2025 Faculty Soccer Predictions, Picks: Again Georgia Tech, Utah in Week 1

Is anybody else counting down the times till the school soccer season kicks off? 

I do know I am not the one one. I believe all of us began marking the times on the calendar as quickly as Ohio State gained all of it again in January.

Contemplating we’re solely somewhat greater than a month out, I figured I would go forward and take a look at some video games to sprinkle somewhat money on.

There are two thus far which have caught my eye for Week 1. Let’s dive into how I am wagering Georgia Tech-Colorado and Utah-UCLA.

Georgia Tech @ Colorado (+3.5)

Coming into the 2025 season, I’m excessive on Georgia Tech and promoting on Colorado. 

This quantity doesn’t mirror my emotions in regards to the expertise and execution distinction between these two groups, even factoring in that this sport is being performed in Colorado. 

Let’s begin with Georgia Tech, which completed 7-5 (common season) in head coach Brent Key’s second full season. 

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key hopes to show the nook in his third season with the Yellow Jackets.

Key’s a former offensive lineman and his workforce performs like that. The Yellow Jackets are bodily on each side of the ball and attempt to impose their will on their opponents. 

Look no additional than their win towards Miami final season or the 44-42 loss to Georgia within the last sport of the common season. They’ll routinely play with the massive boys.

Quarterback Haynes King is again for this season. He led the ACC in completion share and added almost 600 yards on the bottom. Lead again Jamal Haynes returns after speeding for 1,000 yards, and whereas Georgia Tech does have to switch some offensive linemen, that is the place I belief the pinnacle coach. He has developed that place effectively all over the place he’s been.

On protection, Georgia Tech is led by new defensive coordinator Blake Gibson from Texas. The Jackets should exchange a number of beginning defensive linemen however have added switch gamers that they hope will assist the unit begin quick. The Jackets return a veteran secondary and are within the prime 40 for returning manufacturing on protection. 

I’d anticipate this unit to be ready for Colorado.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders will navigate his first season with out son Shedeur Sanders at QB.

Colorado is present process roster turnover once more. 

The Buffaloes have to switch their quarterback, their prime 4 receiving targets and 4 offensive linemen on offense. Some would possibly level to them upgrading the offensive line and, whereas I don’t disagree, there are nonetheless plenty of questions on offense. 

They aren’t as proficient at quarterback or receiver and the offense relied closely on the manufacturing of Shedeur Sanders, and his receiving core. It’s not an offense that’s designed for simple performs and Colorado has but to decide to the run in two seasons.

Colorado’s protection was a lot improved final season below first-time defensive coordinator Rob Livingston. I don’t assume sufficient consideration was given to this unit, which was an excellent second-half squad. Nonetheless, Colorado is down plenty of manufacturing, similar to on offense. 

The Buffs are with out their greatest go rusher, each linebackers, each safeties and a Heisman-winning nook. 

How do you exchange that a lot manufacturing and not using a base of highschool gamers that you’ve got developed?

There’s a lot new for the Buffaloes, and I don’t imagine they are going to be able to play Georgia Tech’s model of soccer in Week 1. New gamers on protection might want to cease a extremely environment friendly quarterback and that Tech run sport. 

On offense, Colorado is breaking in so many new gamers towards a veteran Tech secondary. Can the Buffs stand up to hurry shortly to make sufficient performs? I simply don’t purchase it. I like Georgia Tech to win and canopy.

PICK: Georgia Tech (-3.5) to win by 3.5 factors or extra

Utah @ UCLA (+5.5)

I’m additionally excessive on the Utes this season, and I’m beginning by wagering on them in Week 1. 

This can be a street sport, but it surely’s Labor Day Weekend on the Rose Bowl. Utah performed the final two seasons with a roster ravaged by accidents. Quarterback Cam Rising performed three video games the final two seasons after injuring his knee within the 2023 Rose Bowl. That pressured Utah to play not less than 5 totally different quarterbacks in 2023 and 2024, and the outcomes have been ugly.

Utah went into the portal to seize New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, a first-team All-Mountain West choice. 

The Utes additionally added New Mexico’s offensive coordinator, who led the Lobos to ending first within the nation in yards per carry. It’s an ideal match for Utah, which has acquired the most effective offensive strains within the nation. 

New Mexico switch Devon Dampier will take over as beginning QB for the Utes this upcoming season.

Each tackles will likely be first-round picks. Utah’s speeding assault goes to face a UCLA protection changing 9 starters. 

The Bruins did add some portal gamers, however they haven’t recruited at a stage that may assist them reload that shortly. 

It’s at all times truthful to query Utah’s passing assault and that may very well be a priority this season, however I don’t see it mattering a lot right here. The Utes will management the road of scrimmage and rating on UCLA.

UCLA made headlines this spring when it landed former five-star Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a proficient participant who can be inconsistent. 

He’ll compete with App State switch Joey Aguilar for the beginning job. 

Nico Iamaleava left Tennessee for UCLA, and is within the operating to start out for the Bruins.

The Bruins have respectable receiving choices and a few switch expertise at operating again. Their offensive line was brutal final season and they’re going to exchange three starters. Similar to the remainder of their roster, the Bruins are hoping to patch the holes on the road with portal guys.

Utah’s protection has been its calling card for years and I don’t doubt it’s going to change this season. The Utes are changing their line of defense, however they’ve proven the flexibility to reload that place 12 months after 12 months. They return expertise at linebacker and within the secondary. And their protection ought to win the matchup towards the Bruins’ offense. 

Utah is extra proficient and has a extra cohesive strategy than UCLA. I like Utah to cruise on this sport.

PICK: Utah (-5.5) to win by greater than 5.5 factors

Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper sort out for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior 12 months. Observe him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.

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