FOX Sports activities’ “Large Midday Kickoff” sport takes place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this weekend because the No. 12-ranked Wolverines, recent off a victory over USC, tackle the Minnesota Golden Gophers within the Large Home (Midday ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities App).
There are many intriguing storylines heading into this sport, together with the play of Michigan QB Alex Orji, who is ready to make his second profession begin this weekend. The junior signal-caller tried solely 12 passes in his workforce’s 27-24 win over USC, finishing seven of them for simply 32 yards. Orji additionally added 43 yards on the bottom, but it surely was the Kalel Mullings present this previous weekend because the Wolverines’ senior again carried the ball 17 occasions for a career-high 159 yards and two touchdowns within the victory.
There are a number of different eye-catching matchups throughout the nation in Week 5, together with Colorado touring to Orlando to tackle UCF in a Large 12 showdown (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities App). The Buffaloes are recent off a memorable comeback win over Baylor, which included late-game heroics from each Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. In the meantime, the SEC will take middle stage Saturday evening, when No. 2-ranked Georgia travels to Tuscaloosa to battle No. 4-ranked Alabama in one of the vital anticipated video games of the 12 months.
FOX Sports activities faculty soccer writers Laken Litman, Michael Cohen and RJ Younger are right here to preview the largest storylines heading into Week 5.
Michigan earned a probably season-defining win towards USC final weekend whereas working the ball 46 occasions and solely trying 12 passes. Is that this a sustainable offensive sport plan for the Wolverines?
Laken Litman: No.
Sure, Michigan lastly confirmed off its highly effective working sport, led by Kalel Mullings, who piled up 159 yards on the bottom with two touchdowns. However whereas Mullings figures to be a serious a part of this offensive identification shifting ahead, Michigan will wrestle if it may well’t throw the ball downfield. Quarterback Alex Orji, who took over for Davis Warren, is extra snug working than passing.
Every time Michigan faces a greater protection that may cease the run – Ohio State, Indiana and even Northwestern have higher rush defenses than USC – the Wolverines may get into some hassle if they continue to be one-dimensional.
Michael Cohen: It’s sustainable to a sure diploma. The best way Michigan’s offensive line asserted itself towards USC was notably spectacular contemplating simply how one-dimensional the Wolverines grew to become with Orji atop the depth chart. Orji, who was making his first-career begin, accomplished seven of 12 passes for 32 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions and a median depth of goal that was solely 7 yards downfield, which ranked tied for 88th out of the 119 quarterbacks with at the least 15 dropbacks in Week 4, in response to Professional Soccer Focus. His longest completion was a 10-yard connection to tight finish Marlin Klein. No different tight finish or receiver caught a cross longer than 5 yards. In different phrases, not solely had been the Trojans keenly conscious that Michigan was going to run the ball on practically each play — the Wolverines completed with 46 speeding makes an attempt and solely 12 passes — however in addition they knew any cross Orji would possibly try would nearly definitely be inside just a few yards of the road of scrimmage. Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn may promote out towards the run with none worry of his secondary being overwhelmed by a vertical passing sport.
That Michigan nonetheless ran the ball for 290 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 6.3 yards per carry speaks to the brute pressure its gamers exhibited within the trenches, a system that is likely to be replicated towards a number of the extra aerially challenged groups on the Wolverines’ schedule — the sorts of opponents who could be dragged right into a rock combat. Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan State and Northwestern all rank outdoors the highest 50 nationally in scoring offense, which means that Michigan can lure them into slower, extra grinding affairs that rework time of possession into a very telling statistic. It’s towards the extra explosive offenses like Ohio State (52.3 factors per sport), Oregon (36.7 factors per sport) and Indiana (50.5 factors per sport) that such a run-pass imbalance turns into extra problematic. The Wolverines enter Week 5 ranked 129th in passing offense, worst among the many Energy 4 colleges.
RJ Younger: It is likely to be. I say that with all sincerity as a result of I didn’t suppose it was potential for Michigan to beat what was the No. 11 workforce within the nation with a pass-happy offense and play-caller with a file for scoring. However that’s what occurred. Michigan ran 10 performs for 89 yards on the game-winning scoring drive, finishing only one cross whereas trailing by 4 and needing a landing to win.
If Michigan feels snug working towards seven- and eight-man packing containers for the remainder of the season and may nonetheless get the consequence it did, who am I to say this workforce should use this marvelous invention referred to as the ahead cross? After Week 4, “man-ball” is only a euphemism for Michigan.
Colorado is one other workforce that earned an enormous win final weekend, defeating Baylor because of late-game heroics from Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Are you able to consider any earlier instance the place two gamers have been so instantly chargeable for their workforce’s success?
