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After a chaotic finish to the common season in school soccer, the matchups are set for the first 12-team version of the School Soccer Playoff. The primary-round video games are Dec. 20-21 on campuses earlier than the video games shift to bowl video games for the quarterfinals and semifinals. Here’s what to know:
Who’s taking part in and what time are the video games?
There will likely be 11 video games between Dec. 20 and the finale Jan. 20, all broadcast nationally. The primary spherical (occasions EST):
No. 10 seed Indiana (11-1) at No. 7 seed Notre Dame (11-1), Dec. 20, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
BetMGM School Soccer Odds: Notre Dame by 8.5.
What to know: The 2 campuses within the Hoosier State are separated by 200 miles, however that is the primary assembly since 1991. Hoosiers have received 11 video games for first time in program historical past. Irish have received 10 in a row since getting upset by Northern Illinois.
The winner: Advances to the Sugar Bowl to play No. 2 seed Georgia (Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m., ESPN).
No. 11 seed SMU (11-2) at No. 6 seed Penn State (11-2), Dec. 21, midday (TNT/Max)
BetMGM School Soccer Odds: Penn State by 8.5.
What to know: SMU bought the final at-large bid after dropping to Clemson within the ACC championship sport on the ultimate play. Penn State is within the playoff for the primary time.
The winner: Advances to the Fiesta Bowl to play No. 3 seed Boise State (Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN).
No. 12 seed Clemson (10-3) at No. 5 seed Texas (11-2), Dec. 21, 4 p.m. (TNT/Max)
BetMGM School Soccer Odds: Texas by 10.5.
What to know: This would be the groups’ first assembly. Clemson bought into the ACC title sport by the again door and beat SMU to earn an automated bid. The Longhorns’ solely losses are to Georgia.
The winner: Advances to the Peach Bowl to play No. 4 seed Arizona State (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ESPN).
No. 9 Tennessee (10-2) at No. 8 Ohio State (11-2), Dec. 21, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
BetMGM School Soccer Odds: Ohio State by 7.
What to know: This would be the groups’ second assembly and first since Peyton Manning led the Volunteers to a 20-14 win within the 1996 Citrus Bowl. Ohio State leads the nation in whole protection and the Vols are fourth. Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson has been held underneath 100 yards in only one sport wherein he’s performed greater than a half.
The winner: Advances to the Rose Bowl to play No. 1 seed Oregon (Jan. 1, 5 p.m., ESPN).
Who’re the favorites?
High-seeded and unbeaten Oregon is the betting favorite, at 13-4, to win the nationwide championship, in response to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Geese are simply forward of Georgia (7-2 odds), Texas (15-4) and Ohio State (9-2).
The remainder of the percentages: Penn State (7-1), Notre Dame (12-1), Tennessee (25-1), SMU (35-1), Clemson and Arizona State (40-1) and Indiana and Boise State (50-1).
How does the playoff work?
A 13-member CFP choice committee spent the previous six weeks evaluating the groups after which set the bracket on Dec. 8.
The 5 highest-ranked convention champions had been guaranteed spots in the field, regardless of the place they’re ranked total by the CFP; Clemson, for instance, is ranked No. 16 within the CFP however got the twelfth and lowest seed because the fifth-highest ranked league champion. The highest 4 seeds get every week off and an automated journey to the quarterfinals.
The CFP started with 4 groups in January 2015. It was expanded this 12 months for the primary time. Many consider it could increase once more, maybe as early as 2026.
How a lot cash is at stake?
Lots: About $115 million is on the line in the playoff.
Every convention will get $4 million for each workforce that makes the ultimate 12, then one other $4 million for people who make the quarterfinals. It means groups that earned byes are value $8 million to their conferences with out even taking part in a sport.
Groups that advance to the semifinals imply $6 million extra for his or her convention, then one other $6 million for making the ultimate.
The conferences all distribute the cash in another way. There’s additionally a $300,000 stipend per workforce that’s academically eligible for the playoffs. Groups making the playoff get $3 million to cowl bills for every spherical, too.
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Get ballot alerts and updates on the AP High 25 all through the season. Enroll here. AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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