SALT LAKE CITY — As the calendar flips to November, the school soccer playoff image is starting to take form — and Week 10 might show pivotal for a number of contenders.
From an undefeated Navy squad battling North Texas in a possible AAC decider, to ESPN’s “College GameDay” organising store in Salt Lake City for No. 17 Cincinnati vs. No. 24 Utah, this weekend is filled with high-stakes matchups that might outline convention races throughout the nation.
Navy (7-0) vs. North Texas (7-1)
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. MDT – DATCU Stadium (ESPN2)
Navy and North Texas sq. off in a monumental matchup for the AAC with a potential College Football Playoff spot on the road.
Why Navy will win:
The Midshipmen are 7-0 for the primary time since 1978 and have received 10 straight video games courting again to final season. Quarterback Blake Horvath had led a balanced assault for Navy, throwing for 1,063 yards and speeding for an additional 814. Horvath has 19 complete touchdowns on the season and has the Midshipmen sitting a great place as they purpose to make the AAC championship recreation.
Navy has some robust opponents to shut out the season together with Notre Dame and Memphis however their largest check to this point will probably be North Texas this week. The Mean Green wish to play quick and push the ball down the sector however the Midshipmen’s fashion of play might counteract their playstyle. North Texas struggled in opposition to Army, one other service academy crew that runs an identical offense to Navy.
The Black Knights received the time of possession battle in opposition to the Mean Green, controlling the soccer for 32 minutes and retaining North Texas’ excessive powered offense on the sidelines. In order for the Midshipmen to stay undefeated and maintain their playoff hopes alive they might want to management the ball and put collectively lengthy scoring drives with a purpose to fight the Mean Green offense.
Why North Texas will win:
Since shedding a vital recreation to South Florida, North Texas has scored 50 factors in back-to-back video games and are rolling as they face undefeated Navy. Drew Mestemaker set a brand new convention file within the crew’s win over Charlotte as he threw for 608 passing yards.
Three receivers had over 100 yards and Mestemaker totaled 4 passing touchdowns as nicely. It was a dominant efficiency for a quarterback and offense that may play in addition to any within the nation.
The Midshipmen will attempt to gradual the sport down with a purpose to forestall the Mean Green offense from going ballistic as soon as once more. Navy has performed in some shut video games, escaping with wins in opposition to Temple and Air Force and it will by far be the hardest offense they’ve confronted.
North Texas should not change up their recreation plan however they might want to cease the run and provides their offense as many probabilities as potential to place up factors. The Midshipmen won’t be constructed to beat an enormous deficit which might profit the Mean Green in the event that they get out to a scorching begin.
Line: UNT -6.5
Over/Under: 65.5
New Mexico (5-3) vs. UNLV (6-1)
Saturday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m. MDT – Allegiant Stadium (MWN)
UNLV hosts New Mexico as they give the impression of being to get again into the win column whereas the Lobos look so as to add one other convention win.
Why New Mexico will win:
New Mexico dominated Utah State final week, leaping out to a 19-point lead and by no means permitting the Aggies to threaten. It has been a shock season for Jason Eck’s crew in his first 12 months as head coach and the Lobos may have an opportunity to make one other assertion in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The Rebels have a high-powered offense however their protection has many cracks all through which the Lobos should make the most of. UNLV has escaped many video games late with their offense however their protection has allowed 234 factors this season which is third-most within the Mountain West, trailing Air Force and Utah State. New Mexico’s offense appeared good final week in opposition to the Aggies, totaling 407 yards whereas not turning the ball over.
The Lobos might want to discover a solution to decelerate the Rebels’ offense and if they can, they need to be capable to make the most of a weak protection and provides themselves an opportunity to win this one.
Why UNLV will win:
Dan Mullen has UNLV at 6-1 in his first 12 months as head coach of the Rebels. It hasn’t all the time been fairly however UNLV has discovered methods to win this season. Mullen has all the time been a terrific offensive thoughts and his offense is averaging 37.1 factors per recreation, which is nice for seventeenth within the nation. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea has been a terrific add to this Rebel’s roster after transferring from Virginia. Colandrea has thrown for 1,618 yards and 12 touchdowns whereas including 4 scores on the bottom.
UNLV has simply 4 convention losses since 2023 with Boise State being answerable for two of them. The Broncos additionally defeated the Rebels up to now two convention championship video games and out of doors of these losses, UNLV has dominated the Mountain West.
