College Football Rankings: J.D. PicKell ranks Top 25 teams entering 2024 season
At long last, Week 0 is here. The 2024 college football season gets underway this week, and On3’s J.D. Pickell has released his initial Top 25 rankings.
After reaching the SEC Championship once again last season, Georgia remained in the top spot in the initial Top 25 rankings. Ohio State then came in at No. 2 after becoming one of the big winners on the recruiting trail this year, adding to the expectations for Ryan Day and Co. this year.
It’s shaping up to be an interesting year around the game with so many changes, as well – from the expanded College Football Playoff to a groundbreaking round of conference realignment. Here is PicKell’s Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2024 college football season.
1. Georgia
Georgia looks to once again be one of the top teams in college football this year. The Bulldogs have only lost one game over the last two years and Kirby Smart’s group shows few signs of slowing down.
Carson Beck headlines the group of players returning from last year’s team and is already generating buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate and potential No. 1 overall pick. Trevor Etienne is also in at running back after the departures of Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards, and along with a stout defense, the pieces are in place in Athens for another run.
2. Ohio State
Expectations are sky high in Columbus this year after Ohio State became one of the winners of the offseason. The Buckeyes have a slew of newcomers back, headlined by Emeka Egbuka and J.T. Tuimoloau, and added plenty of star power to the roster as well to make a run at a title.
Caleb Downs and Will Howard headline Ohio State’s transfer class, and Jeremiah Smith is making a strong impression as a true freshman wide receiver. The Buckeyes came in at No. 2 in the AP Top 25 rankings, and J.D. PicKell ranked them at that spot in his college football rankings ahead of the 2024 season, as well.
3. Texas
Year 1 in the SEC could be a special one for Texas. The Longhorns are fresh off their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance last season and look poised to continue their production as they enter their new conference.
Quinn Ewers is back for one final go-round as a potential Heisman favorite, and Texas turned to the portal to bring in more playmakers to help him. Along with a defense led by EDGE Trey Moore and last year’s sacks leader Ethan Burke, the Longhorns could be looking at another big season in Year 4 under Sarkisian.
4. Oregon
Another team poised for a run in a new conference, Oregon will look to keep rolling into the Big Ten. The Ducks lost Bo Nix to the NFL, but have Dillon Gabriel coming in at quarterback along with plenty of production on both sides of the ball.
Oregon reloaded in a big way this offseason with Gabriel and Evan Stewart coming in on offense and Jabbar Muhammad headlining the defensive additions. The Ducks have only lost five games under Dan Lanning and could be looking at another big year in 2024, as well.
5. Ole Miss
He handed the “Portal King” title off at one point, but Lane Kiffin might’ve taken it back this offseason. Ole Miss landed three of the top 25 players in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings to surround Jaxson Dart with plenty of talent this year.
The Rebels’ transfer class was headlined by defensive tackle Walter Nolen, who was the No. 1 overall player to hit the portal. They’re coming off three 10-win seasons for the first time in program history, and Kiffin and Co. added plenty of pieces to make a run this year in a loaded SEC.
6. Alabama
It’s a new era in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban is off in retirement and Kalen DeBoer is in as head coach, and he’s already making his mark on the program.
This season is sure to be one of the most interesting Alabama seasons in recent memory as DeBoer brings his high-powered offense to the SEC. That’s why all eyes are on Jalen Milroe, who took a huge leap last season under Saban and will be the focal point of the attack in 2024.
7. Michigan
After last year’s national championship, Michigan lost its head coach to the NFL. Jim Harbaugh left for Los Angeles, meaning it’s Sherrone Moore’s time in Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines lost plenty of production after winning the title, but returning stars such as Will Johnson, Colston Loveland and Donovan Edwards headline the roster this year. There’s still a question mark at quarterback, but Michigan’s ground-and-pound identity could keep the Wolverines in the national conversation.
8. Utah
In its first year in the Big 12, Utah is generating plenty of buzz as the preseason favorite. Cam Rising is back for yet another season in Salt Lake City, and Kyle Whittingham is not likely to miss a beat after leaving the Pac-12.
The Utes’ tough-nosed style is a big reason they could be immediate contenders to the Big 12. That track record is why J.D. PicKell ranked them in his Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2024 college football season.
9. Florida State
Florida State put together an impressive season in 2023 en route to an ACC title. The Seminoles lost some big-time production, but still came in as a preseason Top-25 team in the preseason college football rankings.
DJ Uiagalelei now has the keys to Mike Norvell’s offense, and it’s sure to look a little different. But another big year in the transfer portal helped keep Florida State atop the ACC preseason poll and made them a team to watch in college football this year.
10. Notre Dame
Year 3 for Marcus Freeman is looking like an important one at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have CFP hopes this year with some talent injected into the offense, and it’s leading to some Top-10 buzz.
Riley Leonard will likely lead the offense, and Xavier Watts is back on defense after leading the team in interceptions a season ago. Add in new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock – who’s back in South Bend – Notre Dame will take on a new look with a CFP run in its sights.
The rest of JD PicKell’s Top 25
11. Missouri
12. Penn State
13. LSU
14. Miami
15. Tennessee
16. Clemson
17. Oklahoma
18. Kansas State
19. USC
20. Texas A&M
21. Oklahoma State
22. Arizona
23. Kansas
24. Nebraska
25. Iowa
The 2024 college football season officially gets underway on Saturday. Florida State and Georgia Tech get things underway from Dublin on Saturday.