2024 College Football Season is Here!
If you are a fan of college football like me then you can’t wait for the season to begin. Well, you are in luck, the first game of the year takes place on Saturday, August 24th! This is referred to as Week 0 in college football as most teams are not starting until August 29th.
However, there are four games in Week 0 with the biggest game between perennial power Florida State and Georgia Tech. There is even more intrigue than usual going into this year as the CFP expands from 4 teams to 12 teams! That means a lot more teams have a legitimate shot at the CFP this year. Is your favorite team one of them?
Let’s get right to it and name the top Five Teams for each conference and then list out the top 25 teams overall.
The Top 5 Teams in Each Power 4 Conference for 2024
SEC (Southeastern Conference)
The SEC is even more loaded than usual. I had a hard time not putting LSU in my top 5 in the SEC, but the conference is just so strong. Also against what most people think, I have Texas having a harder time than expected their first year in the SEC. Take a look below.
- Georgia
Georgia is riding a 39 game regular season win streak! The only thing that kept them out of the CFP last year was a loss to Alabama in the SEC championship. They have the coaching (Kirby Smart), the players, the facilities, and the experience to compete for a National Championship again this year!- Biggest Game of the Year: September 28: Georgia vs Alabama – the rematch of last year’s SEC Championship
- Expected Defensive MVP: S Malachi Starks
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Carson Beck
- Ole Miss
Ole Miss is that team that has the talent to take the next step to compete for championships. Many pundits are taking a wait and see approach with this team, but I have faith that coach Lane Kiffin will have this loaded roster competing for the SEC Championship and participating in the CFP!- Biggest Game of the Year: November 9th: Georgia vs Ole Miss – this is the chance for the Rebels to show they are a true contender
- Expected Defensive MVP: DT Walter Nolen
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Jaxson Dart
- Alabama
Alabama is still a force to be reckoned with, even with the greatest coach of all time (Nick Saban) retiring in the offseason. This roster is still loaded with talent and new coach Kalen DeBoer comes over after leading Washington to the National Championship game last year. This is one team that I would not be surprised by if they exceed expectations and make the SEC Championship Game.- Biggest Game of the Year: September 28: Georgia vs Alabama – the rematch of last year’s SEC Championship and Kalen DeBoer’s welcome to the Georgia vs Alabama rivalry
- Expected Defensive MVP: LB Deontae Lawson
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Jalen Hurts
- Tennessee
I know, I know. Most of you expected to see the other SEC team that starts with a T here, but I believe the Volunteers are going to shock some people this year. Coach Josh Heupel has shown that his system produces a strong offense and with touted 5-Star QB Nico Iamaleava ready to take over in his second year, get ready for some fireworks!- Biggest Game of the Year: October 19th: Alabama vs Tennessee – This game was one of the most magical games in college football two years ago. Can Tennessee make the magic happen again this year?
- Expected Defensive MVP: DE James Pearce
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Nico Iamaleava
- Missouri
The Tigers of Missouri do not get much respect. They lost two games last year, to powerhouse Georgia and perennial contender LSU. After a season like that how many team that bring back their coach, star QB, and star WR would be so overlooked? Get ready for the Tigers to make some noise.- Biggest Game of the Year: November 9th: Oklahoma vs Missouri – some would say Missouri vs Alabama, but they could lose that game and still compete for the CFP. They need to show SEC newcomer Oklahoma that it will not be easy to play in the SEC
- Expected Defensive MVP: S Daylan Carnell
- Expected Offensive MVP: Luther Burden III
Big Ten Conference
The B1G not only boasts the reigning National Champion in the Michigan Wolverines, but they also have powerhouse Ohio State that may have the most talent in the nation. The Big Ten got even stronger this year as they added 4 strong teams from the former Pac-12 in Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA. With the aforementioned teams, plus perennial contenders such as Iowa, Penn State, and Wisconsin, the B1G is loaded!
- Oregon
In the Ducks first year in the B1G I think they are going to come in and make some noise. They went to the transfer portal and secured QB Dillon Gabriel who should be the best QB in the Big Ten this year. That is only one part of their team, this team is loaded!- Biggest Game of the Year: October 12th: Ohio State vs Oregon – This is the Ducks first highly ranked opponent since joining the B1G. We will see where they stand.
