Preseason AP Poll Top 25 for 2024 college football season revealed
It’s finally here and college football fans can breathe with the preseason AP Poll Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2024 college football season.
You want rankings and debate? Well it’s finally time. For real this time, we’re serious. No more projections, no more predictions, it’s time folks.
Let’s dive into the 2024 AP Poll preseason top 25 ahead of the college football season. Parentheses reflect movement from last year’s season-ending poll.
1. Georgia (+3)
Georgia could very well be ‘national title or bust,’ once again are at the top of the poll now. 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.
2. Ohio State (+8)
The Buckeyes come into the 2024 season absolutely loaded on offense, defense and even the coaching staff. Adding Chip Kelly as the OC was the first step. Hence this high ranking in the preseason poll.
But 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.
3. Oregon (+3)
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 the first poll.
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 (-1)
Steve Sarkisian got over the hump with Texas last season by 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 poll ranking certain suggests that.
Quinn Ewers is the 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.
5. Alabama
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 the poll.
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. Ole Miss (+3)
Speaking of fun teams, Ole Miss is going to be a fun watch this fall. This could be Lane Kiffin’s best team ever with a lot of veterans, putting them in the top 10 of the poll.
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 though right?
7. Notre Dame (+7)
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), this could be a fun offense.
8. Penn State (+5)
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 though.
This Penn State squad being a playoff team probably hinges on Drew Allar’s development under center. If he lives up to more of his recruiting potential, it could be a game changer for the Nittany Lions.
9. Michigan (-8)
Michigan gets a lot of love 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 (-4)
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.
Okay, we all know the story by this point. But 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 in the playoff.
Rest of Top 25 AP Poll
11. Missouri (-3)
12. Utah
13. LSU (-1)
14. Clemson (+6)
15. Tennessee (+2)
16. Oklahoma (-1)
17. Oklahoma State (-1)
18. Kansas State
19. Miami
20. Texas A&M
21. Arizona (-10)
22. Kansas (+1)
23. USC
24. NC State (-3)
25. Iowa (-1)
Others receiving votes: Louisville 111, Virginia Tech 77, Boise St. 47, SMU 33, Iowa St. 33, Liberty 32, Washington 23, West Virginia 17, Memphis 16, Nebraska 16, Wisconsin 15, UTSA 6, Tulane 5, Appalachian St. 4, Kentucky 3, Auburn 2, Colorado 1.
So what do you think of the first rankings of the season? Well, preseason of course. Just a couple of weeks and we can finally play real football!