The 2024 college football season is still a ways away, but it’s never too early to start thinking about who the top teams might be. After all, the College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams in 2024, so there will be more opportunities than ever for teams to make a run at the national championship.
Of course, a lot can change between now and the 2024 season. Players will transfer, coaches will be fired, and new stars will emerge. But based on what we know right now, here are our predictions for the top 25 teams in the 2024 college football season.
It’s important to note that these predictions are just that: predictions. A lot can change between now and the 2024 season, so it’s impossible to say for sure which teams will be at the top of the rankings. But these are the teams that we think have the best chance of being in contention for the College Football Playoff in 2024.
2024 College Football Top 25
Predictions based on current knowledge.
- Alabama still the team to beat.
- Ohio State looking for revenge.
- Georgia reloading for another run.
- Clemson ready to bounce back.
- Notre Dame a dark horse contender.
- Oklahoma, Texas enter SEC with a bang.
- Michigan, Penn State looking to make noise.
- USC, Oregon Pac-12 favorites.
- Newcomers Cincinnati, BYU ready to compete.
- 12-team playoff creates more opportunities.
These are just a few of the storylines to watch in the 2024 college football season. It’s sure to be an exciting year with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
Alabama still the team to beat.
Alabama has been the dominant force in college football for the better part of the last decade, winning six national championships since 2009. And there’s no reason to think that they won’t be the team to beat again in 2024.
The Crimson Tide return a lot of talent from their 2023 team, including quarterback Bryce Young, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and wide receiver Jermaine Burton. They also have a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star quarterback Arch Manning.
Alabama’s schedule is also relatively favorable in 2024. They avoid Ohio State and Georgia in the regular season, and they only have one road game against a ranked opponent (Texas A&M). All in all, the Crimson Tide are in a great position to make another run at the national championship in 2024.
Of course, there are a few teams that could challenge Alabama for the top spot in the rankings. Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson are all perennial contenders, and they all have the talent to beat Alabama on any given day. But until someone knocks Alabama off their perch, they remain the team to beat in college football.
One interesting storyline to watch in 2024 is how Alabama will adjust to the new 12-team College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide have been accustomed to having a clear path to the playoff in recent years, but now they’ll have to navigate a more crowded field. It will be interesting to see how they handle the added pressure.
Ohio State looking for revenge.
Ohio State came into the 2023 season with high hopes, but their season ended in disappointment with a loss to Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The Buckeyes are looking to get revenge in 2024.
Ohio State returns a lot of talent from their 2023 team, including quarterback C.J. Stroud, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. They also have a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star cornerback Sonny Styles.
The Buckeyes’ schedule is also relatively favorable in 2024. They avoid Alabama and Georgia in the regular season, and they only have one road game against a ranked opponent (Michigan). Ohio State is in a great position to make a run at the national championship in 2024.
One thing that could help Ohio State in 2024 is the addition of new head coach Ryan Day. Day was the offensive coordinator at Ohio State from 2017 to 2022, and he is considered to be one of the best offensive minds in college football. He will be looking to implement a more up-tempo, pass-happy offense in 2024.
Ohio State has a lot of motivation heading into the 2024 season. They want to avenge their loss to Alabama in the national championship, and they want to win their first national championship since 2014. The Buckeyes have the talent and the schedule to make it happen.
Georgia reloading for another run.
Georgia won the national championship in 2021 and came close to repeating in 2022, losing to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Bulldogs are looking to get back to the top in 2024.
Georgia lost some key players to the NFL Draft, including quarterback Stetson Bennett, running back Kenny McIntosh, and wide receiver Ladd McConkey. But they also have a lot of talent returning, including quarterback Carson Beck, running back Kendall Milton, and wide receiver AD Mitchell.
Georgia also has a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star quarterback Arch Manning. Manning is the nephew of former Ole Miss and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and he is considered to be one of the best quarterback prospects in recent memory.
