College Football Midseason Awards 2024

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

It feels like just yesterday we were watching Florida State and Georgia Tech kick off the 2024 college football season in Dublin, Ireland, but the startling reality is that we are already at the midpoint of the fall. There's still plenty of exciting moments on the horizon but now that we've reached the halfway point, it's time for my annual "Midseason Awards", predicting the official and unofficial winners of some of the sport's most prestigious honors.

Projected National Champion: Texas Longhorns

Seven weeks into the season, many National Title frontrunners have already taken a loss - a list that now includes Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and the reigning National Champion, Michigan. Of course, the expanded College Football Playoff means these teams still have hope, but there will be little margin for error down the stretch. That's not the case for the Texas Longhorns, who remain undefeated and have built a solid resume through the first half of the season. With Quinn Ewers healthy and the defense playing at an elite level we haven't seen from Texas in some time, they seem like the clear favorite as of right now. However, the schedule does get trickier down the stretch, a true welcome to the SEC for the Longhorns. Georgia is this upcoming weekend, and Texas A&M still awaits, plus the possibility of the SEC Championship Game. Managing to stay undefeated may not be a reasonable goal, but the Longhorns should still remain one of the frontrunners to take it all home - for the first time since Vince Young and the 'Horns beat USC in 2005.

Others in Consideration: Oregon Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes, Miami Hurricanes

College Football Picks 2024: Week Seven

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Current Picks Record: 32-21

Upsets: 3-4

Superdogs: 2-3

(#2) Ohio State Buckeyes @ (#3) Oregon Ducks

Line: Ohio State -3

O/U: 53.5

For the first time, Oregon and Ohio State are meeting as conference opponents, with both looking for a statement win to bolster their resume. Both sit at a perfect 5-0, but neither have been tested in the way they will be on Saturday. Whoever responds in the raucous environment of Autzen Stadium will decide who becomes the league favorite and heads into next weekend with a six in the win column.

The prevailing logic heading into the fall around Oregon was that their offense would not skip a beat, despite the departures of Bo Nix and Bucky Irving. Dillon Gabriel transferred in as a veteran quarterback with one of the most accomplished track records in recent college football memory, and had an abundance of weapons surrounding him and offensive coordinator Will Stein. Statistically, the Ducks have been impressive, putting up 35 points per contest, but it hasn't been the complete dominance most expected coming into the year. Gabriel has had some shaky moments, highlighted by two questionable red zone interceptions in their win over Michigan State last Friday, but their competition hasn't been able to take advantage. That is not going to be the case on Saturday - they face a Buckeye secondary that features superstar Caleb Downs and steady corner Denzel Burke, with ultra-versatile Sonny Styles also moving all over the field. Jim Knowles is a tactician at confusing and disrupting opposing offenses, and despite Gabriel's experience, he's been prone to shockingly bad throws. Fortunately, he'll have the support of a fabulous ground game, led by Jordan James, plus Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden out wide. Add in one of the nation's top line, one that has absolutely mauled their competition so far this fall, Oregon has all the ingredients to be a high-flying, unstoppable offense. It just feels like they're still fitting the pieces together in the right way, and the Buckeyes are quite the test. Beyond the secondary, a relentless front seven that includes future NFL Draftees like Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Ty Hamilton is a stiff challenge. Oregon is not going to be able to push around these guys like they have against the Michigan States and Oregon States of the world. How will they handle that adversity will tell us a lot about their chances not only in this one, but the rest of the season.

Ohio State has faced an even weaker slate up to this point in the year, although beating down an Iowa team that has given them troubles in the past was quite the exclamation point. The Buckeyes have looked a bit crisper than the Ducks, on both sides of the ball, but also seem to still be figuring things out as they reach the midway point of the regular season. Will Howard is certainly not the flashiest quarterback to ever start under center for the Buckeyes, but the rock-solid veteran has had no issues distributing the ball to the weapons Ohio State features on the perimeter, most notably Emeka Egbuka and freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes can pound with the best of them in much the way Oregon can, with Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson the most feared 1-2 punch in the country. Chip Kelly has taken a fairly conservative approach to his playcalling so far, leaning on their advantage in the trenches and taking the occasional deep shot when necessary. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a few tricks up his sleeve going up against the school he became a household name at - the Buckeyes are undoubtedly saving different plays and formations. The Duck defense does offer quite the challenge, but I'm not sure it's quite at the Ohio State level defensively. They are stout up front, but I do believe this is a team you can stretch vertically and hit the big play or two - we'll see how aggressive the Buckeyes choose to be.

This game is going to tell us a lot about both teams, as we simply don't know as much as we should about two teams that are both considered National Championship contenders. Oregon clearly retains an important advantage with Ohio State having to travel to Eugene, but their first five weeks have felt just a bit... underwhelming. Maybe it's a situation where they need the elevated competition to truly show what they're capable of, but the Buckeyes inspire much more confidence at this juncture. Even on the road, I like them to come out victorious.

The Pick: Ohio State, 31 Oregon, 27

College Football Picks 2024: Week Six

Marquis Johnson, Missouri

Current Picks Record: 28-16

Upsets: 2-3

Superdogs: 2-3

Locks: 1-4

(#9) Missouri Tigers @ (#25) Texas A&M Aggies

Line: Texas A&M -2.5

O/U: 48.5

Old Big 12 foes clash in the only ranked game of the weekend, with the ninth-ranked Missouri Tigers traveling to College Station to face Texas A&M. It hasn't always been a pretty start for Mike Elko and the Aggies, but they've done what they need to do over the course of a 4-1 start, while Missouri is looking to add a ranked win to their College Football Playoff resume.

The Texas A&M offense has looked a bit different than expected under first-year offensive coordinator Colin Klein, primarily because the person running it has been a new face in Marcel Reed. With Conner Weigman sidelined for a big chunk of the first month of the year, Reed has stepped in as starter and gone 3-0 as their quarterback. Weigman is listed as a game-time decision come Saturday, but something tells me it will be Reed out there in this one. With all due respect to Weigman, the offense has looked significantly better under Reed, and his rushing ability gives this Missouri defense something to worry about in a way they don't have to with Weigman. No matter who is starting quarterback, running the football will still be the name of the game for one of the top rushing attacks in the country. Le'Veon Moss has been a workhorse, and the change-of-pace ability of Amari Daniels, particularly combined with Reed's rushing, helps the Aggies ground-and-pound. A lot of credit should also go to an offensive line that has rolled with the punches so far in 2024, and looks like a much improved unit as they enter the weekend. It should set up an interesting battle against a Missouri defense that has looked surprisingly strong despite several major NFL defections in the offseason, not to mention the loss of coordinator Blake Baker to LSU. They've been very good against the pass, but will need to up their physicality and play with an edge in front of the raucous crowd of Kyle Field. 

Although the Tigers have to feel good about entering October 4-0, their last two games have left something to be desired. They won both, but got all they could handle from both Boston College and Vanderbilt, so there's clearly some work to be done. The offense has had no issues moving the ball, but has struggled to get it in for six when they've gotten in the red zone, leading to ample work for kicker Blake Craig, who already has 16 attempts on the young season. Quarterback Brady Cook has been good, but he needs more from a receiver corps that looked to be one of the best in all of the land entering the fall. That's not to say Missouri's receivers have been bad, but Luther Burden III and Mookie Cooper are much better than their stats may indicate. Marquis Johnson will also look to get more involved - the big-play threat in this offense last season, he's been held in check through the first five weeks. With Nate Noel having a strong start to the year out of the backfield, Missouri has been able to lean on the ground game, but the Aggies do present a challenge in that respect. This has long been a strong defensive front and they'll look to bring the heat consistently against Cook and company. How the Tigers handle the pressure and whether they are finally able to find the rhythm consistently through the air may make all the difference.

The Aggies enter this one more battle-tested and do get the Tigers at home, but I still like Missouri's chances to come in and pull off what is technically an upset. They have far too many offensive weapons to continue settling for field goals, and the A&M defense has lived and died off turnovers so far this fall. If Cook and company take care of the ball, I think they find a way to come out on top.

The Pick: Missouri, 34 Texas A&M, 24

College Football Picks 2024: Week Five

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Current Picks Record: 24-11

Upsets: 2-2

Superdogs: 2-2

Locks: 1-3

(#2) Georgia Bulldogs @ (#4) Alabama Crimson Tide

Line: Georgia -2

O/U: 48.5

Nick Saban may be gone, but the animosity between Alabama and Georgia is high as ever as we head into their pivotal regular season matchup on Saturday. Alabama's victory in last year's SEC Championship Game effectively knocked the Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff and killed their dreams of a three-peat. Now, the Crimson Tide welcome Georgia to Bryant-Denny Stadium with both teams trying to add the crown jewel to their Playoff resumes.

The last time we saw Georgia on the field wasn't the type of dominant performance we've come to expect of Kirby Smart's Bulldogs, but they had the bye week at the right time last weekend. After managing just 262 yards and 13 points in an ugly win over Kentucky, the Bulldogs are hoping their offense is fresh and ready to attack this Alabama defense. Getting more from their ground game will be paramount - Georgia managed just 3.4 yards per carry against a stifling Wildcat defensive front, and it threw the entire offense out of their rhythm. It doesn't help that Georgia is beat up along the offensive line, but this is still a much better rushing attack than what we saw. I suspect they'll look to rotate more beyond just Trevor Etienne, so expect to see more of Branson Robinson and Nate Frazier, and also look to get more of their playmakers in space in creative ways. Dillon Bell in particular has been held in check all season long, but he feels like the type of versatile game-changer that is going to have to show up for the Bulldog offense to get rolling. They should have their opportunities against the Crimson Tide, as this is simply not the same group we saw dominate for so long in the peak Saban years when Kirby Smart just happened to be their defensive coordinator. That's not to say Alabama will be a pushover, as they'll still attack up front, but there's not the same depth here and the secondary has taken their lumps so far on the young season. The gameplan has to be for Georgia to pound the rock early and tire out this defense, with the hopes that the play-action passing game will open up in the second half. It may have a feel more similar to what we came to expect of this rivalry back in the mid-2010s before these offenses really took off in recent years.

