The college football preseason picture is becoming clearer after an enlightening spring. We have an idea of which players will be asked to carry their teams at various positions.
Alabama, Michigan and Oklahoma are among our biggest risers after appearing not to have as dire roster situations as we originally thought. As a result, Alabama and Michigan sneak into our post-spring playoff predictions.
The five teams we felt most confident in heading into the spring are still the most dependable in my estimation. Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, Oregon and Ole Miss look to have the five most complete rosters. They are perhaps the most likely to make the 12-team playoff.
Home playoff matchups are among the biggest changes to the expanded tournament. This prediction features Alabama and Notre Dame in Tuscaloosa and an SEC rivalry on one team’s home field.
Let’s predict the final College Football Playoff rankings for 2024.
1
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) and Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (2) take down Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Ole Miss in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.
Record prediction: 13-0
SEC Champion
2
Ohio State Buckeyes
Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports
Record Prediction: 12-1
Big Ten Champion
3
Florida State Seminoles
Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) passes the ball during the spring showcase at Reser Stadium, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore.
Oregon State Spring Game679
Record Prediction: 12-1
ACC Champion
4
Utah Utes
Nov 18, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Utah Utes running back Ja’Quinden Jackson (3) is tackled by Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Bill Norton (45) and linebacker Jacob Manu (5) during the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Record Prediction: 11-2
Big 12 Champion
5
Texas Longhorns
Texas White team wider receiver Ryan Niblett (18) celebrates making a catch for a first down in the second quarter of the Longhorns’ spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, April 20, 2024.
Record Prediction: 11-2
SEC At-Large bid
6
Oregon Ducks
Texas Longhorns lonebacker Jaylan Ford (41) chases Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during the game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.
Record Prediction: 11-2
Big Ten At-Large bid
7
Ole Miss Rebels
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) reacts after a first down against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Record Prediction: 10-2
SEC At-Large bid
8
Alabama Crimson Tide
April 9, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) catches a pass during practice in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.
Record Prediction: 10-2
SEC At-Large bid
9
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Sep 23, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) throws a pass against the UConn Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Record Prediction: 10-2
Independent At-Large bid
10
Tennessee Volunteers
Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Record Prediction: 10-2
SEC At-Large bid
11
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches warm up during the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
Record Prediction: 10-2
Big Ten At-Large bid
12
Liberty Flames
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) carries the ball against Liberty Flames safety A’Khori Jones (29) in the first half during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 1, 2024.
Record Prediction: 13-0
Group of Five championship bid
