2024 CFB post-spring Top-25 teams: Georgia Repels Texas for top spot
With spring football wrapped up, it's now time for me to unveil my first set of post-spring top 25 rankings.
The spring practices have concluded. There are still players in the transfer portal searching for new teams. We still have four months until the college football season begins. Now is the ideal moment to unveil our post-spring Top-25 rankings for college football.
Much has happened since Michigan emerged as the national champions. The Wolverines’ coach, Jim Harbaugh, made the decision to leave and pursue a career in the NFL. Nick Saban ended his coaching career at Alabama after 17 seasons. Some players opted to leave early for the NFL draft, while a significant number of others decided to enter the transfer portal.
The presence of strong teams from the Big Ten and SEC will make this college football season the most highly anticipated one since the introduction of the four-team CFP in 2014.
Before you realize it, week 1 of the college football regular season in 2024 will be upon us. Training camp is just a few months away from teams reporting.
Without wasting any time, let’s get into our post-spring outlook as we reach the middle of the offseason.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (2023 record: 13-1)
The College Football Playoff did not include the Bulldogs. Don’t expect that to be the case this year with an expanded field. Carson Beck, recognized as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, is spearheading their team’s efforts to reach the summit of college football once again. Trevor Etienne, a transfer from Florida, provides much-needed depth to the running back position, while the wide receiver and tight end positions possess enough talent to elevate this offense to a top-tier level despite some departures. LB Smael Mondon and DB Malaki Starks are the stars of the defense.
2. Texas Longhorns (12-2)
QB Quinn Ewers and some experienced linemen will be the backbone of the offense. The transfer portal totally revamped the receiving crew and how well they click with Ewers will probably decide if this bunch is as explosive as last year. LB Anthony Hill is the real deal and the secondary has more experience - something they were lacking after the playoff loss to Washington. Texas scores a nice schedule for their SEC debut, but it’s unclear how they’ll handle it along with the game against Michigan.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2)
This team skyrocketed after crushing it in the transfer portal. The Buckeyes got Caleb Downs from Alabama and Quinshon Judkins from Mississippi. They also got Will Howard from Kansas State to fill the gap left by Kyle McCord. When it comes to defensive linemen, Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau are among the most formidable pairs in the country. The defense is also bolstered by the return of linebacker Cody Simon and safety Lathan Ransom. However, is it possible for the Buckeyes to defeat Michigan? That is the question that will need to be answered.
4. Oregon Ducks (12-2)
In contrast to the other Pac-12 teams, the Ducks won’t experience much culture shock in the Big Ten. Their physical playing style, under Dan Lanning, is perfectly suited for going up against Midwest teams. Getting adjusted to a new system was QB Dillon Gabriel’s main focus during the spring following his arrival from Oklahoma. The passing game will be led by him, who will be targeting Tez Johnson, a receiver who had an impressive 1,000-yard season, while rising junior Jordan James handles the running game. The defensive line showcased their dominance in the spring game, further solidifying Oregon’s status as one of the Big Ten favorites.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-3)
Marcus Freeman made significant moves in the offseason, including the hiring of offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, showing Notre Dame’s determination to improve their offensive performance from multiple angles. If Beaux Collins and other recruits live up to their potential, containing the Fighting Irish on that side of the football in 2024 will be a challenge. Denbrock’s 2023 offense at LSU led the nation in yards per play, and adding Duke quarterback Riley Leonard from the portal is only going to serve good rewards for the Irish. Leonard’s running and passing skills are expected to improve significantly under Denbrock’s guidance, just like Jayden Daniels did on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. The health of Leonard will have to be something we will have to wait on, but if he can stay healthy, this unit will be amongst the best in all of FBS. The return of safety Xavier Watts will give a significant boost to one of the strongest defenses in the FBS.
6. Ole Miss Rebels (11-2)
The Rebels made significant investments to strengthen their roster by acquiring key players such as DL Walter Nolen from Texas A&M, Princely Umanmielen from Florida, and WR Antwane Wells from South Carolina. Starting his third season, QB Jaxson Dart will lead the offense, while WR Tre Harris is expected to have a standout season. This should be a team that is right in the thick of the playoff race.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-2)
We need to confront the obvious matter at hand. In the face of losing the most legendary coach in modern college football, how does the Crimson Tide adapt? Kalen DeBoer is a great choice for the job, especially with QB Jalen Milroe as the centerpiece of his offensive strategy. The top position of ball carrier should be given to RB Justice Haynes. The defense has two big holes at cornerback and loses other key contributors. The group should still be good enough to have them near the top of the polls all season.
