Saturday was a day of close to misses for large underdogs, as a handful of ranked groups flirted with the thought of dropping to unranked foes earlier than squeaking out dramatic wins. No. 3 Texas A&M offered probably the most thrilling rally because the Aggies roared again from a 27-point halftime deficit to take out South Carolina 31-30 for the biggest comeback win in program historical past.
No. 18 Michigan and No. 16 Georgia Tech additionally discovered themselves trailing late within the fourth quarter towards overmatched opponents earlier than in some way discovering methods to win. The Wolverines dedicated 5 turnovers and missed two discipline targets however had been bailed out when Dominic Zvada hit a game-winning kick as time expired to carry Michigan previous Northwestern. The win saved Michigan’s playoff hopes alive.
To not be outdone, Georgia Tech rallied from a 28-17 deficit at Boston School and received 36-34 after Aidan Birr hit a go-ahead discipline purpose with 11 seconds left. The win saved the Yellow Jackets tied atop the ACC standings with Virginia, Pittsburgh and SMU.
It wasn’t all roses for ranked groups towards unranked opposition. Each No. 24 South Florida and No. 25 Cincinnati took losses. However the day’s first two waves did not deliver the complete measure of carnage that it might have.
This is the rundown of the winners and losers from Week 12 in faculty soccer.
Loser: Texas appears to be like unhealthy in defeat
Not solely did Texas lose at Georgia, however the method of the 35-10 defeat supplied little confidence within the Longhorns’ playoff possibilities as a three-loss staff. The offensive momentum they confirmed in wins over Mississippi State and Vanderbilt vanished towards a extra athletic protection.
Texas (7-3, 4-2 SEC) additionally struggled with penalties and drops, together with just a few regarding defensive lapses. This does not appear to be a School Soccer Playoff-caliber staff, and it’s miles from sure they’ll beat Arkansas and No. 3 Texas A&M within the last two weeks to maintain their faint playoff hopes alive.
Winner: USC units up huge battle
No. 17 USC’s playoff candidacy is not a significant nationwide speaking level. Maybe it must be. Following Saturday’s 26-21 win over No. 21 Iowa, the No. 17 Trojans are 8-2 (6-1 Large Ten) and one marquee victory away from sending their inventory hovering. That marquee alternative comes subsequent week towards No. 8 Oregon. When the Trojans fell behind 21-7 within the first half, it appeared they is perhaps waiting for their date with the Geese. However USC stiffened up within the second half and held the Hawkeyes scoreless after halftime on their manner a 3rd straight victory.
Loser: DeBoer’s hoodie falters
Second-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer lastly suffered his first loss within the “black hoodie of loss of life,” because the No. 4 Crimson Tide fell 23-21 to No. 11 Oklahoma. Bama had been undefeated beneath DeBoer when he wore a black hoodie, however the outfit’s mythology collapsed beneath the load of three turnovers. A deterioration of Alabama’s beforehand impeccable turnover margin was accountable. The Crimson Tide entered tied for third nationally in fewest turnovers with simply six on the season, however they dedicated three towards the Sooners, who discovered a strategy to win regardless of mustering simply 212 whole yards. The Sooners’ protection produced 4 stops on Alabama’s last 4 possessions because the Sooners secured their second straight street win over a top-15 opponent.
Winner: Texas A&M completes file comeback
So usually over the previous 15 years, Texas A&M has regarded the a part of a contender for a time earlier than wilting right into a heap of mediocrity. There was a sense of “right here we go once more” on Saturday within the first half because the No. 3 Aggies hosted a reeling South Carolina staff. A&M blundered its strategy to a 30-3 halftime deficit with three turnovers, two missed discipline targets and a few porous protection. All the pieces that would go incorrect for the Aggies did.
However because it turned out, Texas A&M was merely setting the stage for the largest comeback in class historical past. The Aggies scored 28 unanswered factors over the primary 20 minutes of the second half after which held on late for a shocking 31-30 win. Quarterback Marcel Reed keyed the trouble as he flushed a horrendous first half to complete with 439 passing yards for the Aggies (10-0, 7-0 SEC). The beautiful collapse from South Carolina (3-7, 1-7) means final 12 months’s 9-4 season for the Gamecocks will likely be sandwiched between bowl misses in 2023 and 2025.
Loser: South Florida wastes nice begin
South Florida’s playoff hopes hit a possible insurmountable roadblock in a 41-38 loss at Navy. The Bulls (7-3, 4-2 American) could not deal with the Mishipmen’s dashing assault and had been additionally gashed via the air. USF started the season with wins over Boise State and at Florida to determine itself because the staff to beat within the Group of Six. Within the course of, third-year coach Alex Golesh established himself as one of many hottest names on this 12 months’s teaching carousel.
However league losses to Memphis and Navy — along with a loss at Miami — have left USF in want of serious assist in an effort to attain the American title recreation. Alternatively, playoff aspirations for Navy (8-2, 6-1) at the moment are very actual, because the Midshipmen can safe their spot within the convention title recreation with a win at Memphis subsequent week.
Winner: Lane Kiffin dodges a bullet
No. 7 Ole Miss internet hosting Florida was already awkward since Rebels coach Lane Kiffin is consider to be on the prime of Florida’s wishlist because it searches for Billy Napier’s alternative. It could have been much more awkward if Kiffin had misplaced at residence to the lowly Gators. Even Florida followers could have been disturbed if the coach they needed had misplaced at residence to a foul Gators staff.
