College Football Preseason Rankings from Athlon Sports (2024)

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Boise State
2023 record: 8-6 overall, 6-2 in Mountain West

Analysis: Boise State will be among the favorites to represent the Group of Five programs and earn the 12th seed in the debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

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Washington
2023 record: 14-1 overall, 9-0 in Pac 12 (Now in Big Ten)

Analysis: Last year saw TCU go from national championship game to not even making a bowl game. The Huskies should be good enough to avoid that but do have to replace key pieces including Michael Penix and Rome Odunze as well as head coach Kalen DeBoer.

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Nebraska
2023 record: 5-7 overall, 3-6 in Big Ten

Analysis: Nebraska’s first seven games of the year before traveling to Ohio State are vs. UTEP, vs. Colorado, vs. Northern Iowa, vs. Illinois, at Purdue, vs. Rutgers, and at Indiana. I’m not saying, I’m just saying.

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Florida
2023 record: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in SEC

Analysis: Florida has recruited largely well in recent years but that hasn’t come without incident. The natives are certainly getting restless in Gainesville as Billy Napier is just 11-14 in two seasons and the Gators get no breaks with perhaps the toughest schedule in the nation in 2024.

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Memphis
2023 record: 10-3 overall, 6-2 in American Athletic Conference

Analysis: Memphis gets to see SMU make the move to the ACC and will plenty of talent returning, will be a threat to crash the College Football Playoff party.

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Kentucky
2023 record: 7-6 overall, 3-5 in SEC

Analysis: Kentucky won’t be good enough to truly compete for the SEC crown but led by defensive lineman Deone Walker, they could very well challenge to win nine games in an incredibly deep conference.

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Auburn
2023 record: 6-7 overall, 3-5 in SEC

Analysis: Auburn should get a bounce in playing their second season under Hugh Freeze but could it be a similar record as last year’s 6-7 mark as the Tigers get no breaks on the SEC schedule aside from a home tilt against Vanderbilt?

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North Carolina
2023 record: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in ACC

Analysis: North Carolina had their most talented quarterback in some time (and they’ve had some good ones) the last years and couldn’t win big. How will they fare now that Drake Maye is off to the NFL?

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SMU
2023 record: 11-3 overall, 8-0 in AAC (Now in ACC)

Analysis: SMU had to rebound after losing Sonny Dykes to rival TCU just two years ago but has gone 18-9 the last two seasons. The Ponies won’t challenge for an ACC crown but will be a tougher out than the majority of the conference.

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Wisconsin
2023 record: 7-6 overall, 5-4 in Big Ten

Analysis: Wisconsin struggled to earn bowl eligibility last season and despite thinking they’ll be better in Luke Fickell’s second season, get bouts with both Alabama and Oregon added to the schedule.

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West Virginia
2023 record: 9-4 overall, 6-3 in Big 12

Analysis: How does West Virginia respond after recording their first winning record in five seasons? The Mountaineers might not challenge for the Big 12 title but figure to make some noise in the new look conference.

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Virginia Tech
2023 record: 7-6 overall, 5-3 in ACC

Analysis: Virginia Tech appears trending in the right direction but with Florida State, Clemson, Louisville, Miami, and an improving Georgia Tech in the ACC, the chances of making a run for the conference title seem slim this fall.

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Louisville
2023 record: 10-4 overall, 7-1 in ACC

Analysis: Louisville was incredibly improved with Jeff Brohm in his first season, nearly falling into an ACC championship. Will that be Brohm’s best chance at one in Louisville or will he get the Cardinals to be a regular contender for conference supremacy?

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USC
2023 record: 8-5 overall, 5-4 in Pac 12 (Now in Big Ten)

Analysis: USC loses their best quarterback in years in Caleb Williams, but also adds perhaps an improved defense as defensive coordinator as Alex Grinch was replaced by D’Anton Lynn.