RJ: Baker Mayfied and Dede Westbrook in 2016. Mayfield had 285 completions that season, 80 had been to Westbrook. Mayfield handed for 3,965 yards, and 1,524 had been to Westbrook. Mayfield threw 43 TDs, and 17 had been to Westbrook. Oklahoma gained the Sugar Bowl following that season.
They had been so formidable that every was invited to the Heisman ceremony alongside Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson. Mayfield completed third within the voting, and Westbrook completed fourth — 5 spots forward of Christian McCaffrey.
There’s precedent for what Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are doing. However there isn’t a precedent for what Hunter is doing all by himself.
Michael: The brief reply is not any. Given what Hunter is doing on each side of the ball this season, it’s extraordinarily tough — and maybe unattainable — to seek out one other duo that’s influencing the result of video games the best way he and Sanders are this season. As a large receiver, Hunter ranks fourth nationally in receptions (37), sixth nationally in receiving yards (472) and is tied for fifth nationally in receiving touchdowns (5) whereas logging 259 snaps. As a cornerback, he has allowed 11 receptions for 75 yards, zero touchdowns and an NFL passer score of 59.2 in 265 snaps. He has additionally tallied one interception and one game-clinching compelled fumble in an extra time victory towards Baylor final weekend. Sanders, in the meantime, ranks fourth nationally in passing yards (1,340) and is tied for seventh nationally in passing touchdowns (12) whereas taking part in behind a shoddy offensive line that’s surrendering 15 quarterback pressures per sport, in response to Professional Soccer Focus. What they’re doing for the Buffaloes is really unbelievable.
One different historic duo price mentioning, nonetheless, is the quarterback-running again tandem of Pat White and Steve Slaton at West Virginia, two gamers who grew to become synonymous with the whole lot the Mountaineers did on offense underneath head coach Wealthy Rodriguez. In 2006, White and Slaton had been chargeable for greater than 79% of West Virginia’s offensive touchdowns throughout an 11-2 marketing campaign that ended with a No. 10 rating within the ultimate AP Ballot. In 2007, White and Slaton had been chargeable for greater than 70% of the workforce’s offensive touchdowns throughout one other 11-2 marketing campaign that ended with a No. 6 rating within the ultimate AP Ballot. However neither of them performed protection.
Laken: By no means. At the very least circuitously on this identical manner. Final week’s win over Baylor was the proper encapsulation of how vital this duo is, from Sanders’ Hail Mary to Hunter’s compelled fumble in extra time. These two all the time give Colorado an opportunity to win, it doesn’t matter what.
With Kansas State struggling a 29-point loss to BYU in Week 3 and Utah beating Oklahoma State on the highway with out Cam Rising, it looks like the Utes are the early-season Large 12 favourite, after which the whole lot is large open after that. Colorado will get Utah, Kansas State and Oklahoma State at dwelling this season. With that, what’s the ceiling for Deion Sanders’ workforce?
Michael: It feels just like the ceiling is someplace round a 7-5 general file which, if achieved, would ship Colorado to a bowl sport for the primary time since 2020 and solely the second time since 2007. The Buffaloes have completed .500 or higher simply twice since former head coach Gary Barnett was compelled to resign close to the tip of the 2005 marketing campaign, so even ending 6-6 would represent an enormous achievement for head coach Deion Sanders in his second 12 months on the helm. And together with his two greatest gamers nearly definitely leaving for the NFL on the finish of this season — Shedeur Sanders and Hunter will each be draft eligible in 2025 — there’s some added stress on Sanders to achieve a bowl sport earlier than they exit this system.
For as spectacular as Shedeur Sanders and Hunter have performed to date, and for as spectacular as they is likely to be within the coming weeks and months, there are nonetheless some vital limitations on what Colorado can obtain. Regardless of revamping the offensive line, the Buffaloes are nonetheless tied with South Carolina and Cal for probably the most sacks allowed in faculty soccer (16), a sample that threatens the well being of their star quarterback. Regardless of including former Ohio State working again Dallan Hayden within the switch portal, the Buffaloes are nonetheless a hundred and thirtieth in speeding offense at 68.8 yards per sport, an inefficiency that thrusts much more of the offensive burden onto Shedeur Sanders’ shoulders. And a protection that was among the many worst in faculty soccer final season nonetheless ranks outdoors the highest 75 general regardless of noticeable enhancements to the entrance seven. These are tough issues to beat in a convention as balanced as this 12 months’s Large 12 appears to be. As of proper now, three of Colorado’s remaining eight video games are towards ranked opponents.
Laken: Going to a bowl sport appears real looking for Colorado this 12 months, as Deion Sanders’ workforce is already midway to eligibility with winnable video games left on the schedule. In fact, the Buffaloes acquired off to a 3-0 begin a 12 months in the past earlier than dropping eight of their ultimate 9 video games. However this 12 months’s workforce is an improved group.
