Will Ohio State’s protection be as much as the problem?


The primary weekend in faculty soccer supplied an all-too-brief perception into a lot of the groups within the nation. With 11 video games remaining, it is going to take extra time to make an correct evaluation of the place lots of them are going this season.

A few of that course of can be fast-forwarded in Week 2 with some key non-conference showdowns happening, together with a pair of in-state rivalry matchups that provide extra at stake than simply bragging rights.

The outcomes will begin to separate a number of the playoff contenders from the pretenders and lift or decrease the outlooks for these groups.

The 5 greatest questions for Week 2:

Is Ohio State’s protection ok?

Beginning on the street within the Massive Ten is not a simple proposition. So it is no shock that the Buckeyes struggled to place away Minnesota. What was shocking is how properly the Gophers moved the ball on the bottom. Mohamed Ibrahim had 160 dashing yards earlier than leaving within the third quarter and total Ohio State allowed greater than 400 yards. It isn’t a very good signal with Oregon’s potent offense coming to city this week. The Buckeyes want to show issues round shortly to silence doubts concerning the protection or extra questions can be raised.

Will the actual Iowa State get up?

The Cyclones are in uncharted territory after being within the high 10 of the preseason USA TODAY Sports activities AFCA Coaches Ballot for the primary time. These expectations appeared warranted with the returning forged that included the Massive 12 offensive and defensive participant of the yr. A too-close defeat of Northern Iowa set off alarms. Now rival Iowa comes into city. The Hawkeyes dominated Indiana within the opener and have gotten one of the best of their neighbor in current seasons. Iowa State has to reply with an enormous efficiency towards a top quality opponent or all that promise from the offseason goes away shortly.

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Does BYU have sufficient to finish its dropping streak to Utah?

Final yr was one of the best alternative for the Cougars to lastly beat the Utes after dropping the previous 9 conferences. Nonetheless, COVID-19 worn out their annual matchup and left a gap in BYU’s spectacular 11-1 season. The Cougars profit from having their rival at dwelling this yr, however should overcome the departures of quarterback Zack Wilson and several other different stars from the 2020 workforce. Utah can be planning to spoil the event because it seems to be to make a run within the Pac-12.

How will Hudson Card fare on the street?

It was a terrific debut for the Texas quarterback because the Longhorns dealt with a harmful Louisiana-Lafayette workforce simpler than anticipated. Card was environment friendly, throwing for 224 yards on 21 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions. All of that got here within the snug surroundings of Darrell Ok Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, nonetheless. Now Texas heads to Arkansas for an evening sport towards the Razorbacks. There can be a raucous crowd and intense strain. Card’s efficiency will say loads about how excessive the Longhorns can hope to complete in Steve Sarkisian’s first yr.

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Can Michigan proceed its momentum from its robust begin?

Such is the state of the Wolverines that their sport towards Western Michigan was seen as a big indicator of the place this program is getting into Jim Harbaugh’s eighth season. The simple win was a very good begin. The competitors will get harder with Washington headed to the Massive Home. Whereas the Huskies misplaced to Montana, they’re nonetheless gifted sufficient to drag an upset. A second win for the Wolverines would preserve issues rolling in the appropriate path and supply extra optimism forward of the Massive Ten schedule.

Observe schools reporter Erick Smith on Twitter @ericksmith

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: School soccer’s greatest questions for Week 2





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