2024 faculty soccer rankings: Ohio State jumps to No. 1; Penn State enters high 5

Following Vanderbilt’s upset win over Virginia Tech in Week 1, I took it upon myself to learn “The Vanderbilt Hustler” for the primary time as a result of, effectively, pupil newspapers do a superb job of masking their very own, particularly when stunning information occurs on campus. And since the Commodores upset the Hokies, I discovered the coed part was so full earlier than the sport began that they closed it. And since the Commodores upset the Hokies, I additionally noticed a narrative about Vanderbilt doing good with the growth of Alternative Vanderbilt, a program offering full-tuition scholarships to college students with households making lower than $150,000 yearly. And about 54% of the varsity’s alumni are donors to this system. Which means for those who’re admitted, they’re dedicated.Â

Here is the reality, Vanderbilt. I don’t give a rattling for those who don’t win one other sport within the SEC or in any other case. However I gotta let you know — successful soccer is what introduced me right here. Profitable soccer is why I get to crow in regards to the wonderful monetary assist program you’ve put in place, as a result of successful soccer is a change catalyst.

Now, following Vanderbilt’s unforgettable 40-35 upset win over No. 1-ranked Alabama on Saturday, Alternative Vanderbilt will hopefully draw much more eyes to components of the college that in any other case would go unnoticed exterior of Nashville and better schooling journalism. As a result of Vanderbilt invested in soccer. As a result of Vanderbilt’s soccer crew pulled off probably the most stunning upset of the 12 months.Â

Bravo, Vandy.

With that, here’s a take a look at my high 25 rankings following Week 6 of the faculty soccer season:

1.Ohio State (5-0)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Iowa, 35-7

Ohio State turned the primary crew to attain on its opening possession in opposition to Iowa in two years (Oct. 1, 2022, Michigan). That landing got here on a 14-yard catch from Emeka Egbuka, who completed with 9 catches for 71 yards and three TDs within the win. The Buckeyes are loaded with expertise and have earned the fitting to be right here, however now comes a top-five matchup in opposition to the Oregon Geese for Massive Ten supremacy and maybe the No. 1-ranking within the sport going to the winner.

2.Texas (5-0)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

3.Oregon (4-0)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Michigan State, 31-10

Regardless of Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel throwing a number of interceptions in the identical sport for the primary time since November 2022, the Geese ran by the Spartans. Operating again Jordan James rushed for 166 yards on 24 rushes within the victory.

4.Georgia (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Auburn, 31-13

With its victory in the Deep South’s oldest rivalry, Georgia is now one win away from starting a brand new regular-season successful streak. Nonetheless, the win was the twenty seventh in a row for the Dawgs at Sanford Stadium.

5.Penn State (4-0)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated UCLA, 27-11

The Nittany Lions have specialised in complimentary soccer this season with the protection permitting simply 18 factors in its final three video games. With out Nick Singleton out there, Penn State rushed for its lowest whole in a sport all season — 85 yards, after getting into the sport averaging 251 per sport.

6.Miami (Fla.) (6-0)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Cal, 39-38

Take a bow, Cam Ward. After it appeared like Miami was heading for an upset loss, and Ward’s Heisman possibilities have been all however finished, the Canes’ senior QB led his crew to a miraculous comeback victory after trailing by 20 factors within the fourth quarter. The victory marked the biggest comeback win by Miami since 2003.

7.Clemson (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Florida State, 29-13

What was anticipated to be a large ACC showdown heading into the season was a rout for the Tigers, who doubled up the lowly Seminoles in whole yards, 500-250. Dabo Swinney’s crew is averaging 48.5 factors per sport since that Week 1 loss to Georgia.

8.Iowa State (5-0)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Baylor, 43-21

Rocco Becht threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns as Matt Campbell’s crew improved to 5-0, marking this system’s greatest begin since 1980.

