School Soccer Playoff, bowl projections after Week 11

The Large Ten supplied the most important thrills in Week 11, with Indiana and Oregon each narrowly keeping off upsets in dramatic trend.

However Texas Tech delivered the most important win of the weekend when it comes to School Soccer Playoff implications, handing BYU its first lack of the season and securing its standing because the workforce to beat within the Large 12.

As with final season’s inaugural 12-team CFP, the 5 highest-ranked convention champions, plus the subsequent seven highest-ranked groups, will make the sphere. Not like final yr, the 4 highest-ranked groups (not essentially convention champions) shall be awarded first-round byes. The opposite eight groups will meet in first-round video games on the campus websites of seeds Nos. 5 by 8.

From there, the quarterfinals and semifinals shall be performed in what had been the New Yr’s Six bowls, with the nationwide championship recreation scheduled for Jan. 19 at Miami’s Onerous Rock Stadium.

All of that’s simply the tip of the iceberg, although. Other than the playoff is the 35-game slate of bowl video games, starting with the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Dec. 13.

We’re right here for all of it.

ESPN bowl gurus Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach are projecting each postseason matchup, together with their breakdowns of how the playoff will play out, and we’ll be again each week of the season till the precise matchups are set.

Soar to a bit:
Playoff picks | Quarterfinals
Semis, title recreation | Bowl season

School Soccer Playoff

First-round video games (at campus websites)

Friday, Dec. 19
8 p.m., ABC, ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 20
Midday, ABC, ESPN
3:30 p.m., TNT
7:30 p.m., TNT

Bonagura: No. 12 North Texas at No. 5 Georgia
Schlabach: No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Georgia

Bonagura: No. 11 Georgia Tech at No. 6 Texas Tech
Schlabach: No. 11 Pittsburgh at No. 6 Ole Miss

Bonagura: No. 10 BYU at No. 7 Oregon
Schlabach: No. 10 BYU at No. 7 Texas Tech

Bonagura: No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Ole Miss
Schlabach: No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oregon

First-round breakdown

Bonagura: Probably the most significant results of the weekend was Texas Tech’s convincing win in opposition to BYU that reestablished the Purple Raiders as the favourite within the Large 12 and highlighted the Cougars’ offensive limitations. If BYU wins out — going through TCU, Cincinnati and UCF — to complete 11-1 and loses once more to Texas Tech within the convention title recreation, it could put the Cougars in an attention-grabbing place for at-large consideration, doubtlessly pitting them in opposition to a fifth SEC workforce for the ultimate playoff spot.

When the committee debuted its rankings, Memphis was the highest-ranked Group of 5 workforce, however promptly misplaced to Tulane, which dropped the Tigers to sixth place within the American Convention (there are 5 one-loss groups). I’ve North Texas within the playoff spot once more this week, however there actually is not an apparent favourite.

The Solar Belt’s James Madison (8-1) has gained seven straight and may gain advantage from the American chaos, whereas San Diego State’s probabilities took an enormous hit late Saturday night time in Hawai’i, the place the Aztecs misplaced 38-6.

Schlabach: I will be sincere: I did not know what to do with the ACC or the Group of 5 this week after Virginia and Louisville each fell, and Memphis misplaced to Tulane within the American Convention.

The ACC is an absolute mess with 5 groups — Georgia Tech, Virginia, Pittsburgh, SMU and Duke — presently having just one loss in convention play. I went with the red-hot Panthers for now, however they have essentially the most tough street left with a nonconference house recreation in opposition to Notre Dame on Saturday, adopted by ACC video games at Georgia Tech and residential in opposition to Miami. Pitt has gained 5 video games in a row and is scoring a ton of factors, however I am undecided it may possibly survive that grueling stretch.

I might cherished what Georgia Tech was doing this season, though its 48-36 loss at NC State two weeks in the past uncovered some critical issues on protection. The Yellow Jackets play at Boston School on Saturday, then host Pittsburgh and play rival Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Duke, even at 5-4 general, may need one of the best path if it may possibly knock off Virginia at house Saturday. The Blue Devils suffered their third nonconference loss this week, falling to UConn 37-34 on the street. After internet hosting the Cavaliers, they’re going to play at North Carolina and in opposition to Wake Forest at house.

I went with Tulane as my fifth convention champion, though I severely thought-about South Florida, North Texas and James Madison as properly.