Alabama also has had their moments of offensive struggles, most notably in the South Florida game, but still enters this one averaging 49 points per game. It's not a surprise that Kalen DeBoer has come in and the transition has been so smooth - we saw the same thing at Washington. But, it has been surprising how much balance we've seen from them and how productive they've been on the ground. We got so used to seeing DeBoer and Washington chuck the ball all over the field, it's easy to forget that the rushing attack plays a key role in setting up so many of their opportunities. Between Jam Miller, Justice Haynes, and Jalen Milroe, Alabama is going to test this Georgia front seven in a way they simply haven't been tested so far in 2024. The Tide should also benefit from their offensive line continuing to get healthier and healthier, with Kadyn Proctor back to near 100 percent after returning for the Wisconsin game. It's a matchup that should be advantageous for the Crimson Tide, going up against a Bulldog rush defense that hasn't proven themselves just yet, as opposed to their superb secondary. But still, Jalen Milroe is going to make some key throws in order to come out on top and avoiding costly turnovers could make all the difference. It would certainly help if the Tide got more consistency from their receiver corps beyond freshman phenom Ryan Williams, namely from Kobe Prentice and Germie Bernard. 

This has all the makings of another classic between two of college football's premier programs. Neither program is at their peak or playing their best football, but both rosters are loaded with talent, and DeBoer's presence adds an interesting dynamic to this renewed rivalry. You better believe he'll have some tricks up his sleeve for the Bulldogs and playing in Tuscaloosa is an obvious factor working in their favor. But even so, something about Georgia just feels like they are going to come out in this one swinging. They'll be fresh and Smart always has his teams ready for these types of games, with the added layer of motivation after the loss last season. They feel like the more complete team at this stage of the season, and I think they go into Bryant-Denny and squeak out the win.

The Pick: Georgia, 31 Alabama, 28

(#19) Illinois Fighting Illini @ (#9) Penn State Nittany Lions

Line: Penn State -18.5

O/U: 47.5

Oregon and Ohio State may still sit above them in the polls, but Penn State's impressive start to the 2024 campaign has them thinking Big Ten Title as they kick off their conference season this weekend. But arriving in town is none other than Illinois, a pleasant surprise through the first four weeks fresh off a big win. The Fighting Illini would love nothing more than to come into Happy Valley and spoil Penn State's undefeated record.

Just a month into the season, Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki looks like the Broyles Award frontrunner, with the Nittany Lion offensive renaissance on full display through their first three games. Penn State is one of just two teams, the other being Tennessee, currently averaging 250+ passing yards and 250+ rushing yards at this point of the season, with the trio of Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, and Kaytron Allen leading the way. Allar has played with a confidence we didn't see last season, and has been willing to take his shots down the field, giving PSU a verticality to this offense we haven't seen from them since Trace McSorley was running the show. In turn, that's opened things up for Allen and Singleton, and we've gotten to see the home run hitting ability of Singleton on full display, averaging over eight yards per carry. The Nittany Lion receiver corps deserves plenty of credit, too, as this was a group that struggled mightily throughout 2023. So far this fall, Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans have been terrific, with tight end Tyler Warren the type of matchup nightmare every offense needs in this day and age. That's all to say that this is going to be quite the stiff challenge for an Illinois defense that has put together a strong start to the season themselves. In both of their big wins, over Kansas and Nebraska, they've done a superb job limiting the big play and keeping everything in front, and this is a sure tackling team that fills gaps as well as any team at this level. They don't have the athletes Penn State can boast, but they'll make the Nittany Lions work for their yardage in a way others simply haven't. With that being said, a big run from Singleton or big throw from Allar could open the floodgates.

The Illini defense still remains the strength of the team, but their steady improvement offensively is another reason for their 4-0 start. This is never going to be a unit that's going to go out and drop 50 points a night, but it's been highly efficient and consistent through the first few weeks of the season. Quarterback Luke Altmyer is finally starting to look like the blue-chip prospect we saw coming out of high school, with ten touchdowns to zero interceptions through the first four weeks. He's benefitted from the stellar play of Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin, a pair of physical receivers that are brutal covers on the perimeter. With Kaden Feagin and the rest of a deep running back room pounding behind the offensive line underneath, Illinois can certainly move the ball, if not in quite the explosive manner of Penn State. The Illini should pose an interesting challenge for a Penn State defense that hasn't missed a beat in the transition to Tom Allen from Manny Diaz. The elite Nittany Lion linebacker group should be able to stymie this Illinois passing attack, but Franklin and Bryant will really test their corners, particularly if they get them in man-to-man. Even against Kansas, a team that boasts a strong cornerback duo, these two were able to make key plays, and Allen will have to find a way to slow them down enough to keep PSU on top.

