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The 2024 College Football season will be fascinating. The Pac-12 no longer exists, Texas and Oklahoma are members of the SEC, and the College Football Playoff will feature a 12-team field — leaving more room for error than ever before. With the season quickly approaching, let’s dive into the first Top 25 of 2024.
25. Louisville Cardinals
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Following a very successful 2023, Louisville enters Year 2 of the Jeff Brohm era with high expectations. Brohm put a lot of effort into improving the team through the transfer portal and signed one of the best transfer classes in the nation. QB Tyler Shough joins the program after spending ’23 at Texas Tech. The Cards will also welcome RB Donald Chaney Jr. (Miami), TE Mark Redman (San Diego State), and WRs Caullin Lacy (South Alabama) and Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama). Louisville’s defense was great in ’23 and should once again be a strength this season. Stars such as Ashton Gillotte and Quincy Riley return and Brohm added some serious talent to the secondary, as well.
24. NC State Wolfpack
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NC State should be in the mix in the ACC. The Wolfpack found a new quarterback through the transfer portal, former Coastal Carolina star Grayson McCall. Kevin “KC” Concepcion — last year’s ACC Rookie of the Year — leads a talented group of receivers. The rushing attack will be bolstered by the addition of Duke transfer Jordan Waters. In 2023, Waters rushed for 819 yards and 12 TD on just 153 carries. Replacing All-American linebacker Payton Wilson will be incredibly difficult, but DC Tony Gibson is one of the ACC’s best defensive minds and should have the Wolfpack’s defense near the top of the conference once again.
23. Arizona Wildcats
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Arizona will be a fascinating team to watch this season. Coming off an incredible season that ended with seven wins in a row — capped off with a win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl — the Wildcats saw head coach Jedd Fisch take the HC gig at Washington. While some players followed Fisch to Washington, Arizona’s core players remained in Tucson. Quarterback Noah Fifita and WR Tetairoa McMillan are among the nation’s best players. The offensive line will be a strength for the Cats, and the defense retains the Pac-12’s leading tackler from last season, Jacob Manu.
22. Kansas Jayhawks
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Kansas is a program on the rise under the leadership of Lance Leipold. Two years after winning two games in Leipold’s first season, the Jayhawks went 9-4 and were ranked as high as No. 16. KU should be an even better team in 2024 with the return of star quarterback Jalon Daniels. Last year, Daniels played only three games due to a back injury. Devin Neal is electric at running back and the addition of Wisconsin transfer Logan Brown — a former 5-star prospect — will bolster the offensive line. Defensively, the Jayhawks trot out a pair of talented corners (Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson) and return three starters on the line.
21. Texas A&M Aggies
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With Jimbo Fisher no longer in charge of the program, the Aggies will have a new look in 2024. Former Duke coach Mike Elko utilized the transfer portal heavily — adding a ton of pieces on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Conner Weigman is set to return after suffering a season-ending injury in 2023. A&M’s defensive line should be a strength as former Purdue star Nic Scourton (who led the Big Ten in sacks) joins a proven group. There are some concerns in the secondary, particularly at corner, that may result in some nervy moments throughout the season.
20. USC Trojans
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Caleb Williams is now a member of the Chicago Bears, but the USC Trojans may have another very good quarterback on their roster. Miller Moss starred in the Holiday Bowl and is poised to start Week 1 for the Trojans. Zachariah Branch is a dynamic player who should see a much bigger role in the passing game as a sophomore. As always, USC’s defense will be under the microscope. The defense held the team back in both of Williams’ seasons, but there is optimism that the group will be improved under the guidance of new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn — formerly UCLA’s DC.
19. Miami Hurricanes
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Is this the year the Hurricanes make a run to the College Football Playoff? It’s possible. Miami had a great offseason and loaded up through the transfer portal. Former Washington State star Cam Ward is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he will be joined by a fellow former Pac-12 star — Oregon State running back Damien Martinez. The Canes also added a ton of talent to their defensive line — a line that features a future star in Rueben Bain.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Oklahoma State played in the Big 12 Championship last year and it should once again compete for the conference title this season. The Cowboys return the nation’s best running back in junior Ollie Gordon II — he rushed for over 1,700 yards and 21 TD last season — quarterback Alan Bowman, and two studs on defense in Collin Oliver and linebacker Nick Martin. Overall, 10 starters from last year’s defense return for the Pokes. A veteran team that has a recent history of success, the Cowboys can contend for the Big 12’s CFP spot.
