Week 2 of the 2024 school soccer season wasn’t quick on fireworks with loads of upsets and close to pitfalls altering each main polls considerably and altering the notion round a few of the nation’s prime groups. Although Week 3 does not look as thrilling on paper, there are some intriguing matchups — particularly within the nonconference — that ought to have an effect on the nationwide scale.
No. 20 Arizona and No. 14 Kansas State are set to face off Friday evening in a sport pitting two Large 12 opponents that will not rely in direction of the convention standings. Even so, Kansas State, which narrowly prevented a setback of their very own in Week 2, is favored to make it again to the convention’s title sport for the primary time since 2022, whereas Arizona is hoping to make an enormous splash in its first 12 months within the league.
In the meantime, a pair of top-25 groups in No. 4 Alabama and No. 24 Boston Faculty face intriguing out-of-conference highway video games. The Crimson Tide journey to Wisconsin in an SEC-Large Ten conflict, whereas the Eagles want to keep sizzling towards a No. 6 Missouri group that desires to keep up a sterling file earlier than convention play begins.
Week 3 traces are out, so let’s check out what oddsmakers are pondering as we glance forward.
Odds through SportsLine consensus
The massive video games
No. 20 Arizona at No. 14 Kansas State (-8) (Friday): Arizona and Kansas State get the weekend began with a bang as they take the sector for certainly one of two video games that includes ranked opponents in Week 3. Each groups acquired taken to the brink in Week 2, although Kansas State’s struggles had been extra comprehensible. Kansas State was capable of scrape out a 34-27 win on the highway towards an excellent Tulane group, whereas Arizona eked out a 22-10 win towards Northern Arizona one week after placing 61 factors on the board towards New Mexico. Count on a whole lot of offense and a outcome that can go a great distance in direction of figuring out nationwide rankings, if not the precise Large 12 standings.
No. 4 Alabama (-14.5) at Wisconsin: This can be a substantial unfold, however Alabama did look human in its 42-16 win towards South Florida in Week 2. The Crimson Tide did not actually get up till the fourth quarter, after they scored 28 factors to keep away from a disastrous outcome. Not that Wisconsin has set the world on hearth so far. The Badgers have received their final two video games towards Western Michigan and South Dakota by 14 factors apiece regardless of being 20-plus-point favorites in each conditions. Camp Randall Stadium is bound to be rocking, however will it’s sufficient for Wisconsin to tug the stunner?
No. 16 LSU (-8.5) at South Carolina: A pair weeks in the past, this seemed like a comparatively mild sport for the Tigers. However after a Week 1 loss to USC and a sluggish followup effort towards Nicholls has modified the outlook a bit. Particularly since South Carolina opened its SEC slate with a dominant 31-6 win on the highway towards Kentucky. The Gamecocks have a legit protection, however they’re going to have their arms full towards an at all times explosive LSU offense.
No. 24 Boston Faculty at No. 6 Missouri (-16.5): Boston Faculty has been among the finest tales of the 2024 season so far. The Eagles went on the highway in Week 1 and beat No. 10 Florida State to snap a 13-game dropping streak to top-10 opponents. Then they adopted that up with a 56-0 drubbing of Duquesne to climb into the AP High ballot for the primary time since 2018. Missouri is their largest take a look at but. The Tigers area among the finest QB-WR duos in Brady Cook dinner and Luther Burden III, and their salty protection hasn’t allowed a single level by the primary two weeks.
Memphis at Florida State (-5.5): This sport has main Faculty Soccer Playoff implications, however not for the explanations one may assume. Memphis is searching for a marquee win so as to add to its postseason résumé. The Tigers are a heavyweight within the American Athletic Convention and acquired votes on this week’s AP ballot. A victory on the highway towards former coach Mike Norvell could also be what Memphis must seize the highlight. The Seminoles are definitely beatable; they’ve confirmed that amid a disastrous 0-2 begin to the 2024 marketing campaign.
