The eyes of the college football world have already turned to the 2024 season, which will see one of the biggest shake-ups in recent history as the 12-team playoff is introduced.
With conference realignment and the transfer portal shaping opinions, how teams will fair in 2024 could be drastically different. How do the first 2024 CFN College Football Top 25 Power Rankings stack up?
College Football Top 25: CFN’s Official Power Rankings
1) Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia didn’t accomplish what they wanted in 2023 but expect them to return in 2024 as focused as ever. The Bulldogs will lose a core of players to the NFL Draft. However, their depth allows them to cope year after year, and returning QB Carson Beck is a huge boost.
Georgia continues to recruit well, and in 2024 they have signed key names out of the transfer portal, including RB Trevor Etienne. Expect Kirby Smart’s team to challenge once again.
2) Alabama Crimson Tide
Straight off another playoff appearance, Alabama returns some key starters in 2024. The Tide will always lose starters to the NFL, but the Alabama machine keeps churning out talent.
QB Jalen Milroe will return after turning his season around in the back half of 2023, as will safety Caleb Downs, who looks a star in the making. Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide always find a way to win. Don’t expect 2024 to be any different.
3) Michigan Wolverines
On the back of winning the National Championship, expect the Wolverines to one of the premier teams in college football once again. For Michigan, a lot depends on the future of HC Jim Harbaugh and which players return for the 2024 season. They will undoubtedly lose players to the NFL Draft, such as RB Blake Corum.
Yet, the Wolverine model has proven it can withstand adversity. If QB J.J. McCarthy returns, then Michigan has a core of players that can compete again.
4) Ohio State Buckeyes
Undoubtedly, 2024 is a prove-it year for HC Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. While they will lose the best player in college football, Marvin Harrison, the receiver room still has plenty of talent. Ohio State brings QB Will Howard from the transfer portal to lead them in 2024 while returning key players on a defense that only allowed 11.2 points per game in 2023.
MORE: 2015 CFB National Championship Odds
Can they finally stop playing second fiddle to Michigan in 2024?
5) Oregon Ducks
The Ducks came close in 2023 and look set to make another push in 2024. They may have lost Bo Nix, but Oregon replaced him with experienced playmaker Dillon Gabriel. The quarterback can make Oregon competitive again immediately as they enter the Big Ten.
WR Tez Johnson returning is massive for the Ducks, who have lost weapons like Bucky Irving and Troy Franklin to the draft.
6) Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns put together a good run in 2023. However, Texas is losing players to the NFL Draft, who have been central to its success. The receiving core of Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell, and Ja’Tavion Sanders have already declared, while they will also lose key players on the defensive line.
Texas is set at quarterback with Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning, but the Longhorns will have to prove they have the weapons to replicate their success in their first year in the SEC.
7) Ole Miss Rebels
Losing elite RB Quinshon Judkins to the transfer portal is gigantic for the Rebels. If they had retained his services, Ole Miss would undoubtedly be further up the CFN College Football Top 25 Power Rankings after dominating the transfer portal. His 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns are difficult to replicate.
However, the Oxford program has used the portal to transform its team into a potential contender. Juice Wells and Devin Price enter as key targets on offense, while Princely Umanmielen, who had seven sacks in 2023, and Walter Nolen come in on defense. The 2024 season looks extremely promising for Lane Kiffin.
8) Missouri Tigers
HC Eli Drinkwitz has the Tigers carrying real momentum right now. Coming off an 11-2 season and a win in the Cotton Bowl, Missouri has the potential to repeat in 2024.
The Tigers will lose productive RB Cody Shrader, OT Javon Foster, as well as DB Kris Abrams-Draine, but they bring in Theo Wease and Marcus Carroll from the transfer portal to accelerate the offense, while star WR Luther Burden and QB Brady Cook return. Expect Missouri to be strong again in the SEC.
9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Irish have made important moves ahead of the 2024 season with the view of contending in 2024. Signing QB Riley Leonard out of the transfer portal is big for Notre Dame, and they pair him with new OC Mike Denbrock. Notre Dame also signed WRs Kris Mitchell and Beaux Collins from the portal to beef up their receiving core.
With a friendly schedule and key additions, expect Notre Dame to be a riser in 2024.
10) Penn State Nittany Lions
If the Nittany Lions are going to move up the CFN College Football Top 25 Power Rankings in 2024, they need to prove they can win big games. HC James Franklin is another coach in a prove-it year, but the Penn State roster shouldn’t be overlooked.
QB Drew Allar and RBs Nick Singleton and Kayton Allen return as the identity of this offense. However, Julian Fleming transfers over from Ohio State, giving Penn State a focal point for their passing attack. Penn State should be strong on both sides of the ball in 2024, they now need to deliver when it matters.
11) Arizona Wildcats
12) Utah Utes
13) Washington Huskies
14) Tennessee Volunteers
15) LSU Tigers
16) Florida State
17) Oklahoma Sooners
18) USC Trojans
19) Louisville Cardinals
20) Oklahoma State Cowboys
21) Clemson Tigers
22) Iowa Hawkeyes
23) Liberty Flames
24) Kansas State Wildcats
25) SMU Mustangs
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!