2025 Faculty Soccer Rankings: Ohio State, Oregon Declare Prime Spots; Alabama Falls

RJ Younger

FOX Sports activities Nationwide Faculty Soccer Analyst

Ohio State has defeated Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame, and Texas once more in its final 5 video games. Two of these wins got here in opposition to the No. 1-rannked workforce within the nation. And but, Ryan Day’s program has held the No. 1 rating simply as soon as throughout that stretch — following its 2024 nationwide championship.

Of their win over No. 1-ranked Texas on Saturday, the Buckeyes dedicated to enjoying successful soccer in a recreation that felt prefer it may’ve been — and may nonetheless be — for the nationwide title.

Julian Sayin made his first begin at quarterback and didn’t submit flashy numbers. The working recreation struggled, and there will probably be questions surrounding Jeremiah Smith’s sluggish begin to the season. However the Buckeyes delivered within the largest moments: two huge goal-line stands, a key interception, and a smothering fourth-down protection that held Texas to only one conversion on 5 tries.

The message from Day to his workforce — and his new quarterback — was easy: Simply win. And the Buckeyes did precisely that.

With that, listed below are my prime 25 rankings following Week 1 of the 2025 school soccer season.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Texas, 14-7

Julian Sayin grew to become the primary quarterback to make his debut begin in opposition to an AP No. 1-ranked opponent and are available away with a win since 1984. The Buckeye protection was dominant, whereas the offense wanted simply 215 whole yards to win.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Montana State, 59-13

Oregon’s offense was completely balanced (253 yards dashing, 253 yards passing) with 507 whole yards in its demolition of Montana State. Quarterback Dante Moore accomplished 18 of 23 passes for 213 yards with three touchdowns in his debut. The victory marked Oregon’s sixteenth straight dwelling win.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Marshall, 45-7

Gunner Stockton racked up 263 whole yards with 4 whole touchdowns in his first begin in Athens, Georgia. His reference to Zachariah Department, a USC switch, was evident, too. Department caught three passes for 95 yards, together with one for a 47-yard landing. The Bulldogs led 45-0 earlier than the Thundering Herd lastly bought on the board.

4. LSU (1-0)

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Clemson, 17-10

In a single recreation, LSU managed to do what Penn State has carried out simply as soon as in 16 alternatives underneath James Franklin: defeat an AP top-five opponent. And the Tigers did it on the street. Garrett Nussmeier threw for 230 yards and a landing, cementing his identify because the early betting favourite to win the Heisman Trophy.

Week 1 consequence: Misplaced to Ohio State, 14-7

The Longhorns didn’t depart their offense in Austin, although it regarded that manner in essential moments. Texas accomplished simply one in every of 5 fourth-down makes an attempt. Quarterback Arch Manning accomplished simply 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with a landing and an interception whereas the Texas offense rushed for 166 yards.

Texas is simply the sixth AP No. 1-ranked workforce to lose its season-opener within the final 35 years.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Notre Dame, 27-24

Miami grew to become the third top-25 workforce to defeat a top-10 opponent this week, and it did it with a well-rounded efficiency. The Hurricanes’ defensive entrance was relentless whereas Georgia switch QB Carson Beck regarded each bit like the person able to main The U to its first-ever Faculty Soccer Playoff look. The win in opposition to the defending nationwide title runner-up is one Hurricane followers will hope is foreshadowing for January: the nationwide title recreation will probably be performed at Exhausting Rock.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Nevada, 46-11

Penn State’s protection created three turnovers and recorded three sacks in a 35-point win over Nevada. USC switch WR Kyron Hudson made six catches for 89 yards and a landing in his first recreation for the Nittany Lions, whereas former Syracuse wideout Trebor Pena made seven catches for 74 yards.

Week 1 consequence: Misplaced to LSU, 17-10

Dabo Swinney’s Clemson program has misplaced 4 straight video games to SEC opponents. For a program that expects to compete for the nationwide title, in addition to the ACC one, it is a setback. The Tigers had been believed to be one of many nation’s 4 greatest groups, and now they know they’re 0-4 relating to enjoying in opposition to groups from what’s the greatest league within the sport.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Illinois State, 35-3

John Mateer accomplished 30 of 37 passes for 392 yards with 4 whole touchdowns and an interception in his debut for the Sooners, breaking this system document for passing yards in a debut set by Baker Mayfield. Oklahoma put up 495 yards of whole offense and held Illinois State to simply 151 yards and eight first downs.