It feels unwise to pick against Penn State after their hot start, especially in Happy Valley at night. But, the Illini should be able to give them a game, at least until deeper into the second half. Unfortunately for them, Allar and the Nittany Lions should prove to be simply too much.

The Pick: Penn State, 35 Illinois, 23

(#15) Louisville Cardinals @ (#16) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Line: -6.5

O/U: 46.5

With Florida State and both UNC and NC State struggling, Louisville has to feel as though there's a path to the ACC Championship Game alongside Clemson and Miami. But the Cardinals still need to take care of business in the non-conference, and traveling to South Bend to square off with the Irish will be a difficult one. Notre Dame has taken their early season lumps, but remains the favorite as we inch towards Saturday.

Louisville hasn't exactly faced elite competition en route to their 3-0 start, but the Cardinals still deserve plenty of credit for just how effective their offense has looked. They're averaging 45.3 points per game, and veteran QB Tyler Shough has looked terrific, leading a passing attack that's averaging over 300 yards per contest themselves. It helps that wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks is finally turning into the receiver we thought he could be when he was at Alabama, and Jeff Brohm's offensive genius has been on full display. This passing attack should be quite the battle against a Notre Dame secondary that is considered one of the nation's best. Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts are two of the most consistent defenders anywhere in the country and should relish the opportunity to show what they can do against the high-flying Cardinals. Although, the Irish secondary did take a bit of a hit this week when Jaden Mickey hit the portal, but this remains a well-coached, disciplined unit that will make Louisville work for every yard they get. I will be curious to see how Brohm sets up the passing game with the run - the Cardinals have leaned on a committee approach so far on the young season. The quartet of Isaac Brown, Duke Watson, Keyjuan Brown, and Maurice Turner should all see a healthy amount of action, and the depth should keep them fresh deeper into this game. That will be key against this Notre Dame defense, a relentless group that just never seems to tire under coordinator Al Golden.

New offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has clearly needed some time to acclimate himself with new quarterback Riley Leonard and the rest of the Irish offense. There have been some bright spots, like dropping 66 points in a demolition of Purdue, but Notre Dame seems to still be figuring things out offensively as their schedule gets tougher. Fortunately, the ground game has remained a consistent fuel for this group, with the emergence of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, plus the scrambling ability of Leonard. This is a rush offense averaging 6.7 yards per carry, with a nice blend of speed and power, posing quite the threat to this Louisville defense. The Cardinals have been strong statistically against the run so far in 2024, but this is a whole different challenge for them. The Irish are a physical team in a way that Louisville hasn't seen so far, and hasn't traditionally played well against. The best hope is to stack the box and make Leonard make plays with his arm, which certainly doesn't appear to be a bad strategy. The former Duke transfer simply has not looked comfortable throwing the ball, and the Irish have struggled to find the right complement to Beaux Collins on the outside. They'll look to set up this passing game through play-action and get Leonard comfortable with easy throws and screens but at the end of the day, it's up the veteran quarterback to get things going. His play feels like the X-factor in what will be a real test for them at home.

This is an extremely tough game to pick because we simply don't know much about Louisville at this point in the season. They've looked good, but their most impressive win came against a Georgia Tech team in a game that was tight into the fourth quarter. Despite the ups-and-downs they've gone through over the season's first month, Notre Dame is still the smarter choice at home. They should do enough to slow down this Cardinal passing game, and their ground attack the other way will make all the difference.

The Pick: Notre Dame, 27 Louisville, 21

Other Picks

(#20) Oklahoma State Cowboys @ (#23) Kansas State Wildcats -- This will be a get right opportunity for both of these teams after frustrating losses last weekend. K-State in particular looked shockingly bad in a blowout loss to BYU, but Chris Kleiman teams always respond - they should be hungry to prove themselves at home.

The Pick: Kansas State, 34 Oklahoma State, 24

Washington State Cougars @ (#25) Boise State Broncos -- Boise is on the inside track towards the Group of Five Playoff spot, but can't afford a slip-up here. Washington State is a formidable foe, but I figure their luck may run out after two close victories.

The Pick: Boise State, 35 Washington State, 30

Washington Huskies @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights -- A classic Big Ten conference game, huh? I said before the season how high I am on Rutgers, and getting Washington going across the country feels like it should give them a clear advantage. But, I actually like the Huskies to spoil the undefeated season for Rutgers, thanks to their offensive balance and a defense that's playing great.

The Pick: Washington, 27 Rutgers, 18

Upset: Arkansas Razorbacks @ (#24) Texas A&M Aggies -- I'm not under the impression Arkansas is going to go on some type of magical run that saves Sam Pittman's job, but the Razorbacks are much more explosive this year under Bobby Petrino than in the past. They have enough to go into College Station and win a hard-fought rivalry game.

