Was one thing within the air in Week 12? We at the moment are down to 3 undefeated FBS groups following No. 6 BYU’s loss to Kansas on Saturday night time, and in complete, 5 AP Prime 25 groups misplaced to unranked opponents.
With BYU struggling its first lack of the season and now tied with Colorado within the Massive 12 standings, what do the Cougars have to do in the previous couple of weeks to achieve the convention title recreation?
Georgia gained a much-needed win over Tennessee at residence Saturday. The Bulldogs are nicely positioned to make a Faculty Soccer Playoff look, however accidents have taken a toll on their roster depth. How can Georgia put together for the playoff over the subsequent few weeks, ought to it achieve one of many 12 spots?
How did Saturday’s motion have an effect on our Energy Rankings?
This is the most recent prime 25 from our faculty soccer consultants, who present their perception on every staff following Week 12.
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The 11-0 Geese escaped Wisconsin with a 16-13 comeback victory within the fourth quarter. However once more, Oregon could not stifle the opposing staff’s working recreation, as Badgers working again Tawee Walker saved the Geese offense off the sector with 97 yards on 20 carries. Oregon now ranks 71st nationally in EPA (anticipated factors added) on run protection (minus-8.99), and twelfth within the Massive Ten. The league’s different playoff contenders — Ohio State, Indiana and Penn State — all rank within the prime 11 nationally in EPA run protection. Oregon is bound to face prolific speeding assaults within the playoff. Getting key stops in opposition to the run — and getting its high-powered offense again on the sector — might be paramount, if the Geese are going to make a run to their first nationwide championship. — Jake Trotter
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The Buckeyes’ protection has responded very nicely from its loss to Oregon, holding its previous 4 opponents to below 20 factors and fewer than 275 yards per recreation. However the Buckeyes (9-1) will have to be a bit sharper on third down this coming week in opposition to Indiana, which entered Week 12 ranked Tenth nationally in third-down conversions (49.1%). Northwestern transformed 5 of its first 11 third-down possibilities in opposition to Ohio State on Saturday at Wrigley Subject, and will have made the sport extra aggressive if it had completed drives in Buckeyes territory.
Coach Ryan Day famous the early third-down struggles and the protection’s enchancment as the sport went alongside, saying, “We settled down a bit of bit.” Ohio State will want its veteran defensive position to stress Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who has been sacked solely 10 instances this season, and fluster a Hoosiers offensive line that struggled in opposition to Michigan. — Adam Rittenberg
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The 9-1 Longhorns averted a significant pothole on their highway to a showdown with Texas A&M that would have SEC championship recreation implications, keeping off a pesky Arkansas staff. Texas nonetheless could not get its vertical passing recreation on monitor because of the Hogs’ three-safety method on protection, and Texas gamers admitted it was irritating. However in a highway recreation in opposition to previous rivals who anxiously awaited an opportunity to interrupt Texas’ hearts the way in which the Longhorns had completed to them for years, Steve Sarkisian’s staff adjusted and was in a position to grind out the 20-10 win. The star was the protection, which was smothering all day, holding an offense that averaged 484 yards per recreation to only 231. Texas has Kentucky on Saturday earlier than the Aggies on Nov. 30. — Dave Wilson
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Areas of enchancment are robust to seek out for an Indiana staff that leads the nation in scoring margin (301) and is 10-0 for the primary time. However the Hoosiers’ offensive struggles within the second half on Nov. 9 in opposition to Michigan sounded some alarm bells, particularly since they are going to face an Ohio State staff with much more expertise this week. IU had solely 17 internet yards on 24 performs within the second half in opposition to the Wolverines, as dependable quarterback Kurtis Rourke threw an interception close to the objective line and a banged-up offensive line confirmed cracks for the primary time.
The second open week got here at time, as Rourke continues to be recovering from surgical procedure on the thumb on his throwing hand, whereas vast receiver Myles Value and others had an opportunity to relaxation up. Indiana’s line-of-scrimmage play has been ignored with all the opposite highlights, however the Hoosiers should maintain up there in opposition to Ohio State to have an opportunity in Columbus. — Rittenberg
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Penn State thrashed Purdue 49-10, as anticipated. But when the Nittany Lions are going to make a playoff run, they are going to have to be sharper within the crimson zone. Coming into the weekend, Penn State (9-1) ranked simply forty eighth in crimson zone scoring share (87.2%). Missed alternatives within the crimson zone doomed the Nittany Lions of their Nov. 2 loss to Ohio State.