9.BYU (5-0)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

10.Tennessee (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Misplaced to Arkansas, 19-14

Josh Heupel’s crew held a 14-3 lead within the third quarter, after which all the pieces rapidly went south for the Vols. Nico Iamaleava did not appear like himself on this sport, and it price Tennessee, as Arkansas notched its first dwelling win over a top-five opponent since beating the No. 3-ranked Volunteers again in 1999.

11.Oklahoma (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

12.LSU (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

13.Ole Miss (5-1)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated South Carolina, 27-3

The win was highlighted by not one, however two dashing touchdowns by 325-pound JJ Pegues in what was the one hundredth win of Lane Kiffin’s head-coaching profession. The Rebels compelled two turnovers, recorded six sacks and totaled 10 tackles for loss within the win.

14.Alabama (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Misplaced to Vanderbilt, 40-35

How’s this for a stat: Alabama trailed Vanderbilt 13-0 lower than seven minutes into this sport. Vanderbilt scored 13 whole factors in opposition to Alabama within the 19-year Nick Saban period.

Here is one other one: At halftime, Bama trailed Vandy, 23-14. It is the primary time Vandy held a lead in opposition to the No. 1 crew within the nation at halftime since 1977. Vandy head coach Clark Lea was born in 1981.

And here is the ultimate stat: Vanderbilt’s win over Alabama marks this system’s first-ever win over a top-five opponent.

15.Notre Dame (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

16.Texas A&M (5-1)

Week 6 outcome:Defeated Missouri, 41-10

The Aggies trapped the Tigers, leashed them and threw them in a zoo so we might level and snigger. Texas A&M dominated this sport from begin to end, main 34-0 at one level within the third quarter. Quarterback Conner Weigman returned to the sphere, making it clear this month that he is planning to hit the trick-or-treat circuit as Johnny Manziel.

17.Missouri (4-1)

Week 6 outcome:Misplaced to Texas A&M, 41-10

The Tigers performed like a journalism college on Saturday, getting embarrassed on the street by an A&M program that made itself a CFP contender with the win and dropped Mizzou right down to the bubble-tier.

18.Boise State(4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Utah State, 62-30

Ashton Jeanty is taking part in out-of-this-world by the primary six weeks of the season. He had a jaw-dropping 186 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday, and solely wanted one half to do it.

19.Kansas State (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

20.Illinois (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

21.Indiana (6-0)

Week 6 outcome:Defeated Northwestern 41-24

That is win No. 6 for the Hoosiers, making them the primary crew this season to achieve bowl-eligibility. The Hoosiers have put up 500 yards of offense of their final three video games and possess the nation’s third-best scoring offense.

Indiana gained simply 9 video games in its earlier 36 earlier than IU coach Curt Cignetti arrived. And the sixth win was necessary for Cignetti, netting a $250,000 bonus and computerized one-year extension on his contract when IU reached bowl-eligibility.

22.Pitt (5-0)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated North Carolina, 34-24

Pat Narduzzi has soccer crew led by former Alabama QB Eli Holstein, who threw for 381 yards and three scores in a win over the Tar Heels. With the win, the Panthers reached 5-0 for the primary time since 1991.

23.SMU(5-1)

Week 6 outcome: Defeated Louisville, 34-27

With the win, SMU now has a top-25 win beneath its belt whereas understanding its solely loss was to an undefeated BYU crew. It is attainable the Mustangs might discover their solution to the ACC title sport in Yr 1 within the league.

24.Utah (4-1)

Week 6 outcome: Idle

25.Navy (5-0)

Week 6 outcome:Defeated Air Drive, 34-7

Navy and Military are making prefer it’s 1945, which is the final time each have been undefeated for a mixed 10-0 report. Every is a member of the American Athletic Convention, however they’ll play one another the weekend after convention championships are held. However there’s a probability that they may play for the AAC title.

RJ Younger is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast “The Quantity One School Soccer Present.” Observe him at@RJ_Young andsubscribe to “The RJ Younger Present” on YouTube.

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