Zachary Neel
April 18, 2024 6:27 am PT
The spring season in college football is always an incredibly entertaining time for fans, mostly because there is so much newness in the air. Whether it is incoming freshmen, new transfers, or even new coaching staff in some places, these several weeks of spring practices and ultimately a spring game give everyone an opportunity to get a taste of what’s to come in the fall.
This college football season is going to bring even more newness, though. With the death of the Pac-12 Conference and the expansion of the College Football Playoff from 4 teams to 12 teams, we can expect a lot of things to look quite a bit different in 2024 than they did previously.
The Oregon Ducks are in a great position, with one of the best transfer classes in the nation coming to Eugene to help Dan Lanning’s unit contend for a championship. With Dillon Gabriel heading up an offense that is fraught with elite talent around him, the Ducks should have no trouble putting up points, and the defense is expected to be among the best in the Big Ten Conference as well. As long as everyone stays healthy, the expectation is that Oregon competes for a conference championship, and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
With all of this in mind, we explore the first way-to-early College Football Playoff projections for the 2024 season.
1
Georgia Bulldogs (SEC Winner, First-Round Bye)
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart runs off the field after winning the CFP national championship game against the TCU Horned Frogs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Georgia Bulldogs didn’t make the College Football Playoff in 2023, but I think almost anyone who knows anything tells you that they were talented enough to get in, but suffered an unfortunate loss at a bad time. This year, the Bulldogs should be even better, with QB Carson Beck projected to be a Heisman contender and one of the early draft picks off the board in 2025.
For more Georgia Bulldogs news, check out UGA Wire!
2
Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Winner, First-Round Bye)
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches during the second quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers at AT&T Stadium.
While Ohio State may be going into the season with a new quarterback, their roster is about as talented as any in the nation, with some massive transfer portal additions both on the offense and defense. They will have to contend with some good times in the Big Ten, especially the Oregon Ducks, but I need to see someone beat them this year before I believe that they aren’t the favorites to win the conference.
For more Ohio State Buckeyes news, check out Buckeyes Wire!
3
Utah Utes (Big-12 Winner, First-Round Bye)
Sep 2, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham works the sideline in the first quarter against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Utah may be getting a huge benefit by going to the Big 12 this year, especially when teams like Texas and Oklahoma are leaving for the SEC. With Cameron Rising back healthy, Utah could be among the top teams in the conference, and they certainly have a good chance to win the conference in their first year, making it to the playoff with a first-round bye.
4
Florida State Seminoles (ACC Winner, First-Round Bye)
Sep 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell on the sideline in the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest question for Florida State is at the quarterback position, where we need to see how good DJ Uiagalelei can be. I think that he’s shown in the past that he can play at a high enough level to compete, especially with the talent around him. The ACC is not particularly strong this year, so the Seminoles are my pick to win the conference and get to the playoff.
5
Oregon Ducks (At-Large Bid)
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon is among the favorites to make it to the national championship game in 2024, but they might not be able to secure an automatic bid into the playoff unless they are able to knock off Ohio State, which will be no easy task. Right now, I have the Ducks getting the highest at-large bid into the playoff, but I could very well see them winning the conference and getting an automatic bid as well.
6
Texas Longhorns (At-Large Bid)
Nov 26, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian talks with players during a time in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
With Quinn Ewers back for another year, the Longhorns should be one of the best teams in the nation, and I think it would be a disappointment if they can’t find their way into the playoff. It’s going to be tough to win the SEC with Georgia leading the way, but the Longhorns should be in the mix when all is said and done.
For more Texas Longhorns news, check out Longhorns Wire!
7
Ole Miss Rebels (At-Large Bid)
Mississippi Head Coach Lane Kiffin returns to Neyland Stadium before an SEC football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.
Kns Tennessee Ole Miss Football
Ole Miss has been as good as anyone this offseason when it comes to acquiring top talent out of the transfer portal, and they now go into 2024 with an elite roster that looks capable of competing in the SEC. Getting past Georgia and Texas will be tough, but I think Lane Kiffin can get the Rebels to the big dance.
8
Alabama Crimson Tide (At-Large Bid)
Mar 21, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer gives directions during practice at the University Alabama Thursday.
Can Kalen DeBoer pick up where he left off at Washington, or better yet, pick up where Nick Saban left off at Alabama? There are some big shoes to fill in Tuscaloosa, but with the level of coaching and the talent on the roster, Alabama should be able to find its way into the playoff once again.
For more Alabama Crimson Tide news, check out Roll Tide Wire!
9
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (At-Large Bid)
Apr 23, 2022; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Marist Liufau (8) and head coach Marcus Freeman talk after the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame has a lot to prove this year, but they’ve also got one of the easier schedules, and a pretty clear path to the playoff should they meet expectations and be even a solid team. Marcus Freeman should find himself dancing when all is said and done.
For more Notre Dame Fighting Irish news, check out Fighting Irish Wire!
10
Kansas State Wildcats (At-Large Bid)
Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman celebrates the victory over NC State after the game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
It may be tough for conferences like the ACC and Big Ten to get multiple teams into the playoff with the sheer depth of the Big Ten and SEC, but I think Kansas State could surprise some people and find a way to get an at-large bid, losing to Utah in the conference title.
11
Clemson Tigers (At-Large Bid)
Nov 27, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after defeating the South Carolina Gameco*cks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Much like Kansas State, there is a path for Clemson to get into the playoff should they be able to have a strong season and make it to the ACC title game. Cade Klubnik has a lot to prove as the QB, but we know how good Dabo Swinney is as a head coach, so I believe the Tigers can get there.
For more Clemson Tiger news, check out Clemson Wire!
12
Liberty Flames (Conference USA Champion)
Jan. 1, 2024; Glendale, Arizona; Liberty Flames head coach Jamey Chadwell looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Oregon Ducks in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
With the new 5+7 playoff model, at least one Group of 5 team is guaranteed a spot in the playoff, though they won’t get an automatic bye like the other conference champions. There are a number of teams who could vie for this spot, but I think Liberty is currently in a good spot to be in the running.
