Most sites and analysts focus on the cream of the college football crop — but not us. With the 2024 season just two months away, College Football Network has published power rankings forevery conference, including the Pac-2, I mean, Pac-12.
Now, we debut our early 2024 College Football Power Rankings, sorting all 134 FBS programs from worst to first. Which squads will challenge for a spot in the newly expanded College Football Playoff, and which other programs deserve your attention?
Post-Spring 2024 College Football Power Rankings
While the strength of schedule, roster and coaching continuity, transfer departures and additions, and recent and historic success factored into the rankings, one element stands above the rest: quality of talent.
134) Kennesaw State Owls
The Owls join the CUSA as one of the weakest schools in the nation. Last season, they went 3-6, with all three of their wins coming against Division II programs. That’s not the whole story, as head coach Brian Bohannon guided his squad to four FCS playoff berths from 2017-2021.
Kennesaw State’s future isn’t completely bleak, particularly in EA Sports College Football 25’s dynasty mode. Still, with question marks at QB and the offensive line, its inaugural season in the FBS won’t be the most welcoming.
133) Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
While first-year (and first-time) head coach Bryant Vincent has the potential to turn the program around, don’t expect the Warhawks to do much better than the 2-10 record they posted in 2023. Outside of a Week 1 contest with FCS opponent Jackson State, it’s difficult to foresee many victories, especially with Texas and Auburn on deck.
The roster was already low on talent, but it’s also low on experience, with only 10 players returning who played meaningful snaps last season. A whopping 27 JUCO transfers and enter the fold, and while a few of them will prove their worth, that number alone tells you all you need to know.
132) Massachusetts Minutemen
The 2024 season will be UMass’ last as an Independent program, as the Minutemen will officially join the MAC next year. Don Brown’s team finds a conference they can call home, and the MAC lands a punching bag for their 12 current members.
The Minutemen haven’t won more than four games since rejoining the FBS in 2012, and with 1,000-yard RB Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams off to Michigan State, there’s little hope they’ll do so any time soon.
131) Kent State Golden Flashes
The Golden Flashes can only go up after posting a 1-11 record in head coach Kenni Burns’ inaugural season. While there is no debating Kent State’s immense struggles, it was the first year of a colossal rebuild, with Burns inheriting just four starters following Sean Lewis’ departure.
The program should take a step forward in Year 2. Still, it’s difficult to envision a significantly improved final record, especially with Pitt, Tennessee, and Penn State forming three of Kent State’s first four contests in 2024.
130) Temple Owls
The Owls haven’t won more than three games in a season since 2019, and it’s unlikely the streak ends in 2024. QB E.J. Warner left for conference rival Rice, All-AAC OT Victor Stoffell transferred to Cal, and the team’s top four tacklers are gone.
Rutgers transfer Evan Simon, junior Forrest Brock, and redshirt freshman Tyler Douglas will battle for the QB1 role, but unless one of them is a diamond in the rough, don’t expect much from Temple this season.
129) Akron Zips
Since Terry Bowden left the program in 2018, Akron has been a bottom-of-the-nation team, posting no more than two wins in any season. That trend isn’t likely to change in 2024.
Tahj Bullock is the only returning QB who saw snaps last season but was uninspiring as a passer: 30 of 64 for 262 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. His main competition will be Cal transfer Ben Finley, who is on his third team in as many years.
Clearly, the Zips won’t be led by a load-bearing signal-caller, and although the defense has some exciting pieces, they can’t score points for the offense.
If Joe Moorhead doesn’t produce results in 2024, the Zips will likely oust their head coach after just three years once again (Tom Arth, 2019-2021).
128) Louisiana Tech
Following two straight 3-9 campaigns to begin his tenure, Sonny Cumbie’s seat is heating up. This season could be his last. Only six starters return, and much of the team’s projection rests on the shoulders of QB Jack Turner.
If he takes a step forward in his development, the Bulldogs could rattle off enough wins to keep Cumbie in town. If he doesn’t, the program will have a “now hiring” sign outside Joe Aillet Stadium.
127) East Carolina Pirates
East Carolina ended a drought of back-to-back winning campaigns in 2021-22, but the Pirates crashed through the atmosphere in 2023, going 2-10 — their worst record since 2004.
Three transfers (Michigan State’s Katin Houser, Missouri’s Jake Garcia, and Georgia State’s Bryson Harrison) will duke it out under center, and the defense has plenty of talent in the front seven. Is that enough for a bounce-back season? Possibly, but it’s not enough to earn a higher placement in the 2024 College Football Power Rankings.
126) Nevada Wolf Pack
Following back-to-back 2-10 campaigns, Nevada sought a changing of the guard, hiring Texas co-defensive coordinator Jeff Choate as its new head coach. It’s not his first rodeo, as Choate led Montana State to a 28-22 record with two playoff appearances.
Nevertheless, getting the Wolf Pack on the right trajectory will take time, as the transfer portal stole many of the program’s best players from last season. And facing 10 teams that made bowls games in 2023 will make a one-year turnaround that much more difficult.
125) Buffalo Bulls
Maurice Linguist is out, and Pete Lembo is in. Longtime fans of the MAC should remember Lembo as Ball State’s HC in the early 2010s. He led the program to back-to-back bowl appearances in 9+ campaigns. He also took the reigns after a 4-8 season, going 6-6 before the aforementioned success. Can Lembo do the same with the Bulls?
Lembo added Virginia offensive analyst Dave Patenaude to run the unit, but he has his work cut out for him. Senior CJ Ogbonna is seemingly the favorite to be the starting QB after going 8 of 21 and rushing for 214 yards last year. Nevertheless, if Patenaude gets the offense to operate at a league-average level, Buffalo could surprise some teams due to its talent-laden defense.
124) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
For the first time since 2006, Middle Tennessee will have a new head coach at the helm, as Derek Mason succeeds Rick Stockstill.
The last time we saw Mason as a leading man, Vanderbilt went 0-8 (he posted zero winning seasons across seven years). And the last time we saw him at all, he coached the 2022 Oklahoma State defense that allowed 440 yards per game, one of the worst marks in the nation.
In short, I’m not sure Mason was the correct hire, but he’ll have a chance to prove me wrong. The offense returns some intriguing skill-position talents and will be led by QB Nicholas Vattiato once again. The offensive line will have four new starters, which isn’t ideal, and the defensive first team only has two familiar names from last season.
With Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, Duke, Memphis, Liberty, and Jacksonville State on the schedule, don’t expect much from Mason’s inaugural campaign.
123) Old Dominion Monarchs
Jason. Henderson. The All-American LB single-handedly raises Old Dominion’s floor, but there’s work to do elsewhere. QB Grant Wilson and two of his three leading WRs, Kelby Williams and Isiah Paige, return, providing a solid offensive foundation.
However, the Monarchs’ defensive secondary will feature entirely new players compared to last season, potentially causing their ranking to fall from sixth in the conference for points allowed per game.
122) Connecticut Huskies
With Notre Dame practically a member of the ACC and UMass joining the MAC in 2025, UConn is the only true FBS independent program remaining. While the basketball team is a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament, the football team has been allergic to success.
The Huskies have surpassed the four-win mark just twice in the last decade, but the arrow is pointing up with Jim Mora at the helm. His squad has one of the easiest schedules in the country this year, buoyed by a stretch of six straight home games with an off-week in the middle.
While former Oklahoma and Wisconsin QB Nick Evers comes with a four-star pedigree, the offense should run through all-purpose weapon Victor Rosa.
121) Sam Houston Bearkats
Sam Houston had a rude awakening in the FBS last season, going 3-9. But a closer look shows reason for optimism. The Bearkats ended the year strong, winning three of their final four games. Additionally, they dropped six games by 10 points or less, including a five-point defeat to 2023 CUSA champ Liberty and an overtime loss to Jacksonville State.
The defense should remain strong, even after coordinator Joe Morris left. HC K.C. Keeler hired former Abieline Christian DC Skyler Cassity to run the unit after he helped his former program hold 14 of its 19 FCS opponents under their season scoring averages from 2022-2023. The offense just needs to score more than their 20 points per game from last season (second lowest in the CUSA).
120) Florida Atlantic Owls
Tom Herman is a good coach, but the Owls underperformed in Year 1, posting a 4-8 record. Despite one of the easiest schedules in the country this season, it’s difficult to see FAU returning to its form under Lane Kiffin due to massive roster turnover.
Marshall transfer Cam Fancher is the likely starter behind center, and he isn’t exactly on the same level as the departing Daniel Richardson. Making matters even less optimistic, 1,000-yard WR LaJohntay Wester is now a Colorado Buffalo, and Herman sought out the services ofsixtransfers to overhaul the pass-catching corps.
119) Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Southern Miss burst onto the Sun Belt stage with a 7-6 record in 2022 but fell to 3-9 in 2023. Will the real Golden Eagles please stand up? It isn’t difficult to envision both finishes in 2024 — it all depends on how their transfer additions pan out. Head coach Will Hall didn’t just dip into the portal; he dove in.
