We’re about to embark on an unprecedented season.
Not only has conference realignment reshaped the sport, but expanding the College Football Playoff from four to 12 teams will fundamentally change how we process the regular season.
For the juggernauts in the 18-team Big Ten and 16-team SEC, a loss or two along the way is no longer a deal-breaker. That might not be the case in the ACC or Big 12 — but we can’t be certain because all of this is new.
The first set of CFP Rankings will be released on Nov. 5. In the meantime, the Associated Press Top 25 is the best guide we have to see where everyone stands.
The Star’s Michael Lev went against the consensus at the top of his ballot, tabbing Ohio State as the No. 1 team in the land. The Buckeyes received 15 first-place votes, nowhere near Georgia’s 46.
Here's how Lev sees the Top 25 — which includes Arizona, in the preseason for the first time since 2015 — as the 2024 campaign gets underway:
1. Ohio State
2023 record: 11-2, 8-1 Big Ten
Coach: Ryan Day (sixth year)
In a sentence: The Buckeyes retained a ton of top talent, added significant pieces through the transfer portal, signed the nation’s No. 1 recruit and installed Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator — all of which puts a ton of pressure on new QB Will Howard as OSU seeks its first national title in 10 years.
2. Georgia
2023 record: 13-1, 8-0 SEC
Coach: Kirby Smart (ninth year)
In a sentence: The Bulldogs are deep and talented per usual (that’s what multiple top-five recruiting classes will do for you), they have one of the betting favorites for the Heisman Trophy in QB Carson Beck — and they'll need all that and more to navigate a schedule that includes road games against Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning speaks at Big Ten Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 25, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Ducks are positioned well to compete immediately in their new conference.
3. Oregon
2023 record: 12-2, 8-1 Pac-12
Coach: Dan Lanning (third year)
In a sentence: Of the four Pac-12 defectors joining the Big Ten, the Ducks are best positioned to succeed with their ongoing emphasis on line play and the nation’s No. 2-ranked portal class, headlined by QB Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma) and cornerback Jabbar Muhammad (Washington).
4. Texas
2023 record: 12-2, 8-1 Big 12 (lost in College Football Playoff semifinals)
Coach: Steve Sarkisian (fourth year)
In a sentence: The Longhorns have lost two running backs to injury already, but they might have the best offensive line in the nation to open holes for whoever carries the rock — and to protect QB Quinn Ewers, who’ll have a rebuilt receiving corps at his disposal.
5. Ole Miss
2023 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Coach: Lane Kiffin (fifth year)
In a sentence: The Rebels are all in to make a run in 2024 after stockpiling the No. 1 portal class in the country, led by former Texas A&M five-star DT Walter Nolan, who’ll be tasked with anchoring a defense that’s lagged behind the offense during Kiffin’s tenure.
6. Alabama
2023 record: 12-2, 8-0 SEC (lost in CFP semifinals)
Coach: Kalen DeBoer (first year)
In a sentence: DeBoer has a superb track record with programs and quarterbacks, but there’s bound to be a drop-off in the immediate aftermath of Nick Saban’s retirement, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where the Tide lost more than it gained in the portal.
7. Penn State
2023 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten
Coach: James Franklin (11th year)
In a sentence: The Nittany Lions could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of realignment and the elimination of divisions in the Big Ten; with Michigan off the schedule and Ohio State coming to Happy Valley, it’s CFP or bust for Penn State.
8. Notre Dame
2023 record: 10-3
Coach: Marcus Freeman (third year)
In a sentence: After losing All-American left tackle Joe Alt to the NFL, his successor, Charles Jagusah, went down for the season — an ominous sign for a Fighting Irish squad that otherwise has promising pieces and a reasonable schedule (toughest games: at Texas A&M, home vs. Florida State).
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, right, catches a pass for a first down as South Carolina defensive back DQ Smith defends during the second half of their game on Oct. 21, 2023 in Columbia, Mo.
9. Missouri
2023 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Coach: Eli Drinkwitz (fifth year)
In a sentence: The Tigers are a good team to begin with — led by the QB-WR combo of Brady Cook and Luther Burden III — and their schedule could be conducive to a playoff run; they’re likely to be underdogs in only two games (at Texas A&M, at Alabama).
10. Michigan
2023 record: 15-0, 9-0 Big Ten (won national championship)
Coach: Sherrone Moore (first year)
In a sentence: The Wolverines return two of the nation’s best defensive players in DT Mason Graham and CB Will Johnson, but they lost a ton of key figures to the NFL — including Jim Harbaugh — so there’s bound to be bumps in Year 1 of the Moore era.
11. Tennessee
2023 record: 9-4, 4-4 SEC
Coach: Josh Heupel (fourth year)
In a sentence: The Vols have been flying under the radar in the top-heavy SEC, and that’s probably a good thing; led by rising-star QB Nico Iamaleava and DE James Pearce Jr. — who could be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — they might make a playoff push.