- Expected Defensive MVP: CB Jabbar Muhammad
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Dillon Gabriel
- Michigan
The Wolverines have been overlooked by most sports publications, but overlook them at your own risk. This team still has a lot of top level talent. The question is will new head coach Sherrone Moore be able to development enough depth behind the top end talent to contend for the B1G Championship for the 4th year in a row?- Biggest Game of the Year: November 30th: Michigan vs Ohio State – The Game! Can the Wolverines continue their winning streak vs Ohio State? A loss ruins either team’s season.
- Expected Defensive MVP: DT Mason Graham
- Expected Offensive MVP: TE Colston Loveland
- Ohio State
There is no question that coach Ryan Day is feeling the heat from three straight losses to the Wolverines. The Buckeyes expect Championship, Big Ten and National and the fanbase is feeling hungry. With that in mind, Coach Day went out and bought possibly the best roster NIL money can buy. Will the Buckeyes gel and compete for a championship, or will the pressure get to Day and the team?- Biggest Game of the Year: November 30th: Michigan vs Ohio State – The Game! Can the Ohio State take back control of The Game? A loss ruins either team’s season.
- Expected Defensive MVP: CB Denzel Burke
- Expected Offensive MVP: RB TreVeyon Henderson
- Iowa
Every year the Hawkeyes are overlooked and every year they compete for a B1G championship. Admittedly, it will be harder than ever with the removal of divisions in the B1G, but I still expect the Hawkeyes to be a tough team. A ferocious D, combined with an offense that must be better than last year should lead to a lot of wins.- Biggest Game of the Year: October 5th: Iowa vs Ohio State – with a win the Hawkeyes turn the college football season upside down. The crazy thing is, they have the talent to possibly pull this off.
- Expected Defensive MVP: LB Jay Higgins
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Cade McNamara
- Penn State
The Nittany Lions have the benefit of avoiding Oregon, Michigan, and Iowa this year! With a schedule set up for success and a talented roster, can they rise above the tier they have been stuck at and compete for a B1G Championship?- Biggest Game of the Year: November 2nd: Ohio State vs Penn State – This is the biggest game on Penn State’s schedule this year. A win puts them in the driver’s seat for a CFP berth, but a loss would severely impact that possibility.
- Expected Defensive MVP: DE Abdul Carter
- Expected Offensive MVP: RB Nic Singleton
ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)
The ACC has experienced a lot of turmoil with top teams Florida State and Clemson repeatedly discussing trying to leave the conference. If the noise is blocked out, this is a solid conference and will once again have several teams competing for a spot in the CFP.
- Clemson
The luster seems to have worn off the Tigers for most pundits, but I still think this is a CFP team. Coach Dabo Swinney has set the bar very high and while the team might not have reached that bar the last couple of years, but with Junior QB Cade Klubnik leading the way I expect Clemson to once again take their perch at the top of the ACC.- Biggest Game of the Year: August 31: Clemson vs Georgia – The Tigers start the season off with a bang! A win against the Dawgs and Clemson will be back to being considered a top program.
- Expected Defensive MVP: LB Carter Barrett
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Cade Klubnik
- Florida State
Coach Mike Norvell has returned the Seminoles to a top team in the ACC. The Noles got the raw end of the deal when their star QB was hurt at the end of last year and they missed out on the CFP. FSU was still undefeated, but the CFP committee no longer saw them as a top four team. Will FSU use last year as motivation, or will the insult set them back?- Biggest Game of the Year: October 5th: Clemson vs Florida State – This game is between the two teams most expect to compete for the ACC title.
- Expected Defensive MVP: DE Patrick Payton
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB DJ Uiagalelei
- NC State
The wolfpack are just a tough, well coached team that is looking to win double digit games for the second time in their history. They lost superstar linebacker Payton Wilson to the NFL, but they got Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall from the transfer portal and are expecting big things!- Biggest Game of the Year: November 30th: NC State vs North Carolina – The winner takes the state crown!
