College Football Rankings: Greg McElroy releases Top 25 ahead of 2024 season

ESPN college football analyst and host of the Always College Football podcast Greg McElroy released his preseason Top 25 rankings this week.

And while McElroy certainly made some debate-worthy choices, the overall ranking — especially at the top — is in line with most others at this point in the calendar. And there’s a notable absence from a certain group of teams.

Check out McElroy’s full 2024 preseason Top 25 below.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State spent the 2024 offseason loading up in the transfer portal. As such, the Buckeyes are a popular preseason pick as the No. 1 team.

And with such a loaded roster and having fallen short in recent years, the expectations are sky high in what should be a pressure-packed season in Columbus: Win the Big Ten, win a national championship.

2. Georgia

Georgia, if not the Buckeyes, is the other common pick as No. 1 going into the 2024 campaign. And it’s not a bad bet given the dominant program Kirby Smart has built in Athens.

Quarterback Carson Beck is expected to be a top draft pick and could push the Bulldogs back into the College Football Playoff and national title contention.

3. Oregon

Dan Lanning has been highly successful in his two seasons as the Oregon head coach. In Year 3, the Ducks have been pegged by many as a potential conference champion in the first year in the Big Ten for the program.

But even if that doesn’t pan out — Ohio State is a tough hill to climb — the Ducks are primed for a CFP berth and more in 2024.

4. Texas

Texas finally cracked into the CFP for the first time in program history in 2023 and the Longhorns are surely eying a postseason win or two in what they hope will be a return trip this fall.

The coach-quarterback pairing of Steve Sarkisian and Quinn Ewers has been quite a boon for Texas, and their partnership is ready for another chapter in 2024.

5. Alabama

Alabama might be replacing Nick Saban, but things around Tuscaloosa have kept rolling on as usual with Kalen DeBoer in the fold. As such, Alabama should be right back in the hunt for a playoff berth in 2024.

After an up-and-down first season as the starting quarterback — one in which he finished strong — quaterback Jalen Milroe is set up to have a star-turned season.

6. Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman has coached two seasons at Notre Dame and so far the results have been fine. He’s guided the Irish to a 19-7 overall record in that span and won both his bowl games.

But the Irish have higher aspirations and Freeman might finally have the team to get Notre Dame back into the CFP. A lot rides on the shoulders of transfer quarterback Riley Leonard.

7. Ole Miss

Ole Miss, along with Ohio State, brought in oodles of talent in the offseason. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is back for another season and the roster for the Rebels is as good as any in the SEC.

Whether or not head coach Lane Kiffin and Co. can finally parlay the transfer haul into a team that truly competes for an SEC title remains to be seen.

8. Penn State

Penn State has been a picture of consistency under James Franklin, albeit with a lower ceiling than many would like. But a new 12-team CFP gives Penn State more upward mobility without needing to beat one or both of Michigan and Ohio State.

And the 2024 team should be one of the more talented squads Franklin has had, especially on defense. If quarterback Drew Allar can take a big step forward, the Nittany Lions should be a real threat to not only make, but make some noise in the CFP.

9. Missouri

Missouri, perhaps quietly, had an excellent 2023 season capped with a Cotton Bowl victory. And the Tigers bring back their starting quarterback and arguably the best receiver in the nation in Luther Burden.

The schedule stacks up nicely for the Tigers in 2024, too. A trip to the CFP is very much in the cards for Eli Drinkwitz’ outfit this year.

10. Tennessee

Tennessee will be breaking in heralded prospect Nico Iamaleava at quarterback this season, but head coach Josh Heupel has probably earned the benefit of the doubt for his ability to craft a good offense.

And that, paired with what should be a fearsome pass rush led by James Pearce, could have the Volunteers competing in the upper-echelon of the league. If Iamaleava is as advertised, the Volunteers could be in for a special year.

Greg McElroy’s preseason team rankings No. 11 through 25

11. Michigan
12. Miami
13. Florida State
14. Clemson
15. LSU
16. Oklahoma State
17. Oklahoma
18. Utah
19. Kansas State
20. Texas A&M
21. NC State
22. Arizona
23. West Virginia
24. Kansas
25. Auburn

The biggest notable absence from McElroy’s preseason Top 25 isn’t any specific team, but a whole class of them: All of his ranked teams in the preseason are in one of the Power 4 leagues. The likes of Boise State or Liberty will surely have something to say about that before the season is done.