Georgia’s schedule is also relatively favorable in 2024. They avoid Alabama and Ohio State in the regular season, and they only have one road game against a ranked opponent (Florida). The Bulldogs are in a great position to make another run at the national championship in 2024.
One thing that could help Georgia in 2024 is the addition of new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Bobo was the head coach at Colorado State from 2015 to 2022, and he is known for his innovative offensive schemes. He will be looking to implement a more up-tempo, pass-happy offense in 2024.
Clemson ready to bounce back.
Clemson had a disappointing season in 2022, finishing with a 10-3 record and missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2014. But the Tigers are looking to bounce back in 2024.
Clemson lost some key players to the NFL Draft, including quarterback Cade Klubnik, running back Will Shipley, and wide receiver Beaux Collins. But they also have a lot of talent returning, including quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, running back Kobe Pace, and wide receiver Antonio Williams.
Clemson also has a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star quarterback Cade Klubnik. Klubnik is a dual-threat quarterback who is considered to be one of the best quarterback prospects in recent memory.
Clemson’s schedule is also relatively favorable in 2024. They avoid Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia in the regular season, and they only have one road game against a ranked opponent (Florida State). The Tigers are in a great position to make a run at the national championship in 2024.
One thing that could help Clemson in 2024 is the return of head coach Dabo Swinney. Swinney has been the head coach at Clemson since 2009, and he has led the Tigers to two national championships and six ACC championships. He is one of the most successful coaches in college football history.
Notre Dame a dark horse contender.
Notre Dame is a bit of a dark horse contender in the 2024 College Football Top 25. The Fighting Irish haven’t won a national championship since 1988, but they have a lot of talent and experience returning in 2024.
Notre Dame returns quarterback Tyler Buchner, running back Audric Estime, and wide receiver Lorenzo Styles. They also have a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star cornerback Jaden Mickey.
Notre Dame’s schedule is also relatively favorable in 2024. They avoid Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson in the regular season. The Fighting Irish’s toughest game is probably a road game against USC.
Notre Dame is a team that could make some noise in the College Football Playoff in 2024. They have a lot of talent and experience, and they have a favorable schedule. If they can stay healthy and play to their potential, they could be a dark horse contender for the national championship.
One thing that could help Notre Dame in 2024 is the addition of new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Rees was the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame from 2017 to 2021, and he is considered to be one of the best young offensive minds in college football. He will be looking to implement a more up-tempo, pass-happy offense in 2024.
Oklahoma, Texas enter SEC with a bang.
Oklahoma and Texas are two of the biggest brands in college football, and they are both joining the SEC in 2024. This is a major shakeup for the college football landscape, and it could have a big impact on the 2024 College Football Top 25.
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Oklahoma and Texas have a lot of talent.
Both Oklahoma and Texas have been recruiting at a high level in recent years, and they both have a lot of talented players on their rosters. Oklahoma returns quarterback Dillon Gabriel and running back Eric Gray, while Texas returns quarterback Quinn Ewers and wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
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Oklahoma and Texas have experienced coaches.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian are both experienced coaches who have had success at the Power Five level. Venables won a national championship at Clemson in 2016, while Sarkisian led Alabama to a national championship in 2020.
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Oklahoma and Texas have favorable schedules.
Oklahoma and Texas both have relatively favorable schedules in 2024. Oklahoma avoids Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson in the regular season, while Texas avoids Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia. Both teams have a good chance of finishing the regular season with a 12-0 record.
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Oklahoma and Texas could make a run at the College Football Playoff.
With their talented rosters, experienced coaches, and favorable schedules, Oklahoma and Texas both have a good chance of making a run at the College Football Playoff in 2024. If they can both win their respective divisions, they could meet in the SEC Championship Game, which would be a huge game with major implications for the College Football Playoff.
The addition of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC is a major storyline for the 2024 college football season. Both teams have the potential to make a big impact on the SEC and the College Football Playoff.
