Editor’s observe: The Athletic 134 is a weekly rating of all FBS school soccer groups.
Each school soccer season accommodates a Chaos Week that throws these rankings up within the air. This yr’s was larger than any we’ve had in a very long time.
4 top-10 groups misplaced on Saturday, three of them to unranked opponents. Vanderbilt beat Alabama for the primary time in 40 years, one week after I mentioned the Tide have been Thanos (whoops). Tennessee misplaced to Arkansas. Missouri received whipped by Texas A&M 41-10, and Michigan misplaced to Washington in a nationwide title rematch.
That is additionally the purpose the place now we have the inconceivable dialog in regards to the SEC: Is the league good as a result of it beats up on itself, or is that potential parity really an indication of weak point? Finally, regardless of main upset losses, Alabama and Tennessee stick within the high 10 on this week’s Athletic 134.
Alabama solely drops from No. 1 to No. 3, and the reason being easy: The Tide beat Georgia only a week in the past. Sure, the second half of that sport was unhealthy, however the first half was good. Alabama is most actually trending downward over its final six quarters, however I simply can’t put Alabama behind Georgia proper now when I’ve them on the identical tier and Alabama beat Georgia. Plus, Georgia’s blowout win in opposition to Clemson appears higher every week. Tennessee’s drop from No. 4 to No. 9 hangs on a win at Oklahoma and in any other case dominant performances. However the Vols are on shaky floor.
The carnage of Saturday might have an enormous trickle-down impact on the SEC over the again half of the season. Everybody within the league, aside from Texas, has a loss, and nearly all of those groups nonetheless must play one another. We’re going to see a number of two- and three-loss SEC groups round that CFP bubble, and I anticipate that to be a civil and calm dialog. That’s additionally the purpose when individuals will understand the battle for seeding shall be as necessary because the battle to get into the sector.
However in the event you assume I’m being too favorable to the SEC right here, fireplace away. The fact is we could not have dominant groups this yr as a result of the switch portal has created extra depth throughout the board, and the expanded energy conferences are going to create extra losses for high groups. As that occurs, an emphasis on who you’ve crushed might emerge, slightly than who beat you.
Right here is that this week’s Athletic 134.
1-10
Rank | Staff | Document | Prev |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
5-0 |
2 |
|
2 |
5-0 |
5 |
|
3 |
4-1 |
1 |
|
4 |
3-1 |
3 |
|
5 |
5-0 |
6 |
|
6 |
5-0 |
7 |
|
7 |
6-0 |
8 |
|
8 |
5-0 |
12 |
|
9 |
4-1 |
4 |
|
10 |
4-1 |
13 |
Texas slides as much as No. 1 after Alabama’s loss, however the Longhorns received’t have it straightforward with Oklahoma and Georgia over the following two weeks. Alabama and Georgia sit forward of Oregon, Penn State and Miami as a result of they’ve every received a greater finest win, and since Oregon has been near shedding just a few instances. Ohio State lastly performed what I believe is a top quality Iowa group and pulled away for a 35-7 win. Nonetheless, we’ve received Ohio State-Oregon this week, so prepare for an additional shakeup on the high.
Miami rallied again for a win at Cal and moved as much as No. 7. BYU slides as much as No. 8 off an idle week due to what occurred elsewhere, together with SMU’s continued rise, which helps BYU because of the Cougars’ 18-15 win at SMU. Clemson has already climbed again into the highest 10, as properly. The Tigers proceed to roll.
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Stewart Mandel’s 12-team Playoff projections after Week 6
11-25
Rank | Staff | Document | Prev |
---|---|---|---|
11 |
5-0 |
14 |
|
12 |
4-1 |
16 |
|
13 |
4-1 |
18 |
|
14 |
6-0 |
19 |
|
15 |
5-1 |
29 |
|
16 |
5-1 |
20 |
|
17 |
5-1 |
25 |
|
18 |
4-1 |
24 |
|
19 |
4-1 |
9 |
|
20 |
4-1 |
15 |
|
21 |
4-1 |
17 |
|
22 |
4-1 |
21 |
|
23 |
5-0 |
31 |
|
24 |
4-1 |
26 |
|
25 |
4-2 |
10 |
The most important winner of Texas A&M’s victory in opposition to Missouri would possibly’ve been No. 13 Notre Dame. That Week 1 win in Faculty Station appears higher each week and can assist offset the following week’s loss to Northern Illinois. In the meantime, Indiana is one in every of simply two groups sitting at 6-0 proper now, and the Hoosiers are actually within the Huge Ten and CFP image. SMU is as much as No. 17 after beating Louisville on the highway and are quietly very a lot within the ACC title image.
Boise State jumps as much as No. 18, forward of Utah due to their respective outcomes in opposition to Utah State. LSU slips to No. 20 on an off week as a result of its Week 1 loss to USC appears worse now, however the Tigers have a brutal schedule developing.
Navy strikes into the highest 25 at No. 23 after a 34-7 win in opposition to Air Power to proceed a powerful begin. Illinois additionally slides again into the highest 25 whereas idle, and Michigan’s loss to Washington drops the Wolverines to No. 25.
GO DEEPER
Mandel’s Remaining Ideas: In zany day of upsets, Vanderbilt-Alabama stands above the remaining
26-50
No. 26 Nebraska strikes up after beating Rutgers, whereas Pitt’s win in opposition to North Carolina has the Panthers simply outdoors the highest 25. Texas Tech’s win at Arizona strikes the Purple Raiders as much as No. 29 and likewise pushes up Washington State because of the Cougars’ win in opposition to Texas Tech.
Vanderbilt, like everybody else within the SEC, is so troublesome to rank. The No. 31 Commodores have wins in opposition to Alabama and Virginia Tech, with an extra time loss to Missouri, however additionally they misplaced to Georgia State. You inform me what to do with that. Identical with No. 34 Arkansas, which beat Tennessee however misplaced to an Oklahoma State group that has been sliding ever since. Iowa sits one spot forward of USC at No. 32 resulting from their outcomes in opposition to Minnesota.
Syracuse strikes as much as No. 35 after an extra time win at UNLV, dropping the Rebels to No. 36. Washington strikes as much as No. 43 after its win in opposition to Michigan, however losses to Rutgers and Washington State preserve the Huskies from climbing additional. Virginia jumps as much as No. 48 after beating Boston Faculty.
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51-75
Oklahoma State continues to tumble to No. 52 after a 38-14 loss to West Virginia. Florida makes a soar as much as No. 53 after dealing with UCF. Military is 5-0 and on the rise after dealing with Tulsa 49-7. The distinction between Navy’s and Military’s rankings comes right down to Navy’s spectacular win in opposition to Memphis.
One of many greatest jumps comes from ULM, which is 4-1 and as much as No. 58 from No. 101 after beating red-hot James Madison 21-19. Minnesota strikes as much as No. 67 after beating USC, however the Gophers keep behind North Carolina for now resulting from their head-to-head outcome.
Louisiana slides as much as No. 75 resulting from Wake Forest’s win in opposition to NC State, one week after the Ragin’ Cajuns beat Wake.
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Diego Pavia is a Bama-slaying Vanderbilt legend, and Vandy is a university soccer lesson
76-100
NC State continues to slip, right down to No. 78 after a loss to Wake Forest. Houston jumps as much as No. 79 after beating TCU in Fort Value.
No. 85 Georgia State is one other robust group to position. The Panthers beat Vanderbilt however misplaced to Georgia Southern and wanted a fourth quarter comeback to beat Chattanooga. Finally, they stayed put. UConn slips one spot to No. 87 after needing a objective line cease to beat Temple.
Arkansas State strikes as much as No. 93 after beating South Alabama. Marshall’s win in opposition to App State strikes the Thundering Herd as much as No. 96. How about Charlotte? The 49ers are out of the blue 3-3 after a surprising 55-24 win in opposition to East Carolina and as much as No. 97.
GO DEEPER
Faculty Soccer Playoff 2024 projections: How did Week 6 chaos change the bracket?
101-134
Purdue is the brand new lowest-ranked Energy 4 group after a 52-6 loss to Wisconsin, dropping to No. 103 with a 1-4 file. The Boilermakers have been outscored 184-44 in opposition to FBS opponents.
UAB tumbles right down to No. 126 after a 70-21 loss to Tulane. It’s not going properly in Birmingham.
The underside 5 stay the identical, however mark down in your calendar that UTEP and Kennesaw State play on Nov. 9.
The Athletic 134 collection is a part of a partnership with Allstate. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Companions haven’t any management over or enter into the reporting or enhancing course of and don’t evaluation tales earlier than publication.
(High illustration photograph: Wesley Hitt / Getty Photographs)