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Liberty
2023 record: 13-1 overall, 8-0 in Conference USA

Analysis: First year head coach Jamey Chadwell led the Flames to an undefeated regular season and Fiesta Bowl berth in 2023. Could a College Football Playoff appearance be loading in 2024?

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Iowa State
2023 record:7-6 overall, 6-3 in Big 12

Analysis: Iowa State started last year just 1-2 and after a loss at Ohio appeared headed for a forgettable fall. Instead, they bounced back to compete deep into November for the Big 12 and return loads of talent in a conference that no longer features Texas or Oklahoma.

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Arizona
2023 record: 10-3 overall, 7-2 in Pac 12 (Now in Big 12)

Analysis: What could have been comes to mind when you think of Jedd Fisch leaving Arizona for Washington this off-season. The good news for the Wildcats is that quarterback Noah Fifita didn’t follow, nor did a few other stars, and Arizona might just be good enough to be playing in the Big 12 championship game come December.

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NC State
2023 record: 9-4 overall, 6-2 in ACC

Analysis: It’s hard to beleive in a way, but Dave Doeren is entering his 12th season with the Wolfpack. No Florida State or Miami on the schedule this year could aid in getting Doeren and NC State to the ACC championship game after the Wolfpack did a lot of work in the transfer portal.

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Kansas State
2023 record: 9-4 overall, 6-3 in Big 12

Analysis: Quarterback Avery Johnson has the keys to the offense in full for 2024 and the destination he plugged into Google Maps isn’t the Pop-Tarts Bowl again but instead a possible Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff berth.

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Kansas
2023 record: 9-4 overall, 5-4 in Big 12

Analysis: Jalon Daniels is one of the nation’s best quarterbacks when he’s available and Kansas offers one of college football’s best secondaries in 2024. Believe it or not, the Jayhawks are a legit threat to crash the College Football Playoff party!

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Texas A&M
2023 record:7-6 overall, 4-4 in SEC

Analysis: Mike Elko returns to Texas A&M but this time to head the team, not just lead the defense. Elko made quick work in turning the Duke football program around and fair or not, Aggies fans are expecting noticeable improvement in 2024.

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Oklahoma
2023 record: 10-3 overall, 7-2 in Big 12 (Now in SEC)

Analysis: The good news is that Oklahoma appears to have their quarterback of the future locked down in former five-star Jackson Arnold. The bad news is that Alabama, LSU, Texas, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Missouri all await dates with the Sooners this fall.

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Miami
2023 record:7-6 overall, 3-5 in ACC

Analysis: Miami has seemingly invested as much in NIL as seemingly any other school and has found recruiting and transfer portal wins as a result. Now can Mario Cristobal turn these off-the-field wins into actual wins on Saturdays this fall?

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Utah
2023 record: 8-5 overall, 5-4 in Pac 12 (Now in Big 12)

Analysis: Utah’s biggest acquisition this off-season isn’t an addition as much as it is assumed health. Veteran quarterback Cameron Rising returns this year after being sidelined much of 2023 and with him the Utes were able to win back-to-back Pac 12 titles in 2021 and 2022.

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Tennessee
2023 record: 9-4 overall, 4-4 in SEC

Analysis: Vols fans are thrilled with it being time for Nico Iamaleava to take over at quarterback as Tennessee looks to recapture a bit of the offensive magic from 2022. Edge James Pearce could play his way into being a top-three or five pick in next year’s NFL draft as well.

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Clemson
2023 record: 9-4 overall, 4-4 in ACC

Analysis: The bad news is that Clemson lost as many conference games last year alone as they had combined to since the start of the 2017 season. The good news is that Clemson remains unbeaten since Dabo Swinney went off on that radio show caller.

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LSU
2023 record: 10-3 overall, 6-2 in SEC

Analysis: Brian Kelly reworked seemingly his entire defensive coaching staff after a brutal showing on that side of the ball in 2023. However, LSU must replace last year’s Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock who left for Notre Dame.