CFP quarterfinals

Wednesday, Dec. 31

CFP quarterfinal on the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Basic
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: No. 7 Oregon vs. No. 2 Indiana
Schlabach: No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 4 Alabama

Thursday, Jan. 1

CFP quarterfinal on the Capital One Orange Bowl
Onerous Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Midday, ESPN
Bonagura: No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 4 Alabama
Schlabach: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Indiana

CFP quarterfinal on the Rose Bowl Recreation offered by Prudential
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
4 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: No. 8 Ole Miss vs. No. 1 Ohio State
Schlabach: No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 1 Ohio State

CFP quarterfinal on the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
8 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 3 Texas A&M
Schlabach: No. 7 Texas Tech vs. No. 2 Texas A&M

Quarterfinals breakdown

Bonagura: Oregon and Indiana each turned in iconic last-minute drives to win Saturday, conserving each on observe. The win was notably necessary for Oregon, which does not have the identical margin of error because the Hoosiers. At 8-1, the Geese ought to be safely within the playoff with two wins of their remaining three video games with Minnesota, USC and Washington left to play. Indiana is ranked No. 2 by the committee, however the more than likely state of affairs — with what’s left to come back — is that the Large Ten champion will get the No. 1 seed and the SEC champion shall be seeded second.

It goes in opposition to the spirit of the rankings, however I believe there’s a approach to take convention affiliation under consideration come playoff time. Purely from an leisure standpoint, I do not like that these hypothetical quarterfinals organize rematches with Alabama-Georgia and Indiana-Oregon. It comes with the territory to a sure diploma, however it could be way more attention-grabbing if convention matchups had been prevented to the extent it would not influence the integrity of the format.

Schlabach: I dinged Indiana one spot in my seedings after it wanted a miracle landing go within the closing seconds to beat struggling Penn State 27-24 on the street Saturday. A win is a win, particularly in November, however the Nittany Lions have misplaced six in a row.

I moved Texas A&M up one spot after it picked up one other huge street victory, successful 38-17 at Missouri. The Aggies gained at Notre Dame and LSU earlier this season, and so they may need to win as soon as extra at rival Texas on Nov. 28 to remain within the hunt for a first-round bye.

Georgia and Alabama could be an entertaining rematch within the Cotton Bowl, and I am positive Rose Bowl officers would like to see the Combating Irish and Buckeyes enjoying in Pasadena on New Yr’s Day. There would even be loads of Lone Star State bragging rights on the road if the Aggies and Purple Raiders met up within the Sugar Bowl.

CFP semifinals, nationwide championship recreation

Thursday, Jan. 8

CFP semifinal on the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Ohio State
Schlabach: No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 1 Ohio State

Friday, Jan. 9

CFP semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Indiana
Schlabach: No. 3 Indiana vs. No. 2 Texas A&M

Monday, Jan. 19

CFP nationwide championship
Onerous Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
7:45 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: No. 2 Indiana vs. No. 1 Ohio State
Schlabach: No. 2 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Ohio State

Nationwide championship breakdown

Bonagura: Texas A&M regarded the half in opposition to Missouri, Ohio State put Purdue to mattress within the first half and Indiana survived, leaving three undefeated groups. However none of them have been so dominant that it could qualify as a serious shock if they do not march to the title recreation with ease. That is precisely why a playoff was wanted in school soccer.

Schlabach: Ohio State continues to cruise, routing Purdue 34-10 on the street Saturday. I thought-about shifting Texas A&M to No. 1 as a result of the Buckeyes do not have a lot meat on their résumé apart from their 14-7 win in opposition to Texas within the opener.

Street wins at Washington and Illinois had been good, however the Huskies simply misplaced at struggling Wisconsin, and the Illini have dropped three video games. Ohio State nonetheless has one of the best protection within the FBS, and quarterback Julian Sayin is a Heisman Trophy front-runner. The Buckeyes should not be examined of their subsequent two video games in opposition to UCLA and Rutgers earlier than closing the common season at Michigan on Nov. 29.

