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The 2024-25 College Football season is nearly upon us. In a bit of a change from years past, the playoff bracket has been extended from four teams to 12. This piece will aim to put together a potential grouping of teams we’ll see compete for a National Championship — all with their corresponding ranking. The Power 4 conferences will each receive a bid — with the remaining eight being of the at-large variety.
No. 12: Liberty
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Most people are picking Memphis to represent the mid-major programs in this field. The Tigers return a boatload of talent and are primed for a big year. However, Liberty plays an easier schedule, has one of the nation’s best coaches in Jamey Chadwell, and QB Kaidon Salter returns. Memphis has to navigate road games versus Florida State, Navy, South Florida, and Tulane. The Flames’ toughest contest likely comes on the road in Week 5 versus Appalachian State.
No. 11: Penn State
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The Big Ten figures to have ample representation in a 12-team setting. While the top of the conference figures to be led by two other teams (more on that later), Penn State will be battling Michigan for the top of the next tier. James Franklin has recruited at a very high level over the years, and the team does return a very good QB-RB combination in Drew Allar and the explosive tandem of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Edge rusher Abdul Carter could be the next future first-round draft pick for the Nittany Lions. Penn State avoids Oregon and Michigan on its 2024 schedule. It also gets Ohio State at home.
No. 10: Ole Miss
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Ole Miss is a team few will want to see in 2024. Lane Kiffin has built a scheme in Oxford predicated upon explosive plays at a high rate. Jaxson Dart is back for another year, and the offensive talent around him is even better than it’s been. Ole Miss crushed it in the transfer portal — landing a host of Day 1 starters from other programs. Julius Buelow (Washington), Nate Kalepo (Washington), and Diego Pounds (North Carolina) immediately transform this unit into one of the best in the conference. Defensively, Walter Nolen (Texas A&M), Princely Umanmielen (Florida), Trey Amos (Alabama), Chris Paul Jr. (Arkansas), Brandon Turnage (Tennessee), and Isaiah Hamilton (Houston) all figure to be integral competitors on a defense which needed an influx of depth and talent. Coming off an 11-win season last year, this year’s team appears to be considerably more talented.
No. 9: Florida State
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Florida State did lose a host of impact players from a season ago — namely Keon Coleman, Jared Verse, and Braden Fiske. QB Jordan Travis has also graduated. However, veteran signal-caller DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson/Oregon State) has entered the program. Say what you will about the Los Angeles native, but DJ U is an experienced player — and one who’s a very nice fit for Mike Norvell’s offense. Former Alabama RB Roydell Williams appears to be the front-runner at the position. The projected starting defense is chock-full of upperclassmen (not to mention athleticism). Despite an opening loss to Georgia Tech, the ACC figures to be weak once again, so the Seminoles remain a strong bet to win double-digit games and capitalize on the expanded playoffs.
No. 8: Alabama
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Even with Nick Saban riding off into the sunset, this is still a loaded roster returning its starting QB (Jalen Milroe) from a season ago. Kalen DeBoer left Washington in order to take the gig — immediately bringing with him a host of players from Seattle. Namely, explosive WR Germie Bernard and one of the nation’s best centers in Nick Brailsford. The front seven appears to be stout once again. The secondary has seen a bit of a transformation. It projects to start two transfers (Domani Jackson, Keon Sabb). The unit might also feature a highly-touted true freshman out of Southern California in Zabien Brown. Milroe’s skill set matches very well with DeBoer’s offensive scheme. As we saw how he developed Michael Penix Jr. into a top-ten NFL Draft pick, Milroe has the talent to do the same. The Crimson Tide does have a tricky Week 3 road game at Wisconsin. Alabama also has to go on the road versus LSU, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. However, DeBoer’s squad gets Georgia and Auburn at home.
No. 7: Notre Dame
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Notre Dame has a very manageable schedule. Marcus Freeman’s team begins the year in College Station versus Texas A&M. Assuming the Fighting Irish can upend the Aggies, there’s not another game on the schedule — save for perhaps at USC — that seems overly challenging. Notre Dame has only three true road games on its schedule. Three more games (Navy, Army, Georgia Tech) are to be played at neutral site locations. Duke transfer Riley Leonard is loaded with ability, though he has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout his career. His ability to stay healthy will be key for Notre Dame this season. At the very least, Notre Dame’s defense should be quite good. A host of fifth-year seniors — including transfer RJ Oben and much of the front seven — are slated to start.