The offense replaces nine starters, and four transfers are slated to start on defense. The most notable transfer is Florida State QB Tate Rodemaker, whose play will determine much of Southern Miss’ success … or lack thereof.
118) New Mexico Lobos
New Mexico fans are used to seeing their squad at the bottom of power rankings. The Lobos haven’t had a winning record since 2016, and while Bronco Mendenhall is a proven winner, the program’s last three HC hires went a combined 7-25 in their inaugural season.
I’m a believer in sophom*ore QB Devon Dampier, but 1,000-yard RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Ole Miss) and elite OTs J.C. Davis (Illinois) and D.J. Wingfield (Purdue) left for Power Five programs, and the defense allowed 35.1 points per game in 2023. The Lobos’ future has potential; their present doesn’t.
117) Charlotte 49ers
First-year head coach Biff Poggi brought in 24 transfers last season, and after the 49ers went 3-9, he added 27 more. Florida QB Max Brown and Iowa State RB Cartevious Norton are the most intriguing and raise the talent floor of the offense. With nearly all of the top passing targets returning, Charlotte should be able to put up points in 2024.
Defensively, transfers completely remake the secondary, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Al-Ma’hi Ali, Eltayeb Bushra, Anthony Rompf, and two power conference signees (Iowa State’s Treyveon McGee and Boston College’s C.J. Clinkscales) form one of the best secondaries in the conference.
116) UTEP Miners
UTEP went 38-85 under the previous two coaches, but that’s going to change with Scott Walden now at the helm. He began his head coaching career at 26 with Division III East Texas Baptist, becoming the youngest NCAA coach to hold the title in 2016.
Walden’s program went 7-3, and he left the following year to coach DI as an assistant at Southern Miss. Then, in 2020, he got his next HC shot at FCS Austin Peay, leading the Governors to a 26-14 record, two conference titles, and a playoff bid across four years.
He brought many of his players with him to UTEP, so there’s reason to believe in an improvement from the Miners’ 3-9 performance last year. However, traveling to Nebraska, Liberty, and Colorado State to start the year won’t boost morale, and neither will a bout with Tennessee toward the end of the season.
115) San Jose State Spartans
Brent Brennan’s departure, NFL Draft declarations, and graduations resulted in a mass exodus of talent, but the cupboard isn’t bare for new HC Ken Niumatalolo. WRs Justin Lockhart and Nick Nash return, Grambling State’s Floyd Chalk IV is the favorite to be the RB1, and the defense should remain solid under longtime DC Derrick Odum.
A rather soft schedule that kicks off with Sacramento State and Kennesaw State also plays into the Spartans’ favor, but if Niumatalolo doesn’t get solid play out of his QBs (Emmett Brown and Jay Butterfield), none of it will matter.
114) North Texas Mean Green
The Mean Green lost QB Chandler Rogers, RB Ayo Adeyi, WR Ja’Mori Maclin, and 20+ players to the transfer portal after a 5-7 debut in the AAC.
However, the roster isn’t bereft of talent, as transfer additions, including QB Chandler Morris (TCU) and RBs Juwaun Price (Syracuse) and Zach Evans (Minnesota), should mesh well with the likes of RB Ikaika Ragsdale and WRs Blair Conwright and Landon Sides.
The offensive skill-position talent is there, but the offensive line is a question mark after HC Eric Morris signed five transfers to augment the unit. As for the defense, the bar couldn’t be lower than the conference-worst 37.1 PPG they allowed last season. An entirely new secondary can only improve that number.
113) New Mexico State Aggies
New Mexico State just had its best two-year stretch (17 wins) in six decades, but with its head coach and quarterback off to Vanderbilt, the program will likely return to Earth in 2024.
New HC Tony Sanchez has been with the school as a WRs coach since 2022, so there’s at least some continuity. However, his head coaching track record isn’t all that exciting, as UNLV posted a 20-40 record during his time leading the Rebels (2015-2019).
How the Aggies perform against Liberty (Week 2) and Fresno State (Week 3) early in the season will dictate how much confidence fans should have in Year 1 of the Sanchez era.
112) Northwestern Wildcats
David Braun took the Wildcats from 1-11 to 8-5 in his first season, marking one of the biggest one-year turnarounds in recent memory. However, Northwestern may have a reality check in 2024.
While the schedule is rather manageable, with only Ohio State and Michigan posing guaranteed defeats, Braun’s squad is bereft of top-tier talent, specifically on offense.
111) Ball State Cardinals
The 2024 season is a make-or-break campaign for HC Mike Neu. In his eight years in Muncie, the Cardinals have had justonewinning season, albeit a good one: 7-1 with an Arizona Bowl victory over San Jose State in 2020.
Rising QB Kadin Semonza seemingly forced veteran Kiael Kelly into an all-purpose role (listed as a DB on the school’s roster but will also see time on offense and as a kick returner) and will have three starters returning up front. Yet, the Cardinals lost RB Marquez Cooper to San Diego State and will have 10 new first-teamers on defense.
If all of that turnover results in an improvement on the Cardinals’ 4-8 record from 2023, Neu will live to see another season.
110) Arizona State Sun Devils
Yes, Arizona State lost Jaden Rashada to Georgia, but Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt had already taken pole position for the starting QB job.
While the Sun Devils are on the rise in Year 2 of Kenny Dillingham’s tenure, the move to the Big 12 could stunt their growth. Herm Edwards tied the program’s hands behind its back, and Dillingham is dealing with the fallout as best he can.
109) Central Michigan Chippewas
Coming off a 1-11 season in 2018, the Chippewas were at an all-time low and tabbed HC Jim McElwain as the program’s savior. He answered prayers immediately, guiding Central Michigan to an 8-6 record and the New Mexico Bowl.
A 3-3 pandemic-shortened season and a 9-4 return to glory followed, but McElwain’s squad has lost its luster over the last two years (9-15). With Bert Emanuel Jr. healthy and leading RBs Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey back, the Chippewas could run their way to 6+ wins in 2024.
The defense needs some work after allowing the third-most points per game in the conference (31.1), but DC Robb Akey is just two years removed from producing a top-five unit in the MAC.
108) Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Four different signal-callers took snaps for Tulsa last year, but it should be the Cooper Legas show in 2024. Leading rushers Anthony Watkins and Bill Jackson are back, and UTEP transfer Jeremiah Ballard pairs nicely with Kamdyn Benjamin on the outside.
The defensive front seven received a transfer facelift, which it needed after allowing the fourth-most points per game in the conference last year (33.8).
107) Eastern Michigan Eagles
Chris Creighton’s Eagles have predominately been an above-average MAC team in his tenure, making six bowl games in the last eight years. The roster had several holes to fill in the offseason, and Creighton used thetransfer portalto do so.
Former Buffalo QB Cole Snyder will take over under center, with NC State transfers RB Delbert Mimms III and WR Porter Rooks bolstering the offense. WR JB Mitchell III and TE Jere Getzinger lead the returning talent, and JUCO recruit Oran Singleton could make a name for himself early on.
The defensive depth chart is murkier, but DT Peyton Price, EDGE Justin Jefferson, CB Joshua Scott, and DB Quentavius Scandrett headline a strong unit.
106) San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State is going through an identity change with Sean Lewis at the controls. Usually, the defense blitzes the offense, but Lewis’ unit will pressure its opponents to keep up. That said, he’ll have an unproven starting QB, whether it’s Florida State transfer AJ Duffy or true freshman Danny O’Neill.
The Aztecs’ defense should remain in the top half of the conference with the help of several transfers, including Tennessee State DB Bryce Phillips, the younger brother of former Utah Ute and current Atlanta Falcon Clark Phillips III.
105) Stanford Cardinal
Head coach Troy Taylor only won three games in Year 1, but there’s some reason for optimism heading into Year 2. Elic Ayomanor is one of the best WRs in the game, and Ashton Daniels should show growth with a year of starting experience under his belt.
Nonetheless,Stanford had one of the worst scoring defenses in the entire FBS (37.7 points per game), and that may not change much in a new conference in 2024.
104) Air Force Falcons
According toESPN, Air Force ranks dead last out of 134 FBS teams in returning production at 25% (28% on offense; 23% on defense). And due to service academy requirements, the Falcons aren’t able to fill their holes with transfer portal additions.
Yet, if anyone can dampen the impact of roster turnover, it’s Troy Calhoun and his coaching staff continuity. The foundation is there, but Air Force needs several young athletes on both sides of the ball to step up and help the team fly.
103) Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt is the perennial bottom-feeder in the SEC, and although I’m a huge fan of New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia, the status quo isn’t changing in 2024. HC Clark Lea has gone 2-22 in the conference in his first three years, and if he doesn’t add to the win total this year, he won’t be around to see the unveiling of FirstBank Stadium’s renovations in 2025.
102) Navy Midshipmen
A season finale loss to Army dropped Navy to 5-7 overall and out of bowl contention in Brian Newberry’s first year. Tai Lavatai and Xavier Arline led the QB room in 2023, but Braxton Woodson and Blake Horvath will take over this season.
They should see more success with former Mercer head coach Drew Cronic coming over to call the offensive plays after leading the Bears to their first-ever FCS playoff appearance.