8. Missouri Tigers (11-2)
Given the high expectations set after their 11 wins in 2023, this could either be too high or too low for the Tigers. Despite losing Cody Schrader, a Doak Walker finalist in the backfield, the Tigers still have a significant amount of production and managed to fill the void through the portal. When it comes to their respective positions in the SEC, both QB Brady Cook and WR Luther Burden should be recognized as the cream of the crop. RB Marcus Carroll from Georgia State, OL Cayden Green from Oklahoma, and DB Toriano Pride Jr. from Clemson fulfilled important positions in the portal, which has played a significant role in Missouri’s development strategy. But what strategies can be implemented to successfully navigate the higher expectations and tougher SEC schedule?
9. Utah Utes (8-5)
Utes fans can finally rejoice as the wait is over. Following QB Cam Rising’s injury in the 2023 Rose Bowl, fans were finally able to see the sixth-year senior play in the team’s spring game, and he lived up to expectations. One of the main players he aimed to recruit was Dorian Singer from Southern California, suggesting that the upcoming season’s offense will be more dynamic. This is in contrast to the previous season when both Rising and TE Brant Kuithe, who had limited playing time in the spring game, were sidelined due to knee injuries. By increasing offensive production, Utah can reduce the burden on its defense. A strong performance from the group in the Big 12 is expected, which means the Utes will likely be among the top contenders in a closely contested race.
10. Michigan Wolverines (15-0)
The Wolverines played six games without Jim Harbaugh last year, but his permanent departure drastically changes things, especially with loss of QB J.J. McCarthy. Pounding the football with Donovan Edwards and others might be a winning equation for a team on the nation’s longest winning streak. The defense should remain like a brick wall and keep Michigan in games. The question is whether they can win enough of them to return to the college football playoff.
11. Florida State Seminoles (13-1)
Norvell has established himself as an expert in the transfer portal, once again ensuring that the Seminoles boast one of the strongest rosters in the ACC. Norvell demonstrated his offseason skills by assembling a top-notch signing class and making key additions through the transfer portal. With this talent reload, he is expected to greatly benefit from the expansion of the playoffs. With a range of talented teammates surrounding him, DJ Uiagalelei, the former quarterback for Oregon State and Clemson, has an added advantage. Furthermore, his ability to quickly understand the offense will contribute to his success.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-3)
It was pretty evident last season against Ohio State and Michigan. The Nittany Lions didn’t have enough offensive power to defeat the top teams in the Big Ten. In order to tackle the problems, coach James Franklin brought in Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas to oversee the offense, and the return of QB Drew Allar appears to be a promising pairing, despite Allar not meeting his lofty expectations thus far. Fans are anticipating a powerful offense for the first time in a while. Meeting these requirements is essential to become a formidable team in the Big Ten, just like other top contenders. Encouraging progress was observed in the spring. The biggest worry for the offense is the receiving group that lost KeAndre Lambert-Smith and three others in the portal. The arrival of Julian Fleming from Ohio State helps offset some concerns. On defense, transfers A.J. Harris (Georgia) and Jalen Kimber (Florida) addressed secondary losses. Nevertheless, this team must showcase its abilities in a demanding league schedule that has the power to determine its fate.
13. NC State Wolfpack (9-4)
Being cautious about spring football as a definitive predictor of success in the season is always important. Nevertheless, the Wolfpack must be ecstatic about how Grayson McCall, the former quarterback of Coastal Carolina, assumed control of the offense, and they must be excited about the addition of Noah Rogers, a receiver who transferred from Ohio State. With rising sophomore KC Concepcion, N.C. State has two of the better young receivers in the country to pair with McCall in what could be the ACC’s best offense. There is every reason to believe that NC State will surpass nine wins under Doeren this season. The September games against Tennessee and Clemson will serve as a litmus test for the progress of the Wolfpack in college football.
14. LSU Tigers (10-3)
Brian Kelly recruited Blake Baker, the defensive coordinator from Missouri, to address the significant issue faced by his program following a successful 10-win season. It’s incredible to think that Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman, was overshadowed by the Tigers’ poor defensive performance. This ultimately cost LSU a chance at a second consecutive SEC West title and a trip to Atlanta. Garrett Nussmeier, the new starting quarterback in 2024, showcased impressive skills during the spring game. While he may not possess the same running abilities as Jayden Daniels, there is no doubt that the offense will continue to thrive under Nussmeier’s leadership. He now has a promising group of less-recognized wide receivers to pass to, with the addition of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. to the NFL.