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Oklahoma State
2023 record: 10-4 overall, 7-2 in Big 12

Analysis: Oklahoma State is bringing it back to the late 1980’s as the Cowboys are home to the best running back in college football, Ollie Gordon III. Having so much of their talent from last year returning helps a team that has dates with Big 12 contenders Utah and Kansas State both the end of September.

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Penn State
2023 record: 10-3 overall, 7-2 in Big Ten

Analysis: Will the third season of Drew Allar in Happy Valley be a memorable year for the Nittany Lions? It has a better chance to be if Penn State’s coaching staff finally decides to take the training wheels off and let him throw the ball down the field.

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Florida State
2023 record: 13-1 overall, 8-0 in ACC

Analysis: Mike Norvell is doing exactly what he was brought to do in turning Florida State into a powerhouse again. He’s utilized the transfer portal extremely well since taking the job and looks to gain more from former Oregon State and Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei this fall.

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Missouri
2023 record: 11-2 overall, 6-2 in SEC

Analysis: Missouri brings back quarterback Brady Cook and leading receiver Luther Burden which may be the nation’s best combination in 2024. However, the Tigers must find ways to replace the defense that made them special in 2023, including replacing coordinator Blake Baker who left for LSU.

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Notre Dame
2023 record: 10-3 overall

Analysis: Notre Dame’s defense should be among the best in the nation but how fast can new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock get things rolling? The health of quarterback Riley Leonard will play a big factor in if this Irish team can be hosting a playoff game come late December.

Oct 21, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates with fans after the Crimson Tide defeated Tennessee 34-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama
2023 record: 12-2 overall, 8-0 in SEC

Analysis: Kalen DeBoer gets rewarded with the impossible task of replacing Nick Saban and inherits significant talent, including Heisman Trophy finalist Jalen Milroe. Can DeBoer create an instant offense like he had massive success with at Washington?

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Michigan
2023 record: 15-0 overall, 9-0 in Big Ten

Analysis: Michigan has to replace 13 players who had their names called in the 2024 NFL draft as well as head coach Jim Harbaugh. Expectations remain high in Ann Arbor but its more than fair to expect there to be speed bumps in the first full season with Sherrone Moore heading things.

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Ole Miss
2023 record: 11-2 overall, 6-2 in SEC

Analysis: Lane Kiffin gets star quarterback Jaxson Dart back for another year and benefits from bringing in a massive amount of talent via the transfer portal. It’s truly playoff or bust in Oxford this fall.

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Oregon
2023 record: 12-2 overall, 8-1 in Pac 12 (Now in Big Ten)

Analysis: Oregon went out and landed as good of quarterback as there was in the portal with Dillion Gabriel making the jump from Oklahoma. Oregon brings in an incredibly physical squad that won’t take time to adjust to the traditional Big Ten style. The real question is, is the right team favored to win the Big Ten right now?

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Texas
2023 record: 12-2 overall, 8-1 in Big 12 (Now in SEC)

Analysis: Last year proved that Texas is back and ready to compete on college football’s biggest stage. This year they bring their most talented roster to the field since Vince Young made magic on the Rose Bowl turf in January of 2006.

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Ohio State
2023 record: 11-2 overall, 8-1 in Big Ten

Analysis: Do you think the Ohio State boosters are tired of getting pushed around by rival Michigan? Nobody invested more in player acquisition or coaching acquisition this off-season than Ohio State. It feels pretty clear that anything short of a national championship appearance will feel like a major letdown for those in Columbus.

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Georgia
2023 record: 13-1 overall, 8-0 in SEC

Analysis: Georgia hasn’t lost a true regular season game in three seasons but falling just short to Alabama in last year’s SEC Championship game kept them out of the College Football Playoff and away from their chance at three-in-a-row. The schedule is as strong as any nationally which will allow for a hiccup or two and the deepest roster in the game to still have a seat at the CFP table.