The College Cup field looks radically different from what many coaches expected at the start of the year. Only two ranked teams feature in the field — one of which wasn't even projected to make its conference tournament. Meanwhile, perennial December experts Indiana seemed to have a weaker roster this season, with an outside shot to be playing in December at best. Put that all together and this field is an unexpected and wide open one. History — and national title count — suggests that Indiana should be favorites. But Creighton has the best forward in the nation, Syracuse has been the most consistent, and Pittsburgh has impact players all over the pitch. So, how to make sense of it all?

Here’s a try.

Creighton vs. Syracuse, 11/9 6 p.m.

The obvious assumption here is that it all comes to Creighton forward Duncan McGuire’s impact. He has 22 goals on the season and is perhaps unfortunate not to have a few more to his name. But as Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre stressed, there’s far more to this Creighton team. Midfielders Giorgio Probo and Charles Auguste have both been excellent in recent weeks, as has goalkeeper Paul Kruse. Still, it’s hard to find a more well-rounded squad than Syracuse. The Orange have pace up front, solidity in the center of the pitch, and a back line that has already held off some of the nation’s most dangerous attacking units. Add to that the pending return of 6 foot 5 inch center back Buster Sjoberg — who has played some minutes after missing nearly a mong due to injury — and the Orange appear to be playing their best soccer at the right time. And that just might be too much to handle.

Prediction: Syracuse 2-1 Creighton

Pittsburgh vs. Indiana, 11/9 8:30 p.m.

So often the teams that make the College Cup find their best form at the right time. And that seems to be the case for Pittsburgh. After a regular season that saw them struggle through a five game winless streak, the Panthers appear to be back. The attacking duo of Bertin Jacquesson and Valentin Noel is grabbing the attention, but Pitt’s defensive work of late has been stellar. The Panthers also appear to have found a gem in freshman defender Jackson Gillmann — who has played with defensive maturity beyond his years. Indiana, though, is in a remarkably similar spot. The Hoosiers haven’t been quite as dominant going forward, but their defensive record has been even more impressive — highlighted by a clean sheet against UNC Greensboro in the quarterfinals. Ryan Wittenbrink is the man to watch in the final third, as he scores and assists in bunches. Meanwhile, Big Ten Defender of The Year Daniel Munie holds things together at the back. Furthermore, Indiana has been here before. And that should count for something.

Prediction: Indiana 3-1 Pittsburgh