Twice, Penn State had first-and-goal on the Buckeyes’ 3-yard line, however each instances it got here up empty. Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun wrestled the ball away for an interception simply earlier than halftime. Then, with an opportunity to tie the sport late within the fourth quarter, Penn State could not punch the ball into the top zone. Had the Nittany Lions transformed each of these alternatives, they’d nonetheless be undefeated. Penn State cannot afford to come back up empty on deep drives if it desires to advance within the playoff. — Trotter
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It wasn’t alleged to be shut, and it wasn’t Saturday in Alabama’s 52-7 rout of outmanned FCS foe Mercer. It was a scrimmage of types for the Crimson Tide (8-2, 4-2) earlier than diving into their ultimate two video games of the season and what would virtually definitely be a berth within the SEC championship recreation if they’ll win out in opposition to Oklahoma on the highway this coming weekend after which Auburn at residence on Nov. 30.
Turnovers might be key for Alabama the remainder of the way in which. The Crimson Tide harm themselves with turnovers of their two losses, so caring for the ball might be essential. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was completed halfway by means of the third quarter after piling up 229 complete yards of complete offense and accounting for 3 touchdowns (two passing, one speeding). He has additionally been higher at limiting his turnovers. Alabama’s protection compelled three turnovers in what was the Tide’s third straight dominant efficiency. Because the 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt on Oct. 5, Alabama has not given up greater than 25 factors in a recreation. — Chris Low
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After what may find yourself being a season-defining win over Georgia, Ole Miss (8-2) loved a bye in Week 12 in anticipation of a manageable however anxious residence stretch. Lane Kiffin’s Rebels will wrap the season with a visit to Florida and an Egg Bowl go to from Mississippi State. They are going to be comfortably favored in each video games, and at eleventh within the CFP rankings, they’re going to have a stable shot at ending up within the playoff in the event that they win out. However it’s not a assure, and Florida, who simply beat LSU on Saturday, is a fairly harmful underdog in the mean time. The Gators will check Ole Miss’ big-play prevention capabilities: On six of 43 snaps in opposition to LSU, Florida gained not less than 20 yards. MSU can chunk off chunk performs as nicely, and if Ole Miss is to win out, self-discipline within the again might be a should. — Invoice Connelly
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Now that the sky is now not falling in Athens, Georgia, after the Bulldogs took down Tennessee 31-17 on Saturday night time, they should give attention to making an attempt to get wholesome for the stretch run. Tailback Trevor Etienne missed the sport with a rib damage, leaving freshmen Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens to hold the load in opposition to the Volunteers. Receiver Dillon Bell went down with an ankle damage; coach Kirby Good did not know the severity of the damage. Georgia’s depleted receiver corps, which was lacking suspended Colbie Younger, was already razor skinny when it comes to depth.
