We’re right down to the ultimate 12 groups in college football.
The School Soccer Playoff bracket was revealed on Dec. 9, and the newly-formatted event to find out the following champion in school soccer is ready to start.
First up, the primary spherical.
4 video games will happen, with berths within the quarterfinals on the road. Let’s take a look at the chances for every sport at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Dec. 18, in addition to what to learn about every sport by way of our FOX Sports activities school soccer consultants.
No. 10 INDIANA (+225) @ No. 7 NOTRE DAME (-7, -278)
Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
O/U: 52.5
What to know: “Indiana has proven it could actually’t be the explosive, high-scoring crew that beat 10 out of 12 opponents by double-digits if QB Kurtis Rourke is hurried or sacked. Towards Michigan and Ohio State — their most contested win and their solely loss, respectively — Rourke was sacked 9 instances. Towards OSU, he threw for simply 68 yards. The kind of protection he is prone to see from Notre Dame is equally stingy and stifling. Notre Dame boasts a top-10 protection and a top-10 speeding assault that appears constructed to play within the type of depressing chilly that marks South Bend, Indiana, in December. With a QB in Riley Leonard who can run away from strain and make a play when the pocket collapses, ND has a better margin for errors than IU.” — RJ Young
No. 12 CLEMSON (+360) @ No. 5 TEXAS (-12, -470)
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, TNT/MAX
O/U: 51.5
What to know: “One of many largest variations between final yr’s Texas crew and this yr’s crew is the numerous enchancment of the Longhorns‘ protection underneath fourth-year coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. In 2023, Texas ranked thirty fifth in complete protection (336.7 yards per sport) and fifteenth in scoring protection (18.9 factors per sport) earlier than getting gashed by Washington in a high-scoring semifinal. … This yr, nonetheless, Texas ranks third nationally in complete protection (249.5 yards per sport) and second in scoring (12.5 factors per sport), offering loads of ballast for an offense that was held to 25 factors or fewer in 4 video games in opposition to convention opponents, together with each losses to Georgia. … The Longhorns are additionally tied with Notre Dame for probably the most takeaways in school soccer with 28 (9 fumbles gained, 19 INTs), this system’s highest mark since 2009. The development of Kwiatkowski’s protection is why the Longhorns are adequate to win the nationwide title.” — Michael Cohen
Ought to the Longhorns play Arch Manning within the CFP?
No. 11 SMU (+260) @ No. 6 PENN STATE (-9, -325)
Saturday, midday ET, TNT/MAX
O/U: 54
What to know: “The Nittany Lions merely have a greater protection and too harmful of a operating sport to not win this sport. To not point out, a house atmosphere that’s historically some of the intimidating in school soccer. This isn’t to completely low cost SMU. Quarterback Kevin Jennings definitely has Penn State’s consideration. The twin-threat QB led a miraculous comeback within the ACC Championship Sport and the Mustangs practically knocked off Clemson. He hasn’t persistently confronted a protection like Penn State’s although. Defensive finish Abdul Carter is likely one of the finest gamers within the sport, and leads Penn State with 10 sacks, which can also be tied for twelfth most nationally. To not point out, the Nittany Lions have been in a position to push Oregon round within the Large Ten title sport, which is nothing to sneeze at. Finally, Penn State, which has struggled in decisive moments equivalent to these prior to now, will get a vital win when it wants it most.” — Laken Litman
No. 9 TENNESSEE (+235) @ No. 8 OHIO STATE (-7.5, -290)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
O/U: 46.5
What to know: “After all of the backlash and second-guessing thrown within the path of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who co-authored a weird sport plan of their crew’s gorgeous loss to Michigan final month, it appears unlikely the Buckeyes’ braintrust will once more fall sufferer to such nearsightedness. … Each males readily admitted that they’d deliberate and coached poorly throughout the Buckeyes’ largest sport of the yr, failing to capitalize on a transparent expertise benefit at large receiver and draining any semblance of selection from Ohio State’s speeding assault. Absolutely Day and Kelly will reply with one thing higher when dealing with a Tennessee protection equally revered for its potent entrance seven. The Volunteers rank ninth nationally in tackles for loss with 93 and are tied for eleventh in fewest rushes of 20-plus yards allowed with eight. This must be the week that Ohio State encourages quarterback Will Howard to lean on his unbelievable trio of receivers.” — Michael Cohen
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