2024 faculty soccer rankings: Joel Klatt’s high 10 groups after Week 4

One other nice weekend of faculty soccer is formally within the books.

Michigan welcomed USC to the Huge Ten in an exhilarating sport. Colorado had one of the dramatic wins of the season, with Shedeur Sanders finishing a Hail Mary landing move earlier than successful in time beyond regulation towards Baylor. Illinois upset Nebraska on the street, whereas Clemson and Iowa appeared dominant.Â

I shared my ideas on every of these video games in the latest episode of the “Joel Klatt Present.” Right here, I am going to rank my high 10 groups within the nation as we’re via the primary 4 weeks of the season.

Let’s get to it!

1.Texas (Final week: 1)
Document:4-0
Week 4 consequence:Defeated Louisiana-Monroe, 51-3

Regardless if it is Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning beginning, I actually imagine in Texas’ quarterbacks. This group actually has no questions at quarterback with Manning stepping proper in and main the cost for the Longhorns over the previous two weeks. Keep in mind, I additionally had Ewers as my high early Heisman favourite earlier than his harm.Â

Texas can play elite sufficient regardless of who’s below heart. I actually just like the Longhorns’ offensive line play, and I stay impressed with their protection. That unit was nice in its win over Michigan in Week 2, and it has solely allowed 10 factors within the two video games since then.Â

2.Ohio State (Final week: 2)
Document:3-0
Week 4 consequence:Defeated Marshall, 49-14

I made the journey to Columbus this weekend for “Huge Midday Kickoff,” calling Ohio State’s win over Marshall. What impressed me essentially the most with Ohio State was its tradition. Being across the Buckeyes over the weekend, they’re similar to my top-ranked group. They’re very purchased in, with quite a lot of veteran gamers who’ve purposeful urgency. Actually, Ohio State might need the sting in that regard as a result of it has extra veteran gamers.Â

On the sphere, what impressed me greater than something was Ohio State’s two operating backs, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. They’re elite gamers, and also you’re beginning to see offensive coordinator Chip Kelly make his mark with this run sport. You are beginning to see some run sport schematics and elegance that Ohio State did not have earlier than, reminiscent of inside counters and little delayed hole schemes. These things is great and hard to cease for a protection. Coping with these guys is not going to be simple, as they’re speeding for a mixed 181 yards per sport on 9.0 yards per carry.

Ohio State’s receivers are additionally ridiculous. They’re the most effective within the nation and the fourth-best receiver in that room might be a No. 1 receiver for each different program within the nation, aside from possibly six.

If there are issues with Ohio State, I do not assume its move rush was nice Saturday. Marshall QB Stone Earle was in a position to get unfastened a few instances. We’ll see if that turns into a factor transferring ahead, as a result of I feel Ohio State’s entrance is nice.

The opposite concern I had is how effectively QB Will Howard would play in a giant second, particularly there. He made a mistake after the sport when he mentioned one thing alongside the traces of, “No one’s going to complain a couple of 49-14 win.” Welcome to Columbus, Will. They may complain a couple of 49-14 win if they do not really feel prefer it was as much as normal. Howard’s interception wasn’t nice, and Buckeyes followers will inform you that they’ve some questions concerning the quarterback place.Â

These questions are why I’ve Texas at No. 1 and Ohio State at No. 2. Do not get it twisted although, Ohio State is a unbelievable group. I feel that the protection goes to play some lights-out soccer.

3.Miami (Fla.) (Final week: 3)
Document:4-0
Week 4 consequence:Defeated USF, 50-15

Miami is a nationwide championship contender. QB Cam Ward is enjoying with some swag for the Hurricanes, throwing for 404 yards and three touchdowns Saturday. He additionally grew to become the betting favourite for the Heisman Trophy following his stellar efficiency, throwing for 1,439 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions up to now this season. Miami has scored not less than 40 factors in every of its first 4 video games and has allowed 17 factors or fewer per sport up to now this season.

