Welcome to The Top 25, a weekly rundown of one of the best of school soccer.
Each week, The Baltimore Sun will break down the highest video games, gamers and groups to look at, from the Power Five to the Group of Five. Here’s what to know for Week 7:
5 video games to look at
No. 10 Penn State at No. 5 Michigan (Saturday, midday, Fox): While the Nittany Lions have gained two of the previous three conferences towards the Wolverines — and almost pulled off the upset final season in Happy Valley — they haven’t gained in The Big House since 2009. This would possibly come all the way down to which quarterback makes fewer errors, and that’s onerous to foretell between Sean Clifford and J.J. McCarthy. Michigan has dominated inferior opponents to date, however we’ll see if it’s actually worthy of being thought of a playoff contender this week.
No. 3 Alabama at No. 6 Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS): This has been a lopsided rivalry since coach Nick Saban took over Alabama in 2007, with the Crimson Tide successful 15 straight conferences by a mean margin of almost 26 factors. With star Alabama quarterback Bryce Young nonetheless recovering from a shoulder harm and Tennessee’s offense rating among the many finest within the nation, that is the Volunteers’ finest probability but to finish the streak.
No. 8 Oklahoma State at No. 13 TCU (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC): The battle between the final two unbeaten groups within the Big 12 is perhaps determined by massive performs. TCU’s offense ranks first nationally in yards per play, however the protection has allowed 12 performs of 30-plus yards. Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders accomplished six passes of 20-plus yards in a 41-31 win over Texas Tech, whereas the protection recorded 14 tackles for loss. One massive achieve (or loss) could possibly be the distinction.
No. 4 Clemson at Florida State (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ABC): The Tigers have gained six straight on this sequence, however this is perhaps one of the best Seminoles workforce they’ve confronted in awhile. Clemson’s protection hasn’t been as spectacular as final season, a curious improvement contemplating how a lot expertise there’s up entrance. If quarterback Jordan Travis can ship each on the bottom and thru the air, this could possibly be a season-defining win for Florida State.
No. 7 Southern California at No. 20 Utah (Saturday, 8 p.m., Fox): Given the tender schedule that awaits the Trojans, it’s honest to say this sport might resolve their postseason destiny. This will likely be USC’s first matchup towards a workforce inside the highest 40 of ESPN’s SP+ effectivity rankings, placing strain on not solely quarterback Caleb Williams to satisfy excessive expectations, however for the Trojans protection to show it’s able to making some stops.
5 gamers to look at
Mississippi State QB Will Rogers (at No. 22 Kentucky): While the return of Will Levis for Kentucky will seize a lot of the consideration, the quarterback on the opposite sideline is price watching, too. Rogers has operated coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense to perfection, main the nation with 351.7 passing yards per sport and throwing 22 landing passes to simply three interceptions.
Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim (at No. 24 Illinois): The Baltimore native ranked second within the nation in speeding earlier than being dominated out towards Purdue with an ankle harm, and Minnesota struggled to maneuver the ball in his absence in a 20-10 loss. He’s anticipated to return this weekend, respiration new life into the Gophers’ Big Ten West title hopes.
Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo (vs. Auburn): In a 52-28 comeback win over Vanderbilt, Mingo had 9 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns, together with 71- and 72-yard scores that iced the sport. He ranks second within the nation with a mean of 23.1 yards per catch.
Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer (vs. Stanford): Considered one of the best tight finish prospect within the 2023 NFL draft class and a possible first-round choose, Mayer has come on sturdy after a gradual begin. He loved his finest sport of the season in a 28-20 win over BYU, catching 11 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Florida LB Ventrell Miller (vs. LSU): The redshirt senior has been everywhere in the subject when wholesome, recording a season-high 11 tackles in final week’s win over Missouri. Miller is the highest-graded linebacker within the Power Five, in accordance with Pro Football Focus.
5 prime Heisman Trophy candidates
1. Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud (70.6% completion, 1,737 passing yards, 24 TDs, 3 INTs, 94.8 QBR): The second-year starter is on observe to not solely win a nationwide title, however be the highest quarterback chosen in April’s draft.
2. Kansas QB Jalon Daniels (66.7% completion, 1,072 passing yards, 11 TDs, 1 INT, 90.1 QBR; 335 speeding yards, 3 TDs): The breakout star of the season has led the Jayhawks to a outstanding turnaround together with his massive arm and fast ft, although he was harm final week towards TCU and is unlikely to play towards Oklahoma.
3. UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (74.8% completion, 1,510 passing yards, 15 TDs, 2 INTs, 88.4 QBR; 231 speeding yards, 4 TDs): The former five-star recruit has put all of it collectively in his fifth season, main the Bruins to their finest begin within the Chip Kelly period.
4. USC QB Caleb Williams (64.9% completion, 1,590 passing yards, 14 TDs, 1 INT, 83.1 QBR; 178 speeding yards, 3 TDs): The Oklahoma switch has been the unflappable chief of a rebuilt roster, making the Trojans playoff contenders in coach Lincoln Riley’s first season.
5. Michigan RB Blake Corum (118 carries for 735 yards, 6.23 common, 11 TDs): The former St. Frances Academy star has been an explosive playmaker for an offense that’s wanted his manufacturing greater than ever.
5 prime Coach of the Year candidates
1. Lance Leipold, Kansas: After constructing a Division III dynasty at Wisconsin-Whitewater, the place he gained six nationwide championships, Leipold has turned one of many worst packages within the Power Five right into a authentic Big 12 contender. The Jayhawks are ranked for the primary time since 2009 and one win away from changing into bowl eligible for the primary time since 2008.
2. Josh Heupel, Tennessee: The former Oklahoma quarterback has constructed the most effective offenses within the nation and brought the Volunteers to heights they haven’t reached in almost 20 years. The final time Tennessee was ranked as excessive as No. 6 within the Associated Press Top 25 ballot was 2005, when it entered the season No. 3.
3. Lincoln Riley, USC: The former Oklahoma coach has defied expectations for a first-year chief, delivering quick outcomes with a mix of impression transfers and a superb offensive scheme.
4. Dino Babers, Syracuse: After three disappointing seasons underneath Babers, the Orange have bounced again to start out undefeated and put themselves in competition to compete for an ACC title.
5. Bret Bielema, Illinois: The former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach has helped construct one of many strongest defenses within the nation, propelling the Fighting Illini into the Top 25 for the primary time since 2011.
5 prime Bednarik Award candidates (prime defensive participant)
1. Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr.: The junior edge rusher has been as disruptive as ever, recording 5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and a pick-six to guide one of many stingiest defenses within the nation.
2. Utah CB Clark Phillips III: The sophomore leads the nation with 5 interceptions and has returned two of them for touchdowns, together with an 80-yard pick-six towards UCLA.
3. Arkansas LB Drew Sanders: The junior has outperformed All-SEC teammate Bumper Pool, rating second nationally with 6 1/2 sacks whereas including two pressured fumbles and three passes defended.
4. Iowa LB Jack Campbell: The senior All-Big Ten standout has been the chief of maybe the nation’s finest protection, rating eighth nationally with 63 tackles whereas grading as one of many prime linebackers within the nation, in accordance with PFF.
5. USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu: The junior leads the nation with seven sacks and ranks second with 12 1/2 tackles for loss, serving to lead a disruptive protection that’s pressured 15 turnovers.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com