A large weekend of school soccer is upon us. Ranked matchups, previous rivalries and playoff implications headline the schedule. The primary School Soccer Playoff rankings are solely 5 weeks away, which heightens the drama round every recreation.
Heading into Week 5, Yardbarker ranked the highest 10 most vital folks for the week. This is who we’re keeping track of. All video games listed are set for Saturday.
Alan Bowman and Avery Johnson | Oklahoma State and Kansas State quarterbacks
Two vital quarterbacks face off in a ranked matchup between the No. 20 Cowboys and No. 23 Wildcats. Each groups are coming off a loss of their Massive 12 opener, with Oklahoma falling to then-No. 12 Utah 22-19, and Kansas State getting thumped by Prime 25 newcomer BYU 38-9, making this recreation ultra-important. These quarterbacks have confirmed to be laborious to cease, however each are liable to errors. Bowman has thrown 4 interceptions to Johnson’s three. Which quarterback can play a cleaner recreation Saturday? The destiny of this recreation rests on that query.
Matthew Sluka | former UNLV quarterback
Sluka will not be suiting up for the 3-0 Rebels this weekend. On Wednesday, he introduced he was sitting out the remainder of the season, claiming NIL guarantees have been unfulfilled. Sluka’s choice is the primary of its variety within the NIL period and would be the speak of the weekend. Questions abound in regards to the affect of his choice and it’ll grasp like a cloud over the video games Saturday.
Antario Brown | Northern Illinois working again
An time beyond regulation loss to Buffalo final week dampened the temper across the Northern Illinois program, however there’s an opportunity for one more huge win Saturday at NC State. Brown holds the important thing to success. He leads the staff in speeding (241 yards, two touchdowns) and receiving (193 yards, one landing). NC State has struggled to cease the run this season, permitting 167.8 yards per recreation. Brown already carved up Notre Dame for 99 yards on the bottom and 126 by way of the air.
Notre Dame defensive position
The Irish host No. 15 Louisville and the Notre Dame defensive position will play a pivotal position within the consequence. Via three video games, Louisville has not turned the ball over and quarterback Tyler Shough has solely been sacked as soon as. If Notre Dame can get to Shough, it may put Louisville able it has not been in but this season.
Michael Hawkins Jr. | Oklahoma quarterback
Hawkins has been named the starter for Saturday’s tilt at Auburn. The freshman is making his first profession begin after relieving Jackson Arnold in final week’s loss to Tennessee. The second did not appear too huge for him, as he completed 11-for-18 for 132 yards and one landing. Oklahoma wants him to guard the ball, one thing Arnold struggled to do.
Ryan Williams | Alabama large receiver
Williams has taken school soccer by storm, racking up 285 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first three video games. Can he break away in opposition to a Georgia protection that hasn’t allowed a landing this season? He is averaging 28.5 yards per catch and his huge play capacity may very well be a distinction in what must be a tightly-contested recreation.
Luke Altmyer | Illinois quarterback
Altmyer has been instrumental in Illinois climbing to No. 19 within the AP Ballot. After a win at Nebraska, an excellent greater take a look at awaits at No. 9 Penn State. Illinois’s protection ranks fifteenth within the nation. If that unit is ready to maintain Penn State’s offense, it is on Altmyer to crack the Nittany Lions protection, which ranks twenty second within the nation in go protection. He is been environment friendly this season, finishing 71.4 p.c of his passes, and he is but to throw an interception. One other recreation like that Saturday and the Illini may need one other upset on their resume.
DJ Uiagalelei | Florida State quarterback
Uiagalelei may very well be on this listing each week as a result of his play is essential to Florida State. To this point this season, it has been a serious hinderance. He did simply sufficient final week to safe the Seminoles’ first win of the season over Cal. SMU doesn’t defend the go nicely (82nd within the nation), however Uiagalelei must be extra environment friendly. He is accomplished over 60 p.c of his passes in just one recreation this season.
CJ Allen | Georgia linebacker
Allen is Georgia’s main tackler and will likely be tasked with stopping Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Milroe is explosive by way of the air and on the bottom. Can Allen restrict Milroe’s manufacturing on the bottom? Georgia did a stable job in final season’s loss, however Allen and the protection are going to see Milroe in a distinct offense this yr underneath new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
