Graphic by the College Football Playoff
After the first full week of college football in the 2024 season we have the first set of Top 25 Rankings and 12-team Playoff Projections!
The Top 25
1. Georgia (1-0) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Georgia routed Clemson for their 40th straight regular-season win. The last time they lost in the regular season was on November 7th, 2020 to Dan Mullen’s Florida Gators. Georgia is just doing what they’ve been doing this decade; winning.
2. Ohio State (1-0) (Ranked #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
My Buckeyes are tough to read. Some moments they seem to have figured out their problems and others they seem to keep banging their heads against a brick wall. One thing is certain, this season will define Ryan Day, for better or for worse 2024 is the best it will ever get for his time at Ohio State.
3. Texas (1-0) (Ranked #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Steve Sarkisian Era is off to a pretty great start at Texas. Next week they’ll be America’s team as they roll into the home of reigning cheaters to attempt the impossible. Humbling the most out-of-touch fanbase in sports. Hook em!
4. Notre Dame (1-0) (Ranked #5 and #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Irish had maybe the best first win of any team in the country. The Aggies have been all over the place the past few years but they’re still one of the toughest teams to play in their house. Notre Dame won in front of over 100,000 hostile fans and the Marcus Freeman Era continues it’s upward trend.
5. Oregon (1-0) (Ranked #7 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Oregon struggling against FCS Idaho raised eyebrows across the country. But if you’re going to have a game where you just can’t get on track, it’s better to be in Week 1 than in Week 12. And in the end, a win is a win.
6. Alabama (1-0) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It’s never easy to replace a legend. Especially the greatest coach of all time. The Tide, with Jalen Milroe and Kalen DeBoer, don’t look like they’re going to just roll over and stop being the national powerhouse Nick Saban built Bama into.
7. Ole Miss (1-0) (Ranked #6 and #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Ole Miss fans need to enjoy Lane Kiffin and what he’s doing in Mississippi. The success he has had there and is poised to have this year will make him a target of bigger schools who may be willing to break the bank looking for a new coach after this season.
8. Penn State (1-0) (Ranked #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
James Franklin and Penn State are in a similar situation to conference rival Ohio State and Ryan Day. They need to do more than beat up the teams they should and not win the big games. They like their western neighbors need more returns for their talent investment. It’s playoffs or bust for Penn State.
9. Utah (1-0) (Ranked #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
They’re the heavy favorite to get the Big 12’s bid but that conference is wide open and the Utes can’t afford to read their own press and think they’ll have an easy cruise to the top. The Big 12 may be open like the ACC, but top to bottom it’s more loaded and therefore more dangerous.
10. Tennessee (1-0) (Ranked #14 and 12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With the conference expanding, Nick Saban retiring, and the playoffs expanding the time has never been better for the Vols to return to the prominence they desire. Josh Heupel and the high-powered Vol offense are a dark horse in this new era.
11. Missouri (1-0) (Ranked #9 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Like their former SEC East brethren, Missouri are a dark horse despite their fantastic 2023 season. Their SEC schedule is favorable as they’ll likely be the favorite in every game save against Alabama but that may be enough for even a playoff berth for Eliah Drinkwitz and Mizzou.
12. Miami (1-0) (Ranked #12 and #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Miami joined old rival Notre Dame by having an impressive road win to open the season. Is The U back? It’s been speculated on too much to answer it after one game but they looked really good against their rival the Florida Gators and just like that they’re the ACC favorite. Mario Cristobal gets flak for Georgia Tech last year, and I may be wrong but I think he’ll have some wins that are more memorable than that loss before he’s done.
13. USC (1-0) (Ranked #13 and #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
In a game between two teams known for their high-powered offenses, it is fitting that defensive improvement decided the game. USC’s defense had been such a liability that they never really had a marquee win with Caleb Williams. So it is a big deal that in their first season without him they get a big win with a good defensive effort.
14. Oklahoma State (1-0) (Ranked #16 and #17 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Mike Gundy and Ollie Gordon are another team poised to do more than is expected from them and compete for a Power 4 conference championship. It very easily could be the Pokes playing the Utes for the Big 12 crown in December.
