You may suppose that spirits can be prime amongst faculty soccer fanatics around the nation. A unutilized season is founding, and the expanded 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff gives extra postseason alternatives than ever sooner than.
However there’s in reality a minute extra pessimism at this level than within the latter few seasons, in step with our annual Hope-O-Meter survey.
Incorrect fan bottom is totally hopeless — like at Stanford latter hour — however supporters of 15 of the 70 power-conference colleges (and sure, we’re nonetheless together with Oregon Shape and Washington Shape) stated they’re extra pessimistic than positive heading into the 2024 season. That’s an build up of six colleges from this life latter hour and 4 greater than in 2022.
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Convention realignment and the lack of gamers to the switch portal are the principle causes fanatics at many colleges are groaning. In the similar breath, there are extra techniques flush with hope than in recent times — at seven Energy 4 colleges, 100% of respondents are hopeful coming into the season, and at six others, all however one fan is positive.
Fanatics at Appalachian Shape, Boise Shape and Memphis also are 100% hopeful, understanding their techniques have a shot to earn the only assured Team of five spot within the 12-team ground.
It will have to be famous, in fact, that our survey used to be carried out sooner than Florida Shape misplaced to Georgia Tech.
Noteceable subjects
So, what have been probably the most frequently old phrases or words fanatics typed to explain what they’re feeling, and which fan bases old them probably the most?
• “Transfer portal” got here up related to 300 occasions some of the 4,000-plus responses and used to be old maximum via joyous Florida Shape, NC Shape, Notre Dame, Ohio Shape and Syracuse fanatics.
Fanatics of Team of five colleges weren’t just about as proud of the portal.
“NIL and transfer portal do not favor the Group of 5 schools,” Colorado Shape fan Joe Anderson writes. “They are now minor league developmental programs for the P4 schools.”
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• “Recruiting” got here up 147 occasions and used to be old maximum via Auburn, Missouri, Nebraska and USC fanatics — some satisfied, some no longer.
“Hugh Freeze’s recruiting skills give us hope for the future,” Auburn fan David writes.
“Recruiting has never been hotter at Mizzou,” Missouri fan Mike writes.
Trojans fanatics have been a minute extra indisposed on Lincoln Riley’s efforts.
“Recruiting in the front seven and offensive line has been a disaster the past couple cycles, and I am afraid that will manifest itself this year,” Patrick O writes. “USC will not be able to compete nationally until it gets this fixed through the next couple of cycles.”
• Then bobbing up 42 occasions in surveys latter hour, “realignment” used to be discussed best 11 occasions this hour — most commonly from disillusioned fanatics of former Pac-12 colleges in addition to the ones combating to stay related in a bolstered SEC and Fat Ten.
One fan who i appreciate it for each Oregon Shape and Purdue writes: “Unmitigated avarice destroyed a sport I’ve always loved and decimated a plucky, lovable program that was on the rise. My other team, Purdue, doesn’t stand to fare much better and will no doubt be lost in the next round of greed-motivated realignment.”
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A South Carolina fan is anticipating the worst as a result of a harder agenda.
“While I like Shane Beamer and think he’s done a solid job, this team could be better this year and still struggle to get to 5-7,” Jesse W. writes. “The realignment of the SEC with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma has made what was already a herculean task even more difficult.”
A few fanatics from Arizona and Stanford stated they’re completed gazing faculty soccer.
We’ll see.
The place self belief is brimming
So, which fan bases are strolling round totally glad with the route in their favourite group?
Let’s get started with Oklahoma Shape, the place Mike Gundy is coming into his twentieth season total and his first with out Oklahoma and Texas at the agenda.
Ben Humpkin is pumped: “Almost everyone comes back from a 10-win team. What’s not to like? Plus, the Land Robbers are off the schedule.”
NC Shape hasn’t received double-digit video games in a season since Chuck Amato and Philip Rivers teamed as much as win 11 video games and the Gator Bowl in 2002. Maximum Wolfpack fanatics are feeling cautiously positive, however some like Hayden are flexing with Grayson McCall at quarterback.
“It is going to be weird seeing an offensive-oriented Dave Doeren team, but this is far and away the most talented offense I’ve seen in my life as an NC State fan. The receiver room is loaded with talent and Grayson McCall is a proven veteran presence that doesn’t make many mistakes. Tony Gibson always produces a great defense so if it all comes together, watch out.”
