Way-too-early Top 25 for the 2024 NCAA football season

SMU won nine straight and a league title in its final season in the American Athletic Conference in 2023 before losing to Boston College at the rain-soaked Fenway Bowl. Quarterback Preston Stone is expected back after throwing for 3,197 yards with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions before breaking his leg in the Mustangs' regular-season finale. He's also slated to have running back Jaylan Knighton (5.5 yards per rush, seven rushing TDs) and most of his offensive line return from a squad that averaged 38.7 points per game. Now, SMU will play in the Big 12, but the league is relatively open enough for Rhett Lashlee's group to make some serious noise. 

Jimbo Fisher is gone, and the Mike Elko era has begun at College Station. He inherits talented quarterback Conner Weigman (1,875 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, two interceptions in nine career games), who could be something special if he remains healthy. The Aggies will be tested early with Notre Dame at home to open the season, but they also get Missouri, LSU and Texas on the Kyle Field turf. So, the potential for serious 2024 success is there for Texas A&M.

Back to the ACC. The Cardinals were one of the biggest surprises in 2023, and a bevy of touted transfers for 2024 could see them successfully build on that 10-4 campaign, which included a spot in the ACC Championship Game. Tyler Shough (4,625 career passing yards, 63.2 completion percentage), the 25-year-old quarterback about to play for his third school in his seventh college season, is one reason for the excitement. So, too, is former Alabama receiver Ja'Corey Brooks (57 career receptions, 10 TDs). Meanwhile, Ashton Gillotte (11 sacks in 2023) and Mason Reiger (five sacks) are two formidable defensive ends.

The Jayhawks continue to get better under coach Lance Leipold, who in his third season of 2023 guided the squad to a 9-4 mark. With Texas and Oklahoma out of the Big 12, the Jayhawks might have a shot at winning the conference and earning one of the 12 College Football Playoff spots. Key to any success of that magnitude is the health of quarterback Jalon Daniels (4,297 career passing yards, 31 touchdowns, 13 rushing TDs), who was limited to three games last season because of a back injury. However, running back Devin Neal (1,280 yards, 16 TDs) and Kansas' top three receivers, Lawrence Arnold, Quentin Skinner and Luke Grimm, are all back.

Another team with a shot at the Big 12 title in 2024, or so we think. The Wildcats won their final seven games — including a 38-24 victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl — to finish 10-3. Coach Judd Fisch, however, is headed to Washington. At the moment, as many as four offensive linemen could return for the Wildcats. Quarterback Noah Fifita (71.0 completion percentage, 2,869 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions) was exceptional in his first full season and returns with hopes of being even better in 2024. Arizona will have a tough road slate, playing at Kansas State, BYU, TCU and Utah.

Last season marked the fourth time in the 11-year Dave Doeren coaching era that NC State won nine games. And, with the 2024 version of the ACC not showing a clear preseason favorite, the Wolfpack might have a chance to finally win Doeren his first league title with the program, especially with transfer additions of former Coastal Carolina star quarterback Grayson McCall (10,005 career passing yards, 1,113 rushing yards, 106 combined touchdowns) and touted receiver Noah Rogers, who comes over from Ohio State. NC State's biggest schedule hurdles appear to be a date with Tennessee in Charlotte and trip to Clemson.

The Wildcats have won 27 games over the last three seasons, and coach Chris Klieman's stock continues to rise. In 2023, K-State's four defeats came by a total of 21 points with three-point losses at both Missouri and Texas. It needs to retool the offensive line, but quarterback Avery Johnson has garnered plenty of excitement after he threw for two touchdowns and ran for another during a victory over North Carolina State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The Wildcats get Arizona, Oklahoma State and rival Kansas all at home within the Big 12.

The Seminoles went from 13-0, rally-around-the-CFP snub stars to bowl-season punchline following that awful 63-3 loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl. The program was then slapped with reportedly significant NCAA penalties from NIL violations. Even more bad news for FSU came before that game, as a host of Seminoles bolted for the transfer portal. The good news: Mike Norvell is still coaching at Florida State, and he must find a way to get his group — whatever that looks like in 2024 — to move past the postseason frustration of being shunned by the CFP committee and the Georgia loss. DJ Uiagalelei (8,319 career passing yards, 1,132 rushing yards, combined 78 touchdowns) is back in the ACC and poised to lead the Seminoles offense. The defense will be young, but there is top-tier talent within the unit.

