College Football Rankings: Dan Mullen releases preseason Top 25
For the first time in seven months, there is a college football game on Saturday. Week 0 is officially here, and the final college football rankings continue to come in.
The latest is from former Florida coach and current ESPN analyst Dan Mullen, who released his preseason Top 25 ahead of Saturday’s slate of games. There were a few surprises in his rankings, although the top teams seemed in line with other Top 25 lists.
The action officially gets underway Saturday when Florida State takes on Georgia Tech in Ireland. Here’s Dan Mullen’s full preseason Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2024 college football season.
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1. Ohio State
Expectations are sky high in Columbus this year after Ohio State’s big offseason on the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes added plenty of talent to the roster and are generating plenty of buzz ahead of the 2024 season.
A transfer portal class headlined by Caleb Downs – the No. 1 overall player in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings – and quarterback Will Howard is causing some excitement, as is top recruit Jeremiah Smith. Add in returning pieces such as TreVeyon Henderson and J.T. Tuimoloau, and Ohio State could be in position to make a run.
2. Georgia
Although Georgia fell short of a third straight national title a year ago, the Bulldogs remain one of the top teams in college football this season. Carson Beck is back to lead the charge at quarterback, and a revamped run game adds another layer to the offense.
UGA came in as the No. 1 team in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings, but Dan Mullen put the Bulldogs at No. 2 in his preseason college football rankings. As the SEC takes on a new look, Kirby Smart and Co. appear poised to stay in the thick of the race as divisions go away.
3. Oregon
As Oregon makes the move to the Big Ten, expectations remain high as Dan Lanning continues to build the program in Eugene. Dillon Gabriel is now in to replace Bo Nix at quarterback, and with Jabbar Muhammad now bolstering the defense, the Ducks could also be in contention in their new conference.
Oregon has only lost five games since Lanning took over the program in 2022, and he continues to be hot on the recruiting trail. That’s leading to some buzz about the Ducks this season, and they came in at No. 3 in Dan Mullen’s rankings.
4. Texas
Texas won one final Big 12 title last year before leaving for the SEC. Expectations remain high in Austin, though, as the Longhorns look to keep that success going.
Quinn Ewers is back at quarterback, and nearly the entire offensive line is also set to return. Those are some of the ingredients for a big year as Steve Sarkisian enters his fourth year at the helm.
5. Florida State
Florida State will play the first game of the 2024 season, and the Seminoles will debut their new look in the process. DJ Uiagalelei is now in at quarterback after Jordan Travis headed to the NFL, and he’ll take over an offense that lost some big-time production.
Still, Mike Norvell and Co. have a second straight ACC title in their sites after leaning on the portal to reload, and Dan Mullen ranked the ‘Noles as a top-5 team. That quest begins across the pond in Dublin against Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon.
6. Michigan
Michigan enters the 2024 season as one of the most interesting teams in the country. The Wolverines notably underwent a coaching change with Sherrone Moore replacing Jim Harbaugh, but a big question mark remains at quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy is now with the Minnesota Vikings, and Michigan’s competition is still going to replace him. The Wolverines still have notable names from last year’s title-winning team such as Donovan Edwards and Will Johnson, though, which could help keep them in the national conversation.
7. Alabama
Perhaps the highest-profile changing of the guard took place in Tuscaloosa this year. Kalen DeBoer has officially taken over for the retired Nick Saban, and Dan Mullen expects Alabama to continue its success under his watch.
DeBoer took Washington to the national championship in just his second season as head coach last season, and he’ll bring his high-powered offense to T-Town. That means all eyes are on Jalen Milroe after he took a huge leap forward last year under Saban.
8. Penn State
Penn State once again won 10 games in 2023, but James Franklin had to replace both coordinators. The biggest change might be on offense, though, with Andy Kotelnicki now calling the shots.
Drew Allar is getting ready for his second season as the starting quarterback this year and has plenty of weapons back with him. The Nittany Lions, like many teams in the Big Ten, have their work cut out for them in the league – but could still be in the conversation as the year goes along.
9. Ole Miss
Another big transfer portal winner this year, Ole Miss is looking to make some noise in the SEC in 2024. Dan Mullen thinks the Rebels could do even more than that, ranking them in the Top 10 of his preseason college football Top 25 rankings.
Jaxson Dart is returning at quarterback and has a loaded wide receiver room with Tre Harris returning and Juice Wells coming in from the portal. The biggest additions are on defense, with Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen headlining the transfer class on that side of the ball.
10. Clemson
For the first time since 2010, Clemson failed to win 10 games last year. The Tigers finished 9-4, but Dan Mullen thinks Dabo Swinney’s group is looking at a big-time bounce back this season as a Top-10 team.
Cade Klubnik is back for another season at quarterback, and his season is generating plenty of conversation. Phil Mafah will also get the bulk of the carries after Will Shipley’s departure as all eyes continue to be on Garrett Riley’s offense.
The rest of Dan Mullen’s Preseason Top 25
11. Missouri
12. Oklahoma State
13. LSU
14. Miami
15. Notre Dame
16. Oklahoma
17. Iowa
18. NC State
19. Utah
20. Memphis
21. Tennessee
22. Kansas State
23. Arizona
24. Tulane
25. Kansas
The 2024 college football season is officially here with Week 0 on Saturday. At long last, the offseason is in the books and games are back.