Michigan, Penn State looking to make noise.
Michigan and Penn State are two of the most successful programs in the Big Ten, and they are both looking to make noise in the 2024 College Football Top 25.
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Michigan has a lot of talent returning.
Michigan returns quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, and wide receiver Ronnie Bell. They also have a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star defensive end Dante Moore.
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Penn State has a new coach.
Penn State hired former Baylor head coach Matt Rhule to be their new head coach in 2023. Rhule is a proven winner, and he has a history of success at the Power Five level.
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Michigan and Penn State have favorable schedules.
Michigan and Penn State both have relatively favorable schedules in 2024. Michigan avoids Ohio State and Georgia in the regular season, while Penn State avoids Ohio State and Alabama. Both teams have a good chance of finishing the regular season with a 12-0 record.
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Michigan and Penn State could win the Big Ten Championship.
With their talented rosters, experienced coaches, and favorable schedules, Michigan and Penn State both have a good chance of winning the Big Ten Championship in 2024. If they can both win their respective divisions, they could meet in the Big Ten Championship Game, which would be a huge game with major implications for the College Football Playoff.
Michigan and Penn State are two teams that could make a lot of noise in the 2024 college football season. Both teams have the potential to win their respective divisions, make it to the Big Ten Championship Game, and even reach the College Football Playoff.
USC, Oregon Pac-12 favorites.
USC and Oregon are the two favorites to win the Pac-12 in 2024. Both teams have a lot of talent and experience returning, and they both have favorable schedules.
USC returns quarterback Caleb Williams, running back Travis Dye, and wide receiver Jordan Addison. They also have a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson.
Oregon returns quarterback Bo Nix, running back Bucky Irving, and wide receiver Troy Franklin. They also have a strong recruiting class coming in, led by five-star defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei.
USC and Oregon both have relatively favorable schedules in 2024. USC avoids Utah and Oregon in the regular season, while Oregon avoids USC and Utah. Both teams have a good chance of finishing the regular season with a 12-0 record.
If USC and Oregon both win their respective divisions, they could meet in the Pac-12 Championship Game, which would be a huge game with major implications for the College Football Playoff. Both teams have the potential to make a run at the national championship in 2024.
Newcomers Cincinnati, BYU ready to compete.
Cincinnati and BYU are two newcomers to the Big 12 in 2024, and they are both ready to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
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Cincinnati has a lot of experience.
Cincinnati returns quarterback Ben Bryant, running back Corey Kiner, and wide receiver Tre Tucker. They also have a strong defense, led by linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Deshawn Pace.
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BYU has a dynamic offense.
BYU returns quarterback Jaren Hall, running back Christopher Brooks, and wide receiver Puka Nacua. They also have a strong offensive line, led by tackle Blake Freeland.
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Cincinnati and BYU have favorable schedules.
Cincinnati and BYU both have relatively favorable schedules in 2024. Cincinnati avoids Oklahoma, Texas, and Baylor in the regular season, while BYU avoids Oklahoma, Texas, and TCU. Both teams have a good chance of finishing the regular season with a 12-0 record.
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Cincinnati and BYU could win the Big 12 Championship.
With their talented rosters, experienced coaches, and favorable schedules, Cincinnati and BYU both have a good chance of winning the Big 12 Championship in 2024. If they can both win their respective divisions, they could meet in the Big 12 Championship Game, which would be a huge game with major implications for the College Football Playoff.
Cincinnati and BYU are two teams that could make a lot of noise in the 2024 college football season. Both teams have the potential to win their respective divisions, make it to the Big 12 Championship Game, and even reach the College Football Playoff.
12-team playoff creates more opportunities.
The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams in 2024 creates more opportunities for teams to make a run at the national championship.
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More teams can compete for a national championship.
With the expansion of the playoff, more teams will have a chance to compete for a national championship. In the previous format, only four teams could make the playoff. Now, 12 teams will have a chance to compete for the title.