Nonetheless, there are nonetheless points to work out. The offensive line is a legal responsibility, similar to final season, and has already given up 16 sacks in 4 video games. Shedeur Sanders all the time provides you an opportunity to win, however his OL wants to assist him out.
Except for Hunter, the protection has struggled. Ranked No. 79 within the nation, it is giving up 359.3 yards per sport underneath new coordinator Robert Livingston. The unit shall be examined this week when it goes up towards undefeated UCF and the nation’s No. 1 working sport.
Wanting forward, the matchups don’t get simpler. On the intense facet, the hardest remaining opponents – No. 23 Kansas State, No. 10 Utah and No. 20 Oklahoma State – are all at dwelling. Will they win the Large 12? Most likely not. However the postseason is feasible.
RJ: I’m reluctant to place a quantity on this as a result of I need to give that workforce the good thing about taking part in by means of the season and discovering out simply how far Shedeur Sanders and Hunter can take this program after a 12 months of taking part in on the highest stage of school soccer. With Colorado touring to Orlando to tackle an undefeated UCF workforce, the Buffaloes have a possibility to earn their fourth win earlier than October arrives, and maybe a fifth sport in a season. So, for now, let’s make their ceiling 5 video games. After which we will construct a brand new flooring in the event that they attain the fifth.
Baylor Bears vs. Colorado Buffaloes Highlights | FOX School Soccer
Take a look at the highest moments between the Baylor Bears and the Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes!
No. 4 Alabama hosts No. 2 Georgia in a top-five showdown this weekend in Tuscaloosa. What do you anticipate to see on this sport and may the winner of this matchup be thought-about as an early-season lock for the brand new 12-team School Soccer Playoff?
Laken: One of many greatest matchups on this sport shall be Alabama’s offense vs. Georgia’s protection. The Crimson Tide have a wholesome offensive line with left deal with Kadyn Proctor again within the lineup, and the Bulldogs may additionally return defensive starters, like Warren Brinson and Mykel Williams, who’ve been coping with accidents. Jalen Milroe is without doubt one of the most explosive gamers within the nation and is efficient together with his arm and together with his legs. He has 14 touchdowns by means of three video games this season (eight passing, six speeding), however Georgia confronted him final 12 months within the SEC championship sport (and sacked him 4 occasions) and is aware of what to anticipate.
It’s nonetheless early within the season and each of those groups have difficult schedules forward. As we all know, issues are likely to get wild in faculty soccer, particularly later in October and November. However at this level, it could be protected to imagine the winner of this matchup will put itself in a super place to change into a CFP lock.
RJ: I’d prefer to see the Georgia I used to be promised within the preseason. The workforce that could not perceive the way it may’ve been neglected of the School Soccer Playoff after dropping within the SEC title sport. The one which claims to spare no quarter and ask for none because it occupied the vacuum left vacant by Nick Saban at Alabama. The one with a dozen NFL Draft picks on both facet of the ball at any time and the one with extra five-stars than Michelin counts cooks. I need to see Georgia dominate what many imagine is without doubt one of the 5 greatest groups within the nation and an arch nemesis within the period of the CFP. Present me your enamel, Dawgs.
Michael: One of the crucial intriguing subplots throughout what needs to be a terrific soccer sport between two of the nation’s greatest groups is whether or not an Alabama offense designed by head coach Kalen DeBoer and coordinated by Nick Sheridan can proceed producing the kind of field-tilting positive factors it has loved with relative frequency in the course of the early a part of the season. The mix of a strong-armed quarterback in Jalen Milroe and a speedy receiving corps led by true freshman Ryan Williams and Washington switch Germie Bernard means the Crimson Tide launch quite a few deep passes every week. Alabama enters the showdown with Georgia tied for tenth nationally in scrimmage performs longer than 40 yards with seven and tied for tenth nationally in scrimmage performs longer than 50 yards with 4. Williams, the previous five-star prospect, is Milroe’s major goal and leads the nation in yards per reception with an unbelievable common of 28.5 yards. He’s caught 10 passes for 285 yards and 4 touchdowns general.
How that model of soccer interprets towards a Georgia protection recognized for its depth of expertise stays to be seen. The Bulldogs lead the nation in passing protection and have surrendered a meager 91.3 yards per sport by means of their first three contests. That features just one cross play longer than 20 yards, just one cross play longer than 30 yards and 0 cross performs longer than 40 yards. The Bulldogs are additionally one among simply 4 applications that has but to permit a passing landing this season, together with Minnesota, UAB and BYU. One thing has to present on Saturday.
Laken Litman covers faculty soccer, faculty basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA At present and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Robust Like a Girl,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Observe her at @LakenLitman.
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.
Michael Cohen covers faculty soccer and basketball for FOX Sports activities with an emphasis on the Large Ten. Observe him at @Michael_Cohen13.
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