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. 

College Football Preview 2024: SEC Part 2

Graham Mertz, Florida

Realignment Recap: It was the SEC's decision, along with Texas and Oklahoma, to join together that kicked off the latest round of conference realignment across the college sports landscape. No matter what you think of the end result, there's no denying that the addition of two of college football's blue bloods further bolsters the ever-strong SEC and gives us new, exciting matchups to enjoy each fall. With its ranks swelled to 16 teams, the SEC joined the rest of the college football world and removed divisions, meaning the league's two best teams will collide each year in the SEC Championship Game. With two teams that made the final four-team College Football Playoff now part of the conference, along with Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri, the SEC is as strong as ever, setting up what could be a banner year for the new-look league.

Power Rankings

Teams 1-8 in Part 1 

9. Kentucky Wildcats

Offense: Following Liam Coen's decision to return to the NFL, Mark Stoops acted quick to name Boise State's Bush Hamdan the new OC in Lexington. Hamdan is still likely to lean on a power-run attack, but the Wildcats will look to pick up the pace this year, and with new QB Brock Vandagriff, potentially test defenses vertically.

Vandagriff is the presumed starter after transferring in from SEC foe Georgia, where he spent three seasons but was unable to break through. He's a former blue-chip recruit with all the physical tools, but it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to a new scheme and being the face of the offense. Another transfer quarterback, Gavin Wimsatt, also arrives from Rutgers and brings experience to the equation after 19 starts with the Scarlet Knights.

Kentucky will have a new tailback next to Vandagriff in the backfield after Ray Davis and his 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns graduated. They'll likely lean on transfers here, too, with Chip Trayanum from Ohio State and Demie Sumo-Karngbaye from NC State likely to see the most action. Sumo-Karngbaye did average seven yards per carry in limited usage with the 'Cats last fall and Trayanum had 373 yards with Ohio State, but it does feel like a slight stepdown at the position. Fortunately, they'll run behind an offensive line that brings back four starters, including stalwarts Marques Cox and Jager Burton.

The combination of Barion Brown and Dane Key out wide is among the most underrated in the country, with both looking to take off during their third seasons with the program. Key led the team in yardage and touchdowns, but Brown has proven to be a steady presence during his time in Lexington. add in Ja'Mori Maclin from North Texas, this could be an explosive passing game if Vandagriff can acclimate quickly.

Defense: The Wildcats reload on this side of the ball just about as well as anyone in the SEC but this fall, there won't have to be much reloading. Just about every major piece is returning, with one major exception - Trevin Wallace left for the NFL after recording 80 tackles and 5.5 sacks a year ago.

Even without Wallace, this front seven is going to be nasty. Nose guard Deone Walker is fresh off an All-SEC season and will cause damage on the interior, while ends J.J. Weaver and Keeshawn Silver terrorize opponents off the edge. Add in tackle Octavious Oxendine, the perfect balance to Walker on the inside with his quickness, and this may end up being the best defensive line group in the SEC.

The linebacker corps will undoubtedly miss Wallace, but veterans Jamon Dumas-Johnson and D'Eryk Jackson should ensure there's no major slippage in 2024. Jackson led the team in tackles last fall, while Dumas-Johnson joins Vandagriff in coming over from Georgia after 24 starts in the last three seasons.

The Wildcat pass defense took their lumps a season ago, but there's reason to believe this could be an improved group this year. Three starters are back in the fold, including standout corner Maxwell Hairston Jr., who picked off five passes last season. The staff also worked to add in some reinforcements through the portal in the form of Michigan transfer D.J. Waller and Alabama's Kristian Story.

Bottom Line: The ever-steady Wildcats are bound to look quite different on the offensive side of the ball in 2024, at least in the backfield, but the core of the program has not changed. Mark Stoops has an experienced team that will battle in the trenches and be an absolute pain to play on any given Saturday. The schedule is a difficult one, so the Wildcats will have an uphill climb, but this is a program you can trust to go out and win 7-8 games consistently. And who knows, if Vandagriff ends up being the real deal, they could be quite the dark horse near in the middle-of-the-pack in this conference.

10. Texas A&M Aggies

Offense: The Bobby Petrino experiment actually ended up being a mild success despite the external forces working against him, with Conner Weigman going down for the season after four games and Jimbo Fisher's eventual demise. But, there was no chance new head man Mike Elko was going to hold onto him, instead convincing Collin Klein to leave his alma mater, Kansas State, to run the show. 

The hope is that Weigman is ready to go after after flashing significant upside in eight starts in his first two seasons in College Station. Weigman has the tools, a 6'3", 215-pounder with running ability and a crisp arm, and he looked well on his way to something big in 2023 before the injury. If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to be one of the SEC's breakout stars.

Weigman will have to even more this season after the unfortunate news that tailback Rueben Owens would miss most of the 2024 season with a foot injury suffered in fall camp. Junior Le'Veon Moss is more than capable, but losing a potential workhorse like Owens stings. It may, however, afford further opportunities to newcomer E.J. Smith and Amari Daniels, who was actually A&M's top rusher in 2023.

With Ainias Smith off to the NFL and Evan Stewart transferring out, finding new weapons at receiver for Weigman will be key. Senior Jahdae Walker is the most proven option right now, but Klein and staff are also hoping for more from junior Noah Thomas and veteran Moose Muhammed. Transfers Cyrus Allen from Louisiana Tech and Jabre Barber from Troy will also be counted on, and A&M is hopeful sophomore tight end Donovan Green returns to form after missing the entire season last fall.

The Aggies do lose a pair of starters up front in Layden Robinson and Bryce Foster, which will hurt him on the interior, but the unit appears to still be in fine shape as they gear up for the fall. Left tackle Trey Zuhn is an All-SEC possibility, while sophomore Mark Nabou is expected to take over for Foster at center after primarily playing left guard.

Defense: Jay Bateman was who Mike Elko selected to run the A&M defense in 2024, although there's little doubt Elko will also have his hands in it considering his background. They'll take over an Aggie defense that was consistently strong under Jimbo Fisher, and should be in a good spot once again as we look ahead towards this fall.

The two Shemars, Shemar Stewart and Shemar Turner, are quite the starting point on the defensive line and A&M further bolstered this group with the addition of Purdue transfer Nic Scourton. A potential first-rounder next spring, Scourton had 10 sacks for the Boilermakers a year ago and will require constant attention off the edge.

There are some notable departures in the back seven, but plenty still returns, and Elko and this staff plugged holes through their work in the portal. At linebacker, Pitt transfer Solomon DeShields could come in and be a Day One starter next to Taurean York, with Edgerrin Cooper now in the NFL. However, Florida transfer Scooby Williams is expected to push him at weakside linebacker, a position to watch into the regular season.

Veteran cornerback Tyreek Chappell leads the secondary, which also brings back rising junior Bryce Anderson. The two spots that will be interesting to watch will be the corner spot opposite of Chappell and free safety, where transfers have a fairly good chance to start immediately. Will Lee, a long and sturdy corner who started nine games at Kansas State in 2023, is likely to pair with Chappell at corner.

Bottom Line: Following the epic implosion that was the Jimbo Fisher era, Mike Elko seems like a shrewd hire by Texas A&M brass. He's not going to be as flashy in the way he does things as Jimbo and may not bring in the nation's top recruiting class, but he's an elite football mind who knows the program well and understands its culture. Year One will surely have its share of growing pains but the roster remains talented, and a healthy Weigman provides A&M with plenty of upside. Replicating last season's seven wins is a fair goal and with the way the schedule breaks, even greater things could be expected.

