Week 2 of the 2024 school soccer season wasn’t brief on fireworks with loads of upsets and close to pitfalls altering each main polls considerably and altering the notion round a few of the nation’s prime groups. Although Week 3 would not look as thrilling on paper, there are some intriguing matchups — particularly within the nonconference — that ought to have an effect on the nationwide scale.
No. 20 Arizona and No. 14 Kansas State are set to face off Friday night time in a sport pitting two Massive 12 rivals that will not depend in the direction of the convention standings. Even so, Kansas State, which narrowly averted a setback of their very own in Week 2, is favored to make it again to the convention’s title sport for the primary time since 2022, whereas Arizona is hoping to make a giant splash in its first yr within the league.
In the meantime, a pair of top-25 groups in No. 4 Alabama and No. 24 Boston Faculty face intriguing out-of-conference highway video games. The Crimson Tide journey to Wisconsin in an SEC-Massive Ten conflict, whereas the Eagles need to keep scorching towards a No. 6 Missouri group that desires to keep up a sterling report earlier than convention play begins.
Week 3 strains are out, so let’s check out what oddsmakers are pondering as we glance forward.
Odds by way of SportsLine consensus
The massive video games
No. 20 Arizona at No. 14 Kansas State (-8) (Friday): Arizona and Kansas State get the weekend began with a bang as they take the sector for one in every of two video games that includes ranked opponents in Week 3. Each groups bought taken to the brink in Week 2, although Kansas State’s struggles have been extra comprehensible. Kansas State was in a position to scrape out a 34-27 win on the highway towards a very good Tulane group, whereas Arizona eked out a 22-10 win towards Northern Arizona one week after placing 61 factors on the board towards New Mexico. Anticipate a number of offense and a outcome that can go a good distance in the direction of figuring out nationwide rankings, if not the precise Massive 12 standings.
No. 4 Alabama (-14.5) at Wisconsin: This can be a substantial unfold, however Alabama did look human in its 42-16 win towards South Florida in Week 2. The Crimson Tide did not actually get up till the fourth quarter, after they scored 28 factors to keep away from a disastrous outcome. Not that Wisconsin has set the world on fireplace so far. The Badgers have gained their final two video games towards Western Michigan and South Dakota by 14 factors apiece regardless of being 20-plus-point favorites in each conditions. Camp Randall Stadium is certain to be rocking, however will or not it’s sufficient for Wisconsin to drag the stunner?
No. 16 LSU (-8.5) at South Carolina: A pair weeks in the past, this seemed like a comparatively gentle sport for the Tigers. However after a Week 1 loss to USC and a sluggish followup effort towards Nicholls has modified the outlook a bit. Particularly since South Carolina opened its SEC slate with a dominant 31-6 win on the highway towards Kentucky. The Gamecocks have a legit protection, however they will have their fingers full towards an at all times explosive LSU offense.
No. 24 Boston Faculty at No. 6 Missouri (-16.5): Boston Faculty has been the most effective tales of the 2024 season so far. The Eagles went on the highway in Week 1 and beat No. 10 Florida State to snap a 13-game shedding streak to top-10 opponents. Then they adopted that up with a 56-0 drubbing of Duquesne to climb into the AP Prime ballot for the primary time since 2018. Missouri is their greatest check but. The Tigers area the most effective QB-WR duos in Brady Cook dinner and Luther Burden III, and their salty protection hasn’t allowed a single level by way of the primary two weeks.
Memphis at Florida State (-5.5): This sport has main Faculty Soccer Playoff implications, however not for the explanations one would possibly assume. Memphis is in search of a marquee win so as to add to its postseason résumé. The Tigers are a heavyweight within the American Athletic Convention and acquired votes on this week’s AP ballot. A victory on the highway towards former coach Mike Norvell could also be what Memphis must seize the highlight. The Seminoles are actually beatable; they’ve confirmed that amid a disastrous 0-2 begin to the 2024 marketing campaign.
Better of the remainder