4.Tennessee (Final week: 4)
Document:4-0
Week 4 consequence:Defeated Oklahoma, 25-15

Tennessee made an enormous assertion in its win at Oklahoma. The sport did not really feel as shut as the ultimate rating indicated. The one cause why that rating was that shut was the Sooners’ elite protection. I used to be very impressed with that protection as a result of I like Tennessee’s offense.Â

The Vols are spectacular. They had been up 22-3 at first of the fourth quarter. Their protection is stifling and is among the finest within the nation, particularly after watching their movie. They soar between man and zone protection, between strain and drop eight. I like their schematics. I liked their sport plan on Saturday. They have absolute males on the defensive position that had been simply mauling the Sooners’ offensive line.Â

Tennessee is nice, and that is with out mentioning its quarterback, Nico Iamaleava. He performed very well for a younger participant making his first true street begin. I informed you he was going to show the ball over once I previewed this sport final week. He misplaced two fumbles within the win, however he has received that out of his system now. He was 13-of-21 for 194 yards and a landing — and I feel that is one of many worst video games he’ll play this 12 months. But, Tennessee gained towards an elite protection.

So, the place does that depart us with Tennessee? This group has an unimaginable protection with a QB that appears extremely spectacular. Regardless that it was considered one of his worst video games of the season, Iamaleava was throwing seeds in Saturday’s sport. His landing move received me out of my seat as a former quarterback. You do not see that at this degree. Tennessee is an elite group, and it is now time to name it what it’s: a nationwide title contender. That was as spectacular of a win as you will get on Saturday.Â

5.Georgia (Final week: 5)
Document:3-0 
Week 4 consequence:N/A

I’ve gotten quite a lot of flak for placing Georgia at No. 5 the previous two weeks. Everybody else within the high 4 has proven the next degree of play than Georgia has up to now although. Once we final noticed the Bulldogs, that they had a slim 13-12 win at Kentucky in Week 3. I said my issues about Georgia’s current accidents and its upcoming schedule final week once I ranked the highest eight groups in every energy convention.

6.Alabama (Final week: 6)
Document:3-0
Week 4 consequence:N/A

Alabama is an excellent group. I simply have one massive concern: I feel its protection goes to begin giving up some massive performs quickly. The massive performs have been there available for opposing offenses once I’ve watched the movie. South Florida and Wisconsin simply weren’t in a position to join or execute on these massive performs. There have been open receivers operating by the secondary within the movie that I watched. Senior defensive again Malachi Moore is the one participant who is not a switch or a freshman in that secondary, too. I like Alabama’s offensive line and QB Jalen Milroe. Kalen DeBoer has a very good squad in Tuscaloosa, and that group is likely to be one of many six elite groups within the nation.Â

7.Ole Miss (Final week: 8)
Document:4-0
Week 4 consequence:Defeated Georgia Southern, 52-13

Senior QB Jaxson Dart is de facto good. Ole Miss does not have a tough schedule this season, not less than relative to different SEC groups, however I’ve said my perception within the Rebels since spring ball — and so they have not performed something to disprove that thought up to now. Ole Miss has gained its first 4 video games by a mean of 49.5 factors.Â

8.Penn State (Final week: 9)
Document:3-0
Week 4 consequence:Defeated Kent State, 56-0

I feel this can be a good Penn State group, however I would nonetheless like to see a little bit extra from James Franklin’s group. I am inspired by the play of junior QB Drew Allar, who has thrown for 729 yards and eight touchdowns in comparison with only one interception via three video games. I am additionally inspired by the run sport and among the explosiveness, which is why they’re right here at No. 8.

9.Oregon (Final week: 10)
Document:3-0
Week 4 consequence:N/A

Welcome to the occasion of elite standing, Oregon! Oregon had a bye this week following that dominant efficiency on the street in a rivalry sport towards Oregon State in Week 3. I feel Oregon may make a little bit little bit of a run right here. This can be a group that may very well be on the rise, particularly if Dillon Gabriel continues to impress below heart for the Geese.

10.Utah(Final week: Unranked)
Document:4-0
Week 4 consequence:Defeated Oklahoma State, 22-19

How about Utah? QB Cam Rising was a game-time determination this previous weekend and ended up not enjoying as a consequence of a right-hand harm. Freshman Isaac Wilson made his second profession begin in Rising’s absence, and what did the Utes do on Saturday? They rolled into Stillwater and received a large win on the street over Oklahoma State.Â

The best way Kansas State received beat like a drum towards BYU may imply that the 2 finest groups within the Huge 12 are in Utah. However the Utes are sitting within the driver’s seat now for the Huge 12 title.

Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead faculty soccer sport analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Present.” Observe him at@joelklatt andsubscribe to the “Joel Klatt Present” on YouTube.

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