11. Florida Gators

Offense: For all the negativity surrounding Graham Mertz during the end of his Wisconsin career, he came to Florida and put together a marvelous first season for the Gators. Mertz completed 73% os his passes for 2,903 yards and a 20-3 TD-INT ratio, playing with a command and confidence we didn't see often with the Badgers. Even with the addition of prized recruit D.J. Lagway, Mertz is clearly the guy as the Gators enter 2024.

Mertz should also benefit from a strong receiver corps surrounding him, although the absence of Ricky Pearsall is a tough one. Sophomore Eugene Wilson was a pleasant surprise a year ago and hopes to take up the mantle as the team's No. 1 option. The staff also brought on a former Badger teammate for Mertz to throw to in Chimere Dike, and Arizona State transfer Elijah Badger will hope to replicate the path Pearsall took when he started his career in Tempe.

The ground game took a hit when Trevor Etienne opted to transfer, although steady Montrell Johnson returns after rushing for 817 yards in 2023 when splitting time. However, depth is a concern beyond Johnson and sophomore Treyaun Webb, which could make all the difference once Florida hits the meat of their schedule.

Fortunately, the ground game will benefit from what should be a solid O-Line, returning most of its key pieces. Jake Slaughter, Damieon George, and Austin Barber are a great starting point, with the staff hoping others can cement the right tackle and left guard spots.

Defense: There were some bright spots for coordinator Austin Armstrong in his first season running the Gator defense, but it became clear work had to be done after a frustrating back-half. In fact, Florida surrendered a school record 701 yards in a 52-35 loss to LSU in early November.

The Gators are hopeful that a full offseason with Armstrong will help turn the tide, and Billy Napier also hired on veteran coordinator Ron Roberts, who spent 2023 with Auburn. Those two factors, combined with the fact Florida returns six starters could have this side of the ball looking up.

The front seven did see several likely 2024 contributors hit the portal over the offseason, but the defensive line has three starters back, plus behemoth Desmond Watson at tackle. Junior end Tyreak Sapp is likely to be their top pass rusher, but the staff seems high on sophomore T.J. Searcy, who flashed last year and takes over the end spot left absent by Princely Umanmielen.

Shemar James is a familiar name at linebacker after making eight starts last fall, but middle linebacker is one of the greatest question marks on this defense. The assumption is that either holdover Derek Wingo or South Carolina transfer Grayson Howard will take things over at the position, but it could be an X-factor for this unit.

Cornerback Jason Marshall is a program staple on the back-end looking to finish off his Florida career in a big way, and sophomore safety Jordan Castell led the team in tackles in 2023. Asa Turner looks to come in and lock down a starting spot after five years at Washington, while the other corner spot is another position to watch. Could former five-star Cormani McClain come in and start after a disappointing debut season at Colorado? He certainly seemed like a guy who desperately needed a change of scenery, but is he ready?

Bottom Line: Billy Napier's third team is undoubtedly his best and on paper, I believe this is a top-half team in the SEC. There's just one huge roadblock standing in their way: the toughest schedule in all of college football. Beyond just the conference slate, which includes Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, at Texas, and at Tennessee, the Gators must also contend with a very tough non-conference that includes the other three major programs in the state - Miami, UCF, and Florida State. It's not crazy to think Florida hits their bye in late October either undefeated or with one loss and proceeds to lose their final five games - the back half is just that difficult. Perhaps the Gators find a way to persevere and surprise some folks, but this team's ceiling is capped with that slate. It's disappointing, too, because I do believe this could have been the breakthrough for Napier in a normal year.

12. Auburn Tigers

Offense: After a decade-and-a-half at Ole Miss, Derrick Nix reunites with Hugh Freeze as Auburn's new offensive coordinator. He'll look to jumpstart a Tiger offense that had a rollercoaster of a 2023 season. There were the occasional great moments but for the most part, the team struggled to get things going in Year One of Freeze.

Heading into 2024, there's good and bad news for Nix. On the bright side, tailback Jarquez Hunter is among the SEC's best, a reliable ball-carrier who notched 909 yards in 2023. He'll be counted on to keep the chains moving early and often this season. In addition, Auburn greatly improved the receiver position by bringing in one of the nation's top recruits at the position, Cam Coleman, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Penn State. Those additions, along with the arrival of ultra-versatile Sam Jackson from Cal, completely overhauls a passing attack whose top pass-catcher, tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, finished with just 394 yards.

On the negative side of things, Auburn still needs to identify a quarterback. Payton Thorne just hasn't gotten the job done since a huge 2021 for Michigan State back in the day, but nobody else has overtaken him for the starting job. Hank Brown did impress in the bowl and Walker White arrives with plenty of hype, but it's Thorne's job until further notice.

Much like the offense as a whole, it's a mixed bag on the O-Line for the Tigers. Sophomore center Connor Lew is tremendous and an elite anchor, but three starters depart. Look for Percy Lewis, who comes over from Mississippi State, to start at the ever-important left tackle spot.

Defense: D.J. Durkin and Charles Kelly are two veteran defensive coordinators who will look to build on a promising 2023 campaign for this Auburn defense. The defensive line loses a pair of NFL linemen, but boasts a rising star in end Keldric Faulk, and was bolstered through the portal. Look for Isaiah Raikes from Texas A&M, DeAngelo "Trill" Carter (Minnesota & Texas) and Philip Blidi (Indiana) to all contribute.

Eugene Asante made plays all over the field for the Tigers in 2023 and returns to spearhead the linebacker corps, which also includes newcomers Dorian Mausi from Duke and hyped true freshman Demarcus Riddick. Mausi made 27 starts over his Blue Devil career, while Riddick arrived in the spring and immediately captured the attention of onlookers.

The pass defense was a bright spot last fall, but the secondary experiences plenty of turnover. Names like Jaylin Simpson and Nehemiah Pritchett, who were with the program for years, have departed and leave the Tigers scrambling for answers.

Senior corner Keionte Scott was a crucial returnee despite some NFL interest, and he will have to play a leadership role. Add in Jerrin Thompson from Texas, who made 31 starts for the Longhorns, and that's a fine starting point. But, the other spots are all up for grabs, and may have to lean on youngsters early and often in 2024.

Bottom Line: Earning a bowl berth, despite the eventual loss, was a fine debut for Hugh Freeze, but so much more will be expected in 2024. The Tigers fixed numerous holes in the portal and also brought in a strong recruiting class, which has elevated expectations for a program that hasn't won more than six games since 2019. But with questions at quarterback and the secondary still looming, it feels like Auburn is still a year or two away from being considered much of a serious contender in the SEC. Building on six wins should be the goal, but anything beyond that feels uncertain at this point in the Freeze era.

13. South Carolina Gamecocks

Offense: Redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers will take over as South Carolina's starting quarterback after Spencer Rattler threw for over 3,000 yards on the 2023 campaign. Sellers is a different athlete than his predecessor, but the staff seems very high on his upside. Sellers has played just three games in his Gamecock career up to this point, so it's a near certainty he'll need time to adjust to his new role.

Finding new playmakers around Sellers will be the goal early on for South Carolina, as they lose their top three rushers and top three pass-catchers from the 2023 team. Look for a pair of transfers, Oscar Adaway from North Texas and Raheim Sanders from Arkansas, to see the bulk of the action in the backfield. Sanders ran for 2,230 yards over the course of his Razorback career, so comes to South Carolina with a proven pedigree.

It's hard to know who will emerge at receiver, although the Gamecocks are hopeful that this could be the coming out party for sophomore Nyck Harbor, a supremely talented athlete who flashed last fall. At 6'5", 240 pounds, Harbor can line up just about anywhere, but his top-flight speed makes him a real deep threat. Surrounding him are several transfers, including Gage Larvadain from Miami Ohio and Jared Brown from Georgia State, while holdovers Luke Doty, a converted QB, and tight end Joshua Simon also look to make their presence felt.

