Paul Finebaum reveals which teams have won the college football offseason

All teams hope to improve in the offseason. However, some programs are more successful than others. During an appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” Paul Finebaum revealed which teams he believes have won the offseason thus far.

“I think it’s Ohio State and I say they won the offseason because they did so poorly at the end of the season,” Finebaum said. “What Ryan Day was able to do was completely shut down all this, ‘He’s going to be on the hot seat, as ridiculous as that may sound, if he can’t beat Michigan.’

“Right now, he’s going to beat Michigan. Michigan is not the same program it was four weeks ago today. We all know that. What Ryan day has to do is get to the playoffs and beat Michigan, and he should be able to do that.”

Ohio State has been a force in the transfer portal. The Buckeyes have added six players in the portal, headlined by former five-star prospects Caleb Downs and Julian Sayin.

Downs was the SEC Freshman of the Year and the SEC Newcomer of the Year. He became the first Alabama freshman to lead the team in tackles in program history with 107. Sayin never played a snap for Alabama, but was the the No. 1 overall QB in the 2024 cycle, according to On3 Industry Rankings.

Ohio State hasn’t only improved its roster. Earlier this month, Ryan Day hired Bill O’Brien to be OSU’s offensive coordinator. After spending five seasons serving as both Ohio State’s head coach and offensive coordinator, Day opted to give up play-calling duties next season.

With additional hires and Michigan’s loss of Jim Harbaugh, Ohio State is primed to dominate in the 2024 campaign. However, they’re not the only team Finebaum believes has made significant improvements in the offseason.

Paul Finebaum’s other offseason picks

“LSU has has built itself up very well for the future, including next year’s recruiting class by putting some important pieces together this year from a coaching standpoint,” Finebaum said. “Two other schools that were extremely good last year, I think will be the same this year, and that’s Ole Miss and Missouri.”

Both Ole Miss and Missouri are in the Top 10 of On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings. LSU hasn’t been as active in the portal, but it has taken major steps forward on its coaching staff. Next season, LSU will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball.

Former Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker will lead LSU’s defense next season. In 2023, Mizzou ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total defense, holding teams to 336.1 yards per game. On offense, head coach Brian Kelly promoted quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton to co-offensive coordinators.