Week 1 consequence: Misplaced to Miami, 27-24

The Preventing Irish regarded like a workforce able to making the CFP with a first-time starter at quarterback. Whereas CJ Carr made some exceptional performs, he additionally made some that he wished he hadn’t — together with a few intentional grounding throws — however the Notre Dame offense didn’t have a solution for the Miami cross rush.

The absence of touches for Notre Dame’s greatest participant, Jeremiyah Love, must be addressed earlier than the Irish play one other top-25 program.

11. Indiana ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(1-0)

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Ole Dominion, 27-14

Working backs Roman Hemby (111 yards) and Kaelon Black (92 yards) mixed for 203 yards within the win for the Hoosiers, who’re 12-2 underneath head coach Curt Cignetti. Indiana rushed for 303 whole yards and picked up 30 first downs within the win.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated New Mexico, 34-17

True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood regarded composed and poised whereas passing for 251 yards and a landing in his first recreation as Michigan’s starter. He was helped by former Alabama tailback Justice Haynes, who rushed for a career-high 159 yards and three touchdowns within the win.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Syracuse, 45-26

Joey Aguilar got here out firing as Tennessee’s QB1. He accomplished 16 of 28 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns within the demolition of the Orangemen.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Georgia State, 63-7

Working again Kewan Lacy rushed for 108 yards and scored three dashing touchdowns within the Rebels’ opener, whereas Austin Simmons threw for 341 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Insurgent protection held Georgia State’s offense to simply 69 passing yards. The Insurgent offense put up 695 whole yards.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Central Arkansas, 61-6

Former Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula accounted for 348 whole yards and 4 whole touchdowns in a convincing win for the Tigers in opposition to their FCS opponent.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Western Illinois, 52-3

Aidan Laughery wanted simply 9 carries to hurry for 101 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-point demolition of the Leathernecks.

17. South Carolina ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(1-0)

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Virginia Tech, 24-11

The Gamecocks completed robust as Shane Beamer improved to 4-1 in season openers. After a tense three quarters, Vicari Swain broke the sport open with an 80-yard punt return for a landing. On the Gamecocks’ subsequent possession, Heisman hopeful LaNorris Sellers discovered wideout Nyck Harbor for a 64-yard landing cross to place the sport out of attain for the Hokies.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Alabama, 31-17

This system that gained simply two video games as a preseason top-10 workforce final 12 months already hit 50% of 2024’s win whole in opposition to a workforce that was ranked within the preseason prime 10 this 12 months. The offensive and defensive overhaul Mike Norvell dedicated to has already confirmed fruitful. In a single weekend, the Noles grew to become a contender for the ACC title and the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated South Dakota, 55-7

Rocco Becht was practically excellent in his second begin of the season, finishing 19 of 20 passes for 278 yards with three touchdowns in a rout of the Cyclones’ FCS opponent. Becht and Iowa State enter their matchup within the Cy-Hawk rivalry with a 2-0 document and in search of one other CFP résumé-building win in opposition to Iowa.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated UTSA 42-24

Marcel Reed accomplished 22 of 34 passes for 289 yards with 4 passing touchdowns. Vast receiver Mario Craver caught eight of these passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Nevertheless, the run protection gave up 177 yards on 16 rushes to UTSA’s Robert Henry.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Lengthy Island College, 55-0

The Gators led their FCS opponent by 38 factors at halftime. The night time completed that manner. The Gators may have the No. 1 scoring offense within the nation.

Week 1 consequence: Misplaced to Florida State, 31-17

The loss makes the Tide 4-4 when favored by 14 or extra factors in opposition to an opponent within the Kalen DeBoer period. For perspective, Nick Saban completed 131-2 when his groups had been favored by 14 or extra as head coach at Alabama.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 67-7

Three quarterbacks, two working backs and 5 large receivers accounted for not less than one landing within the Purple Raiders’ opening win in opposition to the Golden Lions. Nevertheless it was Cameron Dickey’s efficiency that bodes effectively for Tech’s future. With the damage to highly-touted USC switch Quinten Joyner, Dickey rushed for 90 yards on 12 rushes with a landing.

Week 1 consequence: Defeated Northern Arizona, 38-19

Sam Leavitt accounted for 330 yards, 4 whole touchdowns and an interception within the opener. Wideout Jordyn Tyson caught 12 passes for 141 yards with two touchdowns within the Solar Devils’ rout of the Lumberjacks.

25. SMU ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(1-0)

Week 1 consequence: Defeated East Texas A&M, 42-13

The Mustang protection shined with two pick-sixes, whereas quarterback Kevin Jennings accomplished 22 of 30 passes for 260 yards and three whole touchdowns.

RJ Younger is a nationwide school soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities. Observe him at @RJ_Young.

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