Any hopes of an improved offensive season will hinge on the Gamecocks improving at the line of scrimmage. Between injuries and overall inexperience, Rattler was constantly under heat last fall, with South Carolina surrendering a total of 41 sacks. The good news is that this unit should be healthier this fall with four starters back, and they added depth with the addition of FCS All-American Torricelli Simpkins at center.

Defense: After taking their lumps throughout the first half of 2023, this defense finished the year on a high note, which they have to hope will carry over into this season. The front seven in particular has a chance to be very strong, as three starters are back on the defensive line and senior linebacker Debo Williams gives them an excellent starting point at linebacker.

Kyle Kennard, Tonka Hemmingway, and Alex Huntley are all familiar faces on the line, but it will be interesting to see who rounds out the starting lineup in this 4-2-5 look. Gilber Edmond is back in town after a one-year pit stop at Florida State, but the staff is very high on incoming freshman Dylan Stewart, a 6'5", 245-pounder who is lightning quick off the edge.

The Gamecock secondary was one of the best in the SEC in 2022, but seemed to take its hits last fall. The good news is that three starters are back, with the lone exception being corner Marcellias Dial, who is now a New England Patriot. Look for senior O'Donnell Fortune to take over as the top CB on the roster, while Jalon Kilgore, Nick Emmanwori, and D.Q. Smith will also play key roles.

Bottom Line: South Carolina defied expectations in both of the first two seasons of Shane Beamer's tenure, but 2023 felt a bit like a wake up call as they slid back to 5-7. To return to a bowl, the Gamecocks will need Sellers to learn on the fly but more importantly, others to emerge at the skill positions. The defense gives them a solid starting point but a tough schedule will again test what this program is able to do. There is enough here for this team to still be a threat, but it may take some time for things to get going as they prepare for the 2024 campaign.

14. Arkansas Razorbacks

Offense: Over a decade since he was dumped as Arkansas head coach, Bobby Petrino returns to Fayetteville, this time as the Razorback offensive coordinator. He will be tasked with jumpstarting an Arkansas offense that managed under 27 points per contest in the lost 2023 season.

Identifying a new quarterback after K.J. Jefferson's transfer will be priority No. 1. The expectation is that Boise State transfer Taylen Green will run the show after a strong spring, giving the Razorbacks a big, athletic signal-caller to run Petrino's system. Green started 22 games over his Bronco career and had his moments despite inconsistent play, but may need time to adjust to the level of SEC ball.

There will be a new backfield mate for Green as Arkansas brought in Utah's Ja'Quinden Jackson, a converted quarterback who ran for nearly 800 yards with the Utes a year ago. He bring about improvement for a ground game that struggled mightily a year ago - Jefferson finished as their leading rusher with just 447 yards.

There are plenty of weapons for Green to throw to, including senior Andrew Armstrong and sophomore Isaiah Sategna. Transfers Khafre Brown from USF and Tyrone Broden from Bowling Green could also add much-needed explosiveness. But, the most important "addition" for this Razorback attack is actually the healthy return of sophomore tight end Luke Hasz, who was well on his way to a big year before injury after five games. He has the talent to be one of the best in the SEC.

Defense: The defense improved across the board in 2023 and should be the strength of the team, even if Petrino is able to turn things around on the other side of the ball. It starts up front for the Razorbacks, where they have three starters back on the line, led by end Landon Jackson, who earned All-SEC honors after tallying 6.5 sacks a year ago.

At linebacker, it's likely Arkansas will lean transfers heavily, with Stephen Dix coming in from Marshall at middle linebacker, and Xavian Sorey (Georgia) and Doneiko Slaughter (Tennessee) rounding things out, with Slaughter playing the hybrid "Hog" position. Although the group will need time to gel, all three starters do bring experience to the equation, and Sorey may have untapped potential he simply wasn't able to show while battling for snaps at Georgia.

Safeties Hudson Clark and Jayden Johnson are established veterans who could form one of the better safety combos in the conference, but the Razorbacks will need defenders to emerge at the cornerback spots. Sophomore Jaylon Braxton looks up for the challenge, with Kee'Yon Stewart the potential starter opposite of him.

Bottom Line: Sam Pittman came in and turned things around in short order after the disaster that was the Chad Morris era, but since the 9-4 2021, it has been two straight seasons of diminishing returns, including the frustrating 4-8 2023. Now firmly on the hot seat, Pittman is hopeful the hiring of Petrino can help turn the tide, but the Razorbacks are still up against a brutal schedule. They do fortunately miss Georgia and Alabama this year, but from mid-October on, face a stretch that includes LSU, at Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas, and at Missouri. Add in the fact Arkansas must square off with Oklahoma State in the non-conference, it's difficult finding enough wins to think this team could return to bowl eligibility. No, the more likely scenario is another 4-5 win season, likely leading to Pittman's demise, and a new head coach once things kick off in 2025.

15. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Offense: Jeff Lebby has run some explosive offenses throughout his coaching career at previous stops at UCF, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma, and now he'll call plays for Mississippi State as their head coach. At the very least, Lebby will bring an identity back to the Bulldog offense after they were stuck in purgatory in 2023 due to the unfortunate passing of Mike Leach.

With Mississippi State's all-time leading passer, Will Rogers, now a Washington Husky, it will be Baylor transfer Blake Shapen at QB. Shapen made 23 starts over the course of his career with the Bears, and was solid, but it will be interesting to see if Lebby can unlock another level in him. He's likely to take more shots down the field in this offense than he did at Baylor.

Surrounding Shapen is a receiver group with upside, but lacking proven weapons. Jaden Walley is still in town, but has seen his role diminished - it's likely sophomore Creed Whittemore or Jackson State/Louisville transfer Kevin Coleman will be the feature options. Tight end Seydou Traore could also be used in some interesting ways, as he hauled in 655 yards with Arkansas State back in 2022.

It's hard to know who will lead the way at tailback, with a committee approach the most likely outcome. Seth Davis is their top returning rusher, but watch for Jeffery Pittman and Keyvone Lee. They'll have their work cut out for them working behind an offensive line that loses all five starters, and will surely lean heavily on transfers.

Defense: Although he clearly wasn't the right fit as head coach, Zach Arnett did do a fine job with this Mississippi State defense. Lebby and new DC Coleman Hutzler will have their work cut out for them with significant losses throughout the lineup.

The defensive line isn't in terrible shape, but it's hard to know how it will look against SEC defenses. Veteran defensive end De'Monte Russell should give the Bulldogs a threat off the edge, while Deonte Anderson leads the interior. North Carolina transfer Kedrick Bingley-Jones could be a name to watch as a talented linemen who simply couldn't break through in Chapel Hill.

New faces dot the back seven, with linebacker in particular a group that is going to rely on transfers. Stone Blanton comes over from South Carolina and should start right away at middle linebacker, while the staff is hopeful Branden Jennings can live up to his former billing as a blue chip recruit after several previous stops. 

Senior safety Corey Ellington is going to have to play a leadership role in the secondary as one of the few key contributors back. He notched 66 tackles for the Bulldogs last fall, the returning leader with the losses around him. Junior Chris Keys could line up next to him at free safety, or hard-hitting senior Jordan Morant.

Bottom Line: The passing of Mike Leach threw Mississippi State into disarray, and it was not a surprise the team struggled during the 2023 campaign. The hope is that the hiring of Lebby gives them direction again, but it will be likely be a tough debut with all the losses throughout the roster. This team should put up points and be a fun watch, but it's likely they'll have to scratch and claw to make a bowl. Even if they are able to go undefeated in the non-conference, finding two wins on this conference schedule is tough - a repeat of last year's 5-7 mark seems the most likely outcome.

