The School Soccer Playoff discipline was revealed on Sunday, and with that got here the chances for the 4 first-round video games. On paper, they aren’t anticipated to be all that shut, as all 4 spreads opened with the house staff favored by at the least a landing.
The 4 first-round video games happen on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 on the campuses of the higher seeds. No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Boise State and No. 4 Arizona State obtained byes into the quarterfinals, which shall be performed at bowl venues.
In the event you like winter soccer playoff video games, this first-round draw is for you. Austin, Texas, is the one metropolis of the 4 internet hosting a first-round sport the place climate is unlikely to affect the sport. The opposite three are within the Midwest, with two of these, Ohio State and Notre Dame, internet hosting at night time in late December. Bundle up!
The listed level totals for all 4 video games are fairly low. Ohio State-Tennessee is within the mid-40s, whereas the opposite three are within the low 50s. Don’t count on shootouts in these video games.
If you’re in search of perception on how the drama may play out, Austin Mock’s School Soccer Playoff projections give a proportion likelihood for every staff to make every spherical of the 12-team bracket.
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Right here’s a deeper take a look at all 4 first-round video games, together with viewing data and picks in opposition to the unfold for every sport. Two of the video games are on TNT and streaming on Max, though all 4 video games are ESPN broadcasts.
No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas
Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on TNT (streaming on Max)
Texas solely fell to No. 5 within the seeds after dropping to Georgia in additional time within the SEC Championship Recreation. The Longhorns get ACC champion Clemson within the first spherical and are the largest favourite of the primary spherical, opening at -10.5 factors and the road has since moved to -12.5.
On paper, it is sensible the 5-12 matchup can be the widest unfold of the bunch. Whereas that is the matchup that causes a ton of upsets within the school basketball match, will that apply in school soccer as effectively?
The Longhorns had been a part of the four-team discipline final 12 months and are the one staff of that group, which included Michigan, Washington and Alabama, to make the 12-team discipline this 12 months. On high of that have, Texas has a dynamic receiving group, a veteran quarterback in Quinn Ewers (plus an uber-talented backup in Arch Manning) and among the finest defenses within the nation.
Texas is second within the nation in scoring protection (12.5 factors) and goes up in opposition to a Clemson offense that ranks twelfth within the nation in complete offense (454.9 yards). The Tigers have been a robust offense total however struggled in opposition to the 2 different SEC groups on their schedule. Georgia held the Tigers to a few factors within the season opener, and South Carolina gained 17-14 at Clemson to shut out the common season.
That is the first-ever matchup between these two packages.
Picks in opposition to the unfold
No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State
Saturday at midday ET on TNT (streaming on Max)
SMU obtained within the discipline regardless of dropping the ACC Championship Recreation, however the Mustangs’ keep might be temporary. Penn State opened as an 8.5-point favourite and that line has stayed steady.
The Nittany Lions pushed Oregon within the Large Ten Championship Recreation however in the end had no reply for Dillon Gabriel’s offense. Kevin Jennings’ SMU offense isn’t as feared as Oregon’s, however does common extra factors. The Mustangs are sixth within the nation in scoring offense (38.5 factors).
Penn State nonetheless has one of the proficient defenses within the nation however dropped within the nationwide rankings after giving up 45 factors and 469 yards to Oregon. Even after that sport, the Nittany Lions rank eighth in scoring protection (16.4 factors per sport) and sixth in yards allowed per sport (282.1).
SMU obtained off to a brutal begin in opposition to Clemson, falling behind 24-7 at halftime, however the Mustangs outgained the Tigers 458-326 in that sport. Jennings, a sophomore quarterback who took the job from incumbent starter Preston Stone, has accounted for 27 touchdowns this season with 3,050 passing yards and 379 yards on the bottom.
Unsurprisingly, there isn’t a lot matchup historical past between these two faculties. Penn State picked up a 26-21 dwelling win in 1978, and so they additionally performed to a tie within the 1948 Cotton Bowl.
Picks in opposition to the unfold
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No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame
Friday 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN
Notre Dame vs. Indiana isn’t what you consider so far as marquee matchups in soccer, however the Hoosiers have had a record-setting season to arrange an in-state first-round assembly. Can arguably the most effective staff in Indiana historical past go into South Bend and get a win? It is going to be a troublesome activity. The Combating Irish opened as an 8.5-point favourite, however that has moved towards Indiana with a 6.5-point unfold on the morning of the sport.
Regardless of being in the identical state and separated by a roughly three-hour drive, IU and ND haven’t performed since 1991. The final six conferences had been all in South Bend, and Notre Dame gained all of them by at the least 18 factors. IU’s final win in opposition to the Irish got here in 1950, which was additionally the final time the groups met in Bloomington.
South Bend is the northernmost host metropolis of the 4 first-round video games, and this sport is ready for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff. This sport has an honest likelihood to function frigid temperatures or probably even some lake-effect snow.
If the climate is lower than very best, also referred to as a typical late December day within the Midwest, each of those defenses needs to be in a scenario to thrive. For as a lot consideration as Kurtis Rourke and the Indiana offense have obtained, the protection has been the higher unit statistically. IU is second within the nation in yards allowed per sport (244.8). In the meantime, Notre Dame will not be far behind in eighth (296.8).
Picks in opposition to the unfold
No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State
Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN
Ohio State followers are most likely nonetheless stewing on the loss to Michigan, however the Buckeyes have a giant sport coming to Columbus. The Buckeyes opened as a touchdown-favorite in opposition to Tennessee and the unfold has stayed largely steady at -7.5.
The Buckeyes and Volunteers each have elite defenses. Ohio State is the nationwide chief in each factors allowed per sport (10.9) and yards allowed per sport (241.1). Tennessee is tied for fourth in factors allowed (13.9) and is fourth in yards allowed (278). Throw in winter climate in Ohio, and this one unsurprisingly has the bottom listed level complete of the 4 first-round video games.
The vibes round these two packages are very completely different coming into the CFP. OSU coach Ryan Day is on the new seat in Columbus and will use a win or two to maintain his job secure. If Day loses one other large dwelling sport, issues may get ugly.
The considered a coach being on the new seat after making the CFP is a brand new twist within the 12-team period. That’s what occurs if you lose to your rival for a fourth-straight 12 months, with the final one coming in opposition to a 6-5 staff that was barely useful at quarterback.
Tennessee has a proficient quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, however the redshirt freshman threw for fewer than 200 yards on seven events this season. Operating again Dylan Sampson has been the Vols’ workhorse with 1,485 yards. Each will want large video games in opposition to the Buckeyes’ stout defensive unit.
In the meantime, OSU must deal with Tennessee’s nasty line of defense that options potential first-round decide James Pearce Jr. OSU quarterback Will Howard threw two picks in opposition to Michigan and can doubtless need to play higher in opposition to a protection that might be even more durable.
The one time these packages met was within the 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl, which the Vols gained 20-14.
Picks in opposition to the unfold
(Picture of Quinn Ewers: Butch Dill / Getty Photos)
