File-setting quarterback Dillon Gabriel and undefeated Oregon can be out to solidify the highest spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings when the Geese go to inconsistent Wisconsin in a Massive Ten matchup at Madison, Wis., on Saturday.
Oregon (10-0, 7-0), No. 1 within the CFP rankings launched Tuesday, routed Maryland 39-18 final weekend behind three scoring passes by Gabriel, who broke the NCAA file for whole profession touchdowns.
Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3) is coming off a bye after a 42-10 loss at Iowa, one of many worst defeats in Luke Fickell’s two years as coach.
“We’re nonetheless having a whole lot of enjoyable, arising each single day to get higher and discover methods to enhance,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning stated Monday. “The problem of this new convention, the journey and a few of the groups that we bought to play, it has been a whole lot of enjoyable for us.”
Gabriel, a sixth-year switch from Oklahoma, accomplished 23 of 34 passes for 183 yards in opposition to the Terrapins. That gave him 180 whole touchdowns (147 passing, 33 dashing), surpassing the 178 touchdowns (155 passing, 23 dashing) that Case Keenum produced for Houston from 2007-11.
Gabriel leads the nation in cross completion share at 74.1 % (237 of 320) for 284.8 yards per recreation, with 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Gabriel and the Geese’ passing recreation current apparent difficulties for the Badgers’ secondary.
“They’ll be challenged in numerous methods,” Fickell stated Monday. “That is the fantastic thing about faculty soccer. You could be challenged every week in a whole lot of alternative ways and this one could also be one we’ve not seen actually your entire 12 months.
“The power for them to throw the ball downfield. The dynamic of the huge receivers that they’ve. Clearly, the quarterback and the flexibility of him to make performs each along with his toes and within the air.”
James Jordan paces the Geese’ floor recreation with 946 yards (5.7 per carry) and 10 touchdowns.
Oregon has been environment friendly within the pink zone with 39 scores in 44 alternatives, together with 32 touchdowns.
The Geese, who’ve scored 30 or extra factors in every of their previous 9 video games, common 35.7 factors whereas permitting 16. Oregon averages 457 yards per contest and is giving up 293.7.
Wisconsin took consecutive early-season losses to Alabama and Southern California, then dominated Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern throughout a three-game successful streak. Nonetheless, the Badgers have since misplaced to Penn State, now No. 4 within the CFP rankings, and Iowa.
Of their 5 victories, the Badgers outscored opponents 34.4 to eight.6 per recreation, with a 454-239 common benefit in whole yards. In 4 losses, Wisconsin was outscored 37.5 to 13.5.
Redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee harm in opposition to Alabama, threw two pricey interceptions in opposition to Iowa. Locke has accomplished 56.8 % of his passes for 177.3 yards per recreation, however he has eight picks together with eight landing tosses.
In opposition to Iowa, the Badgers allowed 329 dashing yards, 6.1 yards per carry.
Within the groups’ most matchup, Oregon edged Wisconsin 28-27 within the 2020 Rose Bowl when the Geese have been nonetheless within the Pac-12. The Badgers haven’t defeated a No. 1-ranked workforce since a 31-18 upset of Ohio State in 2010.
–Area Degree Media