16. Vanderbilt Commodores

Offense: Quarterback Diego Pavia followed his former offensive coordinator, Tim Beck, and former head coach, Jerry Kill, across the country from New Mexico State to Vanderbilt over the offseason. Beck will run the Vandy offense as OC, with Kill set to take an off-field role after an impressive turnaround at NMSU. 

Familiarity with this offense will be huge for Pavia after he accounted for nearly 4,000 yards of total offense for the Aggies, but he will still have to fend off another new transfer, Utah's Nate Johnson. Johnson made three starts for the Utes last fall and still remains in the mix at the position entering the fall. At the very least, it's likely we see the speedy Johnson in some type of package for the Commodores in 2024.

For Pavia and the offense as a whole to succeed, the Commodores need more from their skill positions. Sedrick Alexander had some moments at tailback as a true freshman but wasn't helped by an overmatched Vanderbilt offensive line, leading him to average under four yards per carry. 

At receiver, Vanderbilt lost their top three pass-catchers from 2023, so they'll have to rely on a new looking cast. Sophomore Junior Sherrill is their top returnee and looks to be their most likely weapon, but it will be interesting to see who else emerges, as there are opportunities here. Senior Quincy Skinner has been with the program for some time, while Micah Bell from Notre Dame brings a certain pedigree to the table. Tight end Cole Spence is another name to watch, as is converted QB Eli Stowers, a former A&M trransfer.

The best news for this offense is the fact the O-Line has a chance to be really solid, as they bring on several contributors from last fall and plugged holes through the portal. The interior will have to gel in short order, but tackle Gunnar Hansen should anchor the unit on the edge.

Defense: Clark Lea got this head coaching job at his alma mater because of his work as Notre Dame defensive coordinator - now it's time to prove he can turn things around for the Commodore defense after they surrendered over 36 PPG in 2023.

This isn't your typical SEC defensive front, but the front seven could actually be decent this year. There's plenty of experience returning, and junior linebacker Langston Patterson is a legitimate difference-maker who led the Commodores in tackles last season.

Beyond Patterson, Vanderbilt is hopeful tackles Yilanan Ouattara and Devin Lee can create chaos up front, while junior Miles Capers comes off the edge after notching 3.5 tackles for loss in 2023. Former Stanford transfer Aeneas DiCosmo should also be counted on up front after starting 12 games for Vanderbilt last fall.

This was among the worst pass defenses in power conference football last season. Lea and staff worked the portal hard to try and bring in reinforcements, but it's hard to know how successful they will be with such a quick turnaround. Senior corner Tyson Russell is a strong starting point as a returning starter, but it's unclear who will start opposite of him. On the back-end, safeties C.J. Taylor, and De'Ricky Wright are both back in town.

Bottom Line: Things were looking up in Nashville when Lea won five games in his second season on campus, but the good vibes were quickly erased with the stinker 2-10 2023. There's little doubt that this is one of the toughest jobs in all of FBS football, but Lea still needs to show some traction in a pivotal Year Four if he is to survive into 2025. There are some interesting pieces on the roster and they should be a better watch than they were a year ago, but the Commodores are just at such a distinct disadvantage in the SEC. They have a good chance to win three of their four non-conference games so a win improvement may be in the cards, but anything beyond that would come as a surprise this fall.

All-SEC Teams

First Team

QB Carson Beck, Georgia

RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia

RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

WR Luther Burden II, Missouri

WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

OL Tate Ratledge, Georgia

OL Cooper Mays, Tennessee

OL Tyler Booker, Alabama

OL Will Campbell, LSU

DL James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

DL Deone Walker, Kentucky

DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

DL Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

LB Harold Perkins, LSU

LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama

CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

S Malaki Starks, Georgia

S Billy Bowman, Oklahoma

Second Team

QB Quinn Ewers, Texas

RB Gavin Sawchuk, Oklahoma

RB Justice Haynes, Alabama

WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss

WR Nyck Harbor, South Carolina

TE Mason Taylor, LSU

OL Emery Jones, LSU

OL D.J. Campbell, Texas

OL Connor Lew, Auburn

OL Marques Cox, Kentucky

OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

DL Landon Jackson, Arkansas

DL Damonic Williams, Oklahoma

DL Tim Smith, Alabama

DL Mykel Williams, Georgia

LB Smael Mondon, Georgia

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

LB Debo Williams, South Carolina

CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

CB Keionte Scott, Auburn

S Malachi Moore, Alabama

S Joseph Charleston, Missouri

Superlatives

Offensive Player of the Year: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

Defensive Player of the Year: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee

Coach of the Year: Kalen DeBoer, Alabama

Freshman of the Year: Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn

SEC Championship Game: Georgia over Texas

College Football Preview 2024: SEC Part 1

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Realignment Recap: It was the SEC's decision, along with Texas and Oklahoma, to join together that kicked off the latest round of conference realignment across the college sports landscape. No matter what you think of the end result, there's no denying that the addition of two of college football's blue bloods further bolsters the ever-strong SEC and gives us new, exciting matchups to enjoy each fall. With its ranks swelled to 16 teams, the SEC joined the rest of the college football world and removed divisions, meaning the league's two best teams will collide each year in the SEC Championship Game. With two teams that made the final four-team College Football Playoff now part of the conference, along with Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri, the SEC is as strong as ever, setting up what could be a banner year for the new-look league.

Power Rankings

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Offense: Carson Beck waited his turn in Athens, and was as good as advertised in his first full season as starter for the Bulldogs. In 14 starts, he finished just below 4,000 yards in passing (3,941) and also set the Georgia single-season record for completion percentage, previously held by his predecessor Stetson Bennett. Now, he enters the 2024 season as a Heisman frontrunner and has the chance to solidify himself as a household name with another big season.

Beck is only one half of the reason the Bulldog passing game was able to take off last year, as tight end Brock Bowers and the rest of the UGA pass-catchers was the best collection Kirby Smart had in some time in 2023, despite suffering through injuries. Bowers may be gone, as is second-rounder Ladd McConkey, but the rest of this group remains strong. Dominic Lovett and Miami transfer Colbie Young will be one of the top receivers on this roster, and could this be the year Arian Smith finally puts it together? The speedster could be in store for a larger role after the recent dismissal of Rara Thomas.

Look for junior Oscar Delp, who saw his role expand after a mid-season injury to Bowers, emerge as the new top tight end on this roster. He's just as athletic as the departed Bowers and his versatility will allow the Bulldogs to move him around in advantageous matchups. Add in Stanford transfer Benjamin Yurosek, who the staff has raved about over the offseason, this remains a position of strength for UGA.

The emergence of an explosive passing game last fall overshadowed the fact that this was the worst Georgia rushing attack in some time. Although, to be fair, the Bulldogs dealt with an abundance of injuries at the position, meaning they had to rely on walk-ons, like Cash Jones, or receivers like Dillon Bell just to move the ball.

With Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton, last year's top two rushers moving on, one would assume Georgia's ground game would remain a problem. However, neither Edwards nor Milton are severe losses, and the addition of Florida transfer Trevor Etienne means the position is in line for improvement. Etienne ran for 753 yards for the Gators last fall and will also be joined by a healthy Branson Robinson, who was out for the year in fall camp a year ago.

Much like the rest of this offense, the O-Line has losses, but could actually be in position to improve given the circumstances this fall. Amarius Mims and Sedrick Van Pran may both be in the NFL, but Mims missed time with injury, and four other starters return. Those returnees include All-American guard Tate Ratledge, versatile senior Xavier Truss, and the rapidly improving Earnest Greene, who could be a breakout candidate.