The Bulldogs (8-2) have been compelled to play solely 5 offensive linemen your entire recreation as a result of beginning sort out Earnest Greene III is battling a shoulder damage. The beginning unit of left sort out Monroe Freeling, left guard Dylan Fairchild, heart Jared Wilson, proper guard Tate Ratledge and proper sort out Xavier Truss did not permit a sack and gave quarterback Carson Beck loads of time to work. He accomplished 25 of 40 passes for 347 yards with three complete touchdowns. Georgia had 4 scoring drives of 75 yards or extra. With non-SEC video games remaining in opposition to UMass and Georgia Tech at residence, Georgia is well-positioned to make the CFP. — Mark Schlabach
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The Irish (9-1) continued their dominance of the ACC, walloping Virginia 35-14 and ending 5-0 in opposition to their part-time convention for the 12 months. Since starting a scheduling settlement with the ACC that ensures 5 video games in opposition to the convention every season in 2014, Notre Dame has completed with no regular-season loss six instances and is 50-11 general in opposition to the ACC. Within the win over Virginia, Riley Leonard threw for 3 touchdowns, and Jeremiyah Love ran for 2 extra. Notre Dame’s playoff hopes seemingly come all the way down to subsequent week’s recreation in opposition to undefeated Military. — David Hale
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The 9-1 Hurricanes had an open date to arrange for his or her ultimate two regular-season video games, with an ACC championship recreation berth on the road. There’s little doubt Miami spent that point specializing in its protection, and methods to make sure the breakdowns we have now seen in current weeks — particularly in a loss to Georgia Tech — are mounted. Whereas the Miami secondary had proven inconsistency all through the season, what was significantly galling within the loss to the Yellow Jackets was a run protection that merely was out of place and unable to regulate — permitting 271 yards and two touchdowns on the bottom. Up subsequent is Wake Forest and working again Demond Claiborne, one of many higher rushers within the league. The matchup will present check to see whether or not Miami has mounted considered one of its greater points. — Andrea Adelson
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With BYU’s loss to the Kansas Jayhawks, Boise State (9-1) is inching nearer towards the potential of receiving a first-round bye within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. The Broncos acquired off to a gradual begin at San José State on Saturday, however after falling behind 14-0, they closed the sport on a 42-7 run to win convincingly as Ashton Jeanty broke the single-season college speeding report. With 1,893 yards by means of 10 video games, Jeanty is bound to be a Heisman Trophy finalist and will quickly be inside hanging distance of Barry Sanders’ single-season FBS speeding report of two,628 yards from 1988. — Kyle Bonagura
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The Volunteers’ eighth straight loss to Georgia did not essentially knock them out of the CFP, however they are going to face an uphill battle to get again into the highest 12 except there are some upsets within the ultimate two weeks of the common season. Tennessee (8-2) had an awesome win over Alabama at residence, however victories over struggling NC State and Oklahoma will not do a lot to assist its possibilities. In opposition to the Bulldogs, the Volunteers could not shield quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who returned after struggling a concussion final week, and could not get sufficient stress on Georgia quarterback Carson Beck.
Iamaleava was sacked 5 instances. He accomplished 20 of 33 passes for 167 yards. The UT protection did not have a sack and had solely two tackles for loss, permitting Beck to throw for 347 yards with two scores. Georgia went 8-for-14 on third down and 5-for-5 within the crimson zone. If the Vols beat UTEP and Vanderbilt of their ultimate two video games, they’re going to be within the CFP dialogue. They will in all probability be questioning in the event that they’ve completed sufficient. — Schlabach
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Definitely, there’s loads to wash up after a 38-28 win over Boston Faculty through which the Eagles took the Mustangs (9-1) all the way down to the wire. BC was in a position to run the ball for 180 yards and three touchdowns and held the ball for practically 11 extra minutes than the Mustangs — not an enormous shock, given the Eagles clearly deliberate to decelerate SMU and restrict its possessions. However SMU’s protection made the performs it wanted to in the long run, sacking Grayson James on consecutive performs late within the recreation to assist safe the win.
SMU heads to Virginia subsequent to maintain its undefeated league mark intact and transfer one step nearer to an ACC championship recreation look. Kevin Jennings and Brashard Smith have been spectacular as soon as once more, combining to attain all 4 of the Mustangs’ touchdowns. — Adelson
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One other late game-winning drive wasn’t within the playing cards for BYU, which dropped its first recreation of the season, 17-13 at residence vs. Kansas. The Cougars (9-1) stay tied with Colorado atop the Massive 12 standings at 6-1, however are able now the place they are going to seemingly have to win at Arizona State (5-2) on Friday to achieve the convention title recreation. Their 13 factors in opposition to Kansas have been the fewest they’ve scored in a recreation this season, as Jake Retzlaff accomplished 18 of 28 passes for 192 yards with a landing and an interception. — Bonagura
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The Aggies (8-2) wanted a get-right recreation after getting shut out within the second half of a 44-20 loss at South Carolina on Nov. 2 that snapped their seven-game profitable streak. They labored out some kinks in opposition to New Mexico State, together with permitting simply 50 yards to the opposite Aggies within the first half. Marcel Reed additional solidified his place as A&M’s starter with two passing touchdowns and a rush for an additional.