The Pick: Arkansas, 34 Texas A&M, 28

Superdog (covers > 21 point spread): South Alabama Jaguars (+22) @ LSU Tigers -- South Alabama has plenty of deficiencies, but this is a team that can put up points - in a hurry. Against a LSU defense that is still figuring things out, they may do just enough to cover.

The Pick: LSU, 49 South Alabama, 31

Lock of the Week: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (-3) vs. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns -- Finally I'm out of the winless column on my locks, now it's time for a run. Wake Forest likely isn't going to be bowling this year, but Louisiana has plenty of issues themselves and has to travel to Winston-Salem.

The Pick: Wake Forest, 28 Louisiana, 14

College Football Picks 2024: Week Four

Miller Moss, USC

Current Picks Record: 17-9

Upsets: 1-2

Superdogs: 1-2

Locks: 0-3

(#6) Tennessee Volunteers @ (#15) Oklahoma Sooners

Line: -7

O/U: 56.5

Life in the SEC begins for Oklahoma this weekend, and if they needed any reminder of their new reality, they'll face five teams currently ranked in the Top 7 of the AP Poll over the coming two months. That slate begins with Tennessee, who has shredded their competition en route to a 3-0 start and come into Norman as a touchdown favorite.

Now entering the fourth week of the regular season, the Sooners have to be hoping now is the time for their offense to hit its rhythm after a slow start to the fall. They did manage to put up 34 points against Tulane last weekend, but finding consistency has been a real challenge. Quarterback Jackson Arnold has showed his youth and inexperience, and hasn't been helped by a rash of injuries to his receiver corps, which is now extremely thin beyond Deion Burks. On the ground, Taylor Tatum came on and scored two touchdowns in the first half last Saturday, but the unit has been surprisingly inefficient early on. Much of that struggle can be blamed on an offensive line that simply has not looked up to Oklahoma's typical standards, even against Group of Five competition. This is going to be a particularly tough matchup for this unit this weekend. They face a Tennessee defense that loves to blitz, and features one of the game's premier pass rushers in James Pearce Jr. I'm sure the Sooners will try and disguise this weakness by getting the ball out quickly on the perimeter and utilizing screens, but there isn't the speed or explosiveness on the outside we've come to expect of Oklahoma. The Volunteers can be susceptible to the big play, but the secondary has clamped down so far this fall, and will look to see if Arnold can beat them. Perhaps having the Sooner faithful behind him in Norman could lead to some extra magic for the sophomore signal-caller, but the supporting cast around him simply doesn't strike fear into defenses the way it used to be, particularly with the injury bug biting so soon.

No, Oklahoma is probably going to look to slow this game down and turn it into something of a defensive slugfest - an objective easier said than done against this Tennessee offense. Josh Heupel is one of the best in the business right now, and he has the perfect personnel to run his scheme. In short, the Volunteer offense has terrorized opponents through the first three weeks of the season, and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is the mastermind, a fearless gunslinger who can beat defenses with his rocket arm or his legs, but he's far from the only Volunteer that can hurt defenses. Tailback Dylan Sampson provides just enough out of the backfield to keep defenses honest, so that the Volunteers can collapse the defense and beat them over the top. With an abundance of weapons for Iamaleava to work with, this offense can spread the defense thin and attack in so many different ways. Playmakers like Bru McCoy, Squirrel White, Dont'e Thornton - this is an embarrassment of riches for an offensive mind like Heupel. With that being said, this will be the toughest defense Tennessee has seen yet in 2024, even more difficult than NC State. Brent Venables' fingerprints are all over the defense, and this group is much more physical and tough at the line of scrimmage than we became accustomed to under Lincoln Riley. They're particularly stout up front, with linebacker Danny Stutsman setting the tone, and the back-end has also proven to be incredibly disciplined over the course of the fall. But, the offenses they've seen so far have all been focused on their rushing attack, and Tennessee offers a unique challenge. It will be fascinating to watch the chess match unfold between Heupel and Venables in real time.

There's an extra bit of motivation for Heupel here, as he returns to his alma mater, a school that chased him off as offensive coordinator a decade ago. You better believe he is going to bring out all the tricks in this one, and the way Tennessee has looked early is terrifying prospect for Oklahoma. Even if the Sooners are to succeed in making this one ugly, I'm just not sure there is enough offensive punch the other way to come out on top - the Volunteers just look to be too much.

