Within the 12-team School Soccer Playoff format, the great thing about the expanded bracket is the potential for non-traditional powers getting a real crack at a nationwide championship.
Whereas the primary 12 months ended with heavyweights Ohio State and Notre Dame within the championship, faculties like Indiana, SMU and Arizona State earned bids. Not many foresaw any of these faculties getting an invitation at the start of the season.
Who’re the dark-horse candidates in 2025-26? This is one staff from every of the Energy 4 conferences, together with a Group of 5 member that might crash the social gathering.
ACC | Louisville
The Cardinals reached as excessive as No. 19 in final season’s CFP rankings, however they misplaced 4 video games by a mixed 24 factors, together with seven-point losses to Notre Dame, SMU and Miami.
USC switch Miller Moss (2,555 yards, 18 TD, 9 INT in 2024) will lead the offense at quarterback this season. Can he discover some chemistry with fellow switch large receivers TreyShun Hurry (San Jose State) and Dacari Collins (NC State)?
If the Cardinals are to make the CFP, it is going to come all the way down to the ultimate three video games of the season towards Clemson, SMU and Kentucky.
Huge Ten | Illinois
Like Louisville, Illinois wasn’t too removed from the CFP final season. The Illini had been 10-3 with two losses coming towards Penn State and Oregon. Bret Bielema’s staff is as soon as once more led by quarterback Luke Altmyer (2,717 yards, 22 TD, 6 INT).
Within the switch period, returning 18 starters is almost unprecedented. Is Illinois prepared for the following step? Regulate Oct. 11 when Ohio State visits Champaign. It is going to be a superb measuring stick of the place the Illini are at.
