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As a lot as school soccer has modified over the previous few seasons by means of the switch portal, convention realignment and NIL cash, the lopsided nature of the game has largely remained unchanged.
Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State are nonetheless probably the most dominant groups within the FBS, and it is troublesome to search out another program which may problem them for one of many 4 spots within the School Soccer Playoff.
When you’re a fan of the 127 different FBS groups, an expanded playoff cannot get right here quickly sufficient.
Because the 2022 school soccer season kicks off with 11 video games on Saturday, listed below are predictions for every of the Energy 5 conferences:
Table of Contents
Clemson 11-1, 8-0
NC State 10-2, 6-2
Louisville 8-4, 5-3
Wake Forest 8-4, 4-4
Florida State 6-6, 4-4
Boston College 6-6, 3-5
Syracuse 4-8, 2-6
Miami 9-3, 6-2
Pittsburgh 8-4, 5-3
North Carolina 8-4, 5-3
Virginia 6-6, 3-5
Virginia Tech 6-6, 3-5
Georgia Tech 3-9, 2-6
Duke 2-10, 0-8
ACC champion: Clemson
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Devin Leary, QB, NC State
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Freshman of the 12 months: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Affect switch: Kedon Slovis, QB, Pittsburgh (USC)
Coach of the 12 months: Dave Doeren, NC State
Coach on the recent seat: Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech
Coordinator who shall be a head coach: Josh Gattis, offensive coordinator, Miami
Nonconference recreation of the 12 months: Clemson at Notre Dame, Nov. 5
Convention recreation of the 12 months: Clemson vs. NC State, Oct. 1
Upset of the 12 months: Louisville over NC State, Nov. 19
Three daring predictions for the ACC
1. Clemson goes again to the CFP: The Tigers had a little bit of a rebuild final season, particularly on offense, however they nonetheless received 10 video games for the eleventh straight 12 months, which exhibits how strong Dabo Swinney’s basis is constructed. Now Clemson must do it with out longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who left for Oklahoma, and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, who departed for Virginia. Clemson’s offensive woes had been uncovered in a 10-3 loss to eventual nationwide champion Georgia within the 2021 opener. The Tigers are going to look quite a bit just like the Bulldogs did final season with their menacing defensive position.
2. The U. is again! Effectively, type of … : The faculty soccer workforce that dominated the game from the mid-Nineteen Eighties to the mid-Nineties has received 10 video games in a season solely as soon as previously 18 years, underneath Mark Richt in 2017. Former Oregon coach Mario Cristobal is attempting to instill substance over hype, and his clever determination to cast off the Turnover Chain is proof. With quarterback Tyler Van Dyke returning, the Hurricanes may have a very good probability to win the Coastal Division, which they’ve completed solely as soon as since becoming a member of the ACC in 2004. Miami will stumble at Texas A&M and Clemson, however it can defeat Pittsburgh at house within the regular-season finale to win the division.
3. Florida State goes bowling: Bobby Bowden guided the Seminoles to twenty-eight consecutive bowl video games from 1982 to 2009, however they have not performed within the postseason in three of the previous 4 seasons. Final 12 months, the Seminoles had been higher in Mike Norvell’s second season, even when their document did not mirror it. In some ways, they allowed Notre Dame to beat them twice, shedding to FCS foe Jacksonville State the subsequent week. Then issues spiraled downhill. With seven house video games and a lastly bettering offensive line, FSU must be adequate to get to 6-6 or higher.
Oklahoma 10-2, 7-2
Baylor 9-3, 6-3
Oklahoma State 9-3, 6-3
Texas 7-5, 5-4
Kansas State 7-5, 5-4
Iowa State 6-6, 4-5
West Virginia 6-6, 4-5
TCU 7-5, 4-5
Texas Tech 5-7, 3-6
Kansas 3-9, 1-8
Large 12 champion: Oklahoma
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Will McDonald IV, DL, Iowa State
Freshman of the 12 months: Jordan Hudson, WR, TCU
Affect switch: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma (UCF)
Coach of the 12 months: Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Coach on the recent seat: Neal Brown, West Virginia
Coordinator who shall be a head coach: Jeff Grimes, offensive coordinator, Baylor
Nonconference recreation of the 12 months: TCU at SMU, Sept. 24
Convention recreation of the 12 months: Baylor at Oklahoma, Nov. 5
Upset of the 12 months: TCU over Oklahoma, Oct. 1
Three daring predictions for the Large 12
1. Texas goes bowling: The Longhorns had been a giant disappointment in coach Steve Sarkisian’s first season in 2021, shedding six video games in a row en path to a 5-7 end. Texas remains to be a 12 months or two — and an Arch Manning-led recruiting class — from difficult for a convention title. It is likely to be a wrestle for Ohio State switch Quinn Ewers enjoying behind a suspect offensive line. Texas will end 7-5 after knocking off Baylor at house within the regular-season finale.
