Faculty Soccer Week 4 Picks, Preview: What To Count on in TX Tech-Utah, UM-Nebraska

Faculty soccer followers are being handled to a hotly anticipated Large 12 matchup in Week 4 that would decide who’s within the driver’s seat of the convention for the remainder of the season. 

No. 17 Texas Tech and No. 16 Utah will meet in Salt Lake Metropolis on “Large Midday Saturday” this weekend, which I will be on the decision for. So, I will not be making a decide for that recreation, because it shapes as much as be a enjoyable one. 

Nevertheless, I can be making picks for a number of different notable video games on the slate this weekend, together with a pair of intriguing early Large Ten matchups and a ranked battle within the SEC.

Let’s get to my preview and picks. 

It is a nice matchup, notably when Utah’s offensive line and Texas Tech’s line of defense are on the sphere. On the Crimson Raiders’ facet, this can be a group that introduced in a few guys who I believe are wonderful gamers. Linebackers Romello Peak and David Bailey have been good cross rushers on the finish of the road of scrimmage, however they’re going to have a giant check going up towards Utah’s O-line. I believe the Utes’ offensive line may be one of the best within the nation, with offensive deal with Spencer Fano being somebody who I consider can be a top-15 decide in subsequent 12 months’s NFL Draft.

I believe that matchup goes to be the place the sport’s gained or misplaced, however each quarterbacks are additionally intriguing. Utah’s Devon Dampier has been somebody I’ve actually liked to observe early on this season. His short-area quickness and skill to create are actual issues for defenses. He’s a greater passer than individuals are led to consider, however he has offered one thing particular for Utah because it hasn’t gotten nice quarterback play over time. I really feel like Utah now has a man who can lead it to a Large 12 title.

Utah’s additionally bought some two-way gamers on the roster, and I can’t wait to see how they deploy them on Saturday. Smith Snowden’s an incredible cornerback, however he performs operating again at occasions. Lander Barton is Utah’s greatest linebacker, however he’ll additionally play some H-back and tight finish. Security Jackson Bennee additionally will get some run on either side of the ball. It’s distinctive, however head coach Kyle Whittingham is getting his greatest gamers on the sphere.

For Texas Tech, its offense runs by means of quarterback Behren Morton. He’s having a terrific 12 months after having an excellent season in 2024. This wasn’t a staff that was damage by its offense a 12 months in the past, with its protection being the main focus of its main spending spree within the switch portal. Texas Tech’s protection has performed effectively to date in consequence, whereas its offense has remained explosive. It’s No. 1 within the nation in a number of classes. The Crimson Raiders can rating from in all places, and I really like Morton’s extensive receivers (particularly Coy Eakin, who they name “Cowboy Coy”). There’s an opportunity for giant performs for Texas Tech with how aggressive Utah’s protection could be.

This must be a terrific recreation in considered one of school soccer’s most excellent environments. That is actually a battle for midseason supremacy within the Large 12, with all due respect to Iowa State. 

That is the second recreation of the two-game suspension that Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is serving, however that may be a catalyst recreation for each groups. For those who’re Michigan, you may’t have a second loss so early within the season. For Nebraska, this could be an enormous win because it hasn’t defeated a ranked opponent in its final 27 such video games. 

Matt Rhule’s Nebraska squad relied on its protection final 12 months. Nevertheless, it misplaced each defensive tackles that basically made that unit robust, particularly towards the run. It isn’t as stingy towards the run this 12 months, which is an issue if you’re welcoming in Michigan. Nebraska is at the moment seventy fifth at stopping the run, with Cincinnati placing up 202 speeding yards within the season opener. 

Actually, Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby ran for almost 100 yards and two touchdowns in that recreation. That may form effectively for Michigan QB Bryce Underwood, who’s slowly getting the bubble wrap faraway from him. He rushed for six first downs and two scores final week, whereas RB Justice Haynes has had three 100-yard video games to begin the season. 

I believe Nebraska goes to must depend on its offense for fulfillment. It has appeared good to date throughout the opening a part of the season and QB Dylan Raiola has appeared good. If it could actually get the passing recreation going early and keep balanced, the group turns into way more of an element. Finally, although, I believe Michigan is ready to draw back with a double-digit win.

Decide: Michigan 34, Nebraska 21 (Michigan -2.5)

Auburn’s off to an excellent begin this 12 months, and now quarterback Jackson Arnold can get some revenge in his return to the “Palace on the Prairie.” No person is aware of Arnold higher than OU head coach Brent Venables and that protection, although. They only went by means of a season of struggles on offense with Arnold at quarterback. They know what he struggles with, what he doesn’t see and which appears he may battle with towards the blitz. 

That’s not an incredible omen for Auburn. We additionally know Arnold struggles with strain at occasions. Past the accidents, a part of the explanation for Oklahoma’s struggles on offense final season was on account of poor offensive line play. Arnold handled extra strain than he may deal with, so I’d anticipate Oklahoma’s protection to be aggressive and put its former quarterback in an uncomfortable spot. 

Flipping issues round, Oklahoma QB John Mateer is taking part in one of the best soccer of anyone within the nation. He can put his staff on his again and win video games like he did towards Michigan, which is why I’ve Mateer because the No. 1 quarterback within the nation. He’s a baller and there’s actually a perception across the program that I haven’t seen with this system because it had back-to-back Heisman-winning quarterbacks throughout the Lincoln Riley period.

John Mateer and Dante Moore headline Joel Klatt’s prime CFB QBs this season

Actually, talking to some folks round that Oklahoma program, they see numerous Baker Mayfield in Mater. The best way he handles observe and the way the staff loves Mateer can’t be understated. We see this staff taking part in laborious for Mateer due to his management fashion and skill. 

I believe Oklahoma is absolutely getting ready to a particular season, even with a tricky schedule. If I have been Venables, I’d say, “Yeah, I do know we have now a tricky go of it. However you understand who else does? Anybody who has to play us.” 

This may very well be a little bit of a high-scoring affair on account of Mateer and the playmakers Auburn has at extensive receiver. Due to that, the quarterbacks must be nice, and I favor Mateer to try this over Arnold.

Decide: Oklahoma 34, Auburn 27 (Oklahoma -6.5)

It is a huge recreation with Faculty Soccer Playoff implications. The winner of this recreation units itself to be the third or fourth CFP staff out of the Large Ten with the best way their schedules line up. 

As for the matchup, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer has been actually good. He’s like Iowa State QB Rocco Becht in that if the sport’s shut, I belief him due to his expertise. That’s why Indiana being favored shocked me, however Illinois nonetheless has to play an Illinois-style recreation. Indiana desires to play extra up-tempo on offense, whereas Illinois goes to need to drag this recreation down and make it a little bit of a grind. 

Flipping issues round, Illinois’ protection is a superb protection. It is a man-oriented unit, which is nice for if you go up towards an RPO-style staff towards Indiana. It could create tight home windows and put strain on the quarterback, making the opponent transfer too quick. That’s what Indiana did to Duke in its highway win earlier this month. 

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza has been strong this season. The Cal switch has but to show the ball over and has 11 whole touchdowns by means of the primary three video games, however I’m undecided if Indiana is nearly as good because it was a 12 months in the past. 

That mentioned, I believe Illinois wins this recreation outright. 

Decide: Illinois 24, Indiana 21 (Illinois +5.5)

Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead school soccer recreation analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Present.” Comply with him @joelklatt and subscribe to “The Joel Klatt Present” on YouTube.

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