Within the first recreation with out main rusher Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels had 5 carries for 84 yards, together with a 71-yard landing, and A&M was in a position to empty the bench and even get the all-walk-on twelfth Man kickoff staff a while. The Aggies should lock in for a harmful night time recreation at Auburn on Saturday earlier than returning residence to defend Kyle Subject in opposition to the Longhorns on Nov. 30. — Wilson
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Military (9-0) watched Tulane clinch the opposite spot within the AAC championship on Saturday; the Inexperienced Wave and Black Knights will face off for the title on Dec. 7. However first comes perhaps the most important (non-Navy) Military recreation in a long time Saturday, when the Black Knights head to Yankee Stadium to face Notre Dame in a recreation that would decide their CFP viability. With a win, they’d virtually definitely rise into the kids within the CFP rankings. To drag off the upset, although, the Black Knights may need to seek out their internal disruptor. They’re nice on the bend-but-don’t-break routine, forcing few adverse performs however permitting no massive performs and making stops within the crimson zone. However Notre Dame can run the ball (and end within the crimson zone) with ruthless effectivity, and if Military cannot knock the Irish off-schedule, it won’t make sufficient stops. — Connelly
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The Buffaloes (8-2) are on a four-game profitable streak and will legitimately win a Massive 12 title in Deion Sanders’ second season. However a 49-24 rout of Utah on Saturday left their head coach wanting extra from the speeding assault. Arkansas switch Isaiah Augustave broke a 37-yard landing run in opposition to the Utes, however the Buffs’ backs mixed for 32 yards on 11 carries over the remainder of the sport. “We are able to do some exceptional issues if we have now a extra balanced offense,” Sanders mentioned. Colorado has gained 1,017 yards on non-sack rushes this season, fewest amongst all Energy 4 offenses. — Max Olson
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The Gamecocks are a type of groups that no person is lining as much as play proper now, and one of many issues that can make them much more formidable the remainder of the way in which might be holding on to leads. They’re discovering alternative ways to win, rising up in key areas and smothering opposing offenses with a defensive position that is proper up there with any in faculty soccer. The Gamecocks (7-3, 5-3) rallied previous Missouri within the ultimate minute for a 34-30 win on Saturday, giving them their fourth straight victory and marking solely the second time previously 11 seasons they’ve completed with a profitable SEC report.
The one actual snag is that the Gamecocks had a two-touchdown lead early and could not maintain on. That would come again to chunk them down the highway. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers, a redshirt freshman, is blossoming at simply the precise time. He handed for 353 yards and 5 touchdowns, with the ultimate one being the sport winner to Rocket Sanders on a 15-yard shovel move. Two nonconference video games stay for South Carolina: in opposition to Wofford at residence this coming weekend after which at residence vs. bitter in-state rival Clemson on Nov. 30. The Gamecocks are one of many extra improved groups within the nation from a 12 months in the past and a few shut losses to LSU and Alabama away from being proper in the course of the playoff dialog. — Low
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The Tigers are completed with ACC play with two weeks to go within the common season, going 7-1 (8-2 general), and nonetheless have a slight likelihood to make it to the ACC championship recreation after an up-and-down 24-20 win over Pitt on Saturday. The best route could be for Miami to lose once more. It doesn’t matter what occurs, Clemson instantly has points on its offensive line, which misplaced one other participant Saturday. The Tigers are down a number of starters, and it confirmed in a ragged effort in opposition to the Panthers through which they have been unable to run the ball till Cade Klubnik’s late landing; Klubnik was harassed for almost all of the sport. The Citadel is up subsequent, after which an enormous matchup in opposition to rival South Carolina at residence because the Tigers search to notch one other 10-win season. — Adelson
