Top College Football Teams 2024
As the 2023 college football season nears its end, it’s time to start looking ahead to 2024. With the transfer portal ever-changing, it’s tough to say definitively who will be the top teams, but here’s an early look at the contenders.
Several powerhouses are holding steady at the top of the rankings, including Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State. These teams have all been in the College Football Playoff in recent years, and they have the talent to make another run in 2024. However, there are a few teams that could challenge them for supremacy.
Top College Football Teams 2024
With the 2023 college football season winding down, here are seven key points to consider about the top teams for 2024:
- Alabama remains the top team
- Georgia and Ohio State close behind
- Michigan and Penn State rising
- Oklahoma and Texas A&M rebuilding
- Transfer portal key to roster changes
- New coaches at several schools
- Parity throughout the top 25
The 2024 college football season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. With several top teams reloading with talent, there are sure to be plenty of exciting games and storylines to follow throughout the year.
Alabama remains the top team
Alabama has been the dominant force in college football for over a decade, winning six national championships since 2009. The Crimson Tide are once again the favorites to win the title in 2024, as they return a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball.
On offense, Alabama will be led by quarterback Bryce Young, who is considered to be one of the best players in the country. Young has a strong arm and is very accurate, and he is also a threat to run. He will be surrounded by a talented group of skill players, including wide receivers Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
On defense, Alabama will be led by linebacker Will Anderson, who is one of the most feared pass rushers in the country. Anderson had 17.5 sacks in 2022, and he is expected to be even better in 2024. The Crimson Tide also have a strong secondary, led by cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Alabama’s schedule is not easy in 2024, as they will face several tough opponents, including Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. However, the Crimson Tide have the talent and experience to overcome any challenge, and they are once again the team to beat in college football.
Georgia and Ohio State close behind
Georgia and Ohio State are the two teams most likely to challenge Alabama for the national championship in 2024. Both teams have a lot of talent returning, and they both have experienced coaching staffs.
Georgia won the national championship in 2021 and came close to repeating in 2022, losing to Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Bulldogs have a strong defense, led by linebacker Jalen Carter and defensive back Kelee Ringo. They also have a talented offense, led by quarterback Stetson Bennett and running back Kenny McIntosh.
Ohio State also has a lot of talent returning in 2024, including quarterback Kyle McCord and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeyes have a strong defense, led by linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and defensive end Jack Sawyer. They also have a talented offense, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Both Georgia and Ohio State have tough schedules in 2024, but they both have the talent and experience to overcome any challenge. These two teams are the most likely to challenge Alabama for the national championship in 2024.
Michigan and Penn State rising
Michigan and Penn State are two teams that are on the rise in college football. Both teams had successful seasons in 2022, and they both have a lot of talent returning in 2024.
Michigan won the Big Ten championship in 2022 and made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Wolverines have a strong defense, led by linebacker Junior Colson and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. They also have a talented offense, led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum.
Penn State also had a successful season in 2022, winning 10 games and finishing ranked in the top 10. The Nittany Lions have a strong defense, led by linebacker Abdul Carter and defensive end Chop Robinson. They also have a talented offense, led by quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nick Singleton.
Both Michigan and Penn State have tough schedules in 2024, but they both have the talent and experience to overcome any challenge. These two teams are poised to make a run at the College Football Playoff in 2024.
Oklahoma and Texas A&M rebuilding
Oklahoma and Texas A&M are two teams that are in rebuilding mode in 2024. Both teams had disappointing seasons in 2022, and they both have a lot of work to do to get back to the top of the college football world.
- Oklahoma: The Sooners went 6-7 in 2022, their first losing season since 1998. Oklahoma fired head coach Lincoln Riley after the season, and they hired Brent Venables to replace him. Venables is a defensive-minded coach, and he is expected to make some changes to the Sooners’ offense. Oklahoma has a lot of talent on its roster, but they need to find a quarterback and improve their defense in order to compete for a Big 12 championship in 2024.
- Texas A&M: The Aggies went 5-7 in 2022, their first losing season since 2011. Texas A&M fired head coach Jimbo Fisher after the season, and they hired Jimbo Fisher to replace him. Fisher is a proven winner, but he has a lot of work to do to turn around the Aggies’ program. Texas A&M has a lot of talent on its roster, but they need to improve their quarterback play and their defense in order to compete for an SEC championship in 2024.
Oklahoma and Texas A&M are both capable of rebounding in 2024, but they both have a lot of work to do. These two teams are not expected to be major players in the national championship race in 2024, but they could both be contenders in 2025 or 2026.
Transfer portal key to roster changes
The transfer portal has become a major factor in college football roster management in recent years. Players are now able to transfer schools without having to sit out a year, which has led to a lot of movement in the offseason.
The transfer portal has been especially active in 2023, as many players have taken advantage of the new rules to find new homes. This has led to a lot of roster turnover, and it has also given some teams a chance to add some much-needed talent.
For example, Alabama added quarterback Jalen Milroe from Texas and wide receiver Tyler Harrell from Louisville through the transfer portal. These two players are expected to make an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide in 2024.
The transfer portal has also been a factor in the rebuilding efforts at Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Oklahoma added quarterback Dillon Gabriel from UCF and running back Trey Sanders from Arkansas, while Texas A&M added quarterback Haynes King from Texas and wide receiver Evan Stewart from Texas A&M. These players are all expected to play key roles for their new teams in 2024.
The transfer portal is expected to continue to be a major factor in college football roster management in the years to come. It gives players more freedom to choose where they want to play, and it also gives teams a chance to add some much-needed talent.