17. Clemson Tigers
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From 2015-2019, Clemson won two National Championships and played in four National Championship Games. The past three seasons, the Tigers have lost at least three games and have been an afterthought when it comes to the College Football Playoff. 2023 marked the first time since 2010 that the program failed to win 10 games. Still, the Tigers figure to be pretty good in ’24. The defense should be one of the best groups in the country despite returning just two starters. With that being said, all eyes will be on QB Cade Klubnik. Klubnik failed to live up to the hype in his first season as a full-time starter and the fanbase may grow restless if he doesn’t perform at a high level once again.
16. Oklahoma Sooners
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The Sooners are set to enter their first season in the SEC with a new starting quarterback following Dillon Gabriel’s departure to Oregon. Jackson Arnold is a hyped QB prospect and he will have the benefit of throwing to a good receiving corps, including Purdue transfer Deion Burks. With six starters returning on defense, it is easy to envision the group being much improved in Year 3 of the Brent Venables era. The Sooners brought in four transfers along the offensive line and that group’s ability to produce will be paramount to OU’s success.
15. Kansas State Wildcats
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Kansas State should be viewed as one of the top two contenders in the Big 12 next season. Winners of nine games last year, all four of K-State’s losses came by eight points or less. The Wildcats should be a lot to handle when they have the ball. DJ Giddens is one of the most talented running backs in the country, and QB Avery Johnson is capable of beating teams with his arm and legs. K-State is also coached by one of the great minds in the sport, Chris Klieman.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
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In 2024, Tennessee will go as far as its defense can take it. The Volunteers should have no problem scoring a boatload of points. Former 5-star QB Nico Iamaleava looks like the real deal and he has a strong group of receivers to throw to. Additionally, Iamaleava will be protected by one of the better offensive lines in the SEC. However, there are some serious questions defensively. James Pearce Jr. is a stud off the edge and the defensive line is a veteran group, but the linebackers and secondary are largely unproven. The Vols won’t be able to reach the CFP if every game is a shootout.
13. Florida State Seminoles
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After being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2023 despite finishing the regular season 13-0, Florida State is faced with replacing its three-best players. DJ Uiagalelei will replace Jordan Travis at quarterback, Malik Benson was brought in to help fill the hole left by wideout Keon Coleman’s departure to the NFL, and edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. will be asked to step in for star DE Jared Verse. The Seminoles do return a lot of talent along both lines, and a favorable schedule may set the Noles up for a run to the CFP.
12. Utah Utes
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Utah had little trouble competing at the top of the Pac-12, so it should be feeling pretty good about its chances in a weaker Big 12 in 2024. The Utes will welcome back star quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe — both of whom missed all of last season with injuries. Despite losing two studs in their secondary, the Utes figure to field an elite defense once again. If Rising can return to form, Utah can easily find itself in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
11. LSU Tigers
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How do you replace a quarterback as good as Jayden Daniels? You don’t. Couple losing the Heisman Trophy winner with star wideouts Malik Nabors and Brian Thomas Jr. also off to the NFL, and you have some serious challenges on your hands. Of course, LSU remains one of the nation’s most talented programs. Harold Perkins leads a defense that should be improved under the guidance of former Missouri DC Blake Baker. The offense has the potential to be very good despite its high-profile departures, though we are curious to see if Garrett Nussmeier is ready for the spotlight that comes with being QB1 at LSU.
10. Missouri Tigers
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On the heels of being one of college football’s biggest surprises in 2023, Missouri will not be overlooked in 2024. The Tigers finished last year with 11 wins and a triumph over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Star wideout Luther Burden III — arguably the best receiver in the nation — is back and will be catching passes from Brady Cook. The Tigers have some holes to fill on the other side of the ball, but they should be among the better defenses in the SEC once again.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Notre Dame’s defense will be amongst the best in the nation. The Irish have fielded a great defense the past two seasons, but their offense hasn’t been good enough to make the team a serious threat. Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard should provide the Irish with a jolt — that is if the offensive line can keep him upright. The Irish lost star Joe Alt to the NFL and must also replace starting tackle Blake Fisher. Defensively, DL Howard Cross III and safety Xavier Watts are gamechangers. The Irish only play three true road games in 2024 — and three neutral site games — including opening the year at College Station against Texas A&M.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Coming off a loss in the Rose Bowl, the greatest college football coach of all-time, Nick Saban, said goodbye to Alabama. The Crimson Tide quickly hired Kalen DeBoer to lead the team moving forward, but questions remain. DeBoer did wonders at Washington with Michael Penix Jr. and designed an elite offense, and QB Jalen Milroe should continue to thrive in DeBoer’s system. The Tide have two studs along the offensive line and there is plenty of talent throughout the roster. However, we can’t help but wonder if the program will be a bit hungover in the aftermath of Saban leaving.
7. Michigan Wolverines
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Last year’s National Champions will look rather different this season. Jim Harbaugh is now coaching the Los Angeles Chargers, QB J.J. McCarthy is a Viking and was one of 13 players from last year’s squad selected in the NFL Draft. With that being said, new coach Sherrone Moore will have plenty to work with. All-American cornerback Will Johnson and DT Mason Graham will spearhead the defense. Donovan Edwards will have an opportunity to star at tailback with Blake Corum no longer in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines need to find their starting QB, but we won’t bet against them winning a lot of games in 2024.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
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For the past few years, Penn State has fared well against mostly everyone not named Michigan or Ohio State. With the Wolverines expected to take a slight step back in 2024, this may be the time for the Nittany Lions to shine. Six returning starters on defense should result in a strong unit, but Penn State’s ceiling will be determined by the growth of QB Drew Allar. If Allar can blossom into one of the nation’s top passers, Penn State can make a run to the CFP. If he stagnates, State may be looking at another frustrating season.
5. Texas Longhorns
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Can the Longhorns improve on their performance last season? Texas reached the College Football Playoff and nearly mounted a miraculous comeback against Washington in the semifinal. Now, the Longhorns are joining the SEC with a ton of confidence. Star quarterback Quinn Ewers is back, and he will be protected by an experienced line that maintains four starters — including preseason All-American Kelvin Banks Jr. Texas has a pair of really good running backs and added a handful of weapons through the transfer portal. The biggest question will be how UT will replace defensive stars Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat.
4. Ole Miss Rebels
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Is this the year Ole Miss breaks through and reaches the College Football Playoff? Despite losing star running back Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, the Rebels are set to feature one of the best offenses in the nation — led by QB Jaxson Dart. Lane Kiffin cleaned up in the transfer portal, adding three running backs, three offensive linemen — including two from Washington — and a ton of talent on defense. Of course, Ole Miss needs its defense to improve if it wants to compete for a National Championship. Among the most notable additions to the defense are DL Walter Nolen (Texas A&M), LB Chris Paul (Arkansas) and defensive backs Trey Amos (Alabama) and Brandon Turnage (Tennessee).
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
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The Big Ten may be decided on October 12 when the Buckeyes travel to Eugene to take on Oregon. Marvin Harrison Jr. may be gone, but Ohio State’s offense remains elite. Kansas State transfer Will Howard is set to star at quarterback and he will be buoyed by two stud running backs — TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins — and a future top-10 pick, WR Emeka Egbuka. Ohio State’s defense figures to be dominant, as well, with nine returning starters.
2. Oregon Ducks
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The Oregon Ducks are the team to beat in the Big Ten in 2024. Entering their first year in the conference, the Ducks did well finding a replacement for QB Bo Nix (now with the Denver Broncos). Starting for Oregon will be Dillon Gabriel — formerly with Oklahoma and considered a Heisman frontrunner. Oregon supplemented its roster on both sides of the ball through the transfer portal, with WR Evan Stewart being the standout addition. A former five-star WR, Stewart and the returning Tez Johnson will be one of the nation’s best WR duos next season.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
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Was there ever a doubt? The Georgia Bulldogs have won two of the last three National Championships and figure to be a main player once again in 2024-2025. Quarterback Carson Beck is back and will be a Heisman contender. Beck will be surrounded by top talent including two top offensive linemen — Tate Ratledge and Earnest Greene — and an unfair collection of skill players. Defensively, safety Malaki Starks and linebacker Mykel Williams are potential All-Americans. The Bulldogs will be in the CFP barring some terrible injury luck.
