College football teams are formed in the summer, hidden from the public eye, by coaches and assistants who spend many hours filling out transfer portal applications, recruiting, and responding to inquiries about depth charts. In 2024, some universities have performed a better job of this than others.
Let’s now look at the teams who put in the effort and will be the most fun to watch this upcoming season as we head into the summer and get our first look at the preseason top 25 college football rankings from experts throughout the nation. We also look ahead to fall camp.
Colorado will always be a must-watch programme for fans of College Football as long as Deion Sanders is still playing. This is evident following another exciting offseason that saw a large influx of new players as well as a large exodus of departing players. Notable improvements were made by Prime in critical areas, particularly offensive line, to enable his dynamic skill players to advance even farther.
The SEC is known for having difficult schedules, but Oklahoma was expecting a challenging one going into its league debut this autumn, facing a projected half-dozen rated opponents. A fierce test for a defence that has returned with much starting experience and made significant gains, as well as for a new-look offensive line guarding a young quarterback.
The Aggies anticipated losing key players following Jimbo Fisher’s departure, but Mike Elko’s return to A&M as head coach ensures that several did not leave, especially on defence where the team has added linebacker Scooby Williams and former Big Ten sack leader Nic Scourton to an already strong front seven and dynamic skill players surrounding centre Conner Weigman.
Miller Moss’ outstanding performance in the bowl game is encouraging for Caleb Williams’ successor as quarterback in what could be another successful Lincoln Riley offence. However, poor defensive play has been the Trojans’ downfall over the past two seasons, and D’Anton Lynn, the former UCLA coordinator, is expected to be one of this cycle’s most significant additions in college football. A year earlier, his defence ranked tenth in the country.
This autumn, Oregon—the defending Pac-12 champions—along with USC, will enter the Big Ten at an opportune moment. In addition to getting Dillon Gabriel and his likely replacement, Dante Moore, at quarterback and Evan Stewart at wide, among other gains, Dan Lanning was active in the portal once more. The Ducks are expected to be competitive on both lines of scrimmage and are already a strong contender for the conference title.
College Football Teams 2024
Ryan Day had to step up after losing three straight games to Michigan, and he did so by bringing in a massive class of transfers that includes, among other players, two-time SEC running champion Quinshon Judkins, experienced quarterback Will Howard, and former Alabama safety Caleb Downs. Along with important return skills, that’s particularly important when it comes to the defensive line, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and tailback TreVeyon Henderson. News for College Football
The Rebels are in a tough spot since Portal King Lane Kiffin has been using the transfer portal to construct and adjust his rosters. Ole Miss is now one of the most fascinating teams in the SEC thanks to these gains and an enlarged playoff. Tre Harris at wide receiver and quarterback Jaxson Dart returning, while the Rebs’ pass rush is significantly strengthened by defenders Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen.
Given that he has only been at his alma university for two years—having finished only 12-13 overall—Mario Cristobal is under some pressure to turn things around. The Hurricanes’ offence will become a formidable force in the ACC with the acquisition of wide receiver Sam Brown, running back Damien Martinez, and quarterback Cameron Ward. This is on top of defensive additions like Dyoni Hill, a talented G5 corner who attracted interest from big colleges, and linebackers Jaylin Alderman and Simeon Barrow.
Texas had long joked to be “back,” but after a strong showing in the SEC last year—where the school will make its conference debut this autumn—there was little question about it. It won the Big 12 and qualified for the College Football Playoffs after defeating Alabama on the road. With the return of critical experience, particularly at quarterback, and the addition of elite receiver transfers, this talent group is now probably the best in the country.