No. 6: Georgia
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Georgia doesn’t rebuild…it reloads. Kirby Smart recruits better than anyone, and the roster reflects this appropriately. While the Bulldogs lost multiple key contributors from a year ago, those former 5-star young pups who’ve waited patiently are ready to emerge as future NFL prospects themselves. Having Carson Beck once again command the offense is a major plus, as Beck could end up being the best signal-caller in the SEC. Tate Ratledge and Earnest Greene are two of the best players in the country at their respective positions. The RB thunder-lighting combo of Roderick Robinson and Trevor Etienne is immensely talented. Stanford TE transfer Benjamin Yurosek is a legitimate player with the upside of an NFL starter. Up front, those in Athens are ready for junior Mykel Williams to take the next step in being a dominant player. Safety Malaki Starks is an All-American candidate. Georgia starts the year versus Clemson. From there, the Bulldogs have a gauntlet of road games (Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss) to go with a noteworthy Nov. 16 home game versus Tennessee.
No. 5: Ohio State
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We’re splitting hairs between Ohio State and Oregon. It’s very feasible that the Buckeyes will win the Big Ten and earn an automatic top-four spot. Oregon gets the edge based on the QB position. With Kyle McCord gone, K-State transfer Will Howard appears to be the presumed starter, with Air Noland, Devin Brown, and Julian Sayin waiting in the wings. The TreVeyon Henderson-Quinshon Judkins pairing is the best in the sport at the running back position. Emeka Egbuka leads a talented and deep corps of receivers. Caleb Downs left Alabama to lead Ohio State’s secondary. Many believe the sophomore is the best safety in the sport already. The defensive line — led by Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, and JT Tuimoloau — should be very potent. The Buckeyes will travel to Eugene for the Oct. 5 showdown with the Ducks. Ohio State also plays at Penn State before finishing the season at home versus Michigan.
No. 4: Miami
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This is the year Miami breaks through under Mario Cristobal. The Hurricanes have been recruiting well — namely along the offensive and defensive lines (a Cristobal staple). The big difference this year is the fact Miami now has a legitimate starting QB. By nabbing Wazzu transfer Cam Ward in the transfer portal, Miami has a guy who’s experienced, talented, and capable of spraying the ball around the field to a host of speedy players. Miami should take care of rival Florida in the opener. From there, the schedule is quite easy. The Hurricanes miss Clemson and host Florida State. Arguably the two most likely chances for slip-ups both come on the road — versus Cal and Louisville.
No. 3: Utah
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Big 12 opponents beware. Utah is a machine — and those unfamiliar with Kyle Whittingham’s program will soon learn this. The Utes might not rank super high in the recruiting rankings of any given service. However, few — if any — are as good as Whittingham when it comes to player development. Using Utah and Hawaii as a base for linemen, the team has been deft in sprinkling in skill players from California, Texas, and Florida. As the profile of the school has grown, so has the talent. QB Cam Rising is back for what seems like his 9th collegiate season. Brant Kuithe is arguably the best pass-catching tight end nationally. Dorian Singer has the feel of a guy who could terrorize Big 12 defenses on the perimeter. Defensively, you know what you’re going to get…a physical, tough, disciplined unit rooted in fundamentals and sheer size.
No. 2: Texas
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Sark The Shark is coming. Steve Sarkisian has done a very nice job in rebuilding this roster. With a heavy emphasis on recruiting the lines, Texas should transition to SEC life with a real shot at winning the conference. Of course, QB Quinn Ewers returning to school helps out with that aspiration. The talented gunslinger can make throws to all parts of the field. Sophomore RB CJ Baxter has the look of a future pro. Additions to the WR corps (Silas Bolden, Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden) have given Texas legitimate depth at the position. UTSA transfer Trey Moore should be a real difference-maker off the edge. A trio of DT transfers (Bill Norton, Jermayne Lole, Tiaoalii Savea) all enter the program as plug-and-play guys. Former Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba should lead a talented group of secondary athletes. An early non-conference game at Michigan will provide the Longhorns with a nice opportunity to notch a noteworthy win. Texas will host Georgia in October. In a fortuitous turn of events, the Longhorns will miss Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
No. 1: Oregon
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Oregon is loaded. With the help of Uncle Phil (Knight), Oregon’s NIL program is as competitive as anyone’s nationally. The talent and depth within the team is elite. Dillon Gabriel came over from Oklahoma to run Will Stein’s fast-paced offense. The uber-talented Evan Stewart is now WR1 after leaving Texas A&M. Oregon’s defensive line features a blend of former 5-star prospects (Matayo Uiagalelei, Aydin Breland) along with three high-end transfers (Jordan Burch, Derrick Harmon, Jamaree Caldwell). The secondary was also revamped — adding elite transfers in Jabbar Muhammad (Oklahoma State/Washington), Kobe Savage (Kansas State), and Brandon Johnson (Duke). Oregon gets Ohio State at home in what should be one of the most highly-anticipated games on the College Football schedule. Oregon also has to play at Michigan and Wisconsin, among its other more notable contests.
CFP First Round: No. 12 Liberty vs. No. 5 Ohio State
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This is not a good matchup for Liberty. Ohio State will have a considerable edge up front on both sides of the ball. This game might be all too familiar for the Flames — who were torched 45-6 by Oregon in last year’s Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes will roll en route to an appearance in the Playoff quarterfinals.