New coaches at several schools
There are a number of new coaches at major college football programs in 2024. These new coaches will have a major impact on their teams, and they could be the difference between a successful season and a disappointing one.
One of the most high-profile new coaches in 2024 is Matt Rhule, who was hired by Nebraska after spending the previous seven seasons as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Rhule is a proven winner at the college level, and he has a track record of success in developing quarterbacks. Nebraska has been struggling in recent years, but Rhule could be the coach to turn things around.
Another new coach to watch in 2024 is Billy Napier, who was hired by Florida after spending the previous four seasons as the head coach of Louisiana. Napier is a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he has a reputation for being a great recruiter. Florida has a lot of talent on its roster, and Napier could be the coach to lead the Gators back to the top of the SEC.
Other new coaches to watch in 2024 include Brent Venables at Oklahoma, Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M, and Hugh Freeze at Auburn. These are all experienced coaches who have a track record of success. They will all be looking to make an immediate impact at their new schools.
The new coaches at these schools will have a lot of pressure to succeed. However, they all have the talent and experience to be successful. It will be interesting to see how these new coaches perform in 2024.
Parity throughout the top 25
There is a lot of parity throughout the top 25 in college football in 2024. There are a number of teams that are capable of winning a national championship, and there are also a number of teams that could struggle to make a bowl game.
This parity is due to a number of factors, including the transfer portal, the new coaching hires, and the overall talent level in college football. The transfer portal has allowed players to move more freely between schools, which has created more competition for playing time. The new coaching hires have also brought new ideas and philosophies to their programs, which could lead to some unexpected results.
The overall talent level in college football is also very high. There are a number of talented players at every position, and this makes it difficult for any one team to dominate. As a result, we could see a lot of close games and upsets in 2024.
Here are a few teams that could surprise people in 2024:
- Nebraska: The Cornhuskers have a lot of talent on their roster, and they have a new coach in Matt Rhule who is known for his success at the college level. Nebraska could be a dark horse to win the Big Ten West in 2024.
- Florida: The Gators have a lot of talent on their roster, and they have a new coach in Billy Napier who is known for his recruiting prowess. Florida could be a dark horse to win the SEC East in 2024.
- Oregon: The Ducks have a lot of talent on their roster, and they have a new coach in Dan Lanning who is known for his defensive prowess. Oregon could be a dark horse to win the Pac-12 in 2024.
These are just a few of the teams that could surprise people in 2024. The parity throughout the top 25 makes it difficult to predict who will be the best teams in the country. However, one thing is for sure: there will be a lot of exciting football games in 2024.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the top college football teams in 2024:
Question 1: Who is the favorite to win the national championship in 2024?
Answer: Alabama is the favorite to win the national championship in 2024. The Crimson Tide have a lot of talent returning on both sides of the ball, and they have a proven winner in head coach Nick Saban.
Question 2: Who are the other contenders for the national championship in 2024?
Answer: Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State are the other contenders for the national championship in 2024. These teams all have a lot of talent and experience, and they all have a chance to win it all in 2024.
Question 3: Who are some dark horse teams that could surprise people in 2024?
Answer: Nebraska, Florida, and Oregon are a few dark horse teams that could surprise people in 2024. These teams all have a lot of talent on their rosters, and they all have new coaches who could make a big difference in 2024.
Question 4: What are some key storylines to watch for in the 2024 college football season?
Answer: Some key storylines to watch for in the 2024 college football season include the quarterback play at Alabama, the development of the new coaches at Oklahoma and Texas A&M, and the parity throughout the top 25.
Question 5: Who are some of the best players to watch in the 2024 college football season?
Answer: Some of the best players to watch in the 2024 college football season include Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Jalen Carter (Georgia), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State).
Question 6: What are some of the best games to watch in the 2024 college football season?
Answer: Some of the best games to watch in the 2024 college football season include Alabama vs. Georgia, Ohio State vs. Michigan, and Penn State vs. Michigan.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the top college football teams in 2024. Be sure to check back for more updates and analysis as the season approaches.
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, let’s take a look at some tips for following college football in 2024.
Tips
Here are a few tips for following college football in 2024:
1. Watch the games: The best way to follow college football is to watch the games. There are a number of ways to do this, including television, streaming services, and radio broadcasts.
2. Read about the teams and players: There are a number of websites and publications that cover college football. Read these sources to learn more about the teams and players, and to get insights into the upcoming games.
3. Follow the teams on social media: Most college football teams have active social media accounts. Follow these accounts to get updates on the team, and to interact with other fans.
4. Attend a game in person: There is nothing quite like attending a college football game in person. The atmosphere is electric, and it is a great way to experience the passion of the fans.
These are just a few tips for following college football in 2024. By following these tips, you can make sure that you are up-to-date on all the latest news and information.
Now that you have some tips for following college football, let’s take a look at some of the key storylines to watch for in the 2024 season.
Conclusion
The 2024 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. There are a number of top teams that are capable of winning a national championship, and there are also a number of dark horse teams that could surprise people.
Here is a summary of the main points that we have discussed in this article:
- Alabama is the favorite to win the national championship in 2024.
- Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State are the other contenders for the national championship in 2024.
- Nebraska, Florida, and Oregon are a few dark horse teams that could surprise people in 2024.
- There is a lot of parity throughout the top 25 in college football in 2024.
- Some key storylines to watch for in the 2024 college football season include the quarterback play at Alabama, the development of the new coaches at Oklahoma and Texas A&M, and the parity throughout the top 25.
The 2024 college football season is sure to be full of excitement and surprises. Be sure to tune in to the games and follow your favorite teams throughout the season.