Prime faculty soccer video games to look at in October with Playoff stakes

Because the calendar turns from September to October, the stakes ramp up in convention races for potential Faculty Soccer Playoff contenders. The season’s first month introduced high quality nonconference matchups and an SEC basic between Georgia and Alabama. This month establishes separation among the many CFP contenders and bowl-caliber squads.

For this week’s CFP breakdown, let’s look at the 4 sorts of video games that can form the month. They embody these with large implications, with each groups not solely having a shot to succeed in the CFP but in addition to host a first-round recreation or earn a bye. The second class identifies the sneaky-important matchups which have the potential to grow to be pivotal. The third class establishes potential CFP elimination video games during which the loser doubtless falls utterly out of the CFP chase. The fourth pits groups with CFP hopes in opposition to those that might thwart iconic seasons.

This submit highlights eight video games — two in every class — whereas itemizing 24 video games which have the potential to shake up the CFP subject.

Large implications

Ohio State at Oregon, Oct. 12

Georgia at Texas, Oct. 19

Each video games might attain 10 million viewers, which is a significant cause each conferences expanded. However extra than simply scores are concerned. Not solely are CFP ramifications at stake, however these matchups additionally present a window into how convention championship chases might unfold. The Large Ten battle royale options No. 3 Ohio State at No. 6 Oregon, whereas No. 2 Texas hosts No. 5 Georgia.

The Buckeyes (4-0) and Geese (4-0) final performed in 2021, and Oregon ran the ball at will with 269 dashing yards in a 35-28 win. Now, each groups are below the Large Ten umbrella and have former Large 12 switch quarterbacks (Ohio State with former Kansas State star Will Howard; Oregon with ex-Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel). It may very well be the primary of two, even perhaps three, conferences between Ohio State and Oregon.

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Texas-Georgia carries maybe much more significance, at the least for the Bulldogs (3-1). After falling brief in a shootout with Alabama, Georgia doubtless would miss the SEC championship with one other loss. Although that wouldn’t finish the Bulldogs’ Playoff hopes, it could stop them from gaining a bye or maybe internet hosting a first-round recreation. As for Texas (5-0), which performs Oklahoma the earlier week, wins in each video games would nearly lock up a Playoff spot primarily based on the remaining schedule.

Others: Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas, Oct. 12; Penn State at USC, Oct. 12; Alabama at Tennessee, Oct. 19; Missouri at Alabama, Oct. 26

Boise State has excessive hopes to win the Mountain West behind the nation’s chief in dashing yards and TDs: Ashton Jeanty. (Brian Losness / Imagn Pictures)

Sneaky vital

Nebraska at Indiana, Oct. 19

Boise State at UNLV, Oct. 25

Solely as soon as since 2007 has Indiana received at the least seven video games in a season. Nebraska is the one power-conference program to not qualify for a bowl since 2016. Each info might crumble in Bloomington. Ought to Indiana (5-0) care for Northwestern this week, the Hoosiers will battle Nebraska (4-1) to succeed in a seventh victory. Likewise, if the Huskers knock off unbeaten Rutgers, they’ll play IU for a bowl berth. Within the large image, the winner stays in robust rivalry for a CFP spot. Narrowly, it’s a wealthy distinction in quarterbacking types between senior switch Kurtis Rourke (Indiana) and true freshman Dylan Raiola (Nebraska).

The Group of 5’s prime two groups conflict in Las Vegas with a probable spot within the Mountain West championship at stake. No. 25 UNLV (4-0) received at Large 12 opponents Houston and Kansas and crushed Fresno State 59-14 final week. The Rebels seem like a authentic CFP group and maybe not a first-round get together favor for one of many prime at-large squads. Likewise, No. 21 Boise State (3-1) was a subject aim away on the sport’s ultimate play from taking Oregon to additional time. The Broncos characteristic the nation’s main rusher, Ashton Jeanty. This matchup (and maybe a rematch within the Mountain West title recreation) will affect the Group of 5 CFP spot greater than every other within the common season.

Others: Iowa at Ohio State, Oct. 5; Missouri at Texas A&M, Oct. 5; Arizona at BYU, Oct. 12; BYU at UCF, Oct. 26

Potential eliminator

Kansas State at Colorado, Oct. 12

Oklahoma at Ole Miss, Oct. 26

Colorado (4-1) and Kansas State (4-1) as soon as had been stalwarts of the outdated Large 12 North Division, with one or the opposite competing for the championship in six straight seasons from 2000 to 2005. They’ve met 66 occasions as Large Eight, then Large 12 foes earlier than the Buffaloes left for the Pac-12 in 2011. Now they’ve returned to the Large 12, and this might mark the league’s most fun matchup. Colorado options Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter and sure first-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and Kansas State boasts quarterback Avery Johnson and a number of other high quality receivers. Each groups have a loss, and one other one might severely dent their at-large potential.

Oklahoma (4-1) and Ole Miss (4-1) every have a loss, and so they might have a second one by the point they meet in late October. If that’s the case, this really is an elimination contest. Kentucky shocked Ole Miss final weekend, and Oklahoma misplaced two weeks in the past to Tennessee. It’s unusual to see these groups meet below the SEC banner, and so they’ve performed one another simply as soon as beforehand, within the 1999 Independence Bowl. This recreation guarantees to have fireworks primarily based on OU quarterback Michael Hawkins’ comeback in opposition to Auburn and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart’s high-flying numbers.

Others: SMU at Louisville, Oct. 5; Utah at Arizona State, Oct. 12; Michigan at Illinois, Oct. 19; LSU at Texas A&M, Oct. 26

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Upset watch

Iowa State at West Virginia, Oct. 12

Florida State at Miami, Oct. 26

The Large 12 as soon as tried to staple Iowa State and West Virginia collectively as a season-ending collection, but it surely didn’t take. Final 12 months was the primary time they hadn’t performed for the reason that Mountaineers (2-2) entered the Large 12, however there’s normally a bit sizzle once they face off. This 12 months, the No. 16 Cyclones (4-0) are rolling on protection (7.3 factors per recreation), however they’ve misplaced three of their final 4 in Morgantown. West Virginia performs 11 power-conference opponents this 12 months and opened with top-10 Penn State at dwelling. It additionally misplaced late in a shootout at Pitt. The battle-tested Mountaineers are not any pushover and can knock off some Large 12 contenders in October.

Florida State (1-4) simply is the nation’s most disappointing group. At worst, the Seminoles anticipated to have one loss proper now, not 4. But when there’s something that can give FSU juice, it’s an opportunity to knock off No. 8 Miami (5-0). The Seminoles have received three straight within the collection, and there’s nothing like familiarity to carry out the perfect in a upset competitor. Miami barely eked out a win in opposition to Virginia Tech when a Hail Mary cross was dominated incomplete after a protracted video overview. But when we’ve discovered something with this collection, something is feasible (vast), proper?

Others: Pitt at North Carolina, Oct. 5; Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech in Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Oct. 19; Auburn at Missouri, Oct. 19; Michigan State at Michigan, Oct. 26

(Prime picture of Texas’ Colin Simmons and David Gbenda: David Buono / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)