US LBM Coaches Ballot: How damaging was Ohio State’s loss to Michigan?
The newest US LBM Coaches Ballot is right here and Paul Myerberg explains the impression Ohio States stunning loss to rival Michigan.
Sports activities Pulse
- A minimum of 18 groups stay in playoff competition, however who’s getting the final spot? By no means low cost model bias. That helps Alabama.
- South Carolina is the most well liked bubble crew, however Gamecocks misplaced to Alabama and Ole Miss.
- Anticipate a sizzling debate on whether or not Ohio State or Tennessee deserves last spot to host first-round sport.
An Ohio State loss and some photographs of pepper spray later, and we’re somewhat bleary-eyed as we attempt to determine how the Faculty Soccer Playoff committee will deal with a messy glob of groups vying for the ultimate spot within the bracket.
By my depend, 18 teams remain in playoff contention coming into convention championship weekend.
Playoff prospects embrace a crew that misplaced to Kentucky (Mississippi), a crew that received blown out by six-win Oklahoma (Alabama), and a three-loss bid stealer from the ACC (Clemson).
Let’s get to my newest playoff bracket projection.
Reminder: That is not a projection of what I believe Tuesday’s Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings will seem like. Somewhat, this initiatives what I believe the playoff bracket will seem like come Choice Sunday on Dec. 8.
Additionally, keep in mind: High-four seeds would obtain a first-round bye, whereas groups seeded Nos. 5 by 8 would host first-round playoff video games. To earn a top-four seed, a crew should win its convention championship.
1. Oregon (Huge Ten)
The Ducks handed each check and stand as the one remaining undefeated crew. The associated fee for dropping the Huge Ten championship can be vital, shoving Oregon into the No. 5 seed, which might push it right into a sport towards an SEC crew like Alabama or South Carolina. Holding off Penn State might be no layup, however the Geese present all of the markers of a crew as much as the duty. Final week’s projection: No. 5.
BOWL PROJECTIONS: Alabama back into the playoff as Texas, SMU rise
RE-RANK: Texas moves up, Ohio State tumbles in NCAA 1-134 ranking
2. Texas (SEC)
The Longhorns earned the rematch against Georgia that they craved since imploding within the first half of an October loss to the Bulldogs. Georgia performed to a peak that night time it hasn’t typically replicated. If each groups deliver their finest, Georgia may be a rung higher, however Texas shows extra consistency, and absolutely it received’t repeat its 4 turnovers from the primary assembly, proper? Final week’s projection: No. 8.
3. SMU (ACC)
The Mustangs have performed just like the ACC’s finest crew for a number of weeks now, and the committee refused to acknowledge it, however there might be no denying SMU the bracket’s No. 3 seed if it earns a tenth consecutive victory by beating Clemson. Rhett Lashlee’s quarterback switcheroo to insert Kevin Jennings galvanized SMU and stays one of many season’s finest teaching choices. Final week’s projection: No. 3
4. Arizona State (Huge 12)
Boise State loved a rankings lead on the Sun Devils final week, however Arizona State’s blowout win over rival Arizona ought to shut the hole. Then, if the Solar Devils beats Iowa State within the Huge 12 championship sport, the committee can settle for that as permission to award the Huge 12 the ultimate bye and snub the Broncos. Defeating the Cyclones would give Arizona State two ranked wins in its last three video games. Final week’s projection: Not projected into bracket.
5. Notre Dame (at-large)
Anticipate Penn State to be ranked forward of the Irish on Tuesday. If Oregon beats Penn State within the Huge Ten championship, although, the committee should resolve whether or not – and the way a lot – to penalize the Nittany Lions for placing it on the road towards the No. 1 crew whereas Notre Dame sat at dwelling. The committee has constantly valued Penn State forward of Notre Dame, however a loss to Oregon can be recent within the mind. Final week’s projection: No. 7.
