The primary full week of the 2024 faculty soccer season contains loads of Week 1 video games that includes FBS squads going towards FCS groups, so we should cherish the few FBS matchups we’ve. That features when West Virginia performs host to No. 8 Penn State on Saturday in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The Nittany Lions can be examined instantly towards a mountaineers crew that shocked practically everyone final season en path to a 9-4 report final yr.
Whereas video games like these have all the time been necessary, there’s just a little additional spice added to them this season. It is the primary season with a 12-team playoff that can embody seven at-large berths. If you happen to’re hoping to be a type of 12 groups and fail to win your league, it is video games like these that might be just right for you or towards you when the committee begins evaluating resumes.
It is solely Week 1, however we’re already fascinated by resumes. Welcome to the brand new period of faculty soccer.
LIVE UPDATES: Comply with alongside for reside updates from Week 1’s prime video games, together with Penn State vs. West Virginia
Easy methods to watch Penn State vs. West Virginia reside
Date: Saturday, August 31 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Milan Puskar Stadium — Morgantown, West Virginia
TV: Fox | Reside stream: fubo (Strive free of charge)
Penn State vs. West Virginia: Must know
Penn State has two new coordinators: Manny Diaz did such a wonderful job with the Penn State protection final season that when Duke wanted a substitute for Mike Elko, they lured Diaz away from the Nittany Lions. In Diaz’s place is a well-known face for Large Ten followers. Former Indiana coach Tom Allen takes over a unit anticipated to be among the finest within the nation. Penn State scored one of many greatest assistant hires of the offseason on the opposite facet of the ball, luring Andy Kotelnicki away from Kansas. Kotelnicki has put collectively thrilling and explosive offenses in stops at Buffalo and with the Jayhawks, and a the hope is he can carry these huge performs to Pleased Valley.
Garrett Greene was a pleasing shock for the Mountaineers: Greene did not have an important sport in final season’s opener towards Penn State however adopted it up with a four-touchdown efficiency the subsequent week and by no means seemed again. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound Greene is not essentially the most imposing bodily presence, however do not overlook the impression he can have on a sport. He completed final season with 2,406 yards passing and 16 touchdowns whereas additionally dashing for 772 yards and 13 touchdowns. As Greene goes, so goes the Mountaineers offense.
Penn State’s Abdul Carter might be among the finest defensive gamers within the nation: Producing unbelievable linebackers and go rushers is one thing of a convention at Penn State. Names like LaVar Arrington, Jack Ham, Micah Parsons and Sean Lee instantly come to thoughts, as does final season’s first-round choose Chop Robinson. The identify to know this season is Abdul Carter. Carter completed final yr with 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception, and can tackle a fair bigger position this season.
Penn State vs. West Virginia prediction, picks
The Penn State protection would be the finest unit on the sector on this sport, and as we noticed final season, they’re going to make life tough for Garrett Greene and the Mountaineers offense. As for Penn State’s offense, whereas I am excessive on the long-term projections underneath Andy Kotelnicki, it is smart to anticipate just a few pace bumps early, notably in a troublesome street setting. Decide: Beneath 51.5
Which faculty soccer picks are you able to make with confidence in Week 1? Go to SportsLine to see which groups will win and canopy the unfold — all from a confirmed pc mannequin that has returned nicely over $2,000 in revenue since its inception — and discover out.