Clemson has lost at least three games in three consecutive seasons, and 2023's 9-4 finish snapped a string of 12 consecutive years with at least 10 victories. The Tigers have not been part of the CFP since the 2019 campaign, but the ACC seems there for the taking in 2024. Of course, Clemson needs Cade Klubnik to essentially blossom into one of the country's top quarterbacks after he completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,844 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. It would also help if he had an established supporting cast at the skill positions, because the Clemson defense is likely to be among the best in the league.

Don't blame us if we're a little hesitant to heap too much praise on the Sooners, even after a solid 10-3 season. The Sooners have been serious underachievers in the post-Baker Mayfield era. However, the Oklahoma defense made needed strides by allowing an average of 23.5 points in 2023. Talent returns from that unit, but there's a new co-defensive coordinator in Jacksonville State's Zac Alley. Meanwhile, there is plenty of hype around quarterback Jackson Arnold, the Sooners' prized recruit who had moments of brilliance while going 26-of-45 for 361 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in starting the Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona. Of course, they are now playing the SEC, so life won't get any easier.

A host of transfer-portal moves from the Tennessee defense is obviously not ideal, but Josh Heupel's 2024 group should still be able to regularly score points and make up for any deficiencies on that side of the ball. Promising freshman Nico Iamaleava generated excitement at the Citrus Bowl when he ran for three touchdowns and threw for another during the Vols' 35-0 rout of Iowa. He's Tennessee's quarterback of the future, which could mean continued success for a program that's won 20 games over the past two seasons.

There were plenty of critics who thought Penn State was CFP-worthy in 2023. Well, it couldn't beat Michigan or Ohio State, and was outplayed by Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. So, in 2024, the hype won't be nearly as loud because quarterback Drew Allar (59.9 completion percentage, 25 touchdowns, two interceptions) still needs to prove he's the right man for the job. Now, he has the stellar 1-2 backfield punch of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton (1,654 combined rushing yards, 14 TDs) to again fall back on. The Nittany Lions' squad-defining defense has big talent to replace up front and on the corners, but there is likable and seemingly dependable depth that could be ready to step up. Let's not forget, though, that Penn State is 1-12 against teams ranking in the top five of The Associated Press Top 25 under coach James Franklin.

Injuries hindered Utah's 2023 season, especially late in losing three of their final four to finish 8-3. A big problem was offensive inconsistency, as the Utes were held under 20 five times. However, Cameron Rising (5,527 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, 15 interceptions; 12 rushing TDs over the 2021, '22 season) is expected back after missing all of last season with injury. His veteran presence and overall leadership could prove invaluable for a team that should still be stout in the trenches on both sides of the ball while a possible favorite in its initial Big 12 campaign.

Let's preface by stating that Washington is likely worthy of a spot on this list. But where is anybody's guess at the moment. With coach Kalen DeBoer bolting for Alabama, several Huskies entering the transfer portal as a result and star receiver Rome Odunze and running back Dillon Johnson declaring for the NFL Draft, everything — and seemingly everybody — is up in the air at Washington. Now, regardless what the Huskies look like come August, and with new hot-shot coach Jedd Fisch in charge, they're probably good enough to rate among the top half of the new-look Big Ten, but maybe too early to predict a CFP repeat. 

The addition of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC ups the league's competition level even more. LSU plays only Oklahoma and gets Alabama at home as it comes off a second straight 10-win season under Brian Kelly. While veteran backup Garrett Nussmeier (395 passing yards, three touchdowns in the ReliaQuest Bowl) steps in for Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, the key to the Tigers' success again sits on the improvement of a defense that allowed an average of 45.3 points while going 1-3 against ranked opponents in 2023.

As the Big 12 gets a makeover, look for these Cowboys to be serious players for the league title in 2024, and their chances still begin and end with the production of an offense that is loaded with talent and experience. Ageless quarterback Alan Bowman (3,460 passing yards), running back Ollie Gordon II (1,732 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns) and receiver Brennan Presley (101 receptions, 991 yards, six touchdowns) all return as Oklahoma State looks to win at least 10 games for the third time in four years.

After Alabama, the biggest wildcard in terms of national-championship contention is Michigan. The reigning national champs have questions after the departures of coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback J.J. McCarthy as to what recruitment would looks like now that both are gone. That said, the versatile Donovan Edwards (1,662 career rushing yards, 68 receptions in 37 games) appears to be back and there is enough elite talent remaining on that vaunted defense for the Wolverines to be in the mix for a fourth straight Big Ten title, as well as a spot in the expanded CFP.