The Pick: Tennessee, 38 Oklahoma, 24

Conference Realignment: Breaking Down Pac-12 Expansion Options

Memphis Tigers athletics

The never-ending saga of conference realignment in college athletics took yet another twist last week, when the Pac-12 announced they were bringing in four schools from the Mountain West in advance of the 2026-27 academic year. The four - Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State - in essence bring the league back from the dead after its collapse saw 10 of 12 universities head elsewhere, with only Oregon State and Washington State still around when the dust settled. The details will still need to be ironed out, but one thing appear certain: the conference is not going to stop at six schools. It seems almost a foregone conclusion they'll look to expand further, and there are interesting possibilities that dot the college football landscape from coast-to-coast. With this additional realignment, it's time to break down where the league may go next, and which schools would be the best fit in this new era of Pac-12 athletics.

Tulane Green Wave

Geography will be of little importance to the Pac-12 as they look to bolster their ranks. We do, after all, live in a world where Cal and Stanford currently play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With that in mind, I firmly expect the Pac-12 to go shopping in the American Athletic, and Tulane certainly is one of the most appealing options. The addition of the Green Wave would expand the Pac-12's geographic footprint into the Southeast (seriously, what a ridiculous world we live in) by bringing in an elite academic institution. It doesn't hurt, either, that Tulane has experienced something of a renaissance on the gridiron in recent years and seems well-positioned to continue that momentum nestled in fertile recruiting grounds. Add in a wealthy alumni base, Tulane checks just about every major box you could hope for in an expansion candidate.

Memphis Tigers

Along with Tulane, Memphis is the AAC school that seems to be gaining the most traction for a Pac-12 move. Much like Tulane, the addition of Memphis would allow the Pac-12 to expand their geographic footprint into a valuable part of the country, and the school has a proven track record of success in both football and basketball over the past two decades. Perhaps most importantly, Memphis has upgraded their facilities in a major way in recent years and become a major player in the NIL space, landing a 5-year, $25 million deal with FedEx that should make them a significant player in this new-look college sports landscape. It always felt like it was only a matter of time before Memphis made the jump to a power conference, and with neither the ACC or Big 12 showing interest at the moment, the Pac-12 has become their most likely route.

College Football Picks 2024: Week Three

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Current Picks Record: 12-5

Upsets: 1-1

Superdogs: 1-1

Locks: 0-2

(#20) Arizona Wildcats @ (#14) Kansas State Wildcats

Line: Kansas State -6.5

O/U: 60.5

The best game of the weekend looks to be this one on Friday night, a clash between a pair of new Big 12 rivals. On one side, Arizona has cruised to a 2-0 start after blowing apart New Mexico and Northern Arizona, while Kansas State needed a hard-fought win over Tulane last weekend to arrive here with an undefeated mark. This has all the makings of a Friday night thriller, and the type of game that makes the Big 12 the most intriguing power conference this fall.

After going for 627 yards and 61 points in their opener, Arizona's offense cooled down last week, struggling to find a rhythm as they clawed to a 22-10 win over NAU. It felt like a reminder that, for all the talent on this side of the ball, this is still a team with a young quarterback breaking in a new coaching staff and plenty of fresh faces. Having a shorter week heading into this one isn't an ideal situation, but the Wildcats won't shy away from what they do best - they are going to attack down the field with an aggressive passing attack. Quarterback Noah Fifita is still prone to the occasional mistake, but few quarterbacks in the country are as impressive when he's on his "A" game. It certainly helps that Fifita has the luxury of throwing the ball out wide to arguably the nation's best receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, whose 304-yard, four touchdown performance in the opener was one of the most impressive single-game performances in recent memory. Yet, for this Arizona team to reach their potential, it does feel like they are going to need others to get involved. Outside of McMillan, they've struggled to get anyone going in the passing game, and the ground game could be in for a tough matchup against an always-stout Kansas State defensive front. This feels like an opportunity for a veteran like Montana Lemonious-Craig to show what they can do, with K-State almost certain to key in on McMillan all night. Fifita also should look to reel in his game, at least early on - this is a well-coached Kansas State defense that capitalizes on turnovers as well as anyone. A key early turnover or two and this feels like a game where K-State could get an early lead and slow the game down to a grinding halt with their style of play.

Kansas State may have gotten all they could handle from Tulane a week ago, but they showed excellent grit and determination in coming away with the win. Still, they have to feel like they are going to have to play at a different level to come away with a victory against a Top 20 team, even at home. Offensively, that means Avery Johnson has to be better. The sophomore quarterback entered the year with significant hype and he's been solid, but the Wildcat offense feels rather one-dimensional at this point in time. Tailback D.J. Giddens is a stud and sure to have a field day against an Arizona defense that has struggled to defend the run, but finding balance could make all the difference. Between Keegan Johnson, Will Swanson, and Jayce Brown, Kansas State boasts an abundance of weapons, but it's up for Johnson to get them the ball and let them make plays. It also feels like the coaching staff has been holding Johnson back as a runner, with just 11 attempts over the first two weeks of the season. Perhaps the Wildcats are worried about running him too much for fear of injury, but a dual-threat like this, Kansas State becomes a much scarier team if he's unleashed. Perhaps in a close game like this figures to be, Chris Klieman and offensive coordinator Conor Riley will finally let the talented QB show what he can do with his legs.

