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The highest eight ain’t nice.
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That’s sort of the tune everyone seems to be singing within the NCAA soccer world.
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Nevertheless it’s what we’re left with so far as nationwide contenders undergo 10 weeks of the 2023 pigskin marketing campaign.
The second launch of the School Soccer Playoff rankings proved to be awfully ho-hum after the highest eight groups all gained and stayed proper in the identical place they have been after the preliminary listing final week.
However right here comes Week 11 with a potential shakeup at hand. A terrific slate options the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (9-0) internet hosting the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (8-1) late Saturday (7 p.m. ET) and the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (9-0) examined by The White-Out and the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions (8-1) earlier Saturday at State School (midday ET, FOX).
• At 5-1 in convention play, Ole Miss continues to be proper there within the hunt for the SEC West title. The difficulty is that Georgia continues to be just about defending two-time champion Georgia, though they haven’t seemed as dominant this yr. Nonetheless, UGA has gained 26 straight video games relationship again to 2020 and haven’t fallen at residence since a 20-17 double-overtime loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks that yr. The Bulldogs did, nonetheless, clinch the SEC East final weekend to earn that coveted berth within the convention championship tilt, so maybe their chunk is much less worse than their bark for this tilt.
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• Right here’s one more alternative — a golden one at residence — for Penn State to show it may well measure as much as its powerhouse brothers within the Large Ten. Too unhealthy Michigan in all probability already is aware of what performs PSU is throwing at it, because of Connor ‘Signal-stealing’ Stalions. And don’t overlook Penn State QB Drew Allar continues to be simply 19 years outdated. It’s lots to ask of a youngster to tackle Large Blue — not to mention sign-stealing Large Blue — and are available away victorious. Not going to occur.
Just a few different video games might loom giant to rock the highest of the charts:
• The No. 4 Florida State Seminoles (9-0) have to be on alert when the Miami Hurricanes (6-3) roll into Tallahassee on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m., ABC). You by no means know whether or not we get the ferocious or fairweather ’Canes.
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• The No. 18 Utah Utes (7-2) are all the time a ache within the bottom when it comes all the way down to the stretch-run within the Pac-12. Everybody forgets they’re the defending two-time convention champions. So the No. 5 Washington Huskies (9-0) higher be prepared for his or her Saturday matinee in Seattle (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
• And the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1) haven’t precisely dominated away from residence, which is the place they discover themselves this week. The Tide go to the host Kentucky Wildcats (6-3), who’ve been identified to ball out in Lexington, for an early Saturday journey (midday ET, TSN5).
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SECOND DOWN
Brace your self for extra sign-stealing rubbish out of Michigan, with the Large Ten telling the college that punishment is forthcoming and Michigan firing again threats that any penalty would lead to a violation of league bylaws. It’s a multitude for the reason that Large Ten doesn’t have any guidelines relating to groups stealing indicators from rivals. Please, Michigan — simply take the loss, man, so we are able to transfer on within the title of sportsmanship … Together with Michigan, seven unbeatens stay now that we’re in Week 11. The highest 5 are ranked 1-5, however the different two — Liberty (9-0) and James Madison (9-0) — are seeded exterior the highest 25 of the CFP Rankings. That’s foolish given there are 4 three-loss groups on that board — No. 19 LSU (6-3), No. 20 Notre Dame (7-3), No. 21 Arizona (7-3) and No. 25 Kansas State (6-3). The Group of 5 simply can’t garner any respect … On the different finish of the win-loss spectrum, there aren’t any winless groups left within the FBS. Shockingly, all 133 groups have not less than a victory. The truth is, there are solely 4 one-win groups — Kent State (1-9), East Carolina (1-8), newcomer Sam Houston (1-8) and perennially putrid UConn (1-8) … By the best way, UConn will get cover-happy Jimmy Mad in a battle of polar opposites Saturday (2 p.m. ET).
