You did not actually assume this rabbit gap of a school soccer season was easing by means of the tape after all of the chaos that unfolded over the earlier three months.
If something, championship weekend made issues worse. Or higher, relying in your vantage level.
“Thanks, Jesus,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney mentioned after the Tigers’ miraculous ACC championship recreation victory.
And actually, who’s going to argue with that assertion after watching what performed out?
Of all of the unbelievable on convention championship video games, none hit fairly like Clemson’s 34-31 victory that despatched the Tigers to the School Soccer Playoff ― and will have knocked out SMU.
Clemson led by 17 within the fourth quarter, and SMU tied the sport with a 16-play, 79-yard drive that completed with a landing cross from Kevin Jennings to Roderick Daniels Jr. with 16 seconds to play. And that was simply sufficient time for Clemson.
Adam Randall, a third-string kick returner subbing for 2 injured gamers, returned the following kickoff 41 yards. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik then hit Antonio Williams for 17 yards to the SMU 38, to arrange a 56-yard area aim try ― from a workforce that had 5 kicks blocked this season.
And Nolan Hauser, certainly one of three kickers Clemson has used this season, nailed it.
“SMU,” Swinney mentioned, “They higher be within the dang playoff.”
Effectively, Dabo, that is the large query. For SMU and some different groups on the bubble of the 12-team event.
Particularly after a wild remaining weekend.
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At this level, after extra of the unthinkable and unimaginable, after extra convoluted and contrived CFP arguments, the one given is No.1 Oregon. And even that is shaky.
As a result of after watching Oregon outscore Penn State 45-37 within the Large Ten championship recreation, it ought to be clear to all concerned that this event is extensive open. Penn State, which struggled to string collectively first downs in opposition to the Large Ten’s finest defenses, rushed for 292 yards and had 518 complete yards ― and did no matter it needed in opposition to the Oregon protection.
This, in fact, ought to come as no shock contemplating what has performed out this season ― all the best way to Saturday’s championship video games.
Georgia beat Texas once more, this time with backup quarterback Gunner Stockton enjoying for injured Carson Beck. Arizona State, the worst workforce within the Pac-12 in 2023, gained the Large 12 in 2024.
SMU paid $200 million to affix the ACC, and hadn’t misplaced a convention recreation all season. Then Clemson occurred, and by the tip of the night time, Swinney and the ESPN tv crew had been stumping for SMU. Not that it’ll matter.
So yeah, loopy did not cease with the so-called meaningless championship weekend. It was heightened ― and has left the CFP choice committee with 15 worthy groups for 12 spots. And 5 worthy convention champions for 4 first-round byes.
Translation: someone(s) going to be ticked off when the bracket is revealed Sunday at midday.
The Boogeyman Georgia regarded susceptible all season, after which gained the SEC with a backup quarterback. That was Bulldogs coach Kirby Sensible after the sport, standing on the celebration stage after profitable the most important, baddest convention in faculty soccer with a backup who had tried 35 profession passes, complaining in regards to the schedule doled out by the league. Actually, he did.
Arizona State was one of many worst Energy 5 convention groups in 2023 with its final three losses by 52, 36 and 36 factors. At one level final 12 months, the Solar Devils misplaced to Fresno State (at house) 29-0.
That very same workforce – with a switch portal infusion – misplaced twice in 2024: by eight at Texas Tech, and by 10 at Cincinnati with backup quarterback Jeff Sims enjoying for injured starter Sam Leavitt. The identical Leavitt who accounted for 4 touchdowns within the Large 12 championship recreation.
Boise State gained 11 consecutive video games, and never solely superior to the playoff with a Mountain West Convention championship, has a slam dunk case for a first-round bye.
Indiana beat one workforce with a profitable file, and is a lock for the CFP as a result of it beat 11 nobodies. And by no one, I imply Michigan, too.
If that does not underscore how actually disgusting Ohio State’s fourth consecutive loss to Michigan was, I do not know what is going to.
Military, like Indiana, gained 11 video games. The Black Knights additionally gained the American Athletic championship, and with a win over Navy subsequent week, will win 12 video games. If wins in opposition to overmatched opponents will get you within the CFP, come on down, Military!
Clemson misplaced the primary recreation of the common season (Georgia) and the final (South Carolina), its two most troublesome video games of the 12 months. Then gained the ACC. Once more.
Miami gained 9 in a row to start the season, then misplaced two of three to complete ― each as a double-digit favourite ― and has been decreased to arguing that Alabama is not worthy as a result of it misplaced three video games.
And talking of Alabama, let’s reintroduce some sanity to this season of chaos. After shedding two video games to groups that completed 6-6 (together with a 21-point loss at Oklahoma), and ending the season with a win over Mercer and hapless Auburn, the Tide finds itself in a well-recognized place.
The BCS/CFP chosen one.
By no means has one program been so rewarded for thus many galling losses at crucial moments of the season. Why break precedent now?
Alabama’s CFP argument is reasonably easy, actually: frequent opponents. Alabama beat each Georgia and South Carolina, and Georgia and South Carolina beat Clemson.
Clemson, in fact, beat SMU.
And that complete argument that groups enjoying in convention championship video games should not be penalized for shedding? Georgia was 12-0 and misplaced by three factors to Alabama in final 12 months’s SEC championship recreation.
And fell from the No. 1 seed to out of the CFP.
Welcome to chaos, CFP choice committee. Now go discover 12 worthy groups.
Matt Hayes is the senior nationwide faculty soccer author for USA TODAY Sports activities Community. Comply with him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: School Soccer Playoff bracket chaos after convention championships