2. JT Daniels will throw 30 touchdowns at West Virginia: Brown known as Daniels “the neatest quarterback we have ever had.” Daniels’ soccer smarts and expertise have by no means been questioned. The previous five-star recruit received the beginning job at USC and Georgia however could not keep wholesome. He is at his third FBS faculty, and it is a final alternative to show he is greater than one other Tate Martell. Daniels will throw greater than 30 touchdowns and have the Mountaineers within the hunt for a bowl recreation. By season’s finish, quite a lot of Georgia followers will nonetheless be questioning why coach Kirby Sensible selected Stetson Bennett over Daniels.
3. Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn will lead the Large 12 in speeding: Robinson, Texas’ star operating again, is the very best NFL prospect within the league and a official Heisman Trophy candidate. The one downside: Texas’ offensive line may be very younger and won’t be superb. The Longhorns misplaced guard Junior Angilau, a fifth-year senior with 34 profession begins, to a season-ending knee damage in preseason camp. Vaughn ran for 1,404 yards with 468 receiving yards and 22 complete touchdowns in 2021. He may put up even larger numbers this season.
Ohio State 11-1, 8-1
Michigan 10-2, 7-2
Penn State 9-3, 6-3
Michigan State 8-4, 5-4
Maryland 7-5, 4-5
Rutgers 4-8, 2-7
Indiana 4-8, 2-7
Wisconsin 10-2, 7-2
Minnesota 9-3, 6-3
Iowa 8-4, 5-4
Purdue 7-5, 4-5
Nebraska 6-6, 3-6
Illinois 5-7, 2-7
Northwestern 5-7, 2-7
Large Ten champion: Ohio State
Offensive participant of the 12 months: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Freshman of the 12 months: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Affect switch: Jarek Broussard, RB, Michigan State (Colorado)
Coach of the 12 months: Ryan Day, Ohio State
Coach on the recent seat: Scott Frost, Nebraska
Coordinator who shall be a head coach: Jim Leonhard, defensive coordinator, Wisconsin
Nonconference recreation of the 12 months: Notre Dame at Ohio State, Sept. 3
Convention recreation of the 12 months: Michigan at Ohio State, Nov. 26
Upset of the 12 months: Purdue over Penn State, Sept. 1
Three daring predictions for the Large Ten
1. Ohio State may have two Heisman Trophy finalists: Stroud looks as if a lock to return to New York as a finalist if he picks up from the place he left off in 2021. He accomplished 71.9% of his passes for 4,435 yards with 44 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He must be even higher in his second season as a starter. Both operating again TreVeyon Henderson, who ran for 1,248 yards with 15 scores as a freshman, or receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the Buckeyes with 95 catches for 1,606 yards with 9 touchdowns, will get to New York as effectively. All three could possibly be deserving if Ohio State’s offense is nearly as good as marketed.
2. Frost will not make it by means of the season: Certainly one of Nebraska’s favourite sons, Frost’s tenure at his alma mater has been a catastrophe. The Cornhuskers have gone 15-29 in his 4 seasons and have not made a bowl recreation underneath his watch. He took a $1 million wage discount, and his buyout will get reduce in half to $7.5 million after Oct. 1. The Cornhuskers will begin 3-0, however penalties and turnovers will proceed to doom them throughout a 1-3 stretch after that. Athletic director Trev Alberts will reduce him unfastened after a loss at Purdue on Oct. 15.
3. Minnesota wins the West: I went with Wisconsin, which appeared just like the safer decide, however I would not be stunned to see the Gophers within the Large Ten championship recreation, both. Minnesota has to throw the ball greater than it did final season — solely Navy, Army and Air Force tried fewer passes in 2021. Quarterback Tanner Morgan must be higher underneath offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who was there when Minnesota received 11 video games in 2019. Tailback Mohamed Ibrahim, the Large Ten operating again of the 12 months in 2020, is again after tearing his Achilles in final season’s opener.
