois’ protection has impressed, each with takeaways and sacks, as Gabe Jacas and others have led the go rush. Quarterback Luke Altmyer threw his first interception of the season in opposition to Penn State however nonetheless has accomplished 70% of his makes an attempt with 11 landing passes. The Illini have dropped 4 straight and 7 of their previous eight in opposition to Purdue, coached by former Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. — Adam Rittenberg
No. 25 Military Black Knights
Earlier rating: NR
At 5-0, Military is off to its greatest begin since 1996 following its 49-7 rout at Tulsa. Bryson Every day accomplished all 5 of his passes for 140 yards, and the Black Knights constructed a 14-point halftime lead by way of the air on Every day’s pair of landing connections to Noah Brief (three receptions, 121 yards). Nonetheless, Military powered its largest win of 2024 on the bottom by way of 321 dashing yards powered by Kanye Udoh, who highlighted his six-carry, 137-yard performances with landing runs of 61 and 63 yards after halftime.
Do not look now, however the Black Knights personal the nation’s longest energetic win streak (9 video games), setting the stage for intriguing late-season conferences with 4-1 North Texas (Nov. 9), No. 11 Notre Dame (Nov. 23) and fellow unbeaten AAC chief Navy (Dec. 14). Military hosts 1-4 UAB in Week 7. — Eli Lederman
