One other faculty soccer common season is within the books. With convention championships subsequent weekend, this Saturday was the final full weekend of motion, and it delivered no scarcity of memorable moments.
Listed here are Week 14’s winners and losers.
Winner: Groups clinching School Soccer Playoff berths
School Soccer Playoff No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2 in SEC) punched its ticket to the primary spherical of the CFP with a comeback 17-13 win over LSU (7-5, 3-5 in SEC). The Sooners had been joined by No. 6 Oregon (11-1, 8-1 in Massive Ten), which dealt with rival Washington (8-4, 5-4 in Massive Ten), 26-14. No. 5 Texas Tech (11-1, 8-1 in Massive 12) nearly definitely assured a playoff spot even with a loss subsequent weekend within the Massive 12 Championship Sport following a powerful 49-0 win at West Virginia (4-8, 2-7 in Massive 12).
With the highest 4 groups within the nation (Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M and Georgia) and Ole Miss additionally already securing berths and two extra convention champions qualifying mechanically, the bubble is shrinking. Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas Tech are on the proper facet.
Earlier this week, Florida State president Richard McCullough wrote a letter confirming head coach Mike Norvell will return in 2026. He could have been higher off saving that for drafts.
On Saturday, Florida State capped a second consecutive dreadful season with a 40-21 loss at Florida (4-8), holding the Seminoles from turning into bowl eligible. The consequence additionally ensured Norvell a fourth shedding season in six years as Florida State head coach. He is been given a number of leniency for somebody with a spotty monitor report. The Noles’ religion in him is perplexing to say the least.
No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2, 6-2 in SEC) secured the primary 10-win season in program historical past with a 45-24 street win at No. 19 Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 in SEC). Quarterback Diego Pavia rebounded from throwing two interceptions on the Commodores’ first 4 drives by main the cost throughout a dominant second half. Vandy gained, 24-3. He completed with 433 complete yards, together with 165 dashing, doubtless cementing his Heisman Trophy bid.
Vanderbilt did not get any assist this weekend, with groups straight forward of it within the CFP rankings profitable, doubtless holding it from receiving an at-large bid. However that in no way takes away the unimaginable season the Commodores had, one they will construct on with head coach Clark Lea signing a new six-year deal on Friday.
Loser: SEC afterthoughts
The Kentucky Wildcats (5-7, 2-6 in SEC) and South Carolina Gamecocks (4-8, 1-7 in SEC) ended depressing seasons with decisive losses to ACC rivals Louisville Cardinals (8-4, 4-4 in ACC) and Clemson Tigers (7-5, 4-4 in ACC), respectively.
Kentucky misplaced at Louisville, 41-0, this system’s largest shutout defeat in rivalry historical past, and afterward, head coach Mark Stoops threatened there was a “Zero-percent likelihood I stroll.” Per ESPN, the 13-year Wildcats coach has a buyout of roughly $37.7 million.
South Carolina entered 2025 with hopes of qualifying for the CFP however completed a 4-8 marketing campaign — the staff’s worst report since former head coach Will Muschamp’s final season (2020) — with a 28-14 residence loss to Clemson.
Coach Shane Beamer supplied a hole vow when talking with reporters, emphatically saying issues will likely be completely different subsequent season. Simply belief him.
“I can one billion p.c promise you this, when now we have a hell of a season in 2026, and after I’m doing this press convention after the Clemson recreation subsequent 12 months, and we end the common season that, due to the success that we’re gonna have subsequent season — I do know we are going to — we’re gonna look again at this season and say, ‘It sucked going via it,’ however due to what we went via in ’25, it led us to what we simply did in 2026,” Beamer mentioned.