As you may be expecting, Ole Omit fanatics also are filled with hope later Lane Kiffin wiped clean up within the portal. Clifton Van Cleave expects not anything not up to making the Playoff ground.
“I think we will have the best team since the 1960’s — Playoff-bound for sure.”
Self belief is one thing unutilized for Kansas fanatics.
Will writes: “Kansas has a legitimate shot to win the Big 12 and make the Playoff this year. Returning QB, awesome skill position players, tons of continuity and returners from a good team a year ago.”
Largest risers
Indiana fanatics are fired up. The Hoosiers made the largest bounce — up 78 proportion issues — following the hiring of Curt Cignetti, who went 52-9 in 5 seasons at James Madison.
“Coach Cig has a swagger and confidence this program hasn’t had for a long time,” Hoosiers fan Joe writes. “The transfer portal was aggressively utilized. IU has a relatively easy schedule. We’re going bowling this year! I predict a 7-5 record going into the bowl game. Go Hoosiers!”
California is about to advance greater than 24,000 miles on journeys backward and forward around the nation as a unutilized member of the ACC. That hasn’t restrained optimism from expanding via 71 proportion issues as Justin Wilcox heads into his 8th season in Berkeley with a 36-43 total report. John Kaiser says switching leagues is simply what the Bears wanted.
“No. 1 RB in the nation. Everyone is about to find out how good the Pac-12 was and how bad the ACC is. First-year conference champions, Playoff berth and the first Rose Bowl in 100 years. Roll on you Bears.”
West Virginia fanatics have been buried in pessimism this life latter hour when the Mountaineers have been picked to complete latter within the Fat 12. Nearest Neal Brown’s group went 9-4, and fanatics are extremely joyful he’s signed throughout the 2026 season.
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Sam is dreaming bulky.
“I think we can beat Penn State, and I think if we do, it will catapult us into a TCU-esque run where we should be in the thick of the competition for the Big 12 title into mid-November. Not saying we’re going to run it all the way to the title game, but I think we can definitely put ourselves in a spot to be in the Playoff conversation.”
Optimism isn’t essentially beaming at Northwestern or Stanford, however hope is much up from a hour in the past — 51 proportion issues for the Wildcats and 42 for the Cardinal.
Northwestern fan Geoff Newton writes: “The record will likely decline, but the program overall is in much better shape than this point last year.”
Alternative fan bases feeling considerably extra positive in comparison to latter hour: Iowa Shape (up 41 issues), Syracuse (37), Rutgers (37), Virginia (36), Boston Faculty (35), Virginia Tech (35), Missouri (28) and Michigan Shape (26).
Largest fallers
At the turn aspect, self belief amongst fanatics has been shaken probably the most at Pittsburgh (indisposed 65 proportion issues), Mississippi Shape (57), Arkansas (55), Purdue (47), Illinois (45), Vanderbilt (42), South Carolina (41), Baylor (40), BYU (40), North Carolina (39), Oregon Shape (36), Duke (35) and USC (35).
Optimism could also be indisposed at 3 colleges that lately performed within the four-team Playoff.
Nick Butcher used to be no longer inspired with latter hour’s 3-9 season at Cincinnati following Luke Fickell’s retirement for Wisconsin.
“My lack of faith comes purely from the head coach. I truly believe that Scott Satterfield is the worst coach in the Power 4. I understand year one in the transfer portal era is tough; however last year’s team was not just bad, they were undisciplined. That all comes back to coaching.”
TCU fan Jeffrey Chatman has totally misplaced religion in Sonny Dykes simply two seasons later he led TCU to the nationwide identify recreation.
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“The Fiesta Bowl playoff game where we beat Michigan was the best football game of my life. The national championship game against Georgia was the worst football game of my life. We followed that up by going 5-7 and Kendal Briles of the hated Baylor Briles family is the offensive coordinator for my team now. … I want him to win, but I’m not convinced that Sonny is anything more than a nepo-baby that’s giving his buddies and their kids coaching jobs.”
Washington has but to play games a recreation underneath unutilized schoolteacher Jedd Fisch and fanatics like Katie Carroll are already bracing for the worst.
