Way too early College Football Predictions 2024
With college football just around the corner, fans are gearing up for the 2024 season. With conference realignments, coaching changes, new star quarterbacks, and a new slate of fresh players to watch, this year will be special and a time to expect the unexpected. Below are some of my predictions for the 2024 season.
Michigan will have an off-season. Michigan, a team that seems to be in the Top 10 and the playoff conversation every year might hit a roadblock this season. Michigan had a perfect season last year, despite being the center of controversy went on to go undefeated and win the title. This glory run might be short-lived as head coach Jim Harbaugh left Ann Arbor to go coach for the Los Angeles Chargers and live out his NFL dreams. Quarterback JJ Mccarthy also left for the NFL and got drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in late April. Sherrone Moore, former Michigan tight end coach, will be taking over as head coach. While Moore certainly has the skill set and the IQ to lead the team, it may come with some struggles. This is the first year that Michigan will be playing in the expanded BIG 10 which may come with some challenges. It is also common for first-year head coaches to encounter an adjustment period for a while. It may take a season before we see Michigan back on top.
Oregon has a shot at the title. Every season Oregon seems to have national championship dreams but ends up falling short and is often unable to close out the season on a high note. However, this year might be different as Dan Lanning gears up for his third year coaching the Ducks and early Heisman favorite Dillion Gabriel will be the starting quarterback for Oregon. With a different slate of teams on the schedule, Oregon leaves the PAC 12 and joins the BIG 10. If Oregon can prove themselves and win the conference, this could be a special season for the Ducks.
Colorado will have a better season. One of the biggest stories in all of sports last season was football legend Deion Sanders taking the job at Colorado as head coach. Expectations were high and many expected an unforgettable season. However, while the Buffs started the season on a high note winning the first three games of the season, the success was short-lived and Colorado went on to win only four games of the 2023 season. With the return of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback Travis Hunter plus the move out of the PAC 12 into the BIG 12, Colorado could find themselves with a winning record and a trip to the BIG 12 conference championship game if they can turn it around.
The BIG 10 will have the best year. When it comes to college football, the BIG 10 and SEC are the two teams that get the most attention every year. With the conference adding USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, the BIG 10 will be the most competitive conference this year with many new and old thrilling matchups.