Having Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza certainly makes his job easier, and Newberry will ensure the defensive side of the ball keeps up its end of the bargain.
101) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
After 31 wins in three years with HC Jamey Chadwell and QB Grayson McCall at the helm, the Chanticleers fell to a middle-of-the-road team in Year 1 of the Tim Beck era. The 2024 season will be the real test, with McCall off to North Carolina State and the majority of the defense gone.
Sophom*ore QB Ethan Vasko looked solid in four starts last season, and Beck brought in FCS and Division II defenders to supplement that side of the field. Although the Chanticleers likely won’t reach 9+ wins, they aren’t going to be a pushover either.
100) Utah State Aggies
After back-to-back 6-7 campaigns, head coach Blake Anderson sought a change under center. Cooper Legas and McCae Hillstead are out, and Utah’s Bryson Barnes and Iowa’s Spencer Petras are in. Neither is all that exciting, but the WR duo of Jalen Royals and Micah Davis and RB Rahsul Faison are.
The Aggies went 0-7 against bowl teams last season and fielded a defense that routinely allowed 30+ points. Without vast improvements, Utah State will struggle to stay in the middle of the pack, especially with bouts against USC and Utah on tap early in the year.
99) Arkansas State Red Wolves
After going 2-10 and 3-9 to kick off the Butch Jones era, the Red Wolves played their way to six wins and a bowl appearance in 2023. And there’s reason to believe they can take another step forward this season.
The schedule is a bit more difficult, and Jones didn’t add much high-profile talent from the transfer portal. But that’s not a bad thing, as the offense was led by freshman QB Jaylen Raynor and six sophom*ores, and they’re all back in 2024.
With offensive continuity, expected growth, and a defense that received several additions in the front seven, Arkansas State is a team to watch this year.
98) UAB Blazers
Trent Dilfer was a controversial hire last season, and a 4-8 record in his inaugural campaign didn’t quell concerns. That said, the offense showed promise, with OC Alex Mortensen calling the plays and QB Jacob Zeno delivering on the field.
The real issue was the sieve of a defense that allowed 31+ points to all 11 of their FBS opponents. Dilfer hopes an infusion of transfer talent, especially LB Octavious Brothers and DBs Adrian Maddox and Troy Jakubec, helps steady the unit in 2024.
97) Purdue Boilermakers
Transitioning from Jeff Brohm to Ryan Walters didn’t result in immediate success, and Year 2 may not be that much better. Hudson Card is a better QB than given credit for and has Devin Mockobee and Reggie Love III in the backfield.
Yet, the transfer portal giveth and taketh away, with WR Deion Burks (Oklahoma) and EDGE Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) leaving for the SEC. S Dillon Thieneman and LB Kydran Jenkins return to lead the defense, but Purdue is still a couple of years away from putting up any sort of resistance in the conference.
96) BYU Cougars
BYU hasn’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 2003-2004, but the Cougars are in danger of that streak ending in 2024. Although transfer QB Gerry Bohanon has an experienced group of pass catchers to throw to, he didn’t throw a pass for USF last year.
Defensively, Tyler Batty and Weber State’s Jack Kelly form one of the best EDGE duos in the conference. Is that enough to make up for a defense that allowed nearly six yards per play last season?
95) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Opening the year against Howard and Akron should help Rutgers work out their kinks early, but that’s the only schedule reprieve they’ll have. Virginia Tech, Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, UCLA, and USC make up their next six games, and that stretch will tell us all we need to know about the 2024 Scarlet Knights.
Moving on from Gavin Wimsatt for Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis might have been a mistake, but time will tell. At least he can lean on 1,000-yard back Kyle Monangai and Monmouth transfer WR Dymere Miller. Plus, the LB duo of Tyreem Powell and Mohamed Toure will make moving the ball difficult for their opponents.
94) Ohio Bobcats
Ohio has won 10 games in two straight seasons under Tim Albin, but keeping the streak alive will be tough in 2024. The transfer portal decimated the roster, with Kurtis Rourke, Miles Cross, Sieh Bangura, Will Kacmarek, and Keye Thompson leaving the Bobcats.
Yet, the team still has talent, with QB Parker Navarro and RB Rickey Hunt Jr. primed to explode in expanded roles. The WR and TE rooms were rebuilt through outside additions, but they have time to gel.
Arguably more concerning is the defensive side of the ball. Ohio led the MAC in points allowed per game (15.8) last season but returns just three starters, putting pressure on new DC John Hauser, who was an in-house promotion after Spence Nowinsky left for Memphis, to get his unit up to speed.
93) Troy Trojans
Jon Sumrall joined the Trojans in 2022, led them to back-to-back conference titles and 11+ win seasons, and left to become Tulane’s HC this offseason. Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker will take the reigns, but fans shouldn’t expect a third straight Sun Belt Championship.
Justfive starters — both offensive and defensive — return, putting immense pressure on several transfer portal acquisitions to hit. The Trojans are still talented, but it will take time for the team to reach its stride under Parker.
92) Army Black Knights
If there’s one word to describe Jeff Monken’s Black Knights, it’s consistent. They’ve only suffered one losing season after his first two years with the program (2014-15), and they closed the 2023 campaign with four straight wins, including victories over Air Force and Navy for the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy.
The NCAA’s 2022 changes to the cut-block rules hurt the service academies more than anyone, and Monken attempted to counter it by bringing in two small-school coaches (Drew Thatcher and Matt Drinkall) to innovate the offense.
The result was Army lining up in shotgun 80% of the time in 2023 — a 70% swing from the year prior.
Yet, Monken handed the offensive keys to Cody Worley for the upcoming campaign, likely putting the shotgun splits somewhere in the middle, which should play to QB Bryson Daily and RB Kaney Udoh’s strengths.
91) Georgia State Panthers
With HC Shawn Elliott leaving to become the TEs coach at South Carolina, the Panthers were in need of new leadership. Enter longtime Georgia assistant Dell McGee. His only head coaching experience came at the high school level, but he was a proven winner, leading Georgia’s Carver-Columbus to an 85-21 record, six conference titles, and one national championship.
McGee inherits a Georgia State team fresh off a 7-6 season with a bowl victory, but there was significant turnover after Elliott’s departure. Georgia Tech’s Zach Gibson is the favorite to start under center, and Coastal Carolina’s C.J. Beasley should line up with him in the backfield.
90) FIU Panthers
If you couldn’t tell already, the CUSA is one of the weakest conferences in the country, but this is where the fun begins. Did FIU go 4-8 last year? Yes. Does HC Mike MacIntyre return 11 starters, including rising true sophom*ore Keyone Jenkins? Also yes.
MORE: 2024 Conference USA Weekly Football Schedule
Lexington Joseph, who put up 536 yards and five TDs in 2022, returns from injury, bolstering a backfield that already has Shomari Lawrence and Kejon Owens.
Losing star WR Kris Mitchell to Notre Dame will sting, and the offensive line must improve after allowing 46 sacks last fall, but there is enough talent on both sides of the ball to make a bowl game for the first time since 2019.
89) Cincinnati Bearcats
Transfer portal acquisitions could ultimately make up 9-10 starters for Cincinnati, which isn’t exactly a bad thing coming off a 3-9 season. Indiana’s Brendan Sorsby is the favorite to start under center, and he showcased his potential in limited action.
However,Scott Satterfield needs a bounce-back campaignnow.He’s gone 28-33 (25-24 over four years at Louisville) as a Power Five head coach after winning three straight Sun Belt titles at Appalachian State.
88) Virginia Cavaliers
Tony Elliott has won exactly three games in each of his two seasons as Virginia’s leading man. If the Cavaliers win three or fewer contests in 2024, expect a new face in place entering 2025. QB Anthony Colandrea flashed at times as a true freshman, and the school used the transfer portal to bolster the WR corps.
With 14 players who started 6+ games last season returning, the Cavaliers should show improvement — just not enough to earn a higher placement on the 2024 College Football Power Rankings.
87) Maryland Terrapins
The Terrapins have their supporters, but I’m not one of them. Say what you will about Taulia Tagovailoa; he’s still leagues better than any combination of Billy Edwards Jr. and MJ Morris. Then there’s the fact that Maryland will havefournew starters along the offensive line.
Sure, the defense has continuity to go along with the addition of Bowling Green star CB Jalen Huskey. But they still need to score points, and that may not be as simple as some expect.
86) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Dave Clawson’s Demon Deacons have been a middle-of-the-road ACC competitor for most of his tenure, but they ranked last with a 1-7 conference record in 2023. Hank “The Tank” Bachmeier is now three years removed from his eye-opening 2021 campaign at Boise State, but Clawson is banking on him turning back the clock.
However, if he doesn’t, Wake Forest is staring down the barrel at another disappointing season.
85) Georgia Southern Eagles
With OC Bryan Ellis leaving for Alabama and QB Davis Brin graduating, the Eagles’ offense seems to be in a state of flux — at a quick glance. HC Clay Helton promoted TEs coach and passing coordinator Ryan Aplin to OC, and Indiana’s Dexter Williams II will compete with sophom*ores J.C. French and David Dallas.