Arizona now owns the longest win streak in FBS football after Michigan's loss last weekend, but they'll be hard-pressed to keep it going on the road in Manhattan. Arizona should be able to put points, especially after what Tulane did last Saturday, but K-State is more battle-tested at this point in the young season. They also feel better on the margins, such as on the line and on special teams, which could make all the difference in a tight one like this. Add in the home crowd, which is sure to be raucous on this Friday night, I'll take the favorite.

The Pick: Kansas State, 31 Arizona, 28

College Football Picks 2024: Week Two

Dylan Raiola, Nebraska

Current Picks Record: 4-4

Upsets: 0-1

Superdogs: 0-1

Locks: 0-1

(#3) Texas Longhorns @ (#10) Michigan Wolverines

Line: Texas -7.5

O/U: 42.5

Two of college football's biggest brands collide in Ann Arbor this weekend for just the second trip in their respective histories. The two are coming off different opening week games - Texas took it to Colorado State in a 52-0 victory, while Michigan took their time Fresno State, before coming away with a 30-10 win. But, don't expect that to matter too much when these two take the field Saturday, as this one should come down to the wire.

Michigan's quarterback competition was one of the more intriguing storylines over the offseason and it came as a notable surprise that former walk-on Davis Warren was named the starter over Alex Orji for the opener against Fresno State. Warren wasn't asked to do too much against the Bulldogs and didn't exactly light the world on fire, finishing 15-25 for 168 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. That's likely to be the case all season, with the Wolverines leaning on their ground game that includes Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings. But, this Texas defense represents a whole different animal than the one Warren and Michigan saw on the first weekend. There are NFL athletes at all three levels, but the biggest difference you'll notice with recent Longhorn defenses is the discipline and attitude they play with. No longer is this defense missing tackles or letting up the big play - they get to their spots and fill their gaps as well as anyone in the nation. It feels like Michigan is going to need to change things up or open up the playbook a bit more to effectively move the ball here, especially with the offensive line looking downright bad a week ago. Edwards and Mullings may be capable backs, but the Longhorns will be ready to stack the box until they have a reason not to. Perhaps that means getting Semaj Morgan more involved, or getting tight end Colston Loveland the ball in creative ways? We'll learn about the Wolverine offense quickly in this contest.

The Longhorns had the luxury of resting their starters early on in the second half against Colorado State after building a big lead, so they should be fresh and ready to go on Saturday. Quarterback Quinn Ewers runs the show still, despite Arch Manning coming on and looking impressive in relief, but it does feel like the Longhorns are still working to figure out who among their cast of characters they can lean on at the other skill positions. Isaiah Bond and Johntay Cook II are likely to be key figures on the perimeter, but it will be interesting to see how running back continues to unfold after the injuries in fall camp. Jerrick Gibson and Jaydon Blue were impressive in the opener, but now they face this suffocating Michigan defense. The Wolverines do have plenty of new faces but the core of the defense remains intact, a group that includes future high NFL Draft selections Will Johnson and Mason Graham. They remain a physical, well-coached group that is going to test this Texas offense so early on in the season. This feels like a potential legacy opportunity for Ewers - he's been the type of QB who can show out in some of the biggest games, and then play down to his competition in others. In one of the biggest games of what is almost sure to be his final season in Austin, which Ewers comes out?

Although Texas dominated in the opener and Michigan looked rather unimpressive, I'd argue we shouldn't read too much into Week One results. Both teams are still figuring out their personnel and making adjustments, and I have little doubt the Wolverines will be playing at a whole different level in front of their home crowd. But, I'm just not sure this offense has the weapons to be able to move the ball against the Longhorns, unless they have a few tricks up their sleeves. They feel predictable right now, and the Texas defense will be up for the challenge. Even if the Wolverines slow them down the other way, how many points can we count on them scoring? There's a reason Texas is favored, even walking into a hostile environment of 107,000-plus.

The Pick: Texas, 21 Michigan, 14

College Football Picks 2024: Week One

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

(#14) Clemson Tigers @ (#1) Georgia Bulldogs (Atlanta)

Line: Georgia -13.5

O/U: 48.5

Two of college football's premier programs in the last decade collide in Atlanta to kick off the 2024 college football season. Despite their success, these two seem to be going in opposite directions - Georgia may not have been able to pull off the historic three-peat in 2023, but looks to still be firing on all cylinders entering the fall. Clemson, who won a pair of National Titles in the 2010s and played for two more, is out to prove they still belong in the National Title conversation with three or more losses each of the last three years. 

