The college football season still isn’t quite over, but next year still can’t come soon enough. With that, here is the way too early 2024 college football top 25.
25-21
25. Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson looked good in Kansas State’s bowl game. Although the Wildcats won’t rank near the top of transfer or recruiting rankings, Chris Klieman has built a solid program that should compete in the new Big 12.
24. Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky got a pair of Georgia transfers to really help their standing for next season. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff is a former highly-touted recruit who can lead the offense. Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson can lead the defense that has plenty of talent. The Wildcats could win seven or eight games in a tough SEC next season.
23. Miami Hurricanes
Miami has the fifth-ranked transfer + recruiting class heading into next season. Mario Cristobal improved from five to seven wins last season and can take it up another notch in 2024.
22. Washington Huskies
Playing in the National Championship is nice, but Washington has a ton to replace from their team. They likely can do better than TCU did after making the final game, but the Huskies will look completely different in 2024. Kalen DeBoer will have his work cut out for him, but has worked wonders before.
21. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Ollie Gordon turned into one of the best running backs in the country in 2023. If Oklahoma State can find a quarterback, the Cowboys can compete in the new-look Big 12.
20-16
20. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M hired Mike Elko to take over the program. They lost a decent amount to the transfer portal, but should still have enough for the Aggies to have a solid season under Elko.
19. NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack lose some key defensive players, but they should have an improved offense in 2024 with Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall stepping in at quarterback. If he can play well the Wolfpack can improve on their nine wins from this season.
18. USC Trojans
USC will miss Caleb Williams, but they have to find a way to improve their defense. They recruit well enough and maybe a coordinator change can help them as they enter the Big Ten.
17. Florida State Seminoles
There will be a mass exodus of talent from Florida State this offseason. They have hit the portal hard and recruited well, but the Seminoles have a lot of holes to fill this upcoming season.
16. LSU Tigers
Brian Kelly has a lot of work to do this offseason. He needs to find a new starting quarterback and also fix his defense. Jaydon Daniels’s departure will make things tough, especially if their defense doesn’t improve. LSU has the talent on their roster to do better, but it is hard to see what the future looks like right now.
15-11
15. Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners lost a lot in the transfer portal and the transition to the SEC won’t make things easier. They have recruited well and Brent Venables has the defense improving.
14. Clemson Tigers
Clemson hasn’t lived up to their standards the last few seasons, but they still have a lot of good players on their roster. Linebacker Barrett Carter‘s return bolsters their chances in the ACC. If Cade Klubnik can improve in year two of Garrett Riley’s offense, Clemson could end up much higher than their ranking.
13. Tennessee Volunteers
In their bowl game against Iowa, freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava impressed. Josh Heupel continues to recruit well and the running game should remain effective in 2024, helping the team do better than 2023.
12. Louisville Cardinals
Jeff Brohm did a fantastic job in his first season at Louisville, taking them to the ACC Championship Game. Although he doesn’t have the best recruiting or transfer class entering, the Cardinals do have a new quarterback in Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough, who could push the offense forward next season.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State seemingly only loses to Ohio State and Michigan these days. If they can keep that trend going they can make the 12-team playoff, although it will be tough. They’ll need starting quarterback Drew Allar to take a real step forward next season to really compete.
10-6
10. Missouri Tigers
Missouri had a breakout season and there is more good news than that. Star receiver Luther Burden and starting quarterback Brady Cook are back for another season. The Tigers have recruited decently so another big season could be on the horizon.
9. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona won 10 games in 2023 as Jedd Fisch continues to build the program. While they won’t be found atop talent composite or recruiting rankings, the Wildcats return plenty of talent. Star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is back for another season and so is new quarterback Noah Fifita. They will be a popular pick to win the Big 12 in their first year in the conference.
8. Oregon Ducks
Bo Nix leaving college football will hurt, but the Ducks netted Dillon Gabriel from the transfer portal. Dan Lanning had the program ranked 10th in the talent composite this season and that should only improve heading into 2024.
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame continues to go to the transfer portal to find quarterbacks. For 2024, Riley Leonard will join from Duke after generating some NFL Draft buzz before getting injured. With some key parts to a good defense and offensive line returning, the Fighting Irish should be in contention for the CFP.
6. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is playing for a National Championship this season and deserves a lot of credit. They rank 14th in the talent composite by 247sports. It will be hard to maintain that level of success, especially with Jim Harbaugh potentially leaving and plenty of players moving on to the next level.
5-1
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss is coming off an 11-win season and they continue to build through the transfer portal. Quinshon Judkins returning at running back and Jaxson Dart at quarterback should give some consistency, while the defense should be much improved. The SEC will be a bloodbath, but the Ole Mis schedule and talent should allow them to make the 12-team CFP.
4. Texas Longhorns
Texas has one of the most talented rosters in college football and they keep adding to it each offseason under Steve Sarkisian. Quinn Ewers is likely returning to school, which helps. So too does the third-ranked recruiting + transfer portal class this season.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State lost by one possession on the road against Michigan for their only defeat of the 2023 season. They have plenty of talented recruits on their roster to warrant another high-ranking, but the quarterback position will continue to have concerns, as well as the offensive playcalling. If the Buckeyes can put it all together, they can win it all. If they don’t, they still have enough talent to make a 12-team field.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
While things didn’t go their way in the Rose Bowl, it looks like Alabama will have Nick Saban back on the sidelines. Jalen Milroe is back at quarterback as well. With their talented recruiting class coming in, a return to the CFP, albeit in a 12-team format, seems likely.
1. Georiga Bulldogs
Georgia suffered one loss in 2023 and did not qualify for the CFP. They still have plenty of talent returning to Athens. Quarterback Carson Beck is returning with the singular focus of winning a National Championship. The defense loses some talent, but their top recruiting + transfer class helps put them at the top spot.
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