WRs Derwin Burgess Jr. and Dalen Cobb return, as do RBs Jalen White and O.J. Arnold. In short, the offense should be fine, but the defense needs to improve in Year 2 under DC Brandon Bailey.
84) Western Michigan Broncos
Lance Taylor’s first season in Kalamazoo wasn’t anything to write home about (4-8), but Year 2 could be.
The Broncos will have15starters back and won’t have to face Toledo or Miami in the regular season. QB Hayden Wolff has three years of meaningful snaps under his belt and has 1,000-yard back Jalen Buckley, WRs Kenneth Womack and Anthony Sambucci, and TE Blake Bosma at his disposal once again.
Although new DC Scott Power has his work cut out for him on defense, seven starters return, including star DBs Bilhal Kone, Tate Hallock, and Aaron Wofford.
83) Rice Owls
Losing J.T. Daniels to retirement and WR Luke McCaffrey to the draft hurts, but Rice returns practically everyone else. RB Dean Connors will run behind four first-teamers from 2023, and 2022 starter John Long returns after missing the season due to injury. And with former Temple passer E.J. Warner in place, the offense should maintain its momentum.
The defense gets in on the party as well, with 14 of 16 players who saw meaningful snaps running it back.
82) Mississippi State Bulldogs
Jeff Lebby is an offensive guru, but he’ll need time to implement a winning culture and sustained success. With Baylor QB Blake Shapen under center, the Bulldogs could launch some fireworks but don’t expect much more in Year 1 under a new head coach.
81) Michigan State Spartans
Jonathan Smith’s turnaround in Corvallis took a few years, and Michigan State fans should prepare for the same in East Lansing. Much of the team’s potential rests on QB Aidan Chiles’ shoulders, who received nothing but glowing reviews from spring camp.
MORE: 2024 Big Ten QB Rankings
The non-conference schedule is a sight for sore eyes, as FAU, Prairie View A&M, and Boston College shouldn’t pose stiff competition. However, facing Ohio State and Oregon in back-to-back games could alter the Spartans’ trajectory early in the season.
80) Wyoming Cowboys
Wyoming will have a new HC patrolling the sidelines for the first time in a decade after Craig Bohl retired. However, Jay Sawvel is a familiar face in Laramie, as he has served as the team’s DC since 2020.
His unit is one of the most talented in the conference this year, with DT Jordan Bertagnole, EDGE DeVonne Harris, LB Shae Suiaunoa, DB Wrook Brown, and S Wyatt Ekeler all returning. The rushing attack should carry the other side of the ball, with Harrison Waylee exploding through the holes his maulers up front create for him.
However, Evan Svoboda is a question mark as the projected starter under center. He has a strong arm and is relatively athletic, but we’ll need to see more before placing the Cowboys any higher on the 2024 College Football Power Rankings.
79) Pittsburgh Panthers
How the mighty have fallen. Pittsburgh won the ACC title in 2021 and then went 9-4 in 2022. However, the Panthers face planted to a 3-9 record in 2023, and the pressure is on HC Pat Narduzzi to right the ship.
Transfers ransacked the defense, and the offense returns nine starters from a unit that ranked near the bottom in most statistical categories last year. I’m a believer in 6’6″ signal-caller Nate Yarnell, but 2024 may not be much kinder to the Panthers.
78) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
If there is one thing we know about Hawaii, it’s that Timmy Chang’s offense is going to put up points in 2024. Not only is Brayden Schager returning after a 3,542-yard and 26-TD campaign, but so are his two leading WRs: Steven McBride and Pofele Ashlock.
The defense remains a concern after forfeiting the third-most points per game in the conference last year (32.2). However, the Rainbow Warriors have one of the easiest schedules in the conference, playing Delaware State, Sam Houston State, and Northern Iowa in three of their four games.
77) South Alabama Jaguars
HC Kane Wommack, starting QB Carter Bradley, leading rusher La’Damian Webb, and all-world receiver Caullin Lacy are all gone, but all is not lost in Mobile. South Alabama promoted Major Applewhite from within, and he has largely been able to keep the roster together.
Most of the Jaguars’ transfer additions were freshmen and sophom*ores, pointing to Applewhite’s belief in his returners. And if sophom*ore QB Gio Lopez picks up where he left off in the bowl game vs. Eastern Michigan (14 of 19 passing for 192 yards and three TDs; 7-88-1 rushing line), South Alabama will be in good hands.
76) Northern Illinois Huskies
Rocky Lombardi is gone, but the Huskies are a run-first team anyway — and who better to hand the ball off to than 1,300-yard RB Antario Brown? Plus, having WR Trayvon Rudolph, TE Grayson Barnes, and one of the best OLs in the conference will make the transition to Ethan Hampton or Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer Jalen Macon under center easier.
Not to mention NIU brings eight starters back from a defense that held MAC schools to 19.9 PPG last season.
75) Colorado State Rams
The Rams are on a six-year stretch without a winning season — that could change in 2024. Starting QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is back with his rocket arm, and so is arguably the best player in the conference: WR Tory Horton.
Jay Norvell established Nevada as a perennial contender in the MWC, and if Fowler-Nicolosi reins in the turnovers and the defense bounces back after a rough season, he could do so again with Colorado State in Year 3 of his tenure.
74) Marshall Thundering Herd
Bob Pruett. Doc Holliday. Charles Huff. The Thundering Herd have had some excellent coaches patrolling their sidelines over the years, and Huff has a chance to cement his place next to all-time program greats.
The transfer portal hit the team hard, but Huff did his best to fill the holes. With former Wake Forest QB Mitch Griffis stepping away from football, Tulsa’s Braylon Braxton appears to be the favorite under center. Transfers will likely start on the right side of the offensive line, at WR and RB, but new OC Seth Doege has the talent to work with.
73) UTSA Roadrunners
UTSA has been one of the top Group of Five teams in recent years, but HC Jeff Traylor will have to prove he can keep his squad afloat without longtime QB Frank Harris. Although Owen McCown and Eddie Lee Marburger aren’t the Roadrunner legend, McCown has flashed when on the field.
If he can keep the offense humming, which shouldn’t be a huge ask with a strong WRs corps and a stable of RBs, UTSA should remain competitive in the AAC.
72) Houston Cougars
Houston hired Willie Fritz to turn the program around after he led Tulane to back-to-back 10+ win seasons. A quick glance at the depth chart shows he got to work quickly, using the transfer portal to his advantage.
With so much turnover, it will take the Cougars some time to get the engine running, but QB Donovan Smith can generate points on his own.
71) Duke Blue Devils
Although Mike Elko was Duke’s head coach for only two seasons, the team had its most successful back-to-back campaigns since 2014-2015. Manny Diaz will attempt to keep the momentum going, which won’t be easy with QB Riley Leonard, RB Jordan Waters, DT Aeneas Peebles, and EDGE RJ Oben all transferring out.
Texas’ Maalik Murphy is a tools-rich passer, but the Blue Devils just don’t have enough to crack the top half of the 2024 College Football Power Rankings.
70) Washington State Cougars
The Cougars saw a mass exodus of talent via the portal, losing 27 players and adding just 12. Among them was uber-talented starting QB Cam Ward, who will be a Miami Hurricane in 2024. Head coach Jake Dickert has his work cut out for him in Year 3, with redshirt sophom*ore John Mateer (19 career pass attempts) and FCS-level Bryant transfer Zevi Eckhaus battling for the QB1 job.
The outlook isn’t much brighter for the rest of the roster, with punter Nick Haberer arguably being Washington State’s best player. It’s difficult to envision much improvement on Wazzu’s 5-7 record this year, especially with bouts against Texas Tech, Washington, Boise State, Fresno State, and Oregon State on tap.
69) Oregon State Beavers
Following three straight losing seasons to begin his tenure, Jonathan Smith turned Oregon State into a Pac-12 competitor, owning a 25-13 record and three bowl appearances over the last three years. Yet, he saw the writing on the wall for the conference and jumped ship for the leading role at Michigan State, taking several coaches and players with him.
Perhaps the most impactful athlete joining the head coach in East Lansing is highly touted QB Aidan Chiles. His loss hurts even more with starter DJ Uiagalelei departing for Florida State earlier in the offseason.
While an early season contest with Oregon looms, the Beavers’ schedule does not include any obvious losses, and kicking off the year against Idaho State should only boost their confidence.
68) Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers haven’t had a winning season in three years — I believe that can change in 2024. Curt Cignetti ransacked thetransfer portalfor reinforcements, bringing in several of his most talented players from James Madison.
The second half of the schedule is no cakewalk, but the additions of QB Kurtis Rourke, WR Elijah Sarratt, EDGE Mikail Kamara, DTs CJ West and James Carpenter, LB Jailin Walker, and CB D’Angelo Ponds give Indiana a fighting chance.
67) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Michael Desormeaux has posted back-to-back 6-7 seasons since taking over for Bill Napier, and his squad could take a big leap in 2024. The roster was largely intact this offseason, with nine defensive starters and most of the offensive line and skill-position corps returning.
QB Zeon Chriss is off to Houston, but Ben Wooldridge and Chandler Fields have starting experience and should keep the Cajuns battling for position near the top of the 2024 Sun Belt Power Rankings.
66) Baylor Bears
The 2024 season could be Dave Aranda’s last in Waco if he doesn’t right the ship. Since going 12-2 and winning the Sugar Bowl in 2021, the Bears have gone 9-16. Landing Toledo star Dequan Finn was massive and makes new OC Jake Spavital’s job easier.
Will that be enough for the Bears to turn back the clock? Probably not, but crazier things have happened in the Lone Star State.
65) UCLA Bruins
Chip Kelly is out, and DaShaun Foster is in. The roster and fanbase have seemingly bought into his style of coaching, and hiring Eric Bieniemy as the OC shouldn’t be understated. Ethan Garbers isn’t an elite passer, but he doesn’t have to be. As long as he can get the ball to J. Michael Sturdivant and Logan Loya and hand the ball off to TJ Harden, the offense will move the chains.
Defensively, losing D’Anton Lynn to USC stings. Yet, Ikaika Malloe will call the shots after spending time as an assistant at Washington. It will take time for the Bruins to turn heads in the Big Ten, but they could surprise some teams in 2024.
64) California Bears
Traveling across the country for most away games is certainly a factor, but Cal could make some noise in their first year in the ACC. RB Jaydn Ott is a monster on the ground, and redshirt sophom*ore Fernando Mendoza showed bright flashes as a first-year starter in 2023.
FCS transfer LBs Liam Johnson (Princeton) and Teddye Buchanan (UC Davis) were stalwarts at their former programs and should have no issue transitioning to the FBS.
63) Arkansas Razorbacks
Since reaching a 9-4 record in 2021, Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks have steadily declined. Another losing season in 2024 could mean a coaching vacancy in Fayetteville. Boise State’s Taylen Green and Utah’s Ja’Quinden Jackson are taking over for QB KJ Jefferson (UCF) and RB Raheim Sanders (South Carolina), which is a downgrade at both positions.
MORE: 2024 SEC Weekly Football Schedule
New OC Bobby Petrino will have his work cut out for him, but at least EDGEs Landon Jackson and Anton Juncaj and S Hudson Clarck can hold down the defense.
62) South Florida Bulls
Former Josh Huepel assistant, Alex Golesh, hit the ground running in his first year at USF, leading the Bulls to their first winning season since 2018, and it wasn’t a fluke.
QB Byrum Brown exploded as a redshirt freshman, generating over 4,000 yards of offense with 37 total TDs. He’ll have his top target (Sean Atkins), backfield mate (Nay’Quan Wright), and four starting offensive linemen back in 2024, raising the team’s floor.
The defense was inconsistent but should improve with the majority of starters returning for Year 2 of DC Todd Orlando’s system.
61) Toledo Rockets
Toledo has options at quarterback, but none of them are remotely close to Dequan Finn’s level. Even still, RB Jacquez Stuart and the team’s top three WRs return and buoy an offense trotting out an entirely new OL.
DC Vince Kehres’ unit has finished among the top three MAC teams in scoring in three consecutive seasons, and with all-conference defenders DT Darius Alexander and S Maxen Hook in-house, a fourth such campaign is within reach.
60) Minnesota Golden Gophers
If there is one word to describe P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota tenure, it’s culture. However, culture can only take you so far, especially with four more teams joining the conference. Fleck knows this, reaching for FCS star Max Bosmer from New Hampshire to run the show under center.
A healthy Darius Taylor can run rampant on opposing teams on his own, but the Golden Gophers have one of the best offensive lines in the conference to aid his endeavors. EDGE Jah Joyner is a one-man wrecking crew in the front seven, and CB Justin Walley will shut down his side of the field.
59) Texas Tech Red Raiders
With strong recruiting and transfer portal classes, there’s optimism in Lubbock. Health has been QB Behren Morton’s biggest hurdle, but he has the tools to thrive on the field.
The schedule is favorable, as the Red Raiders face Abilene Christian, Washington State, North Texas, and Arizona State to open the year and get Cincinnati, Colorado, and West Virginia at home.
58) Jacksonville State Gameco*cks
Rich Rodriguez’s Gameco*cks wasted no time introducing themselves to the FBS, going 9-4 with a bowl victory. The element of surprise is gone, but Jacksonville State has the talent to repeat its success in 2024.
One of Zion Turner, Logan Smothers, and Tyler Huff (or a combination) will take over for Zion Webb under center, and RBs Anwar Lewis and Ron Wiggins return after rushing for 920 yards and nine TDs last year. All-American guard Clay Webb will help pave the way.
Although the defense has some turnover to navigate, EDGE J-Rock Swain, CB Derek Carter, and safety Fred Perry are back to ease the transition from DC Zac Alley (now at Oklahoma) to Luke Olson.
57) Kentucky Wildcats
With Barion Brown and Dane Key back, the Wildcats boast one of the fastest offenses in the nation. QB Brock Vandagriff, a high-profile transfer from Georgia, will need to get the ball to them, but he’s a relative unknown with limited on-field experience.
Veteran-laden offensive and defensive lines buoy the roster, and DT Deone Walker, LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and CB Maxwell Hairston rank highly — if not lead — at their respective positions in the conference.
56) TCU Horned Frogs
TCU was in the national championship just two years ago, but that fact already seems a distant memory. Considering the 65-7 final score against Georgia, it’s probably best for the Horned Frogs. Regardless, QB Josh Hoover flashed in his redshirt freshman season, but his injury allowed transfer addition Ken Seals to receive valuable first-team reps in the spring.
If Seals is named the starter, the Horned Frogs will fall down the 2024 Big 12 Power Rankings — we know who he is, and he isn’t a winning QB. Former Boise State head coach Andy Avalos comes in to stabilize a unit that was dead last in turnovers forced in the conference last year.
55) Syracuse Orange
Ohio State decided to move on from Kyle McCord; that doesn’t mean he is a bad quarterback. He isn’t the athlete Garrett Shrader was, but Shrader wasn’t the passer McCord is. Paired with WR Oronde Gadsden II and OC Jeff Nixon, who helped Matt Rhule turn Baylor from 1-11 to 11-3 in three years, McCord is primed to prove the doubters wrong this season.
New HC Fran Brown proved to be one of the best recruiters in the country over the last two years at Georgia — now it’s time to prove he can lead a program to on-field success.
54) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Tyson Helton has led the Hilltoppers to eight or more wins in four out of the last five seasons, and they’re the biggest threat to Liberty in the CUSA. Texas State’s T.J. Finley transfers in to man the offense and has the arm talent to mitigate any drop-off from Austin Reed.
Malachi Corley’s departure to the NFL hurts the WR corps, but there are several standout options still available, including Dalvin Smith, Kisean Johnson, and Michael Mathison. While starting the year against Alabama certainly won’t help build confidence, WKU doesn’t have many tough matchups before squaring up against Liberty and Jacksonville State to end the season.
53) UNLV Rebels
Jayden Maiava’s departure hurts, but UNLV added Holy Cross All-American Matt Sluka from the transfer portal. He was the 2023 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and left the Crusaders having generated 5,916 passing yards, 3,583 rushing yards, and 97 total touchdowns over four years (three starting).
Pairing Sluka with offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and Rickey White III (88 catches, 1,483 yards, eight TDs in 2023) will keep the fireworks coming, but Barry Odom’s squad is no longer flying under the radar. Their non-conference schedule includes Houston, Kansas, and Syracuse, so the Rebels have an uphill battle to maintain their momentum from last year.
52) Boston College Eagles
Boston College seemed to be trending up after its first bowl win since 2016, but a bit of a reset is in order with HC Jeff Hafley leaving for the Green Bay Packers’ DC job and Bill O’Brien taking his first collegiate HC position since his time at Penn State.
With QB Thomas Castellanos and RBs Kye Robichaux and Treshaun Ward in the backfield, scoring points shouldn’t be difficult, but not allowing them could be.
51) UCF Knights
The Knights’ first year in the Big 12 wasn’t great, resulting in a 6-7 campaign — their first losing season since 2016. To avoid a repeat performance, Gus Malzahn paired 1,000-yard rusher RJ Harvey with Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson and Toledo RB Peny Boone.
Opening the year against FCS outfit New Hampshire and a struggling FBS newcomer in 2023 — Sam Houston State — will build confidence, but ending the season against West Virginia and Utah could crush hopes.
50) Illinois Fighting Illini
Following a bowl appearance and an 8-5 record, Illinois fell to 5-7 last season, but there is reason for optimism. We know how the defense will perform under HC Bret Bielema, but the offense could reach new heights in 2024. The Illini were among the top five in the Big Ten in passing (third), yards (tied for fourth), and scoring (fifth) in OC Barry Lunney Jr.’s second season, and he’ll have more trust in Luke Altmyer to push the ball downfield.
MORE: Why Zakhari Franklin Puts Illinois’ WR Corps Over the Top in 2024
Pat Bryant, Zakhari Franklin, and Mario Sanders II comprise one of the best receiving trios in the Big Ten. 6’3″ and 250-pound bowling ball Kaden Feagin returns and will run behind an offensive line led by three returning starters and two elite transfers (OT J.C. Davis from New Mexico and G Kevin Wigenton II from Michigan State).
49) Bowling Green Falcons
TE Harold Fannin Jr. and RB Terion Stewart — that’s all you need to know. Well, and QB Connor Bazelak, who has completed just over 60% of his passes for 9,305 yards, 48 TDs, and 34 INTs across five seasons and three programs. There’s also Camden Orth, who the Falcons use as a change-of-pace, dual-threat option throughout contests.
In all seriousness, HC Scot Loeffler’s offense has the chance to be the best in the MAC this season, and the defense isn’t too far behind. LBs Darren Anders and Cashius Howell and CBs Davon Ferguson and Jalen Huskey will be missed, but the other seven starters return, including one of the best defenders in the entire conference, CB Jordan Oladokun.
48) James Madison Dukes
Curt Cignetti and the Dukes blitzed the FBS in their first two seasons, going 19-5. And while the team is nearly unrecognizable after Cignetti took the Indiana job, James Madison is still a top-50 team in the CFN College Football Power Rankings.
HC Bob Chesney took Holy Cross to five straight conference titles and four FCS playoff appearances in his six-year tenure and hopes to build off the foundation Cignetti established in Harrisonburg. Washington QB Dylan Morris and North Texas RB Ayo Adeyi will lead Chesney’s vaunted offensive attack and should have no issue putting up points.
Defensively, LB Jacob Dobbs (Holy Cross) and EDGE Eric O’Neill (Long Island) highlight FCS transfers expected to produce, and there is enough returning talent for the unit to mirror their 2023 output.
47) Auburn Tigers
Who can stop a receiving corps of KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Cam Coleman, Robert Lewis, and Sam Jackson V? Payton Thorne.
There’s a reason Hugh Freeze has yet to announce a starting signal-caller. With a difference-maker under center, the Tigers might sit higher in the CFN College Football Power Rankings due to their talent on both sides of the ball. But with Thorne at the helm, 6-7 may be their ceiling.
46) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Five-star true freshman Dylan Raiola has the spotlight, but Matt Rhule has placed the talent around him to succeed early. Transfer WRs Isaiah Neyor (Texas) and Jahmal Banks (Wake Forest) will lead the pass-catching unit, and the RB and OL rooms are serviceable.
The defense should keep the momentum on the Cornhuskers’ side, with EDGE Ty Robinson, CB Tommi Hill, and DB Malcolm Hartzog manning the fort. It wouldn’t be surprising if Nebraska posted its first winning season since 2016.
45) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
After four straight losing seasons to conclude Geoff Collins’ tenure in Atlanta, Brent Key sparked an instant turnaround, leading the Yellow Jackets to a 7-6 record and a bowl victory. Georgia Tech returns most of its starters, including star QB Haynes King.
If he can limit the turnovers (conference-leading 16 INTs in 2023) and the defense improves — which it should under new DC Tyler Santucci, who called the ACC’s top-ranked scoring defense at Duke last year — the Yellow Jackets could upset several favorites.
44) South Carolina Gameco*cks
If the 2024 College Football Power Rankings were predicted solely on potential, South Carolina would be muchhigher.
QB LaNorris Sellerscompleted all four of his passing attempts for 82 yards and two TDs while taking five carries for 51 yards and another score as a true freshman in 2023. At 6’3″ and 240 pounds, he has the size, athleticism, and arm strength to take the conference by storm — we just have to see it first.
Having Rocket Sanders in the backfield should relieve pressure, and five-star WR Nyck Harbor is a generational size (6’5″, 242)/speed (10.12 100-meter) threat on the outside. If everything comes together offensively, the Gameco*cks could play spoiler to some teams higher on the list.
43) Colorado Buffaloes
All press is good press … unless you aren’t performing on the field. Deion Sanders and Colorado took the country by storm early last season but fell off their own hype train, stumbling to a 4-8 record. Travis Hunter is the poster child for two-way players, Shedeur Sanders returns as a top QB in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his father overhauled the roster via the portal again.
The talent is there for the Buffaloes to make some noise in the Big 12, but it’s up to Sanders and Co. to put their players in a position to succeed.
42) North Carolina Tar Heels
Despite Drake Maye’s obvious talent, the Tar Heels underperformed in his tenure, going 17-10 record with two bowl losses. Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson is the favorite to earn the QB1 role, and there’s elite talent around him in RB Omarion Hampton and TE Bryson Nesbit.
After taking a year off from coaching, former Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins returns to call UNC’s defense, which is spearheaded by EDGE Kaimon Rucker, LB Power Echols, and CB Alijah Huzzie. There are playmakers on both sides of the ball — it’s up to HC Mack Brown to unlock their potential.
41) Tulane Green Wave
I’m as much of a Tulane fan as the next Green Waver, but moving on from a head coach (Willie Firtz) and an elite QB (Michael Pratt) in the same offseason won’t be easy for the program.
Yes, Jon Sumrall is an excellent coach, as his track record at Troy proves, and Oregon transfer Ty Thompson has a four-star pedigree. But that doesn’t guarantee immediate success.
Now, Tulane still checks in in the top 50 of the 2024 College Football Power Rankings due to its mix of returning and transfer talent and the fact Sumrall was able to retain both of his coordinators from Troy, providing familiarity and stability not common with head coach transitions.
40) Washington Huskies
This is an all-new Washington team after HC Kalen DeBeor left for Alabama. Most players on the national championship-contending roster either entered the NFL, graduated, or transferred out (several joining DeBeor in Tuscaloosa), leaving Jedd Fisch with just two starters from last year.
The former Arizona head coach didn’t mind, as he brought a handful of Wildcats with him and used the transfer portal to add even more playmakers. QB Will Rogers, RB Jonah Coleman, and WR Jeremiah Hunter form a big three at the offensive skill positions and should have no issues scoring under Fisch’s tutelage.
The defense is more of a question mark, but there is a solid talent pool for Steve Belichick to develop.
39) Texas State Bobcats
G.J. Kinne led the Bobcats to their best FBS season (8-5) in his first year at the helm, and Year 2 could be even more special. The Jayden de Laura fiasco resulted in T.J. Finley transferring to Western Kentucky, but Texas State may have ended up with an upgrade in Jordan McCloud.
McCloud will have 1,300-yard rusher Ismail Mahdi to hand off to behind an OL that returns three starters and added ULM star Tellek Lockette. The WR corps is solid, and the defense has playmakers at every level, including one of the best defenders in thecountry:EDGE Ben Bell.
38) Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State has the offensive talent, including QB Mikey Keene, RB Malik Sherrod, and WRs Jalen Moss and Jacob de Jesus, to upset power-conference teams. Early contests against Michigan and UCLA will go a long way toward determining the Bulldogs’ season trajectory.
MORE: 2024 Mountain West QB Rankings
Head coach Jeff Tedford temporarily stepped away from coaching for the third time in his career last December but appears healthy and ready to lead the Bulldogs to their fourth straight bowl victory and 9+ win season.
37) Iowa State Cyclones
Entering his ninth season, Matt Campbell is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the conference. The Cyclones surprised many by posting a winning record last year, and now they return nearly every starter on both sides of the ball.
That continuity gives Iowa State a leg up on the competition, but the roster is still young. If QB Rocco Becht takes a step forward in his development, this team could reach double-digit wins.
36) Miami RedHawks
Can the Miami RedHawks repeat as conference champions? You better believe it.
Brett Gabbert, the younger brother of two-time Super Bowl champion Blaine Gabbert, knows a thing or two about longevity. Entering his sixth season in Oxford, Brett’s collegiate experience is only rivaled by Bazelek. He battled injuries the last two years, but a fully healthy Gabbert is the undisputed QB1 in the MAC.
Elite RB Rashad Amos is now an Ole Miss Rebel, but Purdue transfer Dylan Downing should form a solid duo with Kenny Tracy. Two of the team’s three leading wide receivers (Cade McDonald and Javon Tracy) are also back, and EDGE Brian Ugwu, LB Ty Wise, and LB Matt Salopek will help the defense suffocate offenses once again.
35) Florida Gators
Listen, Graham Mertz is agoodcollege passer, but his applauded 72.9% completion rate isn’t all that impressive when you realize he had the lowest average depth of target in the SEC.
Head coach Billy Napier’s seat is warming up, and if Mertz isn’t getting the job done, expect to see five-star true freshman DJ Lagway at points this season. And with a schedule featuring Miami, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State, the Gators could limp to a fourth straight season with six or fewer wins.
34) Iowa Hawkeyes
All eyes will be on OC Tim Lester and Iowa’s offense after a paltry 2023 outing. Cade McNamara and TE Luke Lachey are back, but is that enough to right the ship? It could be, especially when factoring in the stonewall of a defense on the other side.
LB Jay Higgins, CB Sebastion Castro, and S Xavier Nwankpa are preseason All-Americans, and they headline a unit filled with standout performers.
33) SMU Mustangs
SMU joins the fray after winning 11 games and the AAC championship a year ago. Of course, all three of their losses came against Power Five opponents, so Year 1 in the ACC may bring the Mustangs down to Earth some.
Nevertheless, from QB Preston Stone to EDGE Elijah Roberts, Rhett Lashlee’s squad has the goods to put up a fight early on.
32) Wisconsin Badgers
Did Tyler Van Dyke flame out in Miami? Yes. Is he an above-average QB? Also yes. Head coach Luke Fickell hopes pairing TVD with offensive coordinator Phil Longo will unlock the offense, and they’ll get to test their mettle against Alabama in Septemeber.
The offensive line is strong as always, which should allow Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker to find daylight often. Will Pauling is a slot assassin, and although the defensive line depth is lacking, S Hunter Wouhler, CB Ricardo Hallman, and OLB John Pius are all-conference talents.
31) Kansas Jayhawks
In just three years, Lance Leipold has taken the Jayhawks from 2-10 to 9-4 with a bowl victory. With QB Jalon Daniels and RB Devin Neal back in 2024, could Kansas continue the linear progression? Daniels has missed 14 games in his career due to injury, so his health is a major factor in the team’s performance.
Losing OC Andy Kotelnicki to Penn State hurts, but QBs coach Jim Zebrowski was promoted to co-OC alongside former Baylor assistant Jeff Grimes.
30) Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech turned up the heat down the stretch last season, winning five of their last seven games to finish with a 7-6 record. With the terrorizing trio of QB Kyron Drones, RB Bhayshul Tuten, and WR Da’Quan Felton back, the offense should have no issue producing points.
On defense, EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, LB Keli Lawson, and CB Dorian Strong led the third-best unit in the ACC, and now former Duke devastating DT Aeneas Peebles is in the fold.
29) West Virginia Mountaineers
Head coach Neal Brown only had one winning season (6-4 in 2020) entering 2023, and his seat was heating up. A 9-4 campaign and Mayo Bowl victory later, he received a contract extension. Were the Mountaineers a one-year wonder? My money’s on no.
QB Garrett Greene and RBs C.J. Donaldson Jr. and Jahiem White return after leading West Virginia to No. 4 nationally in rushing yards per game. The WR corps is deep, Wyatt Milum is one of the best OTs in the nation, and transfers have revamped the defense, particularly the secondary.
A Big 12 Championship is within reach for the Mountaineers — they just need a little health, luck, and consistency to make the dream come true.
28) Appalachian State Mountaineers
Returning production is what sets Appalachian State apart in 2024. QB Joey Aguilar and his topsixpass catchers are back, along with 15 of 21 defenders who played meaningful snaps last season.
September games against Clemson and Liberty are major stumbling points on the schedules, but those contests will show just how high the Mountaineers can climb in 2024 — possibly all the way to the top: the expanded College Football Playoff.
27) Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys haven’t won a Big 12 title since 2011. Fresh off a 10-4 campaign that ended with a conference championship loss, can Mike Gundy lead his program back to the promised land?
Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon IV headlines the list of key returners, including seventh-year QB Alan Bowman, WR Brennan Presley, OT Dalton Cooper, LBs Collin Oliver and Nick Martin, CB Korie Black, and S Trey Rucker.
26) Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals won 10 games and made the ACC Championship Game in Jeff Brohm’s first season at the helm. Jack Plummer is replaced by another longtime collegiate passer in Tyler Shough, who may have more physical tools at his disposal.
With one of the best transfer portal classes in the nation, which included WRs Ja’Corey Brooks and Caullin Lacy, expect Louisville to vie for another conference title bid in 2024.
25) Memphis Tigers
With SMU off to the ACC and Tulane undergoing change at HC and QB, Memphis is the cream of the AAC crop. Ryan Silverfield and Co. have overhauled the offensive line and added South Carolina’s Mario Anderson to replace star RB Blake Watson.
MORE: Why Four-star QB Antwann Hill Jr. Committed to Memphis Over Florida
More importantly, QB Seth Henigan returns for his fourth year as the starter alongside his top three pass catchers from last season: Roc Taylor, Demeer Blanku*msee, and Koby Drake. And of the 19 defenders who started at least one game in 2023, 12 are back, including leading tackler Chandler Martin, who recorded 94 tackles, three sacks, and two INTs a season ago.
24) USC Trojans
The Trojans underperformed despite having No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams under center the last two years. A large reason for their failures was the defense, which new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn has overhauled this offseason.
USC will kick off the season with a neutral-site game against LSU, and the schedule is riddled with momentum killers (Notre Dame, Michigan, and Washington). Nevertheless, QB Miller Moss has the physical tools (as he showed in the Holiday Bowl) and weapons around him to score points in Lincoln Riley’s offense.
23) Arizona Wildcats
Jedd Fisch jumped ship for the Washington job, taking several coaches and players with him. Yet, QB Noah Fifita, OT Jonah Savaiinaea, WR Tetairoa McMillan, LB Jacob Manu, and CB Tacario Davis all decided to stay for new head coach Brent Brennan.
That’s a talented foundation to build on, and with bouts against Kansas State (Week 3) and Utah (Week 4) early in the season, we’ll get to see just how competitive Arizona will be in the expanded Big 12.
22) Texas A&M Aggies
There was a bit of a mass exodus out of College Station at the end of the 2023 season, but new head coach Mike Elko has replenished his talent pool via the portal, including potential future first-round pick Nic Scourton.
Conner Weigman looked like a top SEC QB last year before an injury sidelined him. If he can remain healthy, there are more than enough playmakers on both sides of the ball to improve on 2023’s 7-6 record.
21) Liberty Flames
Liberty stormed to an undefeated regular season and the CUSA title in its conference debut. With QB Kaidon Salter and RB Quinton Cooley returning and a soft schedule on deck, the Flames are primed for a repeat performance in 2024.
The bulk of the team’s starters are back, although there’s some turnover on defense, specifically in the secondary. Nevertheless, a Sept. 28 date at Appalachian State is the Flames’ toughest on-paper matchup — a place in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff is well within reach.
20) Boise State Broncos
Boise State checked in at No. 19 on our earlyCollege Football Top 25list, and they’ll have a chance to earn that placement with Oregon and Oregon State on the schedule. The roster is loaded with playmakers, namely QB Malachi Nelson, RB Ashton Jeanty, WRs Cam Camper, Chris Marshall, Latrell Caples, DE Ahmad Hassanein, LB Andrew Simpson, and CB A’Marion McCoy.
If Spencer Danielson can continue the Broncos’ momentum from the end of last season, they’ll challenge for a CFP spot.
19) Oklahoma Sooners
In Year 2 of Brent Venables’ tenure, the Sooners improved by four victories. And while momentum could stall out a bit in Year 1 in the SEC, especially with turnover at QB and OC, those around the program believe Jackson Arnold is a future star, and new play-caller Seth Littrell knows a thing or two about generating offensive production.
The unit has no shortage of versatile pass catchers in Purdue transfer Deion Burks, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony, Jalil Farooq, and Jayden Gibson. Yet, the real concern lies with an offensive line rife with turnover. If the unit melds together and is able to protect Arnold and pave lanes for Gavin Sawchuk and Sam Franklin, the Sooners will make noise early.
The defense has some work to do, but the unit will be anchored by LB Danny Stutsman and S Billy Bowman Jr. once again.
18) Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson. DJ Giddens. Dylan Edwards. Need I say more? The Wildcats have one of the most explosive backfields in the country, but we’ll need to see Johnson perform over a longer period of time as the QB1 before pushing the Wildcats over the No. 1 team on the 2024 Big 12 Power Rankings.
Nevertheless, Chris Klieman runs a well-coached program primed for its fourth straight 8+ win season.
17) Tennessee Volunteers
Those in Knoxville have seemingly named Nico Iamaleava the chosen one, and with Josh Heupel running the show, it’s hard to dispute them. There are solid starters at every position on offense, and the defense returns many of its first-teamers from 2023, including game-altering EDGE James Pearce Jr.
Tennessee went 9-4 with Joe Milton at the helm — if Iamaleava lives up to the hype, a 10+ campaign is well within reach.
16) North Carolina State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack won five of their last six games to finish 9-4 last season, and that momentum should carry over to 2024.The quarterback room hasn’t exactly been the modicum of consistency for the Wolfpack, but Dave Doeren has rectified the issue by bringing in Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall.
The three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year is surrounded by 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year WR Kevin Concepcion, UConn’s 2023 receiving yards leader TE Justin Joly, and Duke transfer RB Jordan Waters. Although the defense lost some veteran leaders, namely LB Payton Wilson and EDGE Davin Vann, CB Aydan White can generate turnovers independently.
15) LSU Tigers
Heisman-winning QB Jayden Daniels and WRs Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. left for the first round of the NFL Draft, and OC Mike Denbrock fled for a reunion in South Bend. But the Tigers’ cupboard isn’t bare. Garrett Nussmeier has some collegiate experience and one of the strongest arms in the game. Zavion Thomas (Mississippi State) and CJ Daniels (Liberty) transfer in to bolster the WR room.
Meanwhile, HC Brian Kelly has filled the vacant OC position with in-house promotions for QBs coach Joe Sloan and WRs coach Cortez Hankton. As for the 81st-ranked scoring defense and 118th-ranked passing defense, former Missouri DC Blake Baker has the pieces to right the ship, primarily EDGE Bradyn Swinson, LB Harold Perkins Jr., and CB Sage Ryan.
14) Clemson Tigers
The Tigers addedzeroplayers from the transfer portal this offseason, which isn’t exactly a positive after they posted their worst record since 2011 (9-4). T.J. Parker, Peter Woods, Barrett Carter, and Avieon Terrell lead a talented defense, but Dabo Swinney is putting all his chips on Cade Klubnik exploding in Year 2 under OC Garrett Riley.
It’s a gamble that either results in a conference title bid or another lackluster season.
13) Miami Hurricanes
After going 12-13 in his first two years, Mario Cristobal needs results, and he tapped into the transfer portal to get them. Washington State’s Cameron Ward and Oregon State’s Damien Martinez form a lethal backfield duo, and Mark Fletcher Jr. and Ajay Allen proved to be more than competent depth pieces last season.
MORE: Why This Miami Team Feels Different, Could Dominate the ACC in 2024 and Beyond
Meanwhile, Houston’s Sam Brown bolsters a receiving corps returning its top two playmakers in Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. And defensively, EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Francisco Mauigoa, and DBs Daryl Porter Jr. and Jaden Davis lead their respective units, each of which has received at least one transfer infusion this offseason.
Oh, and don’t forget about the ACC’s best kicker, Andres Borregales!
12) Penn State Nittany Lions
While questions surrounding Penn State’s WR corps are warranted, the lethal backfield duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton return, as does QB Drew Allar, who is physically gifted but out-thought himself at times last season.
The offense may be under the microscope, but everyone knows what to expect from the defense: dominance. Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Kobe King, Kevin Winston Jr., Zakee Wheatley — the list goes on and on. If Georgia transfer A.J. Harris and Cam Miller live up to their potential at corner, the Nittany Lions will have no issue making a conference title run.
11) Utah Utes
Kyle Whittingham, Cam Rising, and Brant Kuithe — a college trio as old as time (or at least the last seven seasons). Following back-to-back 10-4 campaigns, the Utes fell to 8-5 last year without the services of their starting QB and TE. They return with WRs Money Parks and Mycah Pittman, TE Landen King, and RBs Micah Bernard and Jaylon Glover.
Speaking of returners, the defense will have eight 2023 starters back in 2024, and CB transfers Cameron Calhoun (Michigan) and Kenan Johnson (Georgia Tech) shined during the spring. The Utes have a real shot at the Big 12 crown in their first year in the conference.
10) Florida State Seminoles
Mike Norvell has used the transfer portal as well as anyone in the FBS, and he needed to in an offseason full of turnover. QB Jordan Travis, RB Trey Benson, WRs Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, and several other starters on both sides of the ball departed for the NFL or graduated.
In comes Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei, who spent a year in the Pac-12 to remake his image after playing his way out of Clemson. He should mesh well with FSU’s offense, which now includes Alabama transfer WR Malik Benson and RB Roydell Williams. The Seminoles likely won’t go undefeated again, but they have the talent to challenge for a CFP spot.
9) Missouri Tigers
Missouri is fresh off their best season (11-2) in a decade, and they return most of their offensive production. Doak Walker finalist Cody Schrader’s departure hurts, but the Tigers nabbed App State’s Nate Noel and Georgia State’s Marcus Carroll to dampen the impact.
The real star of the show is QB Brady Cook and the passing offense, as the top four WRs from last season return, includingpotential top-10 pick Luther Burden III. There are no major holes on the depth chart, but we’ll need to see how Eli Drinkwitz’s squad performs defensively with an entirely new secondary and DC Blake Baker gone.
8) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman’s hiring of Mike Denbrock from LSU was a power move, as was bringing in Riley Leonard from Duke. The Fighting Irish are pushing for a CFP bid in 2024, and scoring more points will only help their endeavor.
Clemson transfer Beaux Collins and FIU transfer Kris Mitchell give Leonard versatile weapons to target, and RBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are ready for bigger workloads with Audric Estime now a Denver Bronco.
However, Notre Dame’s real strength lies in its defense. The Irish have one of the top players in the country along the defensive line (DT Howard Cross III), in the box (LB Jack Kiser), out on the boundary (CB Benjamin Morrison), and in the deep third (S Xavier Watts).
7) Alabama Crimson Tide
Much of Alabama’s ranking rests in your belief in Kalen DeBoer. Filling a living legend’s shoes (Nick Saban) is no easy task and comes with unachievable expectations. Nonetheless, DeBoer knows how to coach, brought over much of his staff from the Huskies, and tasked former South Alabama HC Kane Wommack with calling the defense.
Despite several players jumping ship, the Crimson Tide are not bereft of talent. Jalen Milroe is an athletic marvel and should take well to DeBoer’s QB whispers. Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, and Jaeden Roberts are arguably the best interior in the nation.
Kendrick Law, Germie Bernard, and Kobe Prentice are talented if inexperienced WR corps. And there is a CVS receipt-sized list of defensive players to know, including transfers Keon Sabb (Michigan), Domani Jackson (USC), and LT Overton (Texas A&M).
6) Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines will go as far as their QB situation takes them. RB Donovan Edwards is back to carry the offense, and TE Coleston Loveland will be the top target.
The offense will have time to build chemistry with their all-new offensive line and young QB/WRs thanks to a championship-caliber defense led by DTs Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, EDGEs Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore, LBs Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann, and DBs Will Johnson, Makari Paige, and Ja’Den McBurrows.
5) Ole Miss Rebels
HC Lane Kiffin, QB Jaxson Dart, WRs Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins, TE Caden Prieskorn, EDGE Jared Ivey, and safeties Trey Washington and John Saunders Jr. all return in 2024, and expectations are through the roof. Not only do the Rebels have a strong foundation of homegrown talent, but they attacked the transfer portal better than most in the country.
EDGE Princely Umanmielen (Florida), DT Walter Nolen (Texas A&M), CB Trey Amos (Alabama), WR Antwane Wells Jr. (South Carolina), OT Diego Pounds (UNC), Gs Julius Buelow and Nate Kalepo (Washington), and two standout RBs (Henry Parish Jr., Miami-FL and Rashod Amos, Miami-OH) highlight a massive transfer haul that Kiffin hopes pushes his team over the edge.
4) Texas Longhorns
Can Steve Sarkisian keep the ball rolling in the SEC after guiding the Longhorns to 12 wins and a CFP berth in 2023?
Having Quinn Ewers back certainly helps, as does landing WR transfers Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Matthew Golden (Houston), and Silas Bolden (Oregon State). Plus, CJ Baxter, who was the starter before an injury knocked him out last year, will run behind one of the best offensive lines in the conference.
UTSA EDGE Trey Moore and Clemson S Andrew Mukuba were brought in to enhance their units, and they’ll need to as Texas’ pass defense struggled last season.
3) Oregon Ducks
Dan Lanning has gone 22-5 with consecutive bowl victories in his two years in Eugene, but it’s time for the next step. Dillon Gabriel meshes perfectly with OC Will Stein and will have no issue getting the ball to playmakers Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson, particularly downfield. Jordan James is one of the most explosive RBs in the country and has an elite offensive line in front of him.
Lanning will have the defense humming once again, and he used the transfer portal more than ever to ensure his unit lives up to standards in the Big Ten. An October bout with Ohio State will push the Ducks to the brink, but their November schedule will determine whether they make the playoffs or not: at Michigan, vs. Maryland, at Wisconsin, and vs. Washington.
2) Georgia Bulldogs
After finishing the 2023 campaign with a 13-1 record and missing the playoffs because of a loss in the SEC Championship Game to Alabama, which snapped a school-record 29-game winning streak, the Bulldogs will be seeing red in 2024.
Carson Beck will conduct the offense once again, and he’s the favorite to hear his name called as the first QB off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. Supporting talent is never a concern for Kirby Smart’s squad, and there’s a reason they’re the betting favorite to win the natty.
1) Ohio State Buckeyes
It’s championship or bust in Columbus. Ohio State has defeated every Big Ten opponent in the regular season the past three years except one — Michigan. That changes in 2024. Jim Harbaugh is gone, and the Wolverines are in a state of flux offensively.
QB Will Howard and RBs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson form the deadliest collegiate backfield; Emeka Egbuka and true freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith lead an elite WR corps; and Ryan Day hired his mentor, Chip Kelly, to call the plays. Yeah, OSU will generate points in droves.
KEEP READING: 2024 Strength of Schedule For All 134 FBS Teams
But the offense isn’t the only championship-quality unit. The defense is battled-tested and comes equipped with an experienced, skilled, and athletically gifted front four (Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloa, Tyleik Williams, and Ty Hamilton) and secondary (Caleb Downs, Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke, Jordan Hanco*ck, and Davison Igbinosun).
That’s not even mentioning safety Sonny Styles moving to LB with Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks!
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