As we approach the 2024 college football season, excitement is already building for what promises to be another thrilling year of gridiron action. With several top teams returning key players and a few up-and-coming programs ready to make a splash, the race for the College Football Playoff is sure to be intense.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 25 teams heading into the 2024 season, based on their current rosters, coaching staffs, and recent performances. We’ll also highlight a few dark horse candidates who could shake up the rankings and make a run at the championship.

While the 2024 season is still months away, these rankings provide a glimpse at the teams that are expected to be in the mix for a national title. With a long and unpredictable season ahead, however, anything can happen, so be sure to stay tuned for all the twists and turns that college football has to offer.

College Football Top 25 2024

With the 2024 college football season approaching, excitement is building for another thrilling year of gridiron action. Here are six important points to keep an eye on:

• Returning Star Players: Several top teams boast star players returning for the 2024 season, including quarterbacks Caleb Williams (USC) and Quinn Ewers (Texas).
• Coaching Changes: A few major coaching changes could shake up the landscape, with Lincoln Riley taking over at USC and Matt Rhule returning to college at Nebraska.
• Up-and-Coming Teams: Programs like Utah, Penn State, and Baylor are poised to make a jump into the top 25 with talented rosters and experienced coaching staffs.
• Conference Realignment: The Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences will undergo significant changes in 2024, potentially impacting the strength of their respective teams.
• New Playoff Format: The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams in 2024, offering more opportunities for teams to reach the championship.
• Unpredictability: As always in college football, anything can happen. Expect upsets, surprise contenders, and plenty of drama throughout the 2024 season.

These are just a few of the storylines to watch as we look ahead to the 2024 college football season. With so much talent and intrigue, it’s sure to be another unforgettable year of college football.

Returning Star Players: Several top teams boast star players returning for the 2024 season, including quarterbacks Caleb Williams (USC) and Quinn Ewers (Texas).

One of the most exciting aspects of the 2024 college football season is the return of several star players who will be looking to lead their teams to the College Football Playoff.

• Caleb Williams (USC): The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is back for his sophomore season with the Trojans, and he’ll be looking to build on his impressive debut campaign. With his dynamic playmaking ability and leadership skills, Williams is poised to lead USC to another Pac-12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
• Quinn Ewers (Texas): After a highly anticipated freshman season that was cut short due to injury, Ewers is ready to take the reins of the Texas offense in 2024. With his strong arm and athleticism, Ewers has the potential to be one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country. If he can stay healthy and develop some consistency, he could lead the Longhorns to their first national championship since 2005.
• Bryce Young (Alabama): While Young is technically eligible for the NFL Draft after the 2023 season, many experts believe he’ll return to Alabama for his senior year. If he does, he’ll be looking to add to his Heisman Trophy and national championship from 2021. Young is one of the most talented and experienced quarterbacks in the country, and he’ll be a major threat to opposing defenses in 2024.
• Jaren Kanak (Oklahoma): Kanak burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2023, leading the Sooners to a Big 12 championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. The dynamic running back is known for his speed, agility, and ability to score from anywhere on the field. With another year of experience under his belt, Kanak could be one of the most dangerous offensive players in the country in 2024.

These are just a few of the many star players who will be returning to the gridiron in 2024. With so much talent on display, the upcoming college football season is sure to be one for the ages.

Coaching Changes: A few major coaching changes could shake up the landscape, with Lincoln Riley taking over at USC and Matt Rhule returning to college at Nebraska.

In addition to the returning star players, a few major coaching changes could also shake up the college football landscape in 2024.

• Lincoln Riley to USC: After winning a national championship at Oklahoma in 2020, Riley made the surprising decision to leave for USC in 2022. Riley is one of the most innovative and successful coaches in the country, and his arrival in Los Angeles has raised expectations for the Trojans. With a talented roster and a Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams, Riley could have USC competing for a national championship as early as 2024.
• Matt Rhule to Nebraska: After a successful stint in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, Rhule is returning to college football to take over at Nebraska. Rhule is known for his tough, physical style of play, and he’ll be looking to turn around a Cornhuskers program that has struggled in recent years. With a passionate fan base and a rich football tradition, Nebraska could be a dark horse contender for a Big Ten title in 2024.
• Billy Napier to Florida: Napier left Louisiana for Florida in 2022, and he’ll be looking to make the Gators a national title contender once again. Napier is a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he’s known for his ability to develop quarterbacks. With a talented roster and a Heisman Trophy candidate in Anthony Richardson, Napier could have Florida back in the College Football Playoff in 2024.
• Brent Venables to Oklahoma: Venables was the defensive coordinator at Clemson before taking over as head coach at Oklahoma in 2022. Venables is one of the most respected defensive minds in the country, and he’s known for his ability to get the most out of his players. With a talented roster and a Heisman Trophy candidate in Dillon Gabriel, Venables could have Oklahoma back in the national championship picture in 2024.