6. Penn State (at-large)
If Penn State beats Oregon to grab the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, then Ohio State’s loss to Michigan could have been value it to the Nittany Lions. If Oregon wins, then Penn State could have endured a troublesome sport and gained little to no worth to its seeding. Penn State final received the Huge Ten in 2016, so, considered by that lens, contemplate this a valued alternative. It additionally will inform us extra about whether or not Penn State needs to be considered as a nationwide title contender or pretender. Final week’s projection: No. 6.
7. Georgia (at-large)
Beating Texas for a second time initiatives as no simple activity, however because of Georgia’s escape towards Georgia Tech in eight overtimes, the Bulldogs will enter this SEC championship sport dealing with much less stress. Georgia’s head-to-head wins towards Texas and Tennessee, two groups that might be within the bracket, assist present seed safety even when it loses in Atlanta. Final week’s projection: No. 2.
8. Ohio State (at-large)
The Buckeyes faceplanted of their last stroll down the catwalk, struggling a well-known consequence towards Michigan. This may check whether or not the committee turns into sufferer to the second. All through 11 video games, OSU appeared the a part of nationwide championship contender. It owns wins towards two groups on this bracket, Penn State and Indiana, and a one-point loss to Oregon. Seeding based mostly on full résumé may very well be sufficient to protect a first-round dwelling sport, however the Buckeyes put their destiny within the committee’s fingers. Final week’s projection: No. 1.
9. Tennessee (at-large)
The Vols dealt with their enterprise towards Vanderbilt and put themselves within the dialog for a first-round dwelling sport. Seeding may very well be essential for Tennessee, which performs considerably higher at Neyland Stadium. So, Ohio State or Tennessee? Each groups boast high defenses. OSU’s total résumé is best, however can the committee neglect what it noticed from the Buckeyes towards Michigan? That’s the query. Final week’s projection: No. 9.
10. Indiana (at-large)
Miami and Clemson dropping, whereas Indiana ripped out Purdue’s soul, ended debate about whether or not the Hoosiers will earn an at-large bid. We’re speaking about 9-3 groups with unhealthy losses being in competition, so, sure, Indiana is in, and the playoff’s first spherical will reveal whether or not that efficiency towards Ohio State was a harbinger of fraud standing or an aberration masking a great crew. Final week’s projection: No. 11.
11. Boise State (Group of 5)
The Broncos aren’t your common Group of 5 crew. They possess one of many two front-runners for the Heisman Trophy. Their solely loss got here by three factors, on the street, to Oregon. However, awarding Boise State the ultimate first-round bye over a two-loss Huge 12 champion would take some backbone from a committee that’s constantly hesitated to place respect on Boise’s identify. Final week’s projection: No. 4.
12. Alabama (at-large)
Look, the ultimate crew chosen could have a smudged résumé. That’s a reality. How to decide on? I’m pondering Alabama’s energy of schedule and head-to-head consequence with South Carolina ideas the scales, with some model bias giving the ultimate nudge. Final week’s projection: Not projected within the bracket.
Dropping out of final week’s bracket projection
∎ Miami
The case for South Carolina
No unhealthy losses, and, as winners of six in a row, the Gamecocks are the most well liked crew vying for the ultimate spot. Clemson profitable the ACC championship would polish South Carolina’s bid, however a bid for the Gamecocks would require the committee to disregard head-to-head losses to Alabama and Ole Miss.
The case for Miami
If the ultimate spot turns into a loss-counting train, then Miami will get the bid, and sorry about your luck, SEC. However, by that logic, why reward Miami as a substitute of two-loss Brigham Younger, which has a greater high victory (SMU) and stronger energy of schedule? The case for Miami performs weak in that gentle.
The case for Ole Miss
The Rebels’ three losses got here by a complete margin of 13 factors. They personal a dominant victory towards the crew which may win the SEC championship (Georgia), plus a blowout street win towards a crew into account (South Carolina). If solely Ole Miss hadn’t misplaced at dwelling to Kentucky, the Rebels can be a slam dunk, however they did lose to Kentucky.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Community’s nationwide faculty soccer columnist. Electronic mail him at [email protected] and comply with him on X @btoppmeyer. The “Topp Rope” is his soccer column revealed all through the USA TODAY Networokay. Subscribe to learn all of his columns.
