Week 5 of the school soccer season is highlighted by a sequence of blockbuster matchups that can outline convention title races and nationwide narratives. It is the ultimate weekend of September, and groups can now not conceal behind outcomes in opposition to overmatched foes. Most squads that have not been really examined but might be this week.
That is actually the case for No. 21 USC, which is heading to the Central Time Zone for the second time previously three weeks to tackle No. 23 Illinois in a essential Large Ten showdown that kicks off at 9 a.m. Pacific time. The Trojans will want their espresso to kick in early.
The afternoon brings one other Large Ten battle between cross-country foes, as No. 1 Ohio State travels to Washington for its first highway sport of the 2025 marketing campaign. Lastly, the night is highlighted by yet one more high-stakes Large Ten conflict between foes from totally different areas of the nation, as No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 6 Oregon.
Faculty soccer grades: Texas earns ‘A’ mark, Miami will get ‘A-‘ on Week 4 report card forward of bye weeks
David Cobb
Additionally on the Week 5 docket are a few seismic SEC clashes, as No. 4 LSU travels to No. 13 Ole Miss within the afternoon. Then, within the night, No. 5 Georgia hosts No. 17 Alabama.
Right here is an early have a look at the percentages for these video games and lots of the different Week 5 contests involving ranked groups because the season continues ramping up.
Odds by way of FanDuel Sportsbook.
The massive video games
No. 21 USC (-6.5) at No. 23 Illinois: Is USC again? This sport will educate us lots concerning the Trojans’ legitimacy in coach Lincoln Riley’s fourth season. A 2-0 begin in Large Ten play in opposition to Purdue and Michigan State was good, however this marks a major uptick in competitors. With video games in opposition to Michigan and Notre Dame coming in October, that is the start of a bodily demanding stretch for USC that can reveal its true composition.
No. 4 LSU at No. 13 Ole Miss (-1.5): The previous two conferences between these groups had been thrilling affairs that ended with followers dashing the sector. If Ole Miss knocks off one other top-five opponent and establishes itself as a nationwide contender, it is easy to check one other chaotic scene unfolding. The Rebels toppled LSU 55-49 in a 2023 barnburner that featured a mixed 1,343 yards of complete offense. Final season, LSU earned revenge with a 29-26 additional time victory over the Rebels. It will likely be arduous to high the craziness of these two video games, however these groups will strive.
No. 1 Ohio State (-9.5) at Washington: Ohio State is hitting the highway for the primary time and is prone to get its hardest problem since a Week 1 win over Texas, because the Buckeyes journey three time zones west for his or her Large Ten opener. Washington is within the midst of what seems to be a stable 12 months 2 development beneath coach Jedd Fisch. The previous Arizona coach is an offensive guru and has a budding dual-threat star at quarterback in Demond Williams. He’s gifted sufficient to frustrate the Buckeyes’ protection and make this an uncomfortable spot for Ryan Day’s membership.
No. 17 Alabama at No. 5 Georgia (-3.5): The stakes could not be larger for second-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who desperately wants a marquee victory over Georgia to assist flush his fan base’s frustration with a Week 1 loss at Florida State. Taking down the Bulldogs on the highway would put Alabama proper again within the Faculty Soccer Playoff hunt. The choice is way extra bleak for Nick Saban’s successor. Georgia might be lots motivated, too. The Bulldogs are angling for revenge after falling 41-34 to the Crimson Tide final season.
No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State (-3.5): A rematch of Oregon’s 45-37 win within the 2024 Large Ten Championship Sport will go a good distance towards setting the tone on this yr’s league title race. The Nittany Lions have regarded sluggish throughout a 3-0 begin in opposition to overmatched opposition. However they’re coming off a bye and can have the “White Out” crowd at Beaver Stadium of their nook as they search to take down a top-10 Large Ten foe at dwelling for the primary time since beating Ohio State in 2016.
Better of the remaining