Utah 10-2, 7-2
USC 10-2, 7-2
Oregon 8-4, 6-3
Washington State 8-4, 6-3
UCLA 8-4, 5-4
Washington 7-5, 5-4
Oregon State 6-6, 4-5
Arizona State 6-6, 4-5
California 5-7, 3-6
Stanford 5-7, 3-6
Arizona 3-9, 2-7
Colorado 3-9, 2-7
Pac-12 champion: Utah
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Freshman of the 12 months: Lander Barton, LB, Utah
Affect switch: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Coach of the 12 months: Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Coach on the recent seat: Herm Edwards, Arizona State
Coordinator who shall be a head coach: Alex Grinch, defensive coordinator, USC
Nonconference recreation of the 12 months: Oregon vs. Georgia, Sept. 3
Convention recreation of the 12 months: USC at Utah, Oct. 15
Upset of the 12 months: California over Oregon, Oct. 29
Three daring predictions for the Pac-12
1. USC simply misses a New Yr’s Six bowl recreation: The Trojans are going to have loads of star energy this season. Riley, one of many brightest offensive minds within the recreation, introduced in Oklahoma transfers Caleb Williams and Mario Williams to shore up USC’s offense, together with reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Addison. However USC’s offensive line nonetheless wants work, and Grinch goes to should rebuild a protection that ranked eleventh in scoring protection (31.8 factors) in 2021. The Trojans shall be higher, however they will lose to Utah twice, first on the highway on Oct. 15 and once more within the Pac-12 championship recreation.
2. UCLA begins 5-0: The Bruins are lastly beginning to present some enchancment underneath coach Chip Kelly, whose second run within the Pac-12 hasn’t been practically nearly as good as his first at Oregon. The Bruins are simply 18-25 in his first 4 seasons, however they went 8-4 in 2021. UCLA may have offensive firepower with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and tailback Zach Charbonnet returning. The offensive line and receiver corps may have loads of new faces, although. The Bruins will lose 4 of their ultimate seven video games and end 8-4 for the second straight season.
3. Oregon’s Dan Lanning is the very best first-year coach: Lanning helped Georgia finish its 41-year nationwide title drought as its defensive coordinator. He is a first-time head coach, and the Geese may have some early hiccups in opposition to the Bulldogs in Atlanta on Sept. 3 and at Washington State three weeks later. After a 2-2 begin, the Geese will get it rolling to complete 8-4. Auburn switch Bo Nix goes to ship Oregon followers on one other roller-coaster trip, however Oregon’s protection and its veteran and gifted offensive line will carry the load.
Georgia 12-0, 8-0
Kentucky 9-3, 5-3
Tennessee 8-4, 4-4
South Carolina 7-5, 4-4
Florida 7-5, 4-4
Missouri 6-6, 2-6
Vanderbilt 3-9, 0-8
Alabama 12-0, 8-0
Texas A&M 9-3, 5-3
Arkansas 8-4, 5-3
LSU 8-4, 4-4
Ole Miss 7-5, 3-5
Mississippi State 6-6, 2-6
Auburn 5-7, 2-6
SEC champion: Alabama
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Will Anderson, LB, Alabama
Freshman of the 12 months: Walter Nolen, DL, Texas A&M
Affect switch: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (Georgia Tech)
Coach of the 12 months: Nick Saban, Alabama
Coach on the recent seat: Bryan Harsin, Auburn
Coordinator who shall be a head coach: Glenn Schumann, defensive coordinator, Georgia
Nonconference recreation of the 12 months: Alabama at Texas, Sept. 10
Convention recreation of the 12 months: Texas A&M at Alabama, Oct. 8
Upset of the 12 months: Ole Miss over Texas A&M, Oct. 29
Three daring predictions for the SEC
1. Alabama and Georgia are each undefeated within the common season: Two years in the past, I accurately predicted that Alabama would defeat Georgia within the SEC championship recreation and that Jalen Hurts would come off the bench to rescue the Crimson Tide. Final 12 months, I predicted accurately that Georgia would lose to Alabama within the SEC championship recreation however avenge that defeat within the CFP Nationwide Championship Recreation. Each groups will go unbeaten within the common season once more this 12 months. The Crimson Tide will win the SEC championship recreation 31-28 on Georgia switch Jermaine Burton‘s profitable landing catch.
2. Alabama blasts Texas A&M: The Aggies’ journey to Tuscaloosa on Oct. 8 would be the most anticipated recreation of the season. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher induced a firestorm throughout the offseason when he ripped his mentor, Saban, for suggesting that the Aggies’ No. 1-ranked recruit class was the results of boatloads of NIL money. The previous pals will hug it out at midfield earlier than the sport, earlier than Saban fails to take his foot off the gasoline in a 42-17 victory that may remind Fisher who remains to be the boss.
3. Tennessee lastly beats Florida: The Gators and Volunteers used to play in one of many sport’s most heated and aggressive rivalries. With Steve Spurrier poking Tennessee every time he might, it was yearly some of the anticipated contests within the SEC and went a good distance towards deciding the SEC East champion. Since 2005, nevertheless, the Gators have remarkably received 16 of their previous 17 video games in opposition to the Volunteers, together with 5 in a row. Tennessee’s solely victory throughout that stretch was a 38-28 win at Neyland Stadium in 2016. Volunteers coach Josh Heupel will get his first win over Florida with a 38-27 victory at house on Sept. 24.