The Rebels can put factors on the board however Colandrea and this offense will need assistance from the protection in the event that they wish to stay within the playoff hunt. UNLV can also be coming off a bye after shedding 56-31 to Boise State two weeks in the past and they’ll hope the additional week of preparation will enable them to wash issues up on protection.
Line: UNLV -4.5
Over/Under: 61.5
No. 15 Virginia (7-1) vs. California (5-3)
Saturday, Nov. 1, 1:45 p.m. MDT – California Memorial Stadium (ESPN2)
California hosts the Cavaliers as Virginia makes a visit throughout the nation to play the Golden Bears.
Why Virginia will win:
Tony Elliott has fully rotated this Virginia program in his fourth 12 months as head coach. After back-to-back three win seasons earlier than a 5 win marketing campaign final 12 months, the Cavaliers are 7-1 and ranked for the primary time since 2019. Sixth-year senior quarterback Chandler Morris has been an enormous a part of Virginia’s resurgence within the ACC as he has thrown for 1,807 yards whereas including 16 complete touchdowns.
Running again J’Mari Taylor has additionally had a significant affect for the Cavaliers after coming over from North Carolina Central. Taylor has rushed for 581 yards and 9 touchdowns to assist energy this 18th ranked scoring offense.
Virginia’s upset in opposition to No. 8 Florida State was considered a terrific win for the crew however after 4 consecutive losses from the Seminoles, the win would not look as nice as many thought. Defeating Louisville on the highway is the Cavaliers greatest win as far as the Cardinals are ranked simply behind Virginia at No. 16 with that loss being their solely one of many season.
Going into a troublesome setting in Louisville reveals this crew is able to profitable difficult highway video games and touring throughout the nation to California will probably be one other check.
The Golden Bears have had an up and down season and the Cavaliers can make the most of that inconsistency as they give the impression of being to inch nearer to a possible spot within the ACC championship recreation.
Why California will win:
As beforehand said, California has been inconsistent all through the 2025 season which could be anticipated when beginning a real freshman at quarterback. Despite this, there isn’t a doubt that quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a particular participant.
After throwing for 3 touchdowns en path to a win in his school debut, Sagapolutele has had an up and down season, displaying flashes of greatness but additionally developing brief at occasions. His efficiency on this one might dictate whether or not or not the Golden Bears pull off the upset.
California has the most effective passing defenses within the ACC and has the flexibility to decelerate Morris and this Cavaliers passing assault. Allowing simply 190.9 move yards and 24.4 factors per recreation, the Golden Bears may give Sagapolutele and their offense an opportunity if they can restrict the Virginia offense.
The Cavaliers have performed in tight video games the final two weeks with their final two matchups being determined by a mixed three factors. Virginia escaped an upset from North Carolina because the Tar Heels’ two-point conversion in time beyond regulation fell brief. Now they should make the trek throughout the nation to tackle California who might play spoiler to some ACC hopefuls.
Line: UVA -4.5
Over/Under: 53.5
Washington State (4-4) vs. Oregon State (1-7)
Saturday, Nov. 1, 5:30 p.m. MDT – Reser Stadium (CBS)
The lone two Pac-12 members face off for the primary of two conferences.
Why Washington State will win:
The Cougars have performed a troublesome schedule this season and have stayed afloat at 4-4 with a bowl recreation in attain. For a crew that misplaced its head coach and star quarterback this offseason, first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers has performed an excellent job after coming over from FCS South Dakota State. Washington State needed to change a ton of manufacturing after shedding a lot of its roster to the switch portal and have discovered success with those that stayed in addition to newcomers.
One of these affect additions has been operating again Kirby Vorhees, who adopted Rogers from South Dakota State. Vorhees has accounted for 351 speeding yards and two touchdowns this season. It’s not eye-popping numbers however the Cougars run an air raid offense and Vorhees has a 4.4 yards per carry common this season.
Wazzu’s greatest offensive risk is vast receiver Joshua Meredith who has caught round Washington State for all 4 years of his school profession. Meredith has totaled 472 yards and two touchdowns as the highest goal for quarterback Zevi Eckhaus.
Eckhaus has break up time with Jaxon Potter at quarterback this season however has taken management of the job in latest weeks. Like many gamers on this Cougars crew, Eckhaus would not have eye popping numbers however this crew is stuffed with underdogs that may discover methods to win.