These are just a few of the major coaching changes that could shake up the college football landscape in 2024. With so many new faces in new places, it’s sure to be an exciting and unpredictable season.

Up-and-Coming Teams: Programs like Utah, Penn State, and Baylor are poised to make a jump into the top 25 with talented rosters and experienced coaching staffs.

In addition to the established powers, a few up-and-coming teams are poised to make a jump into the top 25 in 2024. These teams have talented rosters, experienced coaching staffs, and favorable schedules.

One team to watch is Utah. The Utes have been knocking on the door of the College Football Playoff in recent years, and they finally broke through in 2023 with a Pac-12 championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl. Utah has a strong returning nucleus, including quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas. With Kyle Whittingham at the helm, the Utes are poised to make another run at the College Football Playoff in 2024.

Another team to keep an eye on is Penn State. The Nittany Lions have been rebuilding in recent years under head coach James Franklin, and they’re starting to see the fruits of their labor. Penn State has a talented roster led by quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nick Singleton. With a favorable schedule in 2024, the Nittany Lions could make a run at the Big Ten championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Finally, don’t forget about Baylor. The Bears have been one of the most consistent teams in the Big 12 in recent years, and they’re coming off a Sugar Bowl victory in 2023. Baylor has a strong returning class, including quarterback Blake Shapen and wide receiver Monaray Baldwin. With Dave Aranda at the helm, the Bears are poised to make another run at the Big 12 championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2024.

These are just a few of the up-and-coming teams that could make a splash in the 2024 college football season. With so much talent and intrigue, it’s sure to be an exciting and unpredictable year.

Conference Realignment: The Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences will undergo significant changes in 2024, potentially impacting the strength of their respective teams.

The college football landscape is constantly shifting, and conference realignment is one of the biggest factors driving change. In 2024, the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences will undergo significant changes that could have a major impact on the strength of their respective teams.

The Big 12 is losing two of its most successful programs, Oklahoma and Texas, to the SEC in 2024. This will leave the conference with just 10 teams, and it could make it difficult for the Big 12 to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, the Big 12 is adding four new teams in 2023: BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. These teams are all coming off successful seasons, and they could help the Big 12 remain competitive in the years to come.

The Pac-12 is also losing two of its most successful programs, USC and UCLA, to the Big Ten in 2024. This will leave the conference with just 10 teams, and it could make it difficult for the Pac-12 to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, the Pac-12 is adding two new teams in 2023: San Diego State and SMU. These teams are both coming off successful seasons, and they could help the Pac-12 remain competitive in the years to come.

It remains to be seen how the conference realignment will impact the strength of the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences. However, it’s clear that both conferences will be different in 2024, and it will be interesting to see how the new-look conferences stack up against the competition.

In addition to the conference realignment, there are a few other factors that could impact the strength of the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences in 2024. These include coaching changes, player transfers, and injuries. It’s impossible to predict exactly how these factors will play out, but they could all have a major impact on the conference standings.

New Playoff Format: The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams in 2024, offering more opportunities for teams to reach the championship.

One of the biggest changes coming to college football in 2024 is the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams. This will be a major change from the current four-team format, and it could have a significant impact on the sport.

Under the new format, the top four teams in the final College Football Playoff rankings will receive a bye to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will play in four first-round games, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played at bowl games, and the championship game will be played at a neutral site.

The expansion of the College Football Playoff is a controversial topic. Some people believe that it will water down the regular season and make it less meaningful. Others believe that it will give more teams a chance to compete for a national championship. Only time will tell what the impact of the expanded playoff will be, but it’s sure to be a major talking point in the 2024 college football season.

One potential benefit of the expanded playoff is that it could make the regular season more exciting. With more teams having a chance to reach the playoff, every game will be more important. This could lead to more competitive games and more drama throughout the season.

