Litman Lake
Football and faculty soccer analyst
Week 13 of the school soccer season will reveal the reality about who’s actual and who is not. Take No. 5 Indiana, for instance. The Hoosiers have outscored most of their opponents this season, are 10-0 for the primary time in class historical past and first-year coach Curt Cignetti has already signed a brand new contract. How will they deal with the stress of going through the No. 1 state? 2 of Ohio in Columbus? Can they pull off an enormous upset?
Then, there’s No. 16 Colorado, which is driving a four-game profitable streak and controls its personal future by profitable the Big 12. Standing in its means this week is unranked Kansas, which sneakily beat two ranked opponents in consecutive weeks. Will the Buffs be the Jayhawks’ subsequent sufferer?
Meanwhile, Army No. 19 stays undefeated and faces its first staff of the season ranked at no. 6 Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium. Can the Black Knights preserve their good streak?
With that mentioned, listed here are the 5 finest video games to look at this weekend:
No. 5 Indiana at n.2 Ohio State (12pm ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app)
Indiana is likely one of the most nice surprises of the yr. During the preseason, the Hoosiers ranked close to the underside of the Big Ten. But new coach Curt Cignetti has impressed a staff stuffed with transfers, and now Indiana has a giant alternative on Saturday. One of IU’s downsides, nevertheless, is the truth that it has but to face a ranked opponent. Teams can solely play in opposition to groups on their schedule. It’s not the Hoosiers’ fault that they did not tie Oregon or Penn State and that defending champion Michigan is not final yr’s staff.
Now they’ve an opportunity to make one of many largest statements of the season in opposition to No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus, with convention championship and College Football Playoff stakes aplenty for each side. For the Buckeyes, that is why so many stars determined to remain in class one other yr earlier than transferring on to the NFL.
This season has been nationwide title or bust for Ryan Day’s staff, and the Buckeyes have already got a loss to Oregon on their resume. Even if OSU loses on Saturday, it could nonetheless must make the CFP a two-loss staff, however the Buckeyes would somewhat not entertain that concept.
No. 9 Old woman TO Florida (12pm ET)
Florida began the season 1-2 with losses at dwelling to Miami and Texas A&M. As the season went on, the Gators made some enhancements, however struggled to beat their opponents within the standings. After a 34-20 loss to Georgia on November 2, nevertheless, athletic director Scott Stricklin introduced that head coach Billy Napier would return subsequent season. Florida responded to that information by getting pounded by Texas the next week, however turned issues round final Saturday when it upset then-No. 22LSU, 27-16. Are the Gators regaining their confidence? They should win their remaining two video games in opposition to Ole Miss and Florida State to change into bowl eligible, creating a way of urgency.
However, this can be a good Ole Miss staff on its option to The Swamp. The Rebels, who’ve suffered two losses, are on the verge of reaching the 12-team playoffs and can’t afford any missteps. Earlier this week, coach Lane Kiffin mentioned he believes his staff is “peaking on the proper time,” which actually seems to be the case after knocking off then-No. 2 Georgia, 28-10, on Nov. 9. There’s quite a bit at stake for each groups on this SEC matchup, and neither can afford to stumble.
No. 14 BYU at no. 21 State of Arizona (3:30pm ET)
BYU suffered its first lack of the season final week when it was defeated 17-13 at dwelling by Kansas. Now, Saturday’s matchup in opposition to Arizona State is a must-win for the Cougars in the event that they wish to preserve their Big 12 title and CFP hopes alive. With a loss, they’d nonetheless have an opportunity to win the convention championship recreation. At the identical time, the Big 12 is AS it is darkish proper now with different groups having suffered two defeats ready for somebody forward of them within the desk to make a mistake, so profitable would make issues simpler.
There are two weeks left till the tip of the common season and BYU, Colorado, Arizona State and Iowa State all have an opportunity to make the convention title recreation. Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham was requested about all the varied eventualities earlier this week, and he advised reporters what he is advised his gamers: “Don’t get misplaced within the sauce.” It’s been some time since ASU performed a recreation of this magnitude. And after beating then-No. 16 Kansas State final week, are in higher form to contend for a Big 12 title in the event that they win Saturday.
No. 16 Colorado TO Kansas (3:30pm ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app)
Speaking of the messy Big 12, Colorado and Kansas will play BYU and Arizona State on the similar time. CU is tied with BYU for the convention lead at 6-1. If each groups win, they are going to meet in Arlington, Texas on December 7. The Buffaloes regarded robust final week on their option to a 49-24 win over Utah. Quarterback Sheduer Sanders overcame a shaky begin by throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns, whereas Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter made play after play, together with scoring a landing and making an interception.
The Buffs are feeling assured proper now and they’re AS near the Big 12 championship and the CFP who will be capable of style it. However, Kansas has made a behavior of pulling off upsets. In reality, the Jayhawks beat ranked opponents (then-No. 17 Iowa State adopted by then-No. 6 BYU) in consecutive weeks for the primary time in program historical past. Will Colorado be subsequent? After beginning the season 2-6, KU is now 4-6 and might change into bowl eligible with wins over Colorado and Baylor to complete the common season. So the Jayhawks have one thing to play with right here too.
No. 19 Army at no. 6 Our Lady (7pm ET)
In case you forgot, there are solely three undefeated FBS groups left. Oregon, Indiana and… Army. The Black Knights are on a 13-game profitable streak relationship again to final season and are hoping to beat the Fighting Irish for the primary time since 1958. An upset right here would throw the CFP into chaos by way of what number of Group of Five groups doubtlessly attain the sector 12 groups. If Army goes undefeated and wins the American Athletic Conference and Boise State wins and turns into the Mountain West champion, issues may get fascinating for the choice committee.
Not to get forward of ourselves, however the level right here is that the Army has the flexibility to essentially shake issues up. It will not be straightforward, although, because the Irish have the benefit by way of expertise and physicality. They are additionally decided to complete the season robust as a result of in the event that they stumble, they are going to be eradicated from playoff competition due to a Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois. Both groups have stingy defenses, rating first (Army) and third (Notre Dame) in scoring protection, holding opponents to 10.3 and 11.4 factors per recreation, respectively. Stopping the run and caring for the ball will decide who wins.
Laken Litman covers faculty soccer, faculty basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. He beforehand wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Strong Like a Woman,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Follow her to @LakenLitman.
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