Missouri might be the "It" team for 2024. And, we know the media loves sound-bite king Eli Drinkwitz, who guided the Tigers to an 11-2 mark and Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State in 2023. Oh yeah, there seems to be enough talent to seriously challenge for a CFP spot — especially on offense, where quarterback Brady Cook (3,310 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions; eight rushing TDs) and leading receiver Luther Burden III (85 receptions, 1,205 yards, nine TDs) lead the way, and transfer Marcus Carroll ran for 1,350 yards and 13 touchdowns for Georgia State in 2023. The Tigers must go to Texas A&M and Alabama, but get Oklahoma at home.

What a 2024 it's already been for the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban retires as the greatest coach in college football history and hot shot Kalen DeBoer is named as his replacement. While DeBoer's hiring should keep the Crimson Tide among the country's best, we're not sure who will be around to make sure that's the case. Signs point to Jalen Milroe (2,834 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, six interceptions; 12 rushing TDs) back under center and stud defender Deontae Lawson still there. Of course, at Alabama, the talent well is never dry and DeBoer should have the Tide ready for the challenges that await.

The Irish might benefit most of any perennial power from the CFP expansion. Notre Dame is 19-7 during Marcus Freeman's two years as coach, and an inconsistent offense has been part of the story. However, Mike Denbrock is Notre Dame's new offensive coordinator after architecting LSU's high-potent offense. Plus, Duke transfer Riley Leonard (4,450 passing yards in 26 games) and former FIU receiver Kris Mitchell (64 receptions, 1,118 yards) are in town to help see more production from the unit. Meanwhile, the Irish defense should remain stout with the return of safety Xavier Watts (seven interceptions), tackle Howard Cross III and linebacker Jack Kiser. 

The Buckeyes did not look good in losing their final two games of 2023, especially that listless offensive effort in the 14-3 setback to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. However, 2024 is a new year. Kansas State transfer Will Howard (2,643 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, nine rushing TDs) is a versatile veteran who can shine in the Buckeyes' offensive system. Plus, the return receiver Emeka Egbuka (124 receptions, 14 TDs in 31 games) is a massive get for the Buckeyes, who also have more than enough defensive talent to challenge for a national title in '24.

Lane Kiffin was another name swirling in the Nick Saban-replacement rumor mill, but he's staying in Oxford, and the Rebels could end up being one of the top two teams in the SEC in 2024. Ole Miss returns a host of talent from 2023's 11-2 group that lost to Alabama and Georgia and beat Penn State in the Peach Bowl. The return of quarterback Jaxson Dart (6,338 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, 16 interceptions in 2022 and '23) is huge, and significant transfer help should aid a defense that allowed more than 25 points just three times last season. The Rebels don't play Alabama, and get Georgia and Oklahoma at home.

Dan Lanning was quick to publicly state he was staying at Oregon and not interested in the Alabama job, probably because the Ducks should again be among the top teams in the country during their first Big Ten season. College football lifer Dillon Gabriel (14,860 career passing yards, 125 touchdowns, 26 interceptions; 26 rushing TDs) will play his sixth season for a third different school, and should keep Oregon's offense humming. Meanwhile, safety Kobe Savage, a Kansas State transfer, is a solid addition with six interceptions in two seasons. The Ducks get Ohio State and Washington at home, but travel to Michigan.

With a trip to the CFP to build on and quarterback Quinn Ewers (64.3 completion percentage, 5,656 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, 12 interceptions in 22 career games) back in the fold, the Longhorns again have lofty expectations for 2024. Yes, there likely will be holes to fill on both the defensive line and for those receiving targets. Yes, they will be playing in the SEC, so the competition will stiffen (there's also a Sept. 7 stop at Michigan). However, Texas will be among the 12 best teams in the nation next season when anything can happen.

If there's one team on a mission in 2024, it will be Georgia. The Bulldogs are 42-2 with two national titles over the past three seasons, and probably should have been included in the 2023 CFP foursome. But, with quarterback Carson Beck (3,941 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, eight interceptions) back, Florida transfer Trevor Etienne (1,472 yards, 14 TDs in two seasons) in the mix, a defense ready to reload and another elite recruiting class, the Bulldogs should enter the season as the team to beat — especially with the uncertainty at Alabama.