This Georgia team is going to look and play different than what we've come to know them under Kirby Smart. With Carson Beck under center, the Bulldogs are not going to be afraid to test this Clemson secondary over-the-top, and there's enough versatility in this receiver corps to use the entire field. Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey may be gone, but look for names like Dominic Lovett, Arian Smith, and Colbie Young to ensure there's no drop-off for this aerial attack this fall. If that's not enough Georgia should still be able to lean on their usual power-rushing attack with the addition of Trevor Etienne and a healthy Branson Robinson. Teams simply aren't going to be able to stack the box against Beck's arm, and that's going to provide ample opportunities for this offense to pound the rock, particularly later in games once fatigue sets in. It will be interesting to see how Clemson is able to counter the other way. This defensive front is still at peak Clemson levels, with a host of future NFL defensive linemen and one of the best linebackers in the game today, Barrett Carter. It's going to be an absolute bloodbath in the trenches, and watching the chess match between Mike Bobo and Georgia versus Wes Goodwin and Clemson will be worth the watch alone. It's the secondary where my concerns lie with the Tigers, and they've been prone to the big play in recent years - with the way Beck finished 2023, that has to be the biggest advantage for Georgia on this side of the ball.

Was another offseason all Garrett Riley and Cade Klubnik needed to work out their differences after an up-and-down 2023? In many ways, it should have been expected that a young QB would struggle with a new play-caller, but the Tigers will need more from this offense if they have hopes of retaking the ACC this year. The reviews from the offseason for Klubnik have been good, but he faces quite the test to kick off the season against a strong Georgia defense. This is a group that may not quite have the star power of previous Bulldog defenses, but is as fast and athletic as anything we've seen Kirby Smart and staff put out. They're particularly good in the secondary, where safety Malaki Starks can change the game on just about every snap. For Clemson to win, Klubnik will need to take care of the ball, and he'll need help from a receiver group that was wildly inconsistent last season. Being without workhorse tailback Will Shipley is also a cause for concern. Although Phil Mafah should be able to handle the load, Shipley consistently got this Clemson offense out of tight spots throughout his time with the program. Do they have that type of consistent, clutch playmaker that can move the chains on this roster? Perhaps, but they'll still be identifying who it is as they suit up for this one.

There's been a lot of negativity surrounding Clemson throughout the offseason, but I think this one may be a reminder to college football fans everywhere this is still a program loaded with talent. They match up in the trenches against Georgia much better than a lot of SEC teams, and the skill positions have some real weapons. But, Beck gives Georgia an edge over Klubnik and the Tigers, at least until we see it from Klubnik in a big game like this. Add to the fact this is about as much of a home game as you can get for a neutral site contest for UGA, you have to roll with the Bulldogs here.

The Pick: Georgia, 31 Clemson, 21

Full College Football Preview 2024

Donovan Edwards, Michigan

Top 25

1. Ohio State Buckeyes -- After bringing in Quinshon Judkins through the portal and with several major names holding off on the NFL, Ohio State is all in on this being the year. Even in a treacherous Big Ten, I suspect Ryan Day finds a way to finish the job.

2. Georgia Bulldogs -- Georgia wasn't able to complete the "three-peat" after coming up short against Alabama in last year's SEC Championship Game, but the program is showing no signs of slowing down. With Carson Beck under center, they have a legit Heisman frontrunner, and arguably the most talented roster in all of the land.

3. Oregon Ducks -- Life in the Big Ten begins this fall for the Ducks, but this roster is ready to go. Dillon Gabriel will lead an explosive passing attack that features an elite receiver corps, while the defense is stocked with future NFL defenders.

4. Texas Longhorns -- 2023 was the breakthrough year for the Longhorns after years of waiting - now what will they do for an encore? The return of Quinn Ewers gives them a proven leader under center, but it's the continued growth from the defense that should guide them back to the College Football Playoff.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide -- Nick Saban may be gone, but I don't envision the Crimson Tide slowing down just yet. Kalen DeBoer has more than enough talent at his disposal to keep this thing rolling in 2024, especially with Jalen Milroe the established quarterback.

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- It's Year Three for Marcus Freeman, and the ultimate make-it-or-break-it season for the 38-year old head coach. He's got the new QB (Riley Leonard), a roster loaded in the trenches, but most importantly, a favorable schedule. Anything short of a Playoff berth would be a major disappointment in South Bend.

7. Penn State Nittany Lions -- Penn State could be a major beneficiary of the expanded Playoff and new-look Big Ten, getting out of the rugged East Division. But to make the Playoff, they'll need more from their passing game - not just QB Drew Allar, but a receiver corps that was pedestrian for much of 2023.

8. Michigan Wolverines -- Forget all the offseason drama - this remains one of the premier rosters in college football. However, with major questions at QB and turnover throughout the roster, a step backwards is a near certainty in 2024.

9. LSU Tigers -- Jayden Daniels is gone, as are two NFL receivers in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. But, the Tigers have a chance to rebound defensively with new coordinator Blake Baker, who should get the most from a talented group, if they can fix their issues in the secondary.

10. Florida State Seminoles -- I won't move Florida State down despite their Week 0 loss to Georgia Tech. It was clear this team wasn't going to replicate last season's success, and the ACC remains wide open.