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THIRD DOWN
If there’s, certainly, a shake-up on the prime of the rankings, No. 11 Louisville (8-1) — Louisville? — is more likely to luck out and transfer up … QB Quinn Ewers (shoulder) might return for No. 7 Texas (8-1) in opposition to host TCU (4-5) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) … By the best way, what occurred to TCU after final yr’s shock run to the ultimate 4? It proves how invaluable QB Max Duggan was to that crew in 2022 and why he ought to’ve stolen away the Heisman Trophy, in our opinion … NC State (6-3) has misplaced its beginning pivot, MJ Morris, who has opted out of the remainder of the schedule as a way to redshirt. That regardless of taking on for Virginia switch Brennan Armstrong in October and main NC State to a few wins in 4 begins, turning the college’s season round … How low are you able to go? Decrease than 30 whole factors, apparently, when you’re Rutgers (6-3) dealing with No. 22 Iowa (7-2). The truth is, 28 is the over/below betting whole popping up in sportsbooks for this Large Ten slobber-knocker, which is traditionally low, in response to many oddsmakers. We’re talkin’ a 17-13 recreation breaks the below. Unreal.
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FOURTH DOWN
The firing of longtime defensive coordinator Alex Grinch by Lincoln Riley earlier this week comes two — and even three — losses too late for USC. This could’ve been Southern Cal’s yr to not less than win the Pac-12 and make the ultimate 4. Riley actually wasted QB Caleb Williams’ return for another yr to USC by not making this transfer sooner. No surprise final yr’s Heisman winner was left balling within the crowd after final week’s 52-42 defeat to visiting UDub … Enjoyable reality: Riley’s man is thought today round soccer circles as ‘The Grinch that stole defence.’ Ha! … How unhealthy has it been defensively for USC? They’ve allowed essentially the most yards and second-most factors of the 133 FBS colleges this yr. That’s whack for a supposedly elite program … By the best way, that scene late final Saturday of Williams being overwrought with emotion and searching for consolation from his mother within the stands instantly after USC’s third loss is a robust reminder these children are nonetheless simply that — children. For these saying there’s no crying in soccer and the can’t-miss NFL QB must be harder to make it on Sundays, how about the truth that he’s taking this dropping fairly darn onerous? You need ’em to hate dropping, don’t ya?
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS
Rank Staff (final week) File
1. Ohio State (1) 9-0
2. Georgia (2) 9-0
3. Michigan (3) 9-0
4. Florida State (4) 9-0
5. Washington (5) 9-0
6. Oregon (6) 8-1
7. Texas (7) 8-1
8. Alabama (8) 8-1
9. Ole Miss (10) 8-1
10. Penn State (11) 8-1
11. Louisville (13) 8-1
12. Oregon State (16) 7-2
13. Tennessee (17) 7-2
14. Missouri (12) 7-2
15. Oklahoma State (22) 7-2
16. Kansas (21) 7-2
17. Oklahoma (9) 7-2
18. Utah (18) 7-2
19. LSU (14) 6-3
20. Notre Dame (15) 7-3
21. Arizona (NR) 6-3
22. Iowa (NR) 7-2
23. Tulane (24) 8-1
24. North Carolina (NR) 7-2
25. Kansas State (23) 6-3
NR — not ranked
GAME TO WATCH
(-4.5) #3 MICHIGAN @ #10 PENN STATE
Saturday, midday ET, in State School, FOX
Michigan doesn’t deserve any love, however we are able to’t deny it’s doubtless one of the best of FBS groups.
PICK: MICHIGAN
BEST BETS
UCONN @ JAMES MADISON (-24)
Saturday, 2 p.m. ET
Jimmy Mad is a canopy machine this yr and everyone knows UConn’s unhappy historical past.
PICK: JAMES MADISON
RUTGERS @ #22 IOWA (+1)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., BTN
Iowa all the time finds a solution to win these Large Ten slobber-knockers at residence.
PICK: IOWA
(-7.5) IOWA STATE @ BYU
Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET
Unusual line, since Provo’s no simple go to late Saturday and BYU’s the higher crew.
PICK: BYU
LAST WEEK: 2-2
2023 RECORD: 18-20-2
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