Full bowl season schedule

Saturday, Dec. 13

Cricket Celebration Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Midday, ABC
Bonagura: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State
Schlabach: Jackson State vs. Delaware State

LA Bowl
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Arizona vs. San Diego State
Schlabach: Washington vs. San Diego State

Tuesday, Dec. 16

IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Louisiana Tech vs. East Carolina
Schlabach: Jacksonville State vs. Troy

Wednesday, Dec. 17

StaffDNA Remedy Bowl
Tenting World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
5 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Buffalo vs. Jacksonville State
Schlabach: Buffalo vs. Previous Dominion

68 Ventures Bowl
Hancock Whitney Stadium (Cell, Alabama)
8:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Coastal Carolina vs. Western Michigan
Schlabach: Coastal Carolina vs. Central Michigan

Friday, Dec. 19

Myrtle Seashore Bowl
Brooks Stadium (Conway, South Carolina)
Midday, ESPN
Bonagura: UConn vs. Troy
Schlabach: North Texas vs. James Madison

Union Residence Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: South Florida vs. Clemson
Schlabach: UConn vs. Utah State

Monday, Dec. 22

Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Toledo vs. UNLV
Schlabach: Ohio vs. UNLV

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Boca Raton Bowl
Flagler Credit score Union Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Southern Miss vs. Florida Worldwide
Schlabach: Arkansas State vs. Miami (Ohio)

New Orleans Bowl
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Western Kentucky vs. Previous Dominion
Schlabach: Kennesaw State vs. Southern Miss

Scooter’s Espresso Frisco Bowl
Ford Middle at The Star (Frisco, Texas)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: UTSA vs. Hawai’i
Schlabach: East Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Advanced (Honolulu)
8 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Boise State vs. California
Schlabach: Hawai’i vs. Memphis

Friday, Dec. 26

GameAbove Sports activities Bowl
Ford Area (Detroit)
1 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Rutgers vs. Ohio
Schlabach: Rutgers vs. Western Michigan

Charge Bowl
Chase Area (Phoenix)
4:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Baylor vs. Northwestern
Schlabach: TCU vs. Northwestern

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
8 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Temple vs. Utah State
Schlabach: Kansas vs. Boise State

Saturday, Dec. 27

Go Bowling Navy Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
11 a.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Duke vs. Tulane
Schlabach: Wake Forest vs. Navy

Dangerous Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
Midday, ABC
Bonagura: Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota
Schlabach: Louisville vs. Illinois

Wasabi Fenway Bowl
Fenway Park (Boston)
2:15 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: NC State vs. Military
Schlabach: NC State vs. South Florida

Pop-Tarts Bowl
Tenting World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ABC
Bonagura: Miami vs. Houston
Schlabach: Georgia Tech vs. Houston

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona)
4:30 p.m., CW Community
Bonagura: Miami (Ohio) vs. Fresno State
Schlabach: Toledo vs. Fresno State

Isleta New Mexico Bowl
College Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
5:45 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: New Mexico vs. Washington State
Schlabach: New Mexico vs. Akron

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
7:30 p.m. ABC
Bonagura: Virginia vs. LSU
Schlabach: Virginia vs. Vanderbilt

Kinder’s Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium (Houston)
9:15 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: TCU vs. Oklahoma
Schlabach: Iowa State vs. Oklahoma

Monday, Dec. 29

JLab Birmingham Bowl
Protecting Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Memphis vs. James Madison
Schlabach: Clemson vs. UTSA

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Radiance Applied sciences Independence Bowl
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Kansas vs. Kennesaw State
Schlabach: Baylor vs. Western Kentucky

Music Metropolis Bowl
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Nebraska vs. Missouri
Schlabach: Minnesota vs. LSU

Valero Alamo Bowl
Alamodome (San Antonio)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Cincinnati vs. USC
Schlabach: Cincinnati vs. USC

Wednesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Midday, ESPN
Bonagura: Illinois vs. Texas
Schlabach: Iowa vs. Tennessee

Tony the Tiger Solar Bowl
Solar Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
2 p.m., CBS
Bonagura: Wake Forest vs. Arizona State
Schlabach: Miami vs. California

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Tenting World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3 p.m., ABC
Bonagura: Michigan vs. Vanderbilt
Schlabach: Michigan vs. Texas

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Iowa vs. Utah
Schlabach: Nebraska vs. Utah

Friday, Jan. 2

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Price, Texas)
1 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Kansas State vs. Navy
Schlabach: Arizona vs. Military

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Simmons Financial institution Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
4:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Iowa State vs. Kentucky
Schlabach: Kansas State vs. Kentucky

Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Financial institution of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
8 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Louisville vs. Tennessee
Schlabach: Duke vs. Missouri

Vacation Bowl
Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)
8 p.m., Fox
Bonagura: SMU vs. Washington
Schlabach: SMU vs. Arizona State