15. Oklahoma (1-0) (Ranked #15 and #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I’ve always thought that Oklahoma and Texas will struggle in the SEC but they both are in better shape for playing in their new conference than I thought they would be. The playoff expansion and abolition of divisions in the Power 4 is going to help these new teams in long-established conferences.
16. Arizona (1-0) (Ranked #20 and #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan, the Arizona Wildcats can shoot it out with anyone. In the wild, wild west that is the Big 12 they’ll have plenty of chances for shootouts this season.
17. Kansas State (1-0) (Ranked #17 and #16 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
K-State has a rough schedule with Tulane and Arizona facing them outside of the Big 12. They get Arizona at home in two weeks but first they have to survive Tulane in the Big Easy.
18. Kansas (1-0) (Ranked #19 and #20 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Lawrence is another town that thinks it can capture Big 12 glory in the first year of 16 teams in the conference. They like their counterparts in the Little Apple, have a tough non-conference schedule too. They have to travel to Illinois to face a Big Ten team before hosting UNLV who upset fellow Big 12 member in the Houston Cougars.
19. NC State (1-0) (Ranked #24 and #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Grayson McCall is a quarterback I’ve enjoyed watching for a most of his career. He and head coach Dave Doeren they will compete for the ACC title as much as anyone.
20. Iowa (1-0) (Ranked #21 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
Can Iowa find offense? There’s no divisional path to a Big Ten title anymore so to get to Indianapolis again, the Hawkeyes need to find some offensive firepower. They’ve got some talent in McNamara and Johnson now they just have to prove they can use it at Iowa.
21. Louisville (1-0) (Ranked #22 and #24 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Jeff Brohm got his alma matter to the ACC Championship unexpectedly last year and the conference is even more open this year. Brohm is a coach who is not phased by big games and big-time opponents.
22. Liberty (1-0) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Jamey Chadwell is an elite head coach. I know Liberty got torched against Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl last year but it will only make them stronger. It will be a race between Liberty and Boise State for the 12th seed in the playoffs.
23. Boise State (1-0) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Speaking of the Broncos, they proved against Georgia Southern that they can score! Ashton Jeanty had six touchdowns as Boise stampeded to victory. They’re going to let him carry them this season and it might be all the way to New York for the Heisman and to the playoffs.
24. Georgia Tech (2-0) (Ranked #23 and Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Tech made noise in Ireland to start the season, and while the shine from that victory has faded a little, belief in the Ramblin’ Wreck should not. Their trip to New York to take on Kyle McCord and Syracuse will be a revealing game, no matter who wins.
25. Nebraska (1-0) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With how much this team returns, and with Raiola and Rhule, I believe this team will surprise a lot of people this year. Starting with their rival Colorado. That game will take fans of the Buffs and Big Red back to the 90’s.
Game of the Week: USC vs LSU in Sin City
College Football Playoff Projections
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Utah
- Miami
- Notre Dame
- Texas
- Oregon
- Alabama
- Penn State
- Ole Miss
- Missouri
- Liberty
First Round
5. Notre Dame vs. 12. Liberty
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – South Bend, Indiana.
6. Texas vs. 11. Missouri
Friday, December 20th, 2024 – Austin, Texas.
7. Oregon vs. 10. Ole Miss
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – Eugene, Oregon.
8. Alabama vs. 9. Penn State
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Quarterfinals
1. Georgia vs. 8. Alabama in the Peach Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia
2. Ohio State vs. 7. Oregon in the Rose Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Pasadena, California
3. Utah vs. 6. Texas in the Fiesta Bowl
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 – Phoenix, Arizona
4. Miami vs. 5. Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – New Orleans, Louisiana
Semifinals
1. Georgia vs. 5. Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl
Thursday, January 9th, 2025 – Miami, Florida
2. Ohio State vs. 6. Texas in the Cotton Bowl
Friday, January 10th, 2025 – Dallas, Texas
National Championship
Monday, January 20th, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia
