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SALT LAKE CITY — The 2024 season is around the corner, and it's time again to rank the (projected) best football teams in the country.
Some will argue preseason polls are meaningless — and they can be to an extent — but it's a good look-in on some of the best teams in the country and the optimism surrounding their programs.
Some teams are ranked based solely off projections, while others have a little more weight and proven success to merit a spot in the top 25. Like, is anyone really doubting Georgia or Ohio State?
Regardless, these rankings will mean more as the season develops; but for now, we do our best to project the top 25 teams as the season gets its start in about two weeks with Week 0 games.
I submitted the follow ballot to the Associated Press earlier this month (before fall camps began) as one of 63 writers around the country tasked with ranking college football teams. As I have done the last five seasons, I will submit a weekly ballot that is counted toward the consensus poll that is released by the AP each Sunday.
I don't get paid extra by the AP to vote in this poll, but I do my best to watch as many games as possible each week. While I often try not to judge one game too harshly, it may happen from time to time. I like to look at the week-to-week results and various statistical measures to compile my ballot.
As you can see from my ballot track record, I have tried to judge teams fairly over the years.
A reminder: Votes are tallied such that the No. 1 team on a ballot receives 25 points, the No. 2 team receives 24 points, and it continues down until the No. 25 team receives 1 point. The points are then totaled from all the AP voters, and a consensus poll is created based on those results.
So while my ballot matters in the collective sense, it doesn't have far-reaching influence to impact a team in a significant way. Yes, if the consensus poll has your favorite team at No. 10 and I had them at No. 11, there's little that could be done on my part to move them up one more spot — even if I ranked them No. 1.
The consensus preseason AP Top 25 poll for the 2024 season will be released Monday at 10 a.m. MDT.
Once the season kicks off, I'll continue to publicly release my ballot each week and explain my rationale behind it (at least for the top 10 teams).
If you can't see my ballot below, click here.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Year in and year out, Georgia continues to outrecruit and outperform almost every team in the country. That's no different coming into the 2024 season, in which the Bulldogs appear to be the overwhelming favorite.
Sure, the team lost dynamic tight end Brock Bowers (and many others), but this is a roster loaded with blue-chip talent. Georgia also brings back one of the best overall passers in college in Carsen Beck, with a little more to prove this season.
Georgia lost its two leading rushers but bring back dynamic back Trevor Etienne (Florida) to pick up the slack and add to the skills position arsenal around Beck. Add that to a defense that continues to produce, and Georgia remains one of the toughest opponents in the country (and my top team).
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Few teams in the country can contend with the roster Ohio State has assembled for the 2024 season. They're all in on a national championship bid, and that's their only focus (and beating Michigan finally). Consider Ohio State my 1B.
Any weakness following last year's bid has been seemingly corrected through the transfer portal or through recruiting — with significant NIL dollars attached. Oh, and Chip Kelly decided to leave a head coaching position at UCLA to accept an offensive coordinator role with Ohio State.
The Buckeyes brought in quarterbacks Will Howard (Kansas State) and former top prospect Julian Sayin (Alabama) to compete with Devin Brown for the starting nod. And by all accounts, Ohio State feels it has upgraded at QB, but this remains the biggest question and why I have them at No. 2.
Everywhere else is loaded and mostly proven.
3. Oregon Ducks
Oregon got the better end of the deal when Mario Cristobal left for Miami and Dan Lanning was hired on at Oregon. In the small sample size, Lanning has proven to be one of the best coaches in the country (it helps that he also has Phil Knight in his back pocket).
None of that changes in the more competitive Big Ten, where the Ducks become instant contenders.
Lanning brought in Dillon Gabriel from Oklahoma to lead the charge at quarterback, while adding former UCLA QB Dante Moore for depth. The Ducks should continue to be a threat — picking up where they left off last season.
Not many weaknesses exist with the Ducks, but the secondary is in bit of a transition so maybe there's a vulnerability.
4. Texas Longhorns
After so many fake calls to being back, Texas is certainly back. Like, for real. Steve Sarkisian has done well to build a championship-caliber roster, and the Longhorns will remain a threat for the 2024 season.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers remains one of the best in the game, but will have new faces to throw to this season. Texas lost its three top receivers, but then signed three leading receivers from three Power Four schools. To help matters, the offensive line returns the bulk of its starters.
The biggest question now is how Texas will replace starting running back CJ Baxter, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice last week. There's depth at the position, but it may not be as solidified as expected going into camp.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin isn't just sitting there watching as other SEC schools get better; he's driving the upgrade bus through the transfer portal. Few teams have loaded up like the Rebels have this offseason.
Jaxson Dart remains the leader of an offense that went and got six starters from different teams to upgrade the talent around him. Even though Ole Miss lost dynamic running back Quinshon Judkins, there's plenty of talent to help the Rebels.
I have the Rebels ranked high, but it's been a gradual climb for Kiffin's team over the years. He's developed a roster that can compete with just about anyone, but now it's about seeing it all come to fruition on the field in a crowded SEC.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is always the bridesmaid and never the bride, playing second fiddle to Michigan and Ohio State over the years. But the 2024 season provides new opportunities for an improved Nittany Lions.
Drew Allar had high expectations placed on him as the starting quarterback, but it was poor receiver play that really plagued the offense. Allar certainly has the talent but he can't do it alone. The WR room is wide open, but there's optimism the team will have better talent this season.
Penn State always reloads on defense, but the team loses proven defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, and six starters left for the NFL. Outside of the returning safeties, there's fewer players with playing experience making up the defense.
With that said, doubt Penn State defenses at your peril.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
Nick Saban is gone, and Kalen DeBoer has the tall task of living up to the expectations of one of the greatest coaches of all time. No pressure. Fortunately for DeBoer, it's still Alabama and there's no shortage of high-end recruits that want to make Tuscaloosa home.
The Crimson Tide return quarterback Jalen Milroe, who was one of the best quarterbacks in the country last season. But he loses two of the top running backs, three receivers and a tight end. Each of these rooms remain loaded with talent, so there's not a lot of worry; it's just less proven.
The biggest question comes down to what Alabama will look like under a new regime. But it's still Alabama.
8. Miami Hurricanes
This is the first pick where I'm questioning myself a bit — mostly because Miami hasn't been able to piece together enough success to take them fully serious. Mario Cristobal has one of his best rosters and is easily worthy of a top-10 billing, but can he do anything with it? Is Miami back? I'm putting my faith in the Hurricanes.
Quarterback Cam Ward transfers in as a proven passer, and running back Damien Martinez adds tremendous upside to the backfield. Add to that Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George returning as the top two receivers, and the offense looks to be in good shape.
Defensively, this team returns essentially all starting players in the front seven — including a loaded defensive line — but there's a lot of turnover in the secondary. Will that prove to be Miami's downfall? Time will tell, but I'm willing to take a chance they're the best in the ACC.
9. Florida State Seminoles
Saying Miami is the best out of the ACC was tough to say, especially with Florida State sitting right there. The Seminoles come off an undefeated season, but have a ton of turnover, which leads me to give Miami the edge.
DJ Uiagalelei returns to the ACC, where he's expected to lead the Seminoles under center. He's got talent around him at the skills positions, but a lot of it is unproven — at least to the point where you can single out specific players that will be game changers. There's no question, though, that Florida State has a roster to compete.
Defensively, the Seminoles lose a lot, so there's a bit of a rebuild here. The early schedule sets up nice to help guys come together, but there's still questions. For that reason, I have the Seminoles as the second-best team in the ACC. I won't be surprised, though, if they prove to be the top team.
10. Utah Utes
After a trying 2023 season, in which nearly every position suffered at least one season-ending injury, Utah is back and healthy. This time in the Big 12, Utah comes in as the projected favorite, with an offensive roster that may be the best in the Kyle Whittingham era.
Cam Rising returns under center, where he's led Utah to high-scoring games and back-to-back Pac-12 championships. He gets tight end Brant Kuithe back, as well as a loaded tight end and receiver room to compliment an always consistent run game.
Defensively, Utah is loaded in the front seven, but there remains some questions about the depth in the secondary — at least in terms of playing experience behind the starters.
In consideration (alphabetically): Arizona, Liberty, Memphis, Nebraska, SMU, UCF, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin