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Kenny Dillingham and his teaching employees continues to tug off top-of-the-line turnarounds within the nation. The 8-2 Solar Devils notched one other assertion win on Saturday with a 24-14 highway stunner over No. 16 Kansas State. Redshirt freshman QB Sam Leavitt is taking part in at a excessive stage, Jordyn Tyson burned the Wildcats for 176 receiving yards and two scores on 12 catches and the Solar Devils’ protection did not permit a rating till late within the third quarter. One space the place they’re going to want to enhance in the event that they hope to win out: the kicking recreation. Former USC and Ohio State switch Parker Lewis has taken over the kicking duties and transformed a 47-yard area objective in opposition to Okay-State. — Olson
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It is tough to nitpick a Inexperienced Wave staff that has received eight straight video games by a median margin of 28.8 factors and clinched a spot within the AAC title recreation with a 35-0 win over Navy on Saturday. Nevertheless, if Tulane (9-2) desires to profit from its outdoors shot at a playoff berth, it may use an uptick within the passing recreation. Freshman quarterback Darian Mensah delivered one other environment friendly efficiency in Week 12 (10-of-14, 138 yards, two TDs), whereas Tulane’s Tenth-ranked speeding assault totalled 220 yards. The Inexperienced Wave offense is rolling, however Mensah has eclipsed 14 completions simply twice over the previous eight video games and 200 yards solely thrice throughout that stretch. The Tulane run recreation has carried Jon Sumrall’s program this fall, however it’ll want a passing assault when it meets Military — and the nation’s No. 3 run protection (82.6 yards per recreation) coming into Week 12 — within the AAC championship recreation on Dec. 6. — Eli Lederman
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The Cyclones (8-2) snapped a two-game skid Saturday with a 24-point second half powered by a pair of Rocco Becht touchdowns. However the greatest hitch in Iowa State’s slim Massive 12 title recreation (and playoff) hopes stays a run protection that was gashed for 287 speeding yards in a 34-17 highway win over Cincinnati on Saturday night time. The accidents which have ravaged Iowa State’s protection within the again half of the season have proven up on the bottom, the place Jon Heacock’s unit has now given up 200-plus yards in 5 of the Cyclones’ previous eight video games. Can Iowa State enhance in opposition to the run with a depleted and inexperienced protection within the coming weeks? Unclear. However it’s the world through which the Cyclones want to enhance if they are going to scrap again into the convention title race forward of a go to to Utah and a house recreation vs. Kansas State to shut the common season. — Lederman
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The Cougars escaped a variety of shut calls all through the season, however their luck lastly caught up with them in a poor highway efficiency at New Mexico. Wazzu led 28-14 at halftime, solely to break down in a 38-35 loss, with New Mexico scoring the game-winning landing with 21 seconds to play. If the Cougars (8-2) win out, they’ll nonetheless tie their single-season college wins report (11), however there is not any sugarcoating this: It was a horrible loss to take this deep within the season. — Bonagura
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There’s not a lot to nitpick in regards to the 8-2 Rebels following their 41-20 win over San Diego State late Saturday night time. UNLV was by no means in a lot hazard on this one, pulling away with a 21-point second quarter and surpassing 250 yards each passing and speeding. The Rebels have a top-10 scoring offense within the FBS however have not been among the many nation’s finest in third-down effectivity, rating 86th coming into Saturday with a conversion fee of 38%. They boosted that share in opposition to the Aztecs by going 8-for-16, however coach Barry Odom is aware of it may take glorious situational soccer to win the Mountain West. — Olson
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For the primary time since a loss to Kentucky in November 2022, Missouri misplaced a one-score recreation. The Tigers’ nine-game profitable streak in such video games got here to an finish by the hands of LaNorris Sellers, Raheim Sanders and the South Carolina offense. Mizzou acquired a gutty efficiency from quarterback Brady Cook dinner, who began regardless of being listed as uncertain for a lot of the week due to a wrist damage; the senior threw for 237 yards and acquired 150 speeding yards from Nate Noel and a wonderful late landing from Luther Burden III to offer the Tigers the lead with 1:10 left. However the Gamecocks scored 55 seconds later, and Mizzou fell to 6-3. The most important problem for the remainder of the season: remaining centered. Mizzou entered the season with playoff hopes, and people are out the window, however the Tigers might be favored in every of their final two video games and will nonetheless end 9-3. That is by no means unhealthy in Columbia. — Connelly