Preseason Coaches Poll released ahead of 2024 college football season

The US LBM Preseason Coaches Poll has been released ahead of the 2024 college football season. It’s the first of a poll that’s going to be updated every week throughout the season.

The 2024 college football season is set to begin on August 24th with an abbreviated slate of games for Week 0 of the 2024 season. After that, the rest of the sport is going to get going with Week 1, which goes through September 2nd. With all of that coming up, it was time to release the Coaches Poll.

The Coaches Poll is determined by voting from a panel of randomly chosen FBS head coaches. Those coaches are chosen from a pool of those that have previously indicated that they’re interested in participating. Each coach enters a Top 25 list of schools, with 25 points being given out for a first place vote and one point for a 25th place vote.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs are coming into the 2024 season as the top-ranked team in the Coaches Poll. That’s not too much of a surprise, given how much talent the Bulldogs have while they’re returning starting quarterback Carson Beck. However, it’s a difficult path to get there in the SEC.

Still, Georgia has been one of the most dominant college football teams during the time head coach Kirby Smart has been in Athens. That’s particularly true since the 2021 season. During that time, Georgia has won two national championships and put together an overall record of 42-2. So, this is an easy team to put faith in moving forward.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Coming into the 2024 season, head coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to answer questions about how the team can return to form and win the Big Ten again. At the same time, it’s not like Ohio State hasn’t been excellent in recent seasons, going 11-2 in each of the last three seasons. Now, the roster seems as talented as it has ever been.

This offseason, Ohio State revamped the roster in the Transfer Portal, bringing in some incredibly talented players from around the country. When blended with how much talent Ohio State has recruited out of high school and retained from last season, it’s no surprise to see the Buckeyes so high in the Coaches Poll.

3. Oregon Ducks

It’s a season of transition for the Oregon Ducks. First, the Ducks must find a way to gracefully transition into the Big Ten from the Pac-12. After that, Oregon is going to be transitioning at the quarterback position from first round pick Bo Nix to an experienced transfer in Dillon Gabriel.

Clearly, based on where Oregon ended up in the Coaches Poll, expectations are still incredibly high for the Ducks. That’s with good reason too. This is a talented roster led by Dan Lanning, who is considered one of the best young head coaches in all of college football.

4. Texas Longhorns

Similar to Oregon, the Texas Longhorns are in the process of transitioning into a new conference. On top of that, while the Longhorns do have some turnover to manage, there is plenty of returning talent. That makes this team, coming off a trip to the College Football Playoff, a very real threat.

In particular, Texas is highlighted by its very deep quarterback room. It’s led by the veteran starter in Quinn Ewers. Just behind him, however, is Arch Manning, one of the most highly anticipated prospects the sport has seen. So, assuming that group plays well, Texas should be a threat.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

Kalen DeBoer needs to do the impossible at Alabama. He needs to replace Nick Saban, the greatest head coach of his generation. Clearly, based on the Preseason Coaches Poll, there are expectations that he’s going to be able to do that well.

One major benefit for DeBoer and Alabama is that Saban didn’t leave the cupboard bare. This is a very talented team, led by returning starting quarterback Jalen Milroe a season after taking the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff.

The Rest of the Coaches Poll Top 25

6. Ole Miss Rebels
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
8. Michigan Wolverines
9. Penn State Nittany Lions
10. Florida State Seminoles
11. Missouri Tigers
12. LSU Tigers
13. Utah Utes
14. Clemson Tigers
15. Tennessee Volunteers
16. Oklahoma Sooners
17. Kansas State Wildcats
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys
19. Miami Hurricanes
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. Arizona Wildcats
22. NC State Wolfpack
23. USC Trojans
24. Kansas Jayhawks
25. Iowa Hawkeyes