ESPN releases Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings ahead of 2024 college football season

ESPN has released their Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings ahead of the 2024 college football season officially getting underway this weekend.

There’s only a couple of games this weekend, with Florida State taking on Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland, and SMU traveling to face Nevada, among others, but it’ll be awesome to have college football back on our television screens this Saturday, before a monster Week 1 takes place the following week.

So where does each team stand at the moment, as the season is about to begin? ESPN released their Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings to help give us a better understanding. Check it out below.

1.  Georgia

In ESPN’s rankings, Georgia leads the way, and it could very well be ‘national title or bust’ for the Bulldogs in 2024. Kirby Smart’s led this team to two national titles before narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoff last season.

QB Carson Beck is a Heisman candidate, if not the favorite going into the season. This team will still grind you to the bone in all three phases. It’s not hard to believe they’ll be the best team in college football to begin the season, at least.

2. Ohio State

The Buckeyes come into the 2024 season absolutely loaded on offense, defense and even the coaching staff, with a rejuvenated attitude. Adding Chip Kelly as the OC was the first step. Hence their high ranking in ESPN’s Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings.

Continuing, Ryan Day’s offense of transfers QB Will Howard and RB Quinshon Judkins screams potential. Freshman WR Jeremiah Smith looks like the next big thing and let’s not forget transfer DB Caleb Downs coming from Alabama. National title or bust seems to be their mantra, as well.

3. Oregon

It’s looking like it’s time to compete for a national title in Eugene. The Ducks fell short in the Pac-12 in 2023, but this team is certainly one of the Big Ten favorites in 2024 and in the top three of ESPN’s rankings.

This season, Dillon Gabriel is the new quarterback and he’ll be helped by Texas A&M WR transfer Evan Stewart. There are quality pieces all over the field and this could very well be the best team under Dan Lanning to this point.

4. Texas

Last season, Steve Sarkisian got over the hump with Texas, winning the Big 12 and getting to the College Football Playoff. Now, it’s about taking the next step with a team that’s essentially running it back. The top four spot in ESPN’s rankings certainly suggests that.

In 2024, Quinn Ewers is once again headliner, and god forbid they need to go to him, Arch Manning at QB. There are new weapons in Alabama and Houston transfer WRs Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden. This team is definitely capable of winning the SEC during their first attempt.

5. Alabama

In what was a shocking twist, the Crimson Tide no longer have Nick Saban roaming the sidelines, instead it’s Kalen DeBoer, coming over from Washington. Jalen Milroe is back at quarterback and some quality pieces stayed put, putting Alabama in the top five of ESPN’s rankings.

So, with some portal additions and new offensive wrinkles for the Heisman candidate Milroe to use, this could be a fun team. There’s a lot more buzz about Georgia and Texas in the SEC, but don’t forget about this traditional power.

6. Notre Dame

Oh, the hype is real regarding Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman going into Year 3. This roster is deep and it’s been improved in the transfer portal.

Still an Independent, Notre Dame can’t go higher than the No. 5 seed in this year’s expanded playoff. But it could be a dangerous team. Transfers Riley Leonard (QB), Beaux Collins and Kris Mitchell (WRs) make this what could be a fun offense.

7. Ole Miss

Speaking of fun teams, Ole Miss is going to be an awesome watch this fall. This could be Lane Kiffin’s best team ever with a lot of veterans, putting them in the top 10 of ESPN’s rankings.

Moreover, Jaxson Dart is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the SEC and the Rebels are considered a dark horse for the conference. Certainly one of the 12 best teams in the country at least, Ole Miss could climb even higher in 2024.

8. Penn State

The Nittany Lions could finally make the College Football Playoff, now that the bracket expanded to 12 teams. James Franklin does have a talented team, and this could be a landmark season for Penn State.

This Penn State squad being a playoff team probably hinges on Drew Allar’s development under center, all things considered. If he lives up to more of his recruiting potential, it could be a game changer for the Nittany Lions.

9. Michigan

Michigan gets a lot of love from ESPN, even in the post-Jim Harbaugh era. Sherrone Moore takes over following a national title and there are still key pieces in place.

The Wolverines have to get the QB right, but Donovan Edwards is back at RB, carrying the load. The defense is loaded too with Mason Graham and Will Johnson, the latter being arguably the best defensive back in college football. But this team is behind favorites Ohio State and Oregon in the Big Ten, for now.

10. Florida State

Mike Norvell will do whatever it takes to get Florida State to the College Football Playoff. Despite a 13-0 record and ACC title in 2023, the Seminoles did not get in with an injury to QB Jordan Travis.

We all know the story by this point. However, transfers like QB DJ Uiagalelei and LB Shawn Murphy want to ensure that doesn’t happen again. This team isn’t rebuilding, they’re reloading for a run at the Playoff.

ESPN Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings — No. 11 through No. 25:

11. Missouri
12. Utah 
13. LSU
14. Tennessee
15. Clemson
16. Kansas State
17.  Oklahoma
18. Oklahoma State
19. Miami
20. NC State
21.  Arizona
22. Texas A&M
23. USC
24. Kansas
25. Iowa

As you can see, ESPN’s Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings are similar to the AP Top 25 Poll that was released earlier this summer, with some key differences. It’ll certainly be shaken up when the season gets underway, but until then, this is where each team stands entering a new campaign.

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this article.