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More conferences will have a chance to send a team to the playoff.
With the expansion of the playoff, more conferences will have a chance to send a team to the playoff. In the previous format, only the Power Five conferences were guaranteed a spot in the playoff. Now, teams from the Group of Five conferences will also have a chance to make the playoff.
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More Cinderella teams could make a run in the playoff.
With the expansion of the playoff, more Cinderella teams could make a run in the playoff. In the previous format, it was very difficult for a team from outside the Power Five conferences to make the playoff. Now, teams from the Group of Five conferences have a better chance of making the playoff and making a run at the national championship.
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The regular season will be more meaningful.
With the expansion of the playoff, the regular season will be more meaningful. In the previous format, teams could afford to lose a few games and still make the playoff. Now, teams will need to have a strong regular season record in order to make the playoff.
The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams is a major change that will have a big impact on the sport. It will create more opportunities for teams to make a run at the national championship, and it will make the regular season more meaningful.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 College Football Top 25:
Question 1: Which teams are favored to win the national championship in 2024?
Answer: Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson are all considered to be the favorites to win the national championship in 2024.
Question 2: Which teams are dark horse contenders for the national championship in 2024?
Answer: Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan are all considered to be dark horse contenders for the national championship in 2024.
Question 3: Which teams are newcomers to the Power Five conferences in 2024?
Answer: Oklahoma and Texas are joining the SEC in 2024, while Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and UCF are joining the Big 12.
Question 4: How will the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams impact the sport?
Answer: The expansion of the playoff will create more opportunities for teams to make a run at the national championship, and it will make the regular season more meaningful.
Question 5: When will the 2024 college football season start?
Answer: The 2024 college football season will start on August 29, 2024.
Question 6: When will the 2024 College Football Playoff be held?
Answer: The 2024 College Football Playoff will be held on January 6, 2025.
Question 7: Where will the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship be played?
Answer: The location of the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship has not yet been determined.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 College Football Top 25. Be sure to check back for updates as the season approaches.
Now that you know more about the 2024 College Football Top 25, here are a few tips for following the season:
Tips
Here are a few tips for following the 2024 College Football Top 25:
Tip 1: Watch as many games as you can.
The best way to stay up-to-date on the 2024 College Football Top 25 is to watch as many games as you can. This can be difficult, but there are a number of ways to do it. You can watch games on TV, online, or even on your phone. You can also listen to games on the radio.
Tip 2: Follow your favorite teams and players on social media.
Social media is a great way to stay connected with your favorite teams and players. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to get the latest news and updates. You can also follow college football writers and analysts to get their insights on the season.
Tip 3: Read college football news and analysis.
There are a number of great college football news and analysis websites and podcasts available. Read and listen to these to stay informed about the latest storylines and trends in the sport.
Tip 4: Make predictions and compete with your friends.
One of the best ways to enjoy the college football season is to make predictions and compete with your friends. There are a number of different ways to do this, such as creating a bracket pool or simply picking the winners of each week’s games.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
By following these tips, you can stay up-to-date on the 2024 College Football Top 25 and enjoy the season to the fullest.
Now that you have some tips for following the 2024 College Football Top 25, be sure to tune in and enjoy the season.
Conclusion
The 2024 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. There are a number of great teams and storylines to watch, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams will create even more opportunities for teams to make a run at the national championship.
Here are some of the main points to remember about the 2024 college football season:
- Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson are all considered to be the favorites to win the national championship.
- Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan are all considered to be dark horse contenders for the national championship.
- Oklahoma and Texas are joining the SEC in 2024, while Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and UCF are joining the Big 12.
- The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams will create more opportunities for teams to make a run at the national championship.
- The 2024 college football season will start on August 29, 2024.
- The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship will be held on January 6, 2025.
Closing Message:
The 2024 college football season is sure to be full of excitement and surprises. Be sure to tune in and enjoy the season!