On this presidential marketing campaign season, faculty soccer’s October surprises are available in numerous varieties. There are breakout overachievers exceeding their preseason expectations, resembling Indiana and Pitt.
On the flip aspect, a number of squads have upset by the season’s first half. A trio of groups ranked within the AP High 25 on the kickoff of 2024 which have since fallen out stand out as essentially the most shocking underachievers on the halfway level.
Florida State
Sep 21, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (4) warms up earlier than a recreation towards the California Golden Bears at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Melina Myers-Imagn Photos Florida State is the runaway selection for essentially the most overrated staff of 2024 based mostly on practically unanimous preseason expectations of being the final ACC staff standing in December.
Receiving the doubtful distinction of being the one energy convention unbeaten disregarded for a berth within the four-team School Soccer Playoff gives the principle storyline for Florida State’s 2024 season.
With an expanded Playoff bracket, the one factor that would preserve the Seminoles out this time can be their very own incapacity to carry out on the sphere. Sadly, that has been the case for Florida State earlier than many of the nation even opened its 2024 season.
A loss within the ultimate seconds to Georgia Tech, the season-opener performed in Eire, introduced the Seminoles’ malaise from final season to a brand new continent and a brand new season. From a preseason rating of No. 10 to a stunningly poor 1-5 document — 1-4 within the Atlantic Coast Convention — there are extra issues than we are able to depend for FSU this season.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State’s Alan Bowman (7) warms up earlier than the faculty soccer recreation between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Aug., 31, 2024. PHOTO USA TODAY. The bye week couldn’t have come at a extra opportune time for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have Week 7 to regroup amid a three-game tailspin of more and more ugly losses.
Ranked seventeenth to open the marketing campaign, Oklahoma State was forecast to contend for the new-look Huge 12 Convention championship. As an alternative, Mike Gundy’s staff was successfully eradicated from the race earlier than the leaves might change to their autumn colours, struggling losses of 22-19 to Utah, 42-20 at Kansas State, and 38-14 towards West Virginia.
Essentially the most eyebrow-raising facet of Oklahoma State’s convention struggles has been its 17.7-point-per-game common. Reigning Huge 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months and Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II rushed for 282 yards towards West Virginia in 2023 however managed solely 50 yards on 13 carries on this season’s Week 6 loss, highlighting Oklahoma State’s bigger offensive woes.
Gordon’s drop from 123.8 dashing yards per recreation final season to 64 by six video games in 2024 is a byproduct of the Cowboys’ shaky passing recreation. Alan Bowman threw eight interceptions and accomplished lower than 60 % of his makes an attempt within the season’s first half and was pulled towards West Virginia for Garret Rangel.
Gundy didn’t decide to a starter for Oklahoma State’s Oct. 18 return to motion towards BYU, however this determination looms giant over the Cowboys’ ultimate six video games.
Southern California
Jul 29, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; An in depth view of Southern California Trojans helmet throughout Pac-12 Media Day at Novo Theater. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities School soccer punditry fortunately performs the a part of Charlie Brown whereas completely different incarnations of Southern California play Lucy. Seemingly yearly for the final 15, there’s a wave of hope that possibly that is the yr that USC is again.
Then, the Trojans pull the ball away, leaving us kicking air.
USC opened its 2024 season ranked No. 23 and beat LSU in Week 1, which solely lured onlookers into that acquainted place.Â
Positive, the Trojans left the Pac-12 having gained a single convention championship from 2009 till the league’s fracturing, however maybe becoming a member of a brand new convention can be the catalyst USC wanted to recapture its light glory.
As an alternative, the Trojans host fourth-ranked Penn State in Week 7, dealing with the very actual chance of falling to 3-3, and worse, 1-3 in convention play.
Maybe that is an overreaction to a staff simply two performs away from being undefeated. USC’s losses to Michigan and Minnesota, each on the highway, had been determined by final-minute, fourth-down touchdowns.
However whereas Michigan is the reigning nationwide champion, the 2024 Wolverines are clearly a step behind final yr’s staff. Minnesota got here into final week’s matchup on a shedding streak, with its season presumably careening uncontrolled.
In the meantime, USC is shedding a battle of attrition whereas accumulating losses within the Huge Ten. Linebacker Eric Gentry is sidelined indefinitely, and defensive lineman Bear Alexander opted to redshirt, leaving voids within the entrance seven that the Trojans will not be ready to fill long-term.
