Properly, the 2024 school soccer season is taking part in out precisely as all of us anticipated it…
Simply kidding: It’s absolute chaos, per normal.
About midway by the common season fewer groups are completely dominating this 12 months. In the meantime, the SEC is getting messy however unbelievable upsets and wild finishes are ever-present throughout the game.
Going into Week 8 of the season, there are 11 FBS groups which might be nonetheless undefeated, and meaning it’s time for us to start out making some predictions about whose good file will fall. The Massive Ten at present leads the best way with three undefeated groups, whereas the SEC — which often has a number of groups on this checklist at this level within the season — solely has Texas. Plus, the Massive 12 has some surprises, and there’s stable Group of 5 illustration right here.
Now, as a lot as we want we might, we will’t really predict the longer term. However that’s not stopping us from making an attempt to educatedly guess which school soccer groups shall be dealt their first lack of the season. Listed here are our predictions for this week’s undefeated groups.
All video games are on Saturday until in any other case famous, all probabilities of profitable are from ESPN’s FPI and all odds are by way of BetMGM.
No. 1 Texas (6-0, 2-0 SEC)
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Wins: Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA, UL Monroe, Mississippi State, OklahomaChance of profitable out: 34.4 percentWeek 8 recreation: vs. Georgia, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABCUndefeated after Week 8: Sure.
The Bulldogs aren’t going to be intimidated and roll over in Austin as 3.5-point underdogs, however they’re simply not the dominant staff this season that we’re used to seeing, particularly on protection. In the meantime, Texas’ protection is No. 1 in each factors and yards allowed, and the Longhorns general are wanting unstoppable with two quarterbacks who can completely sling it.
No. 2 Oregon (6-0, 3-0 Massive Ten)
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Wins: Idaho, Boise State, Oregon State, UCLA, Michigan State, Ohio StateChance of profitable out: 13.1 percentWeek 8 recreation: at Purdue, Friday, 8 p.m. ET on FoxUndefeated after Week 8: Sure.
This one was robust as a result of Purdue has a historical past of messing with extremely ranked groups visiting West Lafayette. However this 12 months’s staff can also be not good. So even with the Geese having to journey greater than two time zones with the stats towards them, they’ll win — although overlaying as enormous 27.5-point favorites is likely to be asking an excessive amount of.
No. 3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Massive Ten)
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Wins: West Virginia, Bowling Inexperienced, Kent State, Illinois, UCLA, USCChance of profitable out: 7.6 percentWeek 8 recreation: ByeUndefeated after Week 8: Sure, duh.
The Nittany Lions take a break from their comparatively straightforward schedule this week earlier than taking up Wisconsin in Week 9.
No. 6 Miami (Fla.) (6-0, 2-0 ACC)
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Wins: Florida, Florida A&M, Ball State, South Florida, Virginia Tech, CalChance of profitable out: 3.3 percentWeek 8 recreation: at Louisville, midday ET on ABCUndefeated after Week 8: No.
The Hurricanes have landed on the proper aspect of shut calls, profitable their final two matchups by a complete of 5 factors. On the highway at Louisville will current its personal challenges, and Miami, a 4.5-point favourite, is about due for an pointless loss ahead of later.
No. 9 Iowa State (6-0, 3-0 Massive 12)
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Wins: North Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas State, Houston, Baylor, West VirginiaChance of profitable out: 8.7 percentWeek 8 recreation: vs. UCF, 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1Undefeated after Week 8: Sure.
The Cyclones are quietly having a standout season, even when their schedule isn’t precisely the hardest. Their protection — averaging 285.3 yards and 11 factors per recreation — ought to be capable of maintain off KJ Jefferson, RJ Harvey and the remainder of UCF’s balanced offense as 13.5-point favorites.
No. 13 BYU (6-0, 3-0 Massive 12)
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Wins: Southern Illinois, SMU, Wyoming, Kansas State, Baylor, ArizonaChance of profitable out: 2.5 percentWeek 8 recreation: vs. Oklahoma State, Friday, 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPNUndefeated after Week 8: No.
It is a wild-card decide right here and will simply finish in catastrophe, so far as predicting the longer term goes. Oklahoma State is just not the staff it was speculated to be this 12 months, and asking the Cowboys to tug off a highway win towards a ranked staff with a bit altitude changes within the combine looks like a tall order. I simply have a sense 9.5-point underdog Oklahoma State confuses the school soccer world much more with an surprising win right here.
No. 16 Indiana (6-0, 3-0 Massive Ten)
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Wins: Florida Worldwide, Western Illinois, UCLA, Charlotte, Maryland, NorthwesternChance of profitable out: 2.9 percentWeek 8 recreation: vs. Nebraska, midday ET on FoxUndefeated after Week 8: Sure.
Nevertheless it’s going to be shut, though the Hoosiers are 6.5-point favorites. Indiana is having a outstanding season for what was speculated to be a rebuilding 12 months and may be capable of hold its undefeated season alive. Plus, its top-10 protection ought to be capable of fluster Dylan Raiola and co. Are you prepared for the 7-0 Hoosiers?!
No. 20 Pitt (6-0, 2-0 ACC)
Barry Reeger-Picture Photographs
Wins: Kent State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Youngstown State, North Carolina, CalChance of profitable out: 0.3 percentWeek 8 recreation: ByeUndefeated after Week 8: Sure, duh.
Pitt will get to press pause this week earlier than going through Syracuse in Week 8 with SMU and Clemson down the stretch.
No. 23 Military (6-0, 5-0 AAC)
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Wins: Lehigh, Florida Atlantic, Rice, Temple, Tulsa, UABChance of profitable out: 2.7 percentWeek 8 recreation: vs. East Carolina, midday ET on ESPN2Undefeated after Week 8: Sure.
The Black Knights are out right here doing what they do finest with one of the best working recreation within the FBS this 12 months, averaging 369.8 yards per recreation. Their passing recreation isn’t actually there to assist, however their protection is and can most likely get East Carolina quarterback Jake Garcia to throw at the very least his thirteenth interception of the season. Military, as 15.5-point favorites, stays undefeated.
No. 25 Navy (5-0, 3-0 AAC)
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Wins: Bucknell, Temple, Memphis, UAB, Air ForceChance of profitable out: 0.2 percentWeek 8 recreation: vs. Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports activities NetworkUndefeated after Week 8: Sure.
Navy is doing all of it this 12 months behind quarterback Blake Horvath, an unbelievable twin menace and the most effective quarterbacks the Midshipmen have seen. Their protection might use some work, however they’re doing one thing particular this 12 months and might be a Faculty Soccer Playoff darkish horse. Both approach, Navy, an enormous 17-point favourite, isn’t dropping its first recreation this week.
Liberty (5-0, 3-0 CUSA)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities
Wins: Campbell, New Mexico State, UTEP, East Carolina, Florida InternationalChance of profitable out: 2.6 percentWeek 8 recreation: ByeUndefeated after Week 8: Sure, duh.
The Flames are off this week earlier than taking up Kennesaw State on Wednesday in Week 9.
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