As the sun sets over Athens, Georgia, excitement is building for the upcoming college football season. For the second year in a row, the Georgia Bulldogs are topping the preseason AP Poll, marking their spot as favorites to dominate once again in the world of college football. Georgia’s stronghold on the number one ranking is bolstered by the return of Heisman candidate quarterback Carson Beck, who has decided to stay for his final season.
Joining the Bulldogs in the top five are some heavyweights of the college football scene. Ohio State sits at number two, followed closely by Oregon at three, Texas at four, and Alabama rounding out the top five. This year’s preseason rankings showcase a blend of familiar faces, with the top ten also featuring Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan, and Florida State.
The SEC and Big Ten conferences are holding their ground firmly in the top ten, with each contributing four teams to this elite group. Notably, the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines have unfortunately dropped to number nine after losing a significant number of players to the NFL, including Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr..
This season comes with numerous quarterback changes across many teams. In fact, out of the top 25 teams, twelve are anticipated to start new quarterbacks as they enter the 2024 season. It’s worth mentioning that both Texas and Alabama are set to feature Heisman candidate quarterbacks of their own, Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe, respectively.
The opening weekend of the season promises exciting matchups that could have major implications for the College Football Playoff race. A highly anticipated game features the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs taking on number 14 Clemson in a neutral-site game, kicking off at noon. Additionally, College GameDay will head to Ireland for the matchup between number ten Florida State and Georgia Tech, marking the third consecutive season a game will be played in Dublin.
As fans gear up for this thrilling season, the competition is fierce, and surprises are bound to unfold. It’s shaping up to be another unforgettable year in college football.