12. LSU
2023 record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC
Coach: Brian Kelly (third year)
In a sentence: Expect improvement on defense under new coordinator Blake Baker after a disastrous 2023 campaign on that side of the ball — but regression on the other side, which lost first-round picks Jayden Daniels (who won the Heisman), Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.
13. Utah
New Miami quarterback Cam Ward, via Washington State, walks inside the team’s training facility during the Hurricanes’ media day on July 30, 2024, in Coral Gables, Florida.
2023 record: 8-5, 5-4 Pac-12
Coach: Kyle Whittingham (20th year)
In a sentence: The transition from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 will be a lot smoother than going from the Mountain West to the Pac for the Utes, who have as solid a foundation as anyone and welcome back QB Cam Rising and TE Brant Kuithe after both missed 2023 because of injuries.
14. Miami (Fla.)
2023 record: 7-6, 3-5 ACC
Coach: Mario Cristobal (third year)
In a sentence: The U has invested heavily in coaching and on-field talent — including former Pac-12 stars Cam Ward and Damien Martinez — and it could pay off in the Hurricanes’ first ACC championship in their 21st year in the league.
15. Florida State
2023 record: 13-1, 8-0 ACC
Coach: Mike Norvell (fifth year)
In a sentence: After a devastating and unfair ending to last season, Norvell tried to reload for another run via the portal; but is new quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei any better than the last time he played in this conference?
16. Oklahoma
2023 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big 12
Coach: Brent Venables (third year)
In a sentence: Despite more historic and recent success, Oklahoma isn’t getting nearly as much attention as Texas as they both join the SEC; that’s probably a mistake, although the schedule is unkind with Top 25 matchups against Tennessee, Texas, Ole Miss, Missouri, Alabama and LSU.
17. Clemson
2023 record: 9-4, 4-4 ACC
Kansas State running back DJ Giddens (31) runs the ball during the first half of the Wildcats’ game against Baylor on Nov. 11, 2023, in Manhattan, Kansas.
Coach: Dabo Swinney (17th year)
In a sentence: Despite Swinney’s aversion to the transfer portal, the Tigers remain a threat to win the ACC and, therefore, to make the Playoff; for that to happen, junior QB Cade Klubnik (19-9 TD-INT ratio in 2023) has to go from good to great.
18. Texas A&M
2023 record: 7-6, 4-4 SEC
Coach: Mike Elko (first year)
In a sentence: Recruiting wins never translated to consistent winning on the field for Jimbo Fisher after the 9-1 season of 2020; now it’s up to Elko to maximize the talent on hand, something he demonstrated he could do at Duke.
19. Kansas State
2023 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big 12
Coach: Chris Klieman (sixth year)
In a sentence: All the pieces are in place for the Wildcats to contend for the Big 12 title, including several key returnees from the league’s No. 2 scoring defense and the supremely talented backfield of Avery Johnson, DJ Giddens and transfer Dylan Edwards.
20. Oklahoma State
2023 record: 10-4, 7-2 Big 12
Coach: Mike Gundy (20th year)
In a sentence: Almost everyone of note is back from a 10-win team, a rarity in modern college football; but for the Cowboys to live up to expectations, veteran QB Alan Bowman has to be better (14-15 TD-INT ratio in 2023).
21. Arizona
2023 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Coach: Brent Brennan (first year)
In a sentence: Expectations haven’t been this high in Tucson in a long time, and there’s plenty of star power — led by Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan — to push for a Big 12 title; depth, especially along the offensive line, remains a lingering concern.
22. Kansas
2023 record: 9-4, 5-4 Big 12
Coach: Lance Leipold (fourth year)
In a sentence: It’s not hyperbolic to assert that the Jayhawks’ season hinges on the health of dynamic dual-threat QB Jalon Daniels, who missed all but three games last season because of a back injury; he has a 30-8 TD-INT ratio with a 68.5% completion rate the past three seasons.
23. Virginia Tech
2023 record: 7-6, 5-3 ACC
Coach: Brent Pry (third year)
In a sentence: The Hokies won six of their final nine games last season after a 1-3 start and enter 2024 as a dark horse in the ACC; dual-threat QB Kyron Drones is the headliner, but RB/KR Bhayshul Tuten and CB Dorian Strong are difference-makers as well.
24. NC State
2023 record: 9-4, 6-2 ACC
NC State wide receiver Kevin Concepcion
Coach: Dave Doeren (12th year)
In a sentence: The Wolfpack consistently win 8-9 games under Doeren, and they might be poised to hit double digits with former Coastal Carolina star Grayson McCall on board at quarterback and 2023 Freshman All-American Kevin Concepcion leading the receiving corps.
25. Iowa
2023 record: 10-4, 7-2 Big Ten
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (26th year)
In a sentence: The Hawkeyes manufactured a 10-win season despite having one of the worst offenses in the nation; with Brian Ferentz ousted and former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester installed as OC, Iowa has to get better on that side of the ball, right?
The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev break down notable stories and observations from Arizona Wildcats football training camp with the season about two weeks away. Is Arizona's No. 21 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 fair? Plus, the guys answer your Twitter mailbag questions and discuss position battles and rising players for the UA.