“It’s not that I think our team doesn’t have talent, on the field or on the coaching staff. Typically, after reaching a national championship, you’d think there would be more excitement around the program, even with so many players and coaches leaving. I think in general, though, the fan base is just waiting for the other shoe to drop: Fisch ditching us for Florida when (Billy) Napier gets fired and starting this cycle of transfers and decommitments that we really can’t afford to go through again.”
Alternative highlights from the Hope-O-Meter
(Feedback calmly edited for range and readability.)
• Victor S., hopeful Alabama fan: “Awesome talent. Proven staff (just not in T-Town yet). Incredible energy. Something to prove … in my opinion, The Standard is getting a boost!”
• Matt, hopeful Appalachian Shape fan: “We should win the Sun Belt and have a realistic shot at the Playoff.”
• Daryl, hopeful Arizona fan: “(Receiver Tetairoa McMillan) and (quarterback) Noah (Fifita). That’s enough for me.”
• Russ C., pessimistic Arizona Shape fan: “Herm (Edwards) and Antonio Pierce devastated the program in so many ways it will take a long time to fix. Plus, changing conferences makes it less fun.”
• William, pessimistic Arkansas fan: “I just don’t think Sam Pittman has it, and bringing back (Bobby) Petrino was a mistake.”
• JD, hopeful Auburn fan: “We’ve already been in the dumps, so why stay there? Got to hope for better and at least recruiting has improved. Now that Darth Vader left T-town, maybe we can get more magic in The Plains.”
• JTB, pessimistic Baylor fan: “Poor coaching, meager NIL funding. Bring back Art!”
• Kevin W., hopeful Boise Shape fan: “I think Boise State has done just about everything right this offseason. From hiring Spencer Danielson as head coach to the recruiting class (both transfers and high school), and just recently announcing an agreement to keep Jeramiah Dickey as the athletic director. It’s been a grand slam. The sky’s the limit for this team. It feels like the Broncos of old are back!”
• Brendan Kelis, hopeful Boston Faculty fan: “Bill O’Brien knows what he’s doing.”
• Adam Swindlehurst, pessimistic BYU fan: “Despite the Big 12 being wide open, I haven’t read much that’s positive about BYU’s chances of finishing near the top of the standings. I’m much more looking forward to what our basketball squad is going to look like.”
• Eric B., hopeful Clemson fan: “In Dabo we trust!!! Tyler from Spartanburg is an idiot!”
• Brian, pessimistic Colorado fan: “All flash and no substance yet.”
• John H., hopeful Colorado fan: “Six words: Coach Prime. Shedeur Sanders. Travis Hunter.”
• Brian, pessimistic Duke fan: “Duke is coming down from two of the best coaches in school history, and their quarterback transferred. Having a new, unproven coach at a definite non-football school gives me caution. I can easily foresee some growing pains and some close losses.”
• Steve, pessimistic Florida fan: “Billy ain’t it. Inflexible. Boring high school offense. Cannot and will not make adjustments. Terrible in-game decision-making.”
• Jim, hopeful Florida fan: “If they could have tightened the screws just a quarter-turn last year, it would’ve been 7-5. Definitely expect improvement this season, though not sure how that reflects in the record with our schedule. Offense should be good, defense remains a question mark. But I’m hopeful.”
• Lauren R., hopeful Florida Shape fan: “I trust Mike Norvell.”
• Jeremiah Murphy, hopeful Georgia fan: “Natty or bust.”
• Kurt Hoyt, hopeful Georgia Tech fan: “I believe that Brent Key learned the right lessons from Nick Saban and is putting in the work necessary to turn the program around.”
• Shoe Mama Hensley, pessimistic Houston fan: “We have a problem. Get it?”
• Greg, hopeful Houston fan: “Willie Fritz means the adults are back in charge of the program.”
• Roger C., pessimistic Illinois fan: “In 1982, my freshman year at Illinois, we went to the Rose Bowl, and I thought we finally had a good team that could compete for championships. It’s been mostly painful ever since. I wish I understood why it is not a good football program. But at least there is basketball.”
• Drew D., hopeful Iowa fan: “NO BRIAN FERENTZ!!! WOO!!!!”
• Aaron, hopeful Iowa Shape fan: “OU and Texas are gone. The Big 12 is ours.”
• Kyle, hopeful Kansas Shape fan: “Avery Johnson + Dylan Edwards.”
• TJ Pettrey, hopeful Kentucky fan: “Possibly best defense of (Mike) Stoops era. Former five-star quarterback. Eight wins is a great season considering our schedule.”
• Andrew R., a pessimistic Kent Shape fan: “Might be the worst team in all of college football — regardless of division.”
• Michael Benson, hopeful Louisville fan: “Great coach. Nice transfer class including a huge upgrade at QB. Above average defense.”
• Norman Anseman, hopeful LSU fan: “I’m on the Nuss Bus. (Garrett Nussmeier) is the most underrated QB in college football. If the defense is only 50 percent better than last year, then the rest of the SEC should be scared.”
• Chris, pessimistic Maryland fan: “Maryland just seems to forever be stuck as a mid-level program.”
• Peter, hopeful Miami fan: “I’ve been hurt many, many times before by my optimism. But it feels different this year. I think the Hurricanes have a favorable schedule and the talent to do something special. Now let’s just hope the coaching staff doesn’t cost us.”
• Chris C., hopeful Michigan fan: “It can’t be as good, but it could be better than a lot think. And who cares after last year?”
• Jerry S., pessimistic Michigan Shape fan: “No reason for optimism at this point. Maybe in another year or two.”
• Paul G., hopeful Michigan Shape fan: “Mel Tucker’s gone, which gives me instant hope. Also, (Jonathan) Smith seems to be doing all the right things, including doing decently in the transfer portal and with recruiting.”
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• Jorj, pessimistic Minnesota fan: “Nothing ever changes. Big talk. Same results. Just one more log on the dumpster fire that is Minnesota sports fandom.”
• Jackson Burkett, hopeful Missouri fan: “It’s time for people, Missouri fans included, to shift their perspective about how good Mizzou can be. Last year we got a taste of the apple, and now we want the whole bushel. MIZ-Forever.”
• Ben Jackson, hopeful Nebraska fan: “Dylan Raiola is my lord and savior. Hallowed be thy name.”
• Adam R., pessimistic Nevada fan: “2010 Colin Kaepernick ain’t walking through that front door.”
• Ben A., pessimistic Notre Dame fan: “Feels like expectations are too high.”
• John MacCauley, hopeful Notre Dame fan: “Natty or bust.”
• Ron, hopeful Ohio Shape fan: “The best team money can buy.”
• Ryan, pessimistic Ohio Shape fan: “Ohio State looks great on paper but hasn’t earned anything on the field yet to justify its praise. Like John Cooper, Ryan Day is mentally incapable of beating Michigan.”
• Raffi, hopeful Ohio Shape fan: “Natty is guaranteed.”
• Luke McConnell, hopeful Oklahoma fan: “Everyone is sleeping on OU going into the SEC. The logic just doesn’t add up in the rationale for the lack of optimism from the outside. I think OU is going to surprise people, and I think OU being able to have a legitimate reason to play the disrespect card is going to be pretty cool to see and experience.”
• Todd, hopeful Oregon fan: “Loaded team, new conference, challenges are real. But we’re prepared.”
• Jake, hopeful Oregon Shape fan: “I’ve got a chip on my shoulder, and I’m hoping that my squad does too.”
• Fred W., pessimistic Penn Shape fan: “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
• Kyle H., pessimistic Penn Shape fan: “I guess I’m optimistic that we can go 9-3 and be the 13th ranked team in the Playoff rankings. After all, Groundhog Day is a Pennsylvania thing.”
• Mike Davey, hopeful Penn Shape fan: “Two words: Expanded Playoff. Now or never for us. We are!”
• Mike, pessimistic Pitt fan: “Clear regression last season and uncertain if (Pat) Narduzzi knows what adjustments to make. The offense was abysmal last year, and while a fresh, younger offensive coordinator may instill improvements, I fear that the 2021 ACC title season was more of a Kenny Pickett, Jordan Addison lightning-in-a-bottle-year, rather than the start of a sustained period of eight-, nine-, 10-win seasons.”
