With college football kicking off in just nine days, anticipation is at an all-time high. This season promises to be fascinating, with a host of new storylines to follow, headlined by conference realignments. There will be plenty of new rivalries formed over the next four months.
It's no surprise that the SEC and Big Ten dominated the initial Associated Press (AP) rankings released this past week. Both conferences have grown even stronger with new additions, further solidifying their status as the best in college football. These new additions promise to bring even more premier matchups throughout the season.
With the new playoff format, twelve teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament, finishing with the crowning of a National Champion. Here’s a preseason prediction of what the College Football Playoff rankings might look like at the end of the 2024 season.
Rank | Team | Bid Type | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georgia | SEC Champ | N/A |
2 | Ohio State | Big Ten Champ | N/A |
3 | Florida State | ACC Champ | N/A |
4 | Arizona | Big 12 Champ | N/A |
5 | Texas | At-large | N/A |
6 | Oregon | At-large | N/A |
7 | Alabama | At-large | N/A |
8 | Ole Miss | At-large | N/A |
9 | Michigan | At-large | N/A |
10 | Missouri | At-large | N/A |
11 | Utah | At-large | N/A |
12 | Boise State | Mountain West Champ | N/A |
Similar to the AP, these initial rankings are dominated by the SEC and Big Ten, and it’s hard to argue against them. Both conferences have made significant improvements this offseason, and with every team facing tough schedules, they should all be able to build the resumés to send multiple representatives to the playoff.
As for the single Group of Five school in the playoff, it's tough to predict who that team might be. Each year, a team seems to emerge from nowhere, showcasing great potential. Last year, Liberty represented the Group of Five in the Fiesta Bowl. The Mountain West is likely to be the strongest Group of Five conference this year, and Boise State, with its high potential, could be a team to watch.
When the season kicks off in just over a week, these rankings are bound to shift. Everything is speculation until the players take the field. The 2024 season is set to be another exciting chapter in college football, with plenty of new rivalries and matchups that are sure to get fans excited.