College Football Rankings: Phil Steele Preseason Top 40

The college football season is right around the corner with 2024 representing one of the most highly anticipated years to date. Headlined by nationwide conference realignment changes, the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, and numerous coaching and roster changes for some of the country’s top programs.

Given the stakes of the new playoff model, preseason rankings have the potential to be paramount this upcoming season. With a team’s ability to remain as one of the top teams or climb up in poll position throughout the season representing the difference between making to the postseason playoff or not.

The official preseason Top 25 has not been released, but Phil Steele has recently released his annual Preseason Top 40 ahead of the season. Check out Steele’s Top 40 below to get a gauge of how one of college football’s highly respected prognosticators stacks up this year’s top teams.

1. Georgia

Georgia leads off Steele’s Top 40 following one of the most impressive three-year stretches in college football. With head coach Kirby Smart leading the program to an impressive 42-2 record and two national championship wins in the past three seasons.

Quarterback Carson Beck returns under center for the Bulldogs, regarded by many as the best-returning starter in the country at the position. That paired with a defense that’s been one of the most consistent in the country year after year makes Georgia’s top ranking fairly undeniable given their championship pedigree.

2. Ohio State

On paper, Ohio State boasts arguably the most impressive roster in the country. With a slew of NFL-level players returning to Columbus instead of declaring for the NFL Draft and several game-changing players joining the Buckeyes this offseason.

From Caleb Downs, to Quinshon Judkins, and Will Howard, Ohio State’s team is loaded with NFL talent on both sides of the ball. With a defense that once again can be one of the best in the country and an offense with new weapons led by new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

3. Oregon

The Oregon Ducks have also made several moves this offseason to further bolster their squad. Headlined by the addition of transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who like Bo Nix the past two seasons has plenty of experience under his belt.

Gabriel joins the Ducks with 49 career starts between his time at Oklahoma and UCF. As he’ll look to help Oregon make a smooth transition into the Big Ten in year three under Dan Lanning.

4. Texas

Texas will also look to make some noise in a new conference as they join the SEC alongside rival Oklahoma this upcoming season. Doing so after head coach Steve Sarkisian led the Longhorns to their best season in a long time highlighted by a 12-2 record, a Big 12 title, and the program’s first College Football Playoff birth.

The Longhorns had a whopping 11 players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. But with star quarterback Quinn Ewers returning amongst others, the expectations are already quite high for Texas’ first year in the SEC.

5. Penn State

This upcoming season could be the year for Penn State. A squad that could potentially benefit from the Big Ten no longer having divisions and the expanded College Football Playoff in a major way following numerous top-12 finishes and haunting losses to Michigan and Ohio State.

The Nittany Lions’ highly touted 2022 recruiting class now enters their third year with the program. With quarterback Drew Allar returning as a starter along and impact players like Abdul Carter, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and others now being looked upon to take Penn State over the hump.

6. Notre Dame

Like Penn State, the expectations for Notre Dame seem as high as they’ve been in quite some time ahead of the 2024 season. Making the cut at the No. 8 spot on Steele’s rankings with likely chances to make the College Football Playoff if they can handle business in their independent schedule.

The Fighting Irish return a strong defense once again that has the potential to improve even more after opponents to 16.6 points per game last season. But all eyes will be on their offense with quarterback Riley Leonard transferring in this offseason and former LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock now calling the plays.

7. Alabama

Alabama enters the upcoming season as one of the most fascinating teams to watch in college football. With Nick Saban retiring following 17 seasons and six national titles with the program and Kalen DeBoer stepping in after leading Washington to last year’s national championship game.

The Crimson Tide falling off or maintaining their championship standard will be one of the most-watched storylines of the season. Made even more fascinating with Jalen Milroe returning as one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in college football.

8. Utah

Utah transitions to the Big 12 coming off of a down year in their final Pac-12 season. But many have tabbed the Utes as the favorite to win their new conference in their very first season joining the league.

Quarterback Cameron Rising returns after missing the entire 2023 season with an injury suffered to end the 2022 season. With Utah’s strong culture set by Kyle Whittingham and their excellent home-field advantage definitely working in their favor in a new conference.

9. Michigan

The defending national champions sneak into Steele’s Top 10 with hopes of defending their national championship with a completely new look roster and coaching staff. With Sherrone Moore filling the shoes of Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines’ leading all programs with 13 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Many are curious if Moore can maintain the culture set by Harbaugh after being one of the most physical teams in the country last year with the nation’s top-scoring defense and a strong run game. Facing a tough schedule next season that features home games against Texas and Oregon along with a trip to Ohio State.

10. Miami

The Hurricanes round out the top 10 following an impressive offseason in the transfer portal. Highlighted by commitments from former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward and former Oregon State running back Damien Martinez.

This year’s Miami team appears to be the most talented of the Mario Cristobal era. And it will be fascinating to see if they can live up to their newfound hype and if this is the year they can return to their early 2000s glory.

11-40

The Big Ten and the SEC dominate the top 10 of Steele’s Top 40 list, but it’s not about you start, it’s about how you finish when it comes to college football rankings. As a handful of key, marquee matches throughout the season could catapult a multitude of teams into the top 10 and ultimately the College Football Playoff picture.

From former ACC Champions to Group of Five programs that will be competing for the lone spot in the CFP, it will be fascinating to see which programs can climb up in the rankings throughout the season. Check out the remainder of Steele’s Preseason Top 40 below.

11. Iowa
12. Clemson
13. Florida State
14. Ole Miss
15. Oklahoma State
16. Boise State
17. Virginia Tech
18. Missouri
19. LSU
20. Oklahoma
21. UTSA
22. SMU
23. Kansas State
24. Tennessee
25. USC
26. Memphis
27. Liberty
28. Texas A&M
29. Iowa State
30. Arizona
31. NC State
32. Louisville
33. Nebraska
34. North Carolina
35. West Virginia
36. Texas State
37. Kansas
38. Appalachian State
39. Kentucky
40. Louisiana

The stage is nearly set for what could be one of the most electric college football seasons to date and a historic year of first regardless of the outcome. As it will be fascinating to see who can live up to the hype or generate some newfound buzz throughout a season where the stakes seem higher than ever.