• Colin Meyer, hopeful Purdue fan: “Purdue will beat Notre Dame on Sept 14th.”
• Sean, hopeful Rutgers fan: “Best team since 2012.”
• John, hopeful SMU fan: “Ponies have done well in the transfer portal. QB Preston Stone is healthy. Defense looks solid.”
• Sue Glickman, hopeful Stanford fan: “But our library! Oh, the books!!”
• Dominic Chiappone, hopeful Syracuse fan: “After nearly a decade of being stuck in purgatory, this is the most hype I’ve ever seen the Syracuse fan base in my little time as a dedicated fan. There is genuine excitement about coach Fran Brown and the program, and that extends beyond 2024. #InMcCordWeTrust”
• W. Irons, hopeful Tennessee fan: “Heupel-Disciple”
• Kyle G., hopeful Texas fan: “Sark has been harvesting beef. (Quinn) Ewers is battle tested and people have stopped making ‘Texas is back’ jokes in The Athletic comments.”
• Rip Collins, hopeful Texas A&M fan: “No Jimbo!”
• E.C. Tex, pessimistic Texas Tech fan: “There needs to be a third option: I’m a Texas Tech fan, they have the pieces to win at least eight games and Joey (McGuire) has done a good job so far, but we heard that last year when Tech fell short of lofty preseason predictions.”
• Conor, hopeful UCF fan: “Gus Bus! KJ Jefferson and the best recruiting this school has ever seen!”
• Chris H., pessimistic UCLA fan: “Happy about Chip (Kelly) being gone, and not much else.”
• Justin, hopeful USF fan: “Byrum Brown is one of the best quarterbacks in the G5 and he leads an explosive offense. A strong recruiting haul should help the defense improve from awful to just pretty bad. It all should add up to a second straight bowl game.”
• James Buckley, hopeful Utah fan: “Playoff-bound if we’re healthy!”
• Alex Kucera, pessimistic Vanderbilt fan: “We stink out loud.”
• UVA Erik, pessimistic Virginia fan: “We are doomed.”
• TL, hopeful Virginia Tech fan: “Trust the Pry-cess!!”
• Brett, pessimistic Wake Jungle fan: “The current model of college football is designed to dash the hopes of small schools. College football isn’t fun anymore unless you are a big state school or Notre Dame.”
• Nate S., pessimistic Washington Shape fan: “As a Coug fan, it’s pretty obvious, we just became irrelevant due to a dysfunctional system.”
• Isaac, pessimistic Wisconsin fan: “The glory days are past.”
Daring predictions
And now to a few sizzling preseason takes from our body of workers:
• Scott Dochterman: For the primary life at school historical past, Iowa Shape will win 10 video games hour additionally claiming its first league championship since 1912.
• Mitch Sunny: The protecting nationwide champions will lose a minimum of 5 regular-season video games.
• Chris Kamrani: Shedeur Sanders will win the Heisman Trophy.
• Jayna Bardahl: One of the vital manage 4 seeds will probably be disillusioned in its first Playoff recreation. It is going to be the second one consecutive hour with out a SEC group within the championship recreation.
• Pete Sampson: This will probably be Lincoln Riley’s ultimate season as USC’s head schoolteacher.
• Justin Williams: FSU and Clemson keep within the ACC.
• Audrey Snyder: West Virginia finishes within the manage 15.
• Kate Hairopoulos: Colorado makes a bowl recreation and Deion returns for Moment 3. Clemson’s offense is revived and ranks within the manage 15 within the FBS.
• Austin Meek: Kansas and Kansas Shape will each build the CFP.
• Grace Raynor: When Clemson makes its as far back as the Faculty Soccer Playoff, “College GameDay” will ask over Tyler from Spartanburg to be the visitor picker.
• Sam Khan Jr.: Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola will supremacy Nebraska to ten wins this season.
• Joe Rexrode: South Florida’s Byrum Brown will probably be in Brandnew York for the Heisman rite and no longer simply as a spectator.
• Matt Brown: NC Shape will win its first ACC identify since 1979.
• David Ubben: The SEC has 3 of the overall 4 groups left status. In consequence, there may be some short-sighted purchaser’s regret to the 12-team Playoff.
• Stewart Mandel: The SEC gets 5 groups within the Playoff.