15. Tennessee Volunteers (9-4)
In terms of offense, Nico Iamaleava is leading the Vols as their quarterback, marking the beginning of a new era. During his first career start in the Citrus Bowl, he made a significant impact by scoring four touchdowns, which solidified his reputation as a standout player at his position. There were numerous commendable elements in his production during the Bowl Game. Hendon Hooker already deemed him “the chosen one” in Knoxville. Hooker’s significance to the program and his elevated success as the starting quarterback makes the praise even more noteworthy. Much like Michael Penix Jr. demonstrated at Washington, Iamaleava is the type of skilled individual who has a positive impact on the abilities of those in his vicinity. Despite recently losing leading tackler Elijah Herring to the transfer portal, a significant portion of the defense remains intact. The most pressing question that needs resolution concerns the offensive line, which suffered from a shortage of players as a result of injuries. The revamp of the defense, particularly in the secondary, continues to be a topic of interest.
Tennessee will face NC State in an early nonconference test, as well as away games against Oklahoma and Georgia, with a home game against Alabama. If Nico Iamaleava lives up to the hype, the Vols could have a shot at the playoffs.
16. Clemson Tigers (9-4)
Clemson’s hype tends to diminish after spring, which aligns with Dabo Swinney’s preference. Being referred to as a dark horse brings him immense satisfaction. While Clemson welcomes the return of Phil Mafah, they’ll need to find alternative methods to generate productivity in their running game to alleviate some of the pressure on Cade Klubnik, who is back as the Tigers’ primary quarterback for his second season. It is anticipated that Clemson’s defense will be one of the best in the country. Following the Tigers’ four consecutive losses, which hadn’t occurred since 2011, and their 52nd ranking in scoring offense (averaging 29.8 points per game) in the FBS, one would have expected the logical decision to be the acquisition of more skilled and refined players through the Transfer Portal. Nevertheless, in this particular instance, they opted to work with their existing players. Only time will reveal whether Dabo will face embarrassment once more, or if they will achieve success this season.
17. Kansas State Wildcats (9-4)
Do you know why the Wildcats are one of the picks that are trending up to win the expanded Big 12? Avery Johnson. Who could forget when he threw for two touchdowns and added another rushing touchdown in the Pop-Tarts Bowl win over NC State? He is a rising superstar, and everyone knows it. Some would say that losing multi-year starting quarterback Will Howard to the transfer portal could be difficult to overcome, but let’s be honest: Howard saw the writing on the wall, and I don’t believe that this Kansas State offense will show any ill effects of his departure after Johnson handled the offense with a flare for big plays on the move.
The Wildcats don’t play the Utes during the regular season and get Oklahoma State and Kansas at home. Two of their bigger matchups on their schedule. Road trips to BYU, West Virginia and Iowa State might be a problem if they aren’t trending in the right direction in these matchups.
18. Oklahoma Sooners (10-3)
The Sooners improved from six wins to 10, including a victory over Texas (shocking, I know) in Brent Venables’ second season. Quarterback Jackson Arnold had an impressive performance during the spring, and the receiving corp is expected to be exceptionally good, especially with the addition of Purdue transfer Deion Burks, who stood out as a star in the spring and will be the primary target as a wide receiver. LB Danny Stutsman and DB Billy Bowman, two standout players, have decided to stay for another season, which will further enhance the defense’s performance. The pivotal question is whether the Sooners are equipped to endure the demanding and protracted challenges of the SEC.
19. Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-4)
When Alan Bowman is healthy, he has demonstrated his abilities, and now that he is back as the undisputed starting quarterback this spring, the Cowboys should avoid the slow start that hindered them last season. Additionally, Ollie Gordon, the exceptional running back, and Brennan Pressley, the talented wide receiver, have returned, providing the offense with two crucial game-changers. LBs Nickolas Martin and Collin Oliver are the foundation of the defense’s strength. It is crucial for them to enhance their pass defense as they had a ranking of 126th in the FBS in 2023, allowing an average of 275 yards per game. The lack of major portal additions and departures made for a pretty uneventful spring(and could end up biting them in the end), which is how coach Mike Gundy would have wanted it as he tries to get Oklahoma State back to the Big 12 title game.
20. Arizona Wildcats (10-3)
Unless you were living under a rock, there was a massive ripple effect when Nick Saban announced his retirement. One of the dominoes that fell was when the Wildcats lost then-head coach Jedd Fisch to the Washington Huskies and completely added waves to a team that was primed to be Big 12 favorites. Nevertheless, despite a few individuals leaving, there were crucial players who returned to the team. Quarterback Noah Fifita, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and defensive back Tacario Davis were the most prominent players. If Brent Brennan’s first season goes as planned, the Wildcats could potentially have another successful season with 10 wins.