Properly, it practically occurred. Florida held a lead for a lot of the second quarter and for the whole third quarter earlier than the Rebels rallied and escaped with a 34-24 win. Kiffin nonetheless discovered himself coping with hypothesis surrounding his future, however a minimum of he was doing after securing a 3rd consecutive 10-plus win season.
Loser: Northwestern misses an opportunity
No. 18 Michigan teed Northwestern as much as safe its first win within the sequence since 2008, however the Wildcats merely whiffed. The Wolverines escaped with an unbelievable 24-22 win at Wrigley Discipline on a 31-yard discipline purpose from Dominic Zvada as time expired. His game-winning kick saved Michigan (8-2, 6-1 Large Ten) from a catastrophic defeat, nevertheless it did not save them from some embarrassment. Michigan dedicated 5 turnovers, Zvada missed two discipline targets and the Wolverines mustered simply two tackles for loss.
However when it mattered most, Michigan got here up with simply sufficient juice. The protection pressured two three-and-outs on Northwestern’s last two possessions, and quarterback Bryce Underwood hit Andrew Marsh for a vital 21-yard acquire on a third-down play with beneath two minutes remaining. That connection went a great distance towards stopping the Wildcats (5-5, 3-4) from stealing a marquee victory.
Winner: Notre Dame understands the project
Not solely did No. 9 Notre Dame beat No. 22 Pitt on the street, however the Combating Irish did it in fashion by mauling the Panthers 37-15 in a recreation that was by no means actually doubtful. Pitt scored on the ultimate play of the sport to make its last margin of defeat seem a bit extra respectable, however this was whole domination by a Notre Dame staff in want of fashion factors.
It was the Combating Irish’s last alternative to make something resembling a “assertion” earlier than CFP Choice Sunday, and so they clearly understood the project. The Pitt offense, which had been rolling getting into the day, amassed simply 219 yards and went 0 for 13 on third downs. These two season-opening losses for Notre Dame (8-2) are beginning to really feel more and more distant amid a streak of eight straight double-digit wins.
Winner: Miami affords a reminder
The elite model of Miami lastly confirmed up once more Saturday, because the No. 15 Hurricanes throttled NC State 41-7. The Wolfpack had been using excessive off a 48-36 win over then-No. 8 Georgia Tech however bore no resemblance in an offensively lifeless displaying towards the Hurricanes. Miami dominated in all aspects and regarded like a playoff-caliber staff. It could be too little, too late after losses to Louisville and SMU. However a minimum of for in the future, Miami was the identical staff that beat Notre Dame and rose to No. 2 within the AP ballot amid a 5-0 begin.
Loser: Boston School falls simply quick
Saturday was a day of close to upsets. Nobody wanted yet another than Boston School, which is why the Eagles’ 36-34 loss to No. 16 Georgia Tech was so devastating. It has been a making an attempt season for second-year coach Invoice O’Brien, and his squad was in prime place to tug a stunner at residence towards the Yellow Jackets. However the Eagles could not maintain a 28-17 lead within the second half because the Yellow Jackets saved their ACC title hopes alive with an offensive barrage main as much as Aidan Birr’s go-ahead discipline purpose with 11 seconds remaining.
Winner: Arizona will get a marquee win
Most sports activities books positioned Arizona’s preseason win whole line at 4.5, suggesting the Wildcats confronted an uphill battle to even attain bowl eligibility beneath second-year coach Brent Brennan following a 4-8 marketing campaign. After carrying out that purpose final week in a blowout win at Colorado, Arizona added a ranked street win to its portfolio on Saturday, because the Wildcats surprised No. 25 Cincinnati 30-24. The Bearcats had no reply for Arizona’s trio of working backs, who mixed for practically 200 yards dashing.
Noah Fifita added 294 passing yards as Arizona (7-3, 4-3 Large 12) dominated time of possession with 24 first downs and eight third-down conversions. At 7-3 (5-2 Large 12), Cincinnati’s hopes of reaching the Large 12 title recreation are nonetheless alive. However after two straight losses, they’re dangling by a thread.
Winner: Virginia flushes Wake loss
No. 19 Virginia rose above the fray and regarded the a part of a convention title contender in a 34-17 win over Duke. The high-powered Blue Devils (5-5, 4-2 ACC) entered the day within the thick of the league title race however sputtered towards the Cavaliers, who efficiently flushed the stench of final week’s loss to Wake Forest. The ACC image stays cloudy, however the Cavaliers (9-2, 6-1) are closing in on a visit to the ACC Championship Sport. Beating rival Virginia Tech in two weeks will likely be vital, however that will not be an issue if the Cavaliers play like they did towards Duke.
Loser: Joe Fagnano proves he is human
UConn improved to 8-3 with a 26-16 win over Air Drive, however the recreation got here with an disagreeable shock for the Huskies: it was revealed that quarterback Joe Fagnano is human in any case, as his streak of 385 straight go makes an attempt with out an interception got here to an finish. In the event you watch carefully, it is obvious that Air Drive’s Jackson Adams deflected the ball quickly after it was launched. Thus, it may be deemed that the interception was solely partially Fagnano’s fault. Regardless, his streak of 25 touchdowns with out an interception to open the season is a outstanding feat. Fortunately for the Huskies, the top got here in a win.
