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Final Coaches Poll Top 25 released following College Football Playoff National Championship

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko01/09/24

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The final Coaches Poll Top 25 was released following Michigan’s win in the College Football Playoff national championship.

They got together and came up with a final list of the best teams of the past season. It should be no surprise Monday night’s teams are at the top of the list.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the final Coaches Poll top 25 rankings of the 2023-24 season.

1. Michigan

Jim Harbaugh
© Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan of course finished the season as the top team in the country. Would it be anyone else? Throw everything else out the window, it was earned on the field.

The Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh dominated Washington in the end and finished out a perfect season. The future of Harbaugh is the biggest question, but there’s no doubt Michigan was the best team in college football.

2. Washington

Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports

Washington was extremely impressive all season long, but just couldn’t get it going against Michigan in the national title game. Michael Penix Jr. was bottled up in a rare performance.

While he was bruised and battered, the Huskies were in the game up to a certain point. But, they fell short in the end but still, don’t discount the previous 14 games to get to that point.

3. Georgia (+3)

Carson Beck Georgia
(Kari Hodges/UGAAA)

Georgia might be thinking to itself: “we could’ve won it all this year.” The Bulldogs did not get a three-peat since they missed out on the CFP. But hey, the coaches though they were the best team outside of Monday’s national title game.

Kirby Smart’s crew proved it was still one of the best teams in the country and you can make arguments all day on how they would’ve done in this year’s playoff. The reset for next year is one to watch.

4. Texas

Quinn Ewers
(Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas almost had it, and we mean almost. It was nearly a miraculous comeback in the Sugar Bowl against Washington, but there’s no denying this season. Can this team get back next season?

Steve Sarkisian got his crew a Big 12 title and nearly a chance to play for a national championship. The move to the SEC next year is going to be fascinating. Texas is back.

5. Alabama (-1)

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
(Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY Sports)

Let’s get to Alabama, this year’s SEC champion. The voters opted to go with Georgia above the Crimson Tide despite Nick Saban beating his former protege in the title game.

But Alabama had its chances and blew a lead against Michigan in the Rose Bowl. If the Crimson Tide made the title game, who knows what happens? Still, Saban isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

6. Florida State (-3)

brock-glenn-florida-state
© Morgan Tencza | USA TODAY Sports

Florida State made a lot of noise by missing out on the College Football Playoff when the Seminoles finished 13-0 as ACC champions. It was a shame, but that’s ultimately where the chips fell.

The Orange Bowl didn’t help matters with injuries and opt outs. The blowout loss to Georgia stings, but Mike Norvell could very well reload this team to make the 12-team playoff in 2024. The transfer portal might be FSU’s friend once again this offseason.

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7. Oregon (+1)

oregon-head-coach-dan-lanning-believes-liberty-belong-fiesta-bowl-despite-blowout
Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Oregon was dominant all season long, except for those two games against Washington. That’s gotta sting. But Dan Lanning and crew will get their chance against the Huskies in the Big Ten.

It’ll be an interesting facelift for those west coast teams but there’s no doubt Lanning built something in Eugene. Now, can he sustain it for the long haul against a fresh crop of opponents?

8. Missouri (+1)

Missouri HC Eli Drinkwitz celebrates after the Cotton Bowl
© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Eli Drinkwitz should definitely be one of the best stories of the 2023 season. Missouri capped off the year 11-2 with a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State.

If he can push all of the right buttons with this crew, what about next year? Better, worse? We shall see, but Mizzou is suddenly a player year-to-year in the SEC.

9. Ole Miss (+2)

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are already a sleeper for next year’s national title. Ole Miss has plenty of talent coming back as well as the ability to hit the portal, despite losing some talent as well.

With the team’s two losses only coming to Alabama and Georgia, like Missouri, this team is going to be a player. Get your popcorn ready for the rise of Ole Miss. Come to the Sip indeed.

10. Ohio State (-3)

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State leaves the 2023 season with questions after a loss and guys transferring out. But, the Buckeyes landed Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins in the portal to plug in at QB and RB.

So basically, Ryan Day hit the reset button to try and break the three year skid against Michigan and not winning the Big Ten for next year. Buckle up for 2024.

Rest of Coaches Poll Top 25

11. Arizona (+3)
12. LSU (+1)
13. Penn State (-3)
14. Notre Dame (+2)
15. Oklahoma (-3)
16. Oklahoma State (+5)
17. Tennessee (+6)
18. Louisville (-3)
19. Kansas State (+9)
20. Clemson (+6)
21. NC State (-3)
22. Iowa (-5)
23. Kansas (+7)
24. SMU (-5)
25. West Virginia (+6)

Others receiving votes: Liberty 98; Oregon State 90; Tulane 34; James Madison 24; Memphis 23; Troy 17; North Carolina 17; USC 9; Air Force 7; UTSA 5; Northwestern 3; Fresno State 3; Boise State 3; Wyoming 1; UNLV 1; Duke 1;