- Expected Defensive MVP: S Devan Boykin
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Grayson McCall
- Miami
Miami has the talent, but can they avoid the coaching blunders of the last couple of years and compete for the ACC crown? They got a good start on chasing a championship when they got QB Cam Ward from the transfer portal. Ward is a true game changer and could really make the Hurricanes more competitive.- Biggest Game of the Year: October 26th: Florida State vs Miami – This is a heated rivalry between two teams in the same state that are both vying to win the ACC!
- Expected Defensive MVP: DE Rueben Bain Jr.
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Cam Ward
- North Carolina
Can coach Mack Brown surprise people once again and make the Tar Heels a top 5 ACC team, even with the loss of superstar QB Drake Maye? He has a good start on making that goal come true with one of the best RBs in the nation in Omarion Hampton.- Biggest Game of the Year: November 30th: NC State vs North Carolina – The winner takes the state crown!
- Expected Defensive MVP: CB Aydan White
- Expected Offensive MVP: Omarion Hampton
Big 12 Conference
- Utah
The Utes are consistently one of the toughest teams in college football. Led by coach Kyle Whittingham and the return of star QB Cam Rising, the Utes look to challenge for the Big 12 title in their first year in the conference. Will the return of Rising for his 7th year in college football be enough to win the conference?- Biggest Game of the Year: September 21: Utah vs Oklahoma State – The newcomer to the conference (Utah) wants to win the conference title, but veteran to the conference Oklahoma State has something to say about that.
- Expected Defensive MVP: LB Karene Reid
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Cam Rising
- Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are always a fun team with watch with coach Mike Gundy’s teams regularly overachieving. The Cowboys are led by superstar RB Ollie Gordon II and if they can get QB Alan Bowman to cut down on turnovers, the Cowboys could challenge for the conference title.- Biggest Game of the Year: September 21: Utah vs Oklahoma State – The newcomer to the conference (Utah) wants to win the conference title, but veteran to the conference Oklahoma State has something to say about that.
- Expected Defensive MVP: LB Nick Martin
- Expected Offensive MVP: RB Ollie Gordon II
- Kansas State
It is a new era with hyped QB Avery Johnson taking over the team for good. Although Johnson got some good playing time last year, he split time with experienced QB Will Howard. It is now Johnson’s show to run and he could take the Wildcats to a Championship!- Biggest Game of the Year: October 26th: Kansas vs Kansas State – Not only will the winner take home the title of “Best football team in Kansas”, the winner also gets a huge leg up in the chase for the conference crown!
- Expected Defensive MVP: LB Austin Moore
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Avery Johnson
- Kansas
Coach Lance Leipold has turned around the fortunes of the Jayhawks. Known for perennially being a bad team, Leipold has turned the Jayhawks into contenders every year. If talented QB Jalon Daniels can stay healthy then Kansas could compete for the Big 12 title this year!- Biggest Game of the Year: October 26th: Kansas vs Kansas State – Not only will the winner take home the title of “Best football team in Kansas”, the winner also gets a huge leg up in the chase for the conference crown!
- Expected Defensive MVP: CB Cobee Bryant
- Expected Offensive MVP: QB Jalon Daniels
- Arizona
The other Wildcats return a strong team this year. Although coach Jedd Fisch left for the Washington job, QB Noah Fifita and WR Tetairoa McMillan return and they plan on making some more noise this year!- Biggest Game of the Year: September 28th: Arizona vs Utah – Here is a chance for the Wildcats to take on conference newcomer and favorite Utah. A win here could set the tone for the rest of the season!
- Expected Defensive MVP: LB Jacob Manu
- Expected Offensive MVP: WR Tetairoa McMillan
The Top 25 Teams Overall
- Georgia
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Michigan
- Alabama
- Ohio State
- Utah
- Tennessee
- Clemson
- Notre Dame
- Missouri
- Oklahoma State
- Iowa
- LSU
- Texas
- Florida State
- Kansas State
- Kansas
- NC State
- Penn State
- Arizona
- Miami
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- USC
With the CFP expanded to 12 teams this could be the most exciting college football season in quite some time!
We will be updating our Top 5 Teams in each of the four Power Conferences each week so make sure to check it out and see how the rankings change as the season progresses.
What changes would you make to Rivalry Sports Top 25? Do you believe that your team deserves to be higher? Let us know in the comment section.