Winner: Ohio State
CFP First Round: No. 11 Penn State vs. No. 6 Georgia
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This should be a very physical game. Both teams are among the most athletic in the country collectively speaking. The big difference in this contest will be Beck. He’s got a leg-up on Allar, and the Georgia offense has a greater chance at garnering some big chunk plays. By winning this contest, the Dawgs set up a clash with another uber-physical team in Utah.
Winner: Georgia
CFP First Round: No. 10 Ole Miss vs. No. 7 Notre Dame
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We’ve got a contrast in styles with this game. Notre Dame should have the better defense, and Ole Miss will possess the better offensive talent. From there, the biggest question comes down to the following: Can Notre Dame score enough points to keep pace with Ole Miss? We don’t think necessarily that will be the case — essentially because Kiffin’s team has NFL talent littered throughout its defense. Ole Miss will overwhelm Notre Dame with athleticism, and as such the Rebels will move on to the next round.
Winner: Ole Miss
CFP First Round: No. 9 Florida State vs. No. 8 Alabama
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Alabama will be firing on all cylinders by the time this game is played. After a year of playing under DeBoer’s tutelage, Milroe will be a Heisman Trophy candidate. Multiple defenders will have emerged by this point. The Crimson Tide’s front seven will be the biggest challenge Florida State will have faced to date. Uiagalelei will be having flashbacks of being under siege during his Clemson tenure.
Winner: Alabama
CFP Quarterfinal: No. 8 Alabama vs. No. 1 Oregon
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This should be a very competitive game. There will be talent littered all over the field in this one. The contest could come down to which quarterback makes more plays. In the game within the game, DeBoer had a ton of success over Dan Lanning in recent memory. It was Washington who stymied Oregon twice last season. You can bet Lanning will be highly motivated to win this contest. Oregon’s offensive line is good enough to withstand the Alabama pass rush. Assuming he’s given time to throw downfield, Gabriel should have his way with the Crimson Tide secondary.
Winner: Oregon
CFP Quarterfinal: No. 3 Utah vs. No. 6 Georgia
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This will be a total slugfest. Utah plays like an SEC team, imposing its will on the opponent with constant pressure. With extra time to prepare for this game, the Utes will have Georgia scouted as well as anyone. On the other hand, the Bulldogs will have the momentum of playing the prior week. Not only that, but Georgia will enjoy an athleticism advantage across the board. This will be a close game — and one which could go either way. However, the championship DNA of this Bulldogs’ roster will emerge victorious.
Winner: Georgia
CFP Quarterfinal: No. 4 Miami vs. No. 5 Ohio State
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The pressure will be on Miami in this game. We don’t know how Cristobal’s team will react in a game where the Hurricanes will likely be the Vegas underdog despite being a lower seed. Ward will have to execute his throws with poise and timing. It’s a tall task to ask against a Buckeyes’ defense dripping with next-level talent. Ohio State shouldn’t have issues putting points on the board in this game. Miami will be competitive, though OSU will pull away late.
Winner: Ohio State
CFP Quarterfinal: No. 2 Texas vs. No. 10 Ole Miss
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This should be a FUN matchup. You’ve got two offensive-minded head coaches with plenty of familiarity with one another. We wouldn’t be shocked if this game comes down to the last possession. It should be a total barn burner and one that’s essentially a toss-up. Ole Miss should play this game with plenty of confidence. It’ll be the underdog, though in no ways are the Rebels inferior from a talent standpoint. Look for Kiffin to come up with some magic against his former USC buddy.
Winner: Ole Miss
CFP Semifinal: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 5 Ohio State
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It’s very difficult to beat a good team two times in a single year. While Oregon may have gotten the best of Ohio State at home in Eugene, this game will be played in a neutral site. The Buckeyes will have already gotten a taste of what to expect as it pertains to Oregon’s explosive offense. After making the requisite adjustments, Ohio State will come out and take it to Oregon in the late-season rematch.
Winner: Ohio State
CFP Semifinal: No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 10 Ole Miss
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Georgia prides itself on cultivating a defensive mindset. It all comes from Smart, the brightest defensive mind in the sport. The Bulldogs will want to control the ball and drive the tempo way down in this contest. It will be a quintessential Georgia performance, where it suffocates Ole Miss and frustrates Dart in the process. Behind a prolific rushing effort from Etienne, Georgia will be headed to the National Championship Game.
Winner: Georgia
CFP Final: No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Georgia
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Ohio State has all of the ingredients to win this game. It will prove to be the most complete team from top to bottom, starting with the powerful backfield duo of Henderson and Judkins. Howard is the big caveat here. He’ll have to take care of the football. By this point in the season, the comfortability within Chip Kelly’s offense should be solid. Kelly might have lost it as a head coach, but his play-calling remains very good. Using Howard’s legs, he’ll have enough wrinkles put in place to keep Georgia on its collective heels.
Winner: Ohio State