Another potential benefit of the expanded playoff is that it could give more teams a chance to experience the College Football Playoff. For many teams, reaching the playoff is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The expanded playoff would give more teams the chance to experience this special event.

Unpredictability: As always in college football, anything can happen. Expect upsets, surprise contenders, and plenty of drama throughout the 2024 season.

One of the things that makes college football so exciting is its unpredictability. Anything can happen on any given Saturday, and that’s what makes the sport so special.

• Upsets: Upsets are a common occurrence in college football. Even the best teams in the country can be beaten by an underdog on any given day. This is what makes the sport so exciting and unpredictable.
• Surprise Contenders: Every year, there are a few teams that come out of nowhere to challenge for a national championship. These teams are often overlooked at the beginning of the season, but they surprise everyone with their success. In 2023, Tulane and Kansas State both made surprise runs to the College Football Playoff.
• Plenty of Drama: College football is full of drama. There are always controversial calls, injuries, and other storylines that make the sport so entertaining. This is what keeps fans coming back for more, week after week.

The 2024 college football season is sure to be full of surprises, upsets, and plenty of drama. With so many talented teams and players, it’s impossible to predict who will come out on top. That’s what makes the sport so exciting.

FAQ

Have questions about the 2024 college football season? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, along with their answers:

Question 1: Which teams are ranked in the top 25 for 2024?

Answer 1: The top 25 teams for 2024 have not yet been determined, as the season has not yet started. However, some of the teams that are expected to be in the top 25 include Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson, and Michigan.

Question 2: When will the 2024 college football season start?

Answer 2: The 2024 college football season will start on August 29, 2024.

Question 3: When will the 2024 College Football Playoff be?

Answer 3: The 2024 College Football Playoff will be held on January 1, 2025 and January 8, 2025.

Question 4: Which teams are favored to win the 2024 national championship?

Answer 4: The teams that are favored to win the 2024 national championship are Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson.

Question 5: Who are some of the top players to watch in the 2024 college football season?

Answer 5: Some of the top players to watch in the 2024 college football season include Caleb Williams (QB, USC), Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas), Bryce Young (QB, Alabama), Jaren Kanak (RB, Oklahoma), and Marvin Jones Jr. (WR, Georgia).

Question 6: Where can I find more information about the 2024 college football season?

Answer 6: You can find more information about the 2024 college football season on ESPN, CBS Sports, and other major sports networks and websites.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the 2024 college football season. As the season gets closer, more information will be released, so be sure to stay tuned for all the latest news and updates.

In addition to the FAQ, here are some additional tips for staying up-to-date on the 2024 college football season:

• Follow your favorite teams and players on social media.
• Read college football blogs and websites.
• Listen to college football podcasts.
• Watch college football games on TV or online.

Tips

Looking for ways to stay up-to-date on the 2024 college football season and make the most of your experience? Here are four practical tips:

Tip 1: 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, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.

Tip 2: Read college football blogs and websites.

There are many great college football blogs and websites that provide in-depth analysis and commentary on the sport. Read these blogs and websites to stay informed about the latest news and trends.

Tip 3: Listen to college football podcasts.

College football podcasts are a great way to stay up-to-date on the sport while you’re on the go. There are many different podcasts to choose from, so you can find one that fits your interests and schedule.

Tip 4: Watch college football games on TV or online.

Of course, the best way to experience college football is to watch the games. You can watch games on TV or online, so you can catch all the action no matter where you are.

These are just a few tips for staying up-to-date on the 2024 college football season. By following these tips, you can make sure that you’re ready for all the excitement that the season has to offer.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the 2024 college football season to the fullest. So get ready for some great games, exciting storylines, and plenty of surprises.

Conclusion

The 2024 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With several top teams returning key players, a few up-and-coming programs poised to make a jump, and a new College Football Playoff format, there’s sure to be plenty of drama and excitement throughout the season.

Some of the main storylines to watch in 2024 include the return of star players like Caleb Williams and Quinn Ewers, coaching changes at several major programs, the addition of four new teams to the Big 12 conference, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams.

With so much talent and intrigue, it’s impossible to predict who will come out on top in 2024. However, one thing is for sure: the season is sure to be full of surprises, upsets, and plenty of drama. So get ready for some great games and an unforgettable college football season.

As the 2024 college football season approaches, fans across the country are eagerly anticipating all the excitement that the season has to offer. With so many talented teams and players, it’s sure to be a season that we’ll never forget.