CFB 2024 Top 12 team prediction
With the college football season ending a little over a month ago, fans are eagerly waiting for the 2024 season. The off-season has already been a rollercoaster of events with an active transfer portal, coaching changes happening left and right and conference realignments. Not to mention the playoffs are expanding from a 4-team playoff to a 12 team giving schools chances to knock off the blue bloods and claim the crown. What better way to wait until the season unfolds then to predict the top 12 teams in the 2024 season.
1.Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs finished their season 13-1 with a disappointing loss to Alabama in the SEC title game which resulted in them being eliminated for the playoffs. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs didn’t finish their season how they wanted to; however, this team is hungry for blood. With Georgia having the #1 ranked recruiting class and picking up transfers, not to mention the return of QB Carson Beck, this offense will be hard to stop. However, even with a fiery offense Georgia still needs to prove themselves with challenging SEC games on the road like Texas and Ole Miss.
2.Oregon Ducks. The Ducks finished their season 12-2 with both losses being against Washington. Oregon is going into their third season with head coach Dan Lanning who is committed to growing the culture at Oregon and winning a national championship. This will be Oregon’s first year in the Big 10 after leaving the Pac 12. With star quarterback Bo Nix finishing his final year of college football and entering the NFL draft, questions were raised about his replacement. However, anxieties were calmed as the former Oklahoma quarterback announced that he will be transferring to Eugene. Oregon also picked up cornerback Jabbar Muhammad from Washington and safety Kobe Savage from Kansas State.
3.Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns finished their season 12-2 but fell short in the Sugar Bowl losing against Washington. With the Longhorns leaving the Big 12 and joining the SEC, Texas will have to adjust to playing a different slate of teams. The Longhorns will take on the defending national champs at the Big House and host Georgia later in the season. The teams is facing significant losses with receivers Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders entering the NFL draft. However, with the return of Quarterback Quinn Ewers and notable transfers, wide receivers Isaiah Bond from Alabama and Matthew Golden from Houston, Texas might be back again.
4.Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes finished their season 12-2 with back-to-back losses at the end of the season, the first being a rival loss against Michigan and a loss against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, tailback TreVeyon Henderson, defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer and cornerback Denzel Burke are returning for another season which will be key for the Buckeyes. The teams also picked up notable transfers from the portal such as Quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State, tailback Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss and safety Caleb Downs from Alabama. Former UCLA head coach, Chip Kelly was also hired as offensive coordinator. Ohio State has to play Oregon and Penn State on the road.
5.Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels finished their season 11-2 and head coach Lane Kiffin has the potential to lead the team to another special season. Even with a challenging SEC schedule, they have both Georgia and Oklahoma at home. Kiffin also did a great job in the transfer portal picking up defensive tackle Walter Nolen from Texas A&M, defensive end Princely Umanmielen from Florida and linebacker Chris Paul Jr. from Arkansas.
6.Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide finished their season 12-2 and had one of the most talked about news in the college football offseason, the retirement of legendary head coach, Nick Saban. Many people have doubts about what will happen this season with players entering the portal and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff taking jobs with the Seattle Seahawks. However, at the end of the day, Alabama is a program that knows how to build national champion type teams. The Tide will be coached under former Washington head coach, Kaleb DeBoer coming in and taking over the program, fans are eager to see what he can do. Following Deboer to Tuscaloosa are former Washington quarterback Austin Mack, receiver Germie Bernard and offensive lineman Parker Brailsford.
7.Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines finished their season with an undefeated record of 15-0 and claimed the national championship back in January. Even with the unforgettable season, there still is doubt surrounding the team going into the new season. With head coach Jim Harbaugh going to the NFL and JJ Mcarthy and Blake Corum entering the draft, we could see a very different Michigan team. Not to mention several members of the coaching staff are following Harbaugh to the NFL. The Wolverines must prove themselves next season as they have a difficult BIG 10 schedule with multiple road tests. However, this is team that is used to adjusting when needed and works well when criticized.
8.Missouri Tigers. The Tigers finished their season 12-2 and are looking to repeat another special season. This won’t be the easiest task as the Tigers are losing multiple key players such as tailback Cody Schrader, cornerbacks Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and linebacker Ty'ron Hopper. The Tigers were able to pick up some key players on defense with Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. from Clemson, linebacker Darris Smith from Georgia and defensive lineman Chris McClellan from Florida.
9.Utah Utes. The Utes finished their season 8-5 and did not meet expectations for the season. The Utes are leaving the Pac 12 and are joining the Big 12 and have the potential to make a statement. Quarterback Cam Rising will be returning after battling an injury along with tight end Brant Kuithe. Utah also picked up several players from the portal that will add strength to their secondary. The Utes have challenging road games at Oklahoma State and Colorado which will be hostile environments. Utah will be a team to watch next season.
10.Penn State Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions finished their season 10-3 but overall did well in the Big 10. Penn State will need to prove themselves with a competitive schedule with a road game at USC and Ohio State and Washington at home. Penn State hired Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and former Indiana head coach Tom Alen to handle the defense. Penn State will be depending on quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen and tight end Tyler Warren to control the pace of the offense.
11.Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish finished their season 10-3 and are ready to return the Irish to the glory days. Former Duke quarterback, Riley Lenord will be joining the squad replacing Sam Hartman. The Irish also added wide receivers Kris Mitchell from Florida International and Beaux Collins from Clemson. Notre Dame’s offense will be one to watch out for and if they can improve their defense, Marcus Freeman and the Irish will be a team to watch in 2024.
12. Florida State Seminoles. The Seminoles finished their season 13-1 and are arguably the angriest team in all of college football. Florida State got left out of the playoffs despite being undefeated conference champions. With the loss of star quarterback Jordan Travis, it’s challenging to navigate how good this team will be. However, head coach Mike Norvell is angry and determined to make the playoffs. With former Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. from Georgia, Florida State has picked up some fiery transfers that are hungry for the crown.
By: Elizabeth Scanland