21. Virginia Tech Hokies (7-6)
After years of false hope and ineptitude, is this finally the season the Hokies return to contending for the ACC title? Maybe, maybe not, but that’s why we’re here to discuss these matters. Momentum and enthusiasm are building in Hokies Nation after a strong finish in 2023 and a promising spring. Brent Pry has meticulously laid the groundwork for his rebuilding project over the past two seasons, and now everything is falling into place for him. He has done an exceptional job. Virginia Tech is now in a position to enjoy the advantages as all 11 offensive starters are coming back. The starting point is quarterback Kyron Drones, who boasted an impressive record of 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions in 2023. However, it is important to mention the noteworthy depth they have at both running back and wide receiver positions. The team bolstered their defensive line by acquiring three new players, one of whom is Aeneas Peebles, an all-conference tackle from Duke, to address a specific area of need. Keep in mind that the Hokies might make it to the conference title game, so don’t be shocked if you see them there.
22. Kansas Jayhawks (9-4)
Yeah, you don’t need to clean your glasses, you read that right. Optimism runs high in Lawrence, Kansas. You could say that maybe it’s because quarterback Jalon Daniels is back and healthy. Maybe this is the year that he can stay healthy. Daniels showed in the spring that he is going to be electric once again “if,” and that’s a big “if” he can stay on the field this fall. Injuries has plagued him in the past two seasons, but if the Jayhawks go anywhere this season it will be because of him being on the field. There are plenty of weapons for him to work with, starting with running back Devin Neal and the team’s top three receivers from last season. If this team reaches its full potential, it will be because of its defense. Bai Jobe, a transfer out of Michigan State, will help with the pass rush, which is a weak spot on this team.
23. Iowa Hawkeyes (10-4)
Is this the last year that we will be hearing the phrase “punter university”?With Brian Ferentz no longer the offensive coordinator, the Hawkeyes have successfully eliminated a major controversy and improved their offense significantly compared to last season. With the appointment of former Western Michigan coach Tim Lester, the worst-ranked offense in the nation has hope for improvement. Lester’s main priority will be ensuring the well-being of QB Cade McNamara, especially considering his significant absence from last season. McNamara had limited participation in spring practice, so it seems necessary to add a quarterback as a backup. With the defense remaining as strong as ever, it comes as no surprise that another season with 10 wins seems possible, especially considering the potential for offensive improvement. Even a slight improvement in the offense could lead to a highly successful season, especially with a consistently strong defense that is always among the top-ranked teams.
24. Southern California Trojans (8-5)
The Trojans have high hopes that the addition of new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn this spring will mark the beginning of a positive turnaround for their defense. It can be expected that there will be gains, given Lynn’s work at UCLA. The concern is the extent of the offensive setback caused by QB Caleb Williams’ departure. Miller Moss had an impressive performance in the Holiday Bowl, earning the offensive MVP title. He threw a record-breaking six touchdowns and continued his strong momentum into the offseason. He is the frontrunner for the starting position, ahead of UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava. Coach Lincoln Riley was pleased with the performance of the offensive line, as he believes they will contribute to a more well-rounded team. Joining the Big Ten will come with its fair share of difficulties. The Trojans have upcoming games against LSU (in Las Vegas), Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Washington, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. It won’t be easy, but Riley has the potential to bring the team close to the top of the league.
25. Miami Hurricanes (7-6)
Mario Cristobal has undeniably been accumulating talent, both through traditional high school recruiting and the transfer portal. Following a record of 12-13 in his initial two seasons, Cristobal must translate that talent into actual wins. The Hurricanes have only managed to achieve a 10-win season once in the last twenty years, and they have often failed to meet high expectations. However, the addition of transfer quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez to the Hurricanes brings a lot of optimism. The offensive line should be solid, and Miami added Houston’s Sam Brown to a solid receiver corps. Miami’s coaching staff will play a crucial role in leading the team to their first double-digit win season since 2017, especially if they can maximize the performance of their top players from last year, such as Xavier Restrepo and Rueben Bain Jr., while also ensuring the team remains injury-free. Miami has an exceptionally easy schedule compared to other teams in the country. So, it could wind up higher than this. But let’s wait and see.
Just missed: Washington, Texas A&M, Boise State, Memphis.
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