All 4 of Wazzu’s losses got here from groups with six or extra wins they usually even gave Ole Miss a scare on the highway. Washington State’s greatest win got here in opposition to 6-1 San Diego State in week two and they need to have the benefit over Oregon State.
Why Oregon State will win:
It has been a disappointing season for the Beavers, as they sit 1-7 with their solely win coming in opposition to FCS Lafayette. Maalik Murphy was Oregon States’ prized switch after the sign caller came to visit from Duke after starting his profession at Texas. Murphy has proven flashes of his potential however has didn’t put all of it collectively in Corvallis.
If you thought Washington State’s schedule was brutal, the Beavers’ has been a lot more durable. All of the groups they’ve confronted have a file of .500 or higher which has not been sort to this Oregon State crew.
With that being stated, they’re battle-tested and that is the Pac-12, or at the very least what stays of it. Scarier issues have occurred on the west coast and the Beavers may have an opportunity on this one.
Turnovers have killed Oregon State this season and if they will in the reduction of and maintain them to a minimal and win the turnover battle, they may give themselves to drag off the upset.
Line: WSU -3.5
Over/Under: 47.5
No. 17 Cincinnati (7-1) vs. No. 24 Utah (6-2)
Saturday, Nov. 1, 8:15 p.m. MDT – Rice-Eccles Stadium (ESPN)
ESPN’s College Gameday heads to Salt Lake City because the Utes host Cincinnati in a Top-25 Big 12 showdown.
Why Cincinnati will win:
Since shedding their season-opener in opposition to Nebraska, the Bearcats have rattled off seven straight wins and now sit on the high of the Big 12 standings. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has come up large for the thirteenth ranked scoring offense in school soccer because the junior has thrown for 1,843 yards and 27 complete touchdowns whereas simply throwing one interception.
Sorsby has helped energy head coach Scott Satterfield’s offense however they face an enormous check in opposition to a stout Utah protection. Sorsby will should be good as soon as once more in the event that they wish to have an opportunity on the upset.
The Utes’ two losses this season have come in opposition to the opposite high groups within the Big 12 after shedding to Texas Tech and BYU. Cincinnati is able to replicating what these two groups did with a purpose to defeat Utah because the Bearcats have related crew averages on offense and protection.
Sorsby and operating backs Evan Pryor and Tawee Walker have every rushed for over 400 yards this season as they’ve contributed to a robust speeding assault whereas defensive sort out Dontay Corleone clogs up the center of this Cincinnati protection.
Colorado didn’t do something nicely of their 53-7 loss to the Utes as Utah rushed for 422 yards. Corleone and this protection will probably be tasked with slowing down the Utes’ run recreation which could be efficient with both Devon Dampier or Byrd Ficklin in at quarterback.
If the Bearcats can cease the run and drive both of Utah’s quarterbacks to beat them via the air, they may have an opportunity to shock the house crowd.
Why Utah will win:
The Utes dominated the Buffaloes from begin to end in final week’s recreation. Ficklin excelled in his first profession begin after filling in for an injured Dampier. The standing of Dampier heading into this matchup will probably be unclear as soon as once more as Kyle Whittingham likes to play these video games along with his harm report however Dampier and Ficklin are related gamers with Dampier being extra polished as a passer.
Ficklin ought to nonetheless give the Utes an excellent probability to win this recreation if Dampier remains to be unable to go after he totaled 291 yards of offense and three touchdowns in opposition to Colorado.
Utah’s protection can wreak havoc any given Saturday, and final week’s recreation in opposition to Colorado was a press release efficiency after a disappointing loss to their most bitter rival, the Cougars.
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley had his protection dialed in all recreation, permitting simply 140 complete yards to the Buffaloes. Cincinnati has a way more prolific offense than Colorado however final week’s efficiency might give us a style of what one other evening recreation at Rice-Eccles Stadium is like.
The Utes nonetheless have all of their targets in entrance of them however taking good care of enterprise in opposition to the Bearcats on Saturday evening is step one for Whittingham and his crew as they give the impression of being to get again within the combine for a Big 12 Championship start.
Line: Utah -9.5
Over/Under: 55.5
The Key Takeaways for this text have been generated with the help of massive language fashions and reviewed by our editorial crew. The article, itself, is solely human-written.