Defense: It's hard to call a defense that allowed just 15.6 PPG last season a disappointment, but it didn't feel like Georgia was up to their usual standard on this side of the ball last season. That was reflected in the NFL Draft last spring, where no Bulldog defenders went in the first round, and just four defenders were drafted overall.

Expect that to change in 2024, as Georgia is loaded at all three levels this year and should be well-equipped with the star power that was absent at times in 2023. Up front, junior defensive end Mykel Williams looks to be on the cusp of superstardom and should see this fall as the breakthrough year, while the combo of Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse will swallow up opposing rushers all fall long.

The linebacker corps has seen a bit of a step-back in recent years, but a resurgence here could be in the cards. Smael Mondon is one of the best in the country and a Butkus Award favorite as a senior, while junior Chaz Chambliss will be one of the team's top pass rushers off the edge. Add in Jalon Walker and C.J. Allen, who was a revelation as a true freshman in 2023, this will feel like a typical UGA linebacker group, with the speed, athleticism, and range to overwhelm opposing offenses.

Hard-hitting Javon Bullard and corner Kamari Lassiter both went in the second round of the NFL Draft this spring, but the back-end remains in a good spot. Headlining the position group is one of college football's top defenders in Malaki Starks, a human highlight reel safety who built on an impressive freshman season by earning All-American honors last year.

Starks and corner Daylen Everette are familiar names, but it will be interesting who takes over for Bullard and Lassiter in the secondary. A place like Georgia, there's no shortage of talented options, but none that have cemented a starter job throughout the fall. Could we see highly touted freshman K.J. Bolden emerge next to Starks at safety?

Bottom Line: The Bulldogs weren't quite able to stick the landing in their quest to win a third straight National Title last season, but Kirby Smart still has the machine humming in Athens. Even with the NFL Draft defections, the Bulldogs should be healthier than they were a year ago and did a precise job filling holes on their roster through the portal. The schedule is tricky, with Clemson at a neutral site to kick off the year, and road trips to Alabama and Texas, but the 12-team Playoff allows Georgia more room for error than they had previously. With how talented this roster is, and the usual elite staff on the sidelines, u have the Bulldogs returning to the National Championship Game once more, after a one-year hiatus.

2. Texas Longhorns

Offense: Steve Sarkisian's offense truly hit their stride in 2023, with the Longhorns finishing with averages of over 478 yards and 36 points per contest. Those numbers alone were impressive, but were particularly special when you consider that QB Quinn Ewers missed several games and star running back Jonathan Brooks was lost for the year after ten games.

Now a junior, Ewers is back to run the show after sticking out on the NFL for one more year. We saw the potential in 2022, but last season things really came into fruition, with Ewers throwing for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns, despite missing time. With all the attention paid to Arch Manning, it almost feels like Ewers is underrated entering 2024, a strange dilemma for a multi-year starter at arguably the most identifiable position in all of college football. 

Ewers will have a new running mate in the backfield now that Brooks is off to the NFL, and it looked like C.J. Baxter was ready to take up the mantle after an impressive freshman campaign. However, Baxter suffered an injury in fall camp last week that will take him out for the entirety of the season. And then, true freshman Christian Clark tore his Achilles, leaving Texas with just three scholarship backs as they prepare for the season. Jaydon Blue ran for 398 yards in a reserve role last fall and looks to be the guy, and freshman Jerrick Gibson comes in with plenty of hype, but the lack of depth at the position is a real concern as the Longhorns acclimate to the SEC. 

The injuries at running back will put emphasis on the receiver corps to step up, a group that is losing a star in Xavier Worthy. Yet, they should still provide Ewers ample support, as sophomores Johntay Cook and DeAndre Moore both look like breakout candidates, and transfers Isaiah Bond and Silas Bolden bring proven playmaking ability. Tight end is a position to watch, as well, now that Ja'Tavion Sanders is gone, although the staff is hopeful converted receiver Amari Niblack, another Alabama transfer, can emerge.

The offensive line has moved from the program's greatest problem area when Sarkisian arrived to the strength of the offense within the span of a few years. Junior left tackle Kelvin Banks is one of the nation's best and a top candidate to go No. 1 overall in next spring's NFL Draft, while veteran center Jake Majors and junior guard D.J. Campbell offer plenty of support.

Defense: For all the credit the Longhorn offense deservedly got last fall, it was their progress on defense that allowed them to take the final step to a College Football Playoff. They allowed just under 19 PPG, and stepped up in some of their toughest games on their schedule. Yet, after giving up 37 to Michael Penix and Washington in the Sugar Bowl, they should have an extra layer of motivation heading into 2024.

Losing Outland Trophy winner T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, two players who went within the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, is a huge blow to this defensive line. With that being said, the Longhorns are hopeful newcomers Collin Simmons and UTSA transfer Trey Moore can team up with returnees Ethan Burke and Barryn Sorrell to keep this unit from any falloff. There's still questions on the interior, but Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton are two players who have spent significant time with the program, even if they aren't at the level of Sweat or Murphy.

The linebacker corps has one of college football's rising stars leading the charge in sophomore middle linebacker Anthony Hill, who won Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after finishing with 67 tackles in 2023. He'll play all over the field once again and look for him to get after the passer even more than he did as a freshman. Veterans David Gbenda and "Star" Jahdae Barron are also back, meaning this could be one of the best units in the SEC.

The secondary has been a problem for Texas in the past and while they progressed in a major way last season, there is still work to be done. There are losses here, but the 'Horns worked in the portal to bring in reinforcements with Andrew Mukuba from Clemson and Jay'Vion Cole from San Jose State, who will be Day One starters. Sophomore Malik Muhammed is also ready for more after two starts as a freshman - he made my "Ten Players Ready for the Sophomore Leap" piece. 

Bottom Line: The long-awaited Texas breakthrough finally happened in 2023 - now 2024 is all about sustaining it. That challenge will be more difficult as the Longhorns make the jump to the SEC, but this remains an exceptionally talented roster led by a coach that knows how to play to the strengths of his personnel. There is offensive turnover that could lead to some growing pains, but the defense looks to be as good as its been in a long time and with Ewers under center, it's hard to imagine a huge drop-off. The schedule is tricky enough to imagine more than one regular season loss this time around, but a College Football Playoff appearance in an expanded field should be a no-brainer.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Offense: Between questions at quarterback and a play-caller that never seemed to quite mesh with the personnel on this roster, Alabama's offense just felt off throughout much of 2023. The group certainly figured it out down the stretch and still delivered Nick Saban a Playoff berth on his way out, but there's room for improvement on this side of the ball as Kalen DeBoer takes charge.

The good news is that DeBoer is one of the brightest offensive minds in today's game, and has plenty of weapons at his disposal. That includes quarterback Jalen Milroe, who emerged as the starting quarterback midway through 2023 and seemed to find his rhythm over the final two months of the season.

Milroe is still erratic, and will need to learn to harness his arm talent, but the 6'2", 220-pounder is an elite athlete who has the physical tools to be a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender in this offense. With DeBoer and staff looked to attack down the field in a way O'Brien wasn't willing to, the staff changes could actually bring out Milroe's best.

With that being said, the Crimson Tide will need to find new weapons on the perimeter. Their top three pass-catchers from 2023 all moved on, with Jermaine Burton going pro and Isaiah Bond and Amari Niblack transferring to Texas. Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law are still in town and should bring much-needed experience, it's the newcomers who Alabama will likely lean on the most. That includes Germie Bernard, now on this third school after following DeBoer from Washington, along with talented freshman Ryan Williams. 

Between J.C. Latham going pro, and Seth McLaughlin and Kadyn Proctor hitting the portal, there were real concerns up front for the Tide after this unit struggled for a big chunk of 2023. Fortunately, the staff was able to convince Proctor to return, gifting them a talented left tackle who made 14 starts as a freshman last year. With Proctor, guards Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts, plus Washington transfer Parker Brailsford at center, what looked like a question mark now appears to be a strength heading into 2024.

Defense: There will be numerous changes on this side of the ball for the Tide in 2024, with Kane Wommack set to take things over after he made the surprising decision to take the defensive coordinator job after a successful stint as South Alabama head coach.

Wommack's top priority will have to be getting after the quarterback, which could be a problem after Dallas Turner and his 11 sacks went off to the NFL. Veteran nose guard Tim Smith and junior end Tim Keenan should reprise their roles, but it will be interesting to see who else steps up. L.T. Overton comes over from Texas A&M and should play right away, while holdovers Jah-Marian Latham and Keon Keeley also battle for their opportunities at end.

The returns of Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell at linebacker should ensure there is not a major drop-off in the front seven. Lawson in particular should be a Butkus Award favorite as the top returning tackler, with 67. Keep an eye on the new "Wolf" position in this defense, a hybrid end/strongside linebacker that would have been inhabited by Turner previously. Senior Quindarrius Robinson is likely to handle the position duties this year after appearing in 27 games the last two seasons.

Losing cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold was expected, but still a major blow for Alabama early into the offseason. But, the decision by safety Caleb Downs to transfer to Ohio State was the most painful departure of the entire offseason, robbing the new staff of one of the game's brightest young stars.

The cupboard is far from bare in the secondary, but losing an athlete like Downs is not one you can easily move on from. Fortunately, the staff was able to find multiple reinforcements through the secondary, including corner Domani Jackson from USC, safety Keon Sabb from Michigan, and DaShawn Jones from Wake Forest. Along with Malachi Moore, who is still looking to recreate the magic from his freshman season after a pair of quiet years, this unit could still be a good one. But, it will need time to gel, and there are several opponents on Alabama's schedule that will look to take advantage.

Bottom Line: It finally happened. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before Saban called it a career after the most dominant run in college football history, but it still came as a bit of a surprise this offseason, and left Tide brass scrambling. They made quite the splash with DeBoer, fresh off a National Championship Game appearance, and despite some early bumps in the road the new head coach had a successful offseason. There will be challenges in replacing the greatest college football coach of all-time, but this is Alabama after all. The roster is loaded despite the turnover, and there are unlimited resources to keep the program winning. Despite the pressure, I envision a successful debut campaign for DeBoer and company, with the Tide still firmly in the mix for a National Title.

4. LSU Tigers

Offense: After putting up over 46 points per game with the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner under center, LSU's offense will look brand new in 2024. It's not just Jayden Daniels leaving - offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, two NFL receivers, and LSU's top rusher all departed.

Despite all this turnover, there remains optimism the Tigers can still keep rolling on this side of the ball, even if they aren't able to reach the heights of the 2023 team. Look for junior Garrett Nussmeier to take over the offense as quarterback after waiting behind Daniels. Nussemeier has impressed in flashes for LSU over the course of several years, and an MVP performance in their bowl victory was a potential sign of things to come this season.

Finding the right mix of weapons around Nussmeier will be the key for the Tigers. Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas are both playing on Sundays, meaning that other pass-catchers will have to show up. Senior Kyren Lacy is the top returnee (558 yards in 2023), but junior Chris Hilton and tight end Mason Taylor will also see heavy usage. But, I do wonder if it's a newcomer or youngster who will benefit the most from the departures of the two NFL guys. Sophomore Aaron Anderson, a former Alabama transfer, has the physical tools to be a potent deep threat, while Liberty transfer C.J. Daniels and true frosh Jelani Watkins could also factor in.

The heroics of Daniels last year overshadowed the fact LSU's ground game was immensely disappointing. Daniels ran for 1,134 yards himself but behind him, the top Tiger rusher was Logan Diggs, who finished with 653. He transferred to SEC foe Ole Miss over the offseason, meaning that Josh Williams is the top option back in town, after he finished with 284 yards in 2023. With Noah Cain and John Emery also moving on, expect sophomore Kaleb Jackson to be the other primary option. Williams and Jackson have potential, but it's not a pair that exudes overwhelming confidence for new coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton.

The offensive line was another contributor to the success of Daniels last year, and it should be among the best in the SEC once again. Emery Jones and Will Campbell may just be the top tackle pairing in the nation, while steady veterans Garrett Dellinger and Miles Frazier clear the runway at guard. The lone loss is Charles Turner at center.

Defense: For all the success of Daniels and the offense, LSU's defensive woes caused them to miss out on their ceiling last fall. They were particularly bad in the SEC, allowing 33 points per contest, and in LSU's three losses, they let up a combined 142 points.

It's no surprise Brian Kelly blew up the defensive staff in response, with Blake Baker coming over from Missouri as the new defensive coordinator. Baker knows the program, serving as LB coach for the Tigers in 2021, and has plenty of talent at his disposal, but will need this team to shore up the basics and play smarter football if they are to see significant improvement.

Losing a pair of NFL defensive tackles certainly hurts up front, but the Tigers are hopeful a strong linebacker corps will ensure there isn't much of a drop-off. Defensive end Sai'von Jones is an important returnee, as is Bradyn Swinson on the opposite end spot, but it's the play of the interior that will determine the success of this defensive front.

Behind them, linebackers Harold Perkins and Greg Penn have the chance to be difference-makers, but it will be interesting to see what happens in 2024. Perkins had a monster freshman year in 2022, looked like the best defensive player in the country, but he disappeared throughout 2023 after moving inside. Whether he returns may be an X-Factor for LSU in 2024, but at least Penn and rising sophomore Whit Weeks will help out.

Certainly there are questions up front, but it's the secondary that will determine whether Baker can turn things around this year. The five transfer cornerbacks Kelly and staff brought in during a desperate attempt to save the unit prior to 2023 didn't work out, and it's hard to know what to expect this season. Veteran corner Zy Alexander is a difference-maker, but the position remains up in the air until further notice.

Fortunately, LSU can lean on junior safety Sage Ryan and "Star" Major Burns, two players who could thrive in the right system. Burns was their top tackler last season and will move all over the field, while it's Ryan who the Tigers will hope for even more from. Who joins Ryan at the other safety spot remains to be seen, although Texas A&M transfer Jardin Gilbert seems the likely fit.

Bottom Line: Brian Kelly has won 20 games and an SEC West Title since arriving in Baton Rouge, but it still feels like his first two teams could have achieved so much more. Now, the 2024 team faces notable question marks after an offseason of turnover, but it remains a team with the upside to be a real contender for the conference title still. Nussmeier doesn't have to come in and be Daniels if the rest of the Tiger supporting cast can emerge and if the defense can take even meager steps forward. This is a team good enough to win 9-10 games, but it's most likely this is more of a setting the stage season for Kelly and the Tigers for what could be a huge 2025.

5. Ole Miss Rebels

Offense: In the span of a year, quarterback Jaxson Dart went from battling not one, but two, quarterbacks vying for his job to arguably the best quarterback in the SEC entering 2024. That's just what happens when you throw for 3,364 yards and finish with 31 touchdowns on a team that won 11 games. 

Dart will not have his backfield mate with him in Quinshon Judkins, who made the surprising decision to transfer to Ohio State, robbing the Rebels of a weapon who ran for 1,158 yards and 15 scores in 2023. A committee that includes Ulysses Bentley, Miami transfer Henry Parrish, and LSU transfer Logan Diggs will try to replicate Judkins' production, but there may be a slight stepback here for the rushing attack.

The good news is that Dart and the aerial attack will be as good as ever, with four of their top six pass-catchers returning and the addition of Antwane Wells from South Carolina. Tre Harris is the familiar name after hauling in 54 catches for 985 yards, but Wells is probably the headliner - he earned All-SEC honors in 2022 before missing most of last season with injury. Add in senior Jordan Watkins, this Ole Miss team is going to be chucking the ball all over the field in a way we haven't seen Lane Kiffin do in years.

The offensive line has gone through its challenges under Lane, but this should be an elite group in 2024. Four starters are back, and the staff also managed to bring in a pair of contributors from the Joe Moore-winning Washington Huskies in guards Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow. Diego Pounds also arrives, coming over from North Carolina, and could slide into the starting left tackle spot.

Defense: Pete Golding took his lumps as Alabama defensive coordinator for several years, but there is little denying he had a positive impact in his first season in Oxford last season. The Rebels were statistically better across the board, and just looked better-coached, filling gaps and improving their tackling.

Golding will benefit not only from 10 starters returning, but a host of impact transfers dotting this defense. Headlining those transfers is defensive tackle Walter Nolen, formerly the nation's top No. 1 recruit, now on his second school after two years at Texas A&M. Nolen is a physical freak, and you saw flashes of it in College Station - I'm curious if he can reach his true ceiling, which would be a terror for the rest of the SEC.

Nolen will be joined by another big-name newcomer, also from inside the conference in Florida transfer Princely Umanmielene, while J.J. Pegues and Jared Ivey will round out the unit after both put in productive campaigns in 2023.

Ole Miss leaned heavily on transfers at linebacker last season, with mixed results. The hope is that this group can continue their development, namely rising star Suntarine Perkins, who notched 38 tackles a season ago and is one of the most talented young linebackers in the SEC. With that being said, its veterans Chris Paul, coming over from Arkansas, and Khari Coleman Ole Miss will likely lean on even more in 2024.

Trey Washington led the Rebels in tackles last fall, but he's surrounded by a host of transfers in the secondary this time around. At corner, Trey Amos comes over from Alabama, Isaiah Hamilton from Houston, and Brandon Turnage now on his third school. At safety, holdover John Saunders will attempt to hold off newcomers Key Lawrence (also with his third program) and Louis Moore after he made 10 starts for Indiana last year. It will be fascinating to see whether all the transfers ends up hurting or helping this unit - talent-wise, it's all there, but you just never know whether a group like this will gel.

Defense: Between an 11-win 2023, one of the top quarterbacks in the conference under center, and a host of big names coming in from the portal, it's no surprise Ole Miss is getting serious hype as they prepare for Kiffin's fifth year at the helm. This is a roster that is no longer just about the skill positions - they can match the SEC's elite in the trenches on any given Saturday, which is a testament to the hard work Lane and staff have done both in the portal and on the recruiting trail. They are a serious threat on the roster alone, and the schedule is much more favorable than others in this league. In the expanded Playoff era, this is the type of team that could benefit, with the Rebels looking like they have a great shot to achieve that goal in 2024.

6. Missouri Tigers

Offense: Missouri's offense caught fire in 2023, and the core of that group remains intact for 2024 - with one notable exception. Tailback Cody Schrader is gone after rushing for over 1,600 yards for the Tigers, which will put more pressure on their passing game.

The good news is that the passing attack returns quarterback Brady Cook, who was a revelation in 2023 as he threw for 3,317 yards and 21 touchdowns, and one of the best receiver corps anywhere in the country. Luther Burden Jr. is the headliner, a dominant perimeter presence who earned All-American honors a year ago, but seniors Mookie Cooper and Theo Wease offer plenty of playmaking ability themselves. In fact, with defenses so keyed in on Burden, it wouldn't be a shock to see those surrounding him take off this fall.

With Schrader gone, the Tigers are set to turn to a pair of former transfers in Georgia State's Marcus Carroll or Appalachian State's Nate Noel. Both have a history of success in the Sun Belt, but this will be a jump in the SEC, and there's no denying Schrader set an incredibly high standard. Fortunately, they'll be operating behind an offensive line that brings back three starters and plugs holes with the addition of transfers Marcus Bryant from SMU and Cayden Green from Oklahoma.

Defense: Blake Baker parlayed his success as Missouri defensive coordinator into the same gig at LSU, meaning that the Tigers are likely to look different on this side of the ball in 2024. Eli Drinkwitz hired Corey Batoon, previously DC at South Alabama, to be the new man in charge, who will have to recreate the magic of last season despite a few major losses.

The defensive front will be without Darius Robinson on the defensive line and linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper, two guys who are now playing on Sundays. However, Drinkwitz and staff did a fine job addressing holes in the portal, with Chris McClellan and Zion Young arriving on the line and Corey Flagg at linebacker. Highly touted true freshman Williams Nwaneri should also play a role in his first season as starter, with veteran Johnny Walker the leader in the front seven at end.

How does Missouri's defense recover from losing both starting corners? And not just any two corners, but two players who are also off to the NFL in Ennis Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine? Junior Dreyden Norwood will undoubtedly see his role expand in their absence, but the staff is also counting heavily on Clemson transfer Toriano Pride, who flashed potential with the Tigers but wasn't able to sustain it over long periods of time.

Senior safety Joseph Charleston gives Batoon a proven leader to work with on the back-end. Charleston was second on the team in tackles in 2023 and beyond his versatility, his leadership ability will be extra important this year.

Bottom Line: Everything went right for Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers in 2023, winning 11 games and shocking Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Whether they're able to pull off another magical year will depend heavily on the defense. We know the Tigers should score, with Cook, Burden, Cooper, and a strong offensive line in place. But if this team wants to be considered a top-tier SEC contender, like they should after winning 11 games, they need the defense to show up in big moments. With that being said, the high-flying offense does allow them a high ceiling, and an easy breezy start to the schedule bodes well for this defense to figure things out. Missouri should win 9-10 games by nature of a softer schedule and the offensive talent, but it's the other side of the ball that will decide whether this is a true SEC Title threat, and in turn, a Playoff contender.

7. Tennessee Volunteers

Offense: After resetting the school record books by dropping 599 points in total in 2022, Tennessee's offense took a step back last fall. Now, this was still one of the best offenses in the country, but it was clear Joe Milton was a temporary solution running the show.

With Milton now gone, it's officially Nico Iamaleava time in Knoxville. The former blue-chip gunslinger may be the most hyped recruit in Tennessee football history, a fearless passer with jaw-dropping arm talent. In the Josh Heupel offense, it seems like only a matter of time before he puts things together, but Volunteer fans will still need to exercise patience. Iamaleava is still incredibly young, with just one start under his belt at this point in his career, and the normal growing pains should be expected.

At the same time, it's hard not to be excited when you look at what Tennessee boasts out wide. Bru McCoy is back healthy again after missing the entirety of the 2023 campaign, giving the Vols one of the nation's best, and he's joined by speedster Squirrel White, and two capable transfers in Chris Brazzell from Tulane and Dont'e Thornton from Oregon. Add in talented newcomer Mike Matthews, who was in for spring, this may be the best receiver corps, top-to-bottom, in the SEC.

Tennessee will still look to run the ball to keep defenses honest, and with Jaylen Wright graduated, it's Dylan Sampson time in 2024. Sampson isn't quite the big play threat Wright was, but he's a work horse who totaled 604 yards and seven touchdowns as a backup. 

All this skill position talent will have the luxury of working behind an O-Line that finished as a Joe Moore Award semifinalist in 2023. There are a few losses, but none that are going to cripple this group, and the important pieces are all back, including center Cooper Mays, tackle John Campbell, and guard Javontez Spraggins.

Defense: There has been solid progress on this side of the ball throughout the Heupel era, but it will be interesting to see how Tennessee looks defensively in 2024. On one hand, they have a tremendous defensive front that includes a frontrunner to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, James Pearce. On the other, just about the entire back-seven is brand new, not super encouraging considering some of the offenses the Volunteers will have to face.

Besides Pearce, who terrorized opposing offenses all season long a year ago, the Volunteers are particularly stout on the interior D-Line, where Omari Thomas, Bryson Eason, and Omarr Thomas-Lott all return. This team is going to swallow up opposing rushing attacks and with Pearce causing constant chaos off the edge, nobody is going to be excited about playing the Volunteers.

The rest of the defense is the obvious question mark. There's certainly lots of talent, but it will be interesting to see how Tennessee chooses to mix and match back here. At linebacker, former BYU transfer Keenan Pili should be a difference-maker after missing all of last season, but there isn't much experience at the position beyond him.

The secondary is also short on talent, but is hopeful a couple of impact transfers and some young pieces can step up and show out. Cornerback is a real problem area, although the staff seems high on Oregon State transfer Jermond McCoy, while Will Brooks and Andre Turrentine will be counted on heavily at safety after playing more of reserve roles previously.

Bottom Line: It came as no surprise that Tennessee slipped back slightly in 2023 after the dream that was 2022, but this year has the makings of a resurgence. Even with the questions defensively, this is a team with significant upside who has shown that they can punch above their weight under Heupel. The schedule is tricky, and a neutral date with NC State in the non-conference doesn't help on top of a loaded SEC slate, but the Volunteers are still good enough to battle for double-digit wins and likely find themselves in a quality bowl game. At the very least, we know one thing - they are going to be awfully fun to watch.

8. Oklahoma Sooners

Offense: Despite the fact Dillon Gabriel threw for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns, it became clear heading into the offseason it was Jackson Arnold time in Norman. Now, the talented sophomore will be handed the keys to the offense with new coaches calling the shots, as co-coordinators Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley take over after Jeff Lebby took the Mississippi State head coaching job.

Arnold is supremely talented, and it's no secret the staff believes he's the future of the program. But much like Nico at Tennessee, expectations have to be reasonable - he is a young quarterback in the SEC after all. But, like Nico, he'll benefit from a strong receiver corps on the outside, which now includes holdovers Jalil Farooq and Nic Anderson, as well as Purdue transfer Deion Burks.

It was a running back by committee approach for the Sooners in 2023 but Gavin Sawchuk emerged as the clear future option down the stretch and could use this fall as his breakout season. However, the Sooners are still able to throw different looks at defenders with Jovantae Barnes and UT Martin transfer Sam Franklin in the mix.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh is one of the best in the game, and he has plenty to work with in 2024. With that being said, this unit is comprised heavily of transfers from across the country. Names like Branson Hickman (SMU), Michael Tarquin (Florida) and Spencer Brown (Michigan State) bring plenty of experience, but how all these pieces fit into the broader puzzle will be interesting to see.

Defense: It will be a new look defensively after Brent Venables opted to move on from Ted Roof as coordinator this offseason, with co-coordinators Zac Alley and Todd Bates taking over. Alley is considered a rising name in the coaching ranks and combined with Venables, still one of the best defensive minds in the game, there's some real football genius on the sidelines in Norman.

The returning pieces this staff has to work with are very encouraging, as well. Up front, Ethan Downs and Trace Ford are program staples who probably won't be playing in the NFL, but will get after the quarterback relentlessly. And then there's Damonic Williams at defensive tackle, who was a big get for this staff after he was an impact player at TCU over the last several seasons. Despite being 320 pounds, Williams moves incredibly well, and will get after opposing quarterbacks more often than your typical tackle.

Oklahoma got a huge win when veteran linebacker Danny Stutsman announced he was returning to school, giving the Sooners a Butkus Award favorite at middle linebacker. Stutsman, who had 104 tackles and 13 TFL in 2023, leads one of the most loaded groups in the nation, which also boasts Kip Lewis, Jaren Kanak, and Dasan McCullough. Between Williams at tackle and this rangy linebacker corps, this is going to be a stingy rush defense.

The good news continues into the secondary, where the Sooners return both starting corners and a reigning All-Big 12 safety in Billy Bowman. There is turnover at the other safety spot after Key Lawrence transferred and Reggie Pearson finally exhausted his collegiate eligibility, but Robert Spears-Jennings looks up for the task after making a pair of starts in 2023.

Bottom Line: Venables and staff made the necessary changes they needed to prior to last season, and the result was a 10-3 season, marking a four-game improvement in the W-L column. As they prepare for the jump to the SEC, it's clear Venables has built and developed the personnel for this new-look conference and it should pay immediate dividends. This has the chance to be a remarkably strong defense and if Arnold can develop in short order, this eight ranking is going to end up being far too low. But in such a loaded league, some teams are going to have to lose games and from October 12 on, few teams in college football have as tough of a schedule as the Sooners. They'll still be an incredibly tough out, but replicating last year's 10 victories will be a tough challenge in Year One of life in the SEC.

Teams 9-16 in Part 2*

All-SEC Teams

First Team

QB Carson Beck, Georgia

RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia

RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

WR Luther Burden II, Missouri

WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

OL Tate Ratledge, Georgia

OL Cooper Mays, Tennessee

OL Tyler Booker, Alabama

OL Will Campbell, LSU

DL James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

DL Deone Walker, Kentucky

DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

DL Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

LB Harold Perkins, LSU

LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama

CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

S Malaki Starks, Georgia

S Billy Bowman, Oklahoma

Second Team

QB Quinn Ewers, Texas

RB Gavin Sawchuk, Oklahoma

RB Justice Haynes, Alabama

WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss

WR Nyck Harbor, South Carolina

TE Mason Taylor, LSU

OL Emery Jones, LSU

OL D.J. Campbell, Texas

OL Connor Lew, Auburn

OL Marques Cox, Kentucky

OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

DL Landon Jackson, Arkansas

DL Damonic Williams, Oklahoma

DL Tim Smith, Alabama

DL Mykel Williams, Georgia

LB Smael Mondon, Georgia

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

LB Debo Williams, South Carolina

CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

CB Keionte Scott, Auburn

S Malachi Moore, Alabama

S Joseph Charleston, Missouri

Superlatives

Offensive Player of the Year: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

Defensive Player of the Year: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee

Coach of the Year: Kalen DeBoer, Alabama

Freshman of the Year: Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn

SEC Championship Game: Georgia over Texas

College Football Preview 2024: Big 12 Part 2

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

 Realignment Recap: Over a decade since Oklahoma and Texas first reportedly started eying a potential move to the Pac-12, the flagship programs of the Big 12 are indeed moving on. However, the two won't be moving to the Pac-12, but instead the SEC, a move that spurred another wave of realignment over the last two years. This time, as opposed to the early 2010s when they watched Texas A&M, Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska all leave, the Big 12 was prepared. They had already added four programs from across the country in response to the original decision from OU and Texas, and commissioner Brett Yormark was aggressive in sweeping up the remnants of the Pac-12 when it became clear the league was on the precipice of collapse. Now, Colorado is back in their longtime home, Utah has tagged along, and the Arizona schools have expanded the Big 12's footprint into the West Coast. That leaves the Big 12 with 16 teams, and despite the absence of their two premier powers in the Sooners and Longhorns, it has a chance to be the most competitive power conference in America. 2024 in particular could be an incredibly fun year - there's no obvious frontrunner and no clear bottom-feeder, which means we could be in store for some fireworks this fall.

Power Rankings

Teams 1-8 available in Part 1

9. Iowa State Cyclones

Offense: Taylor Mouser, a longtime member of Matt Campbell's staff going back to their time at Toledo together, will take control of the offense as coordinator after Nathan Scheelhasse took off to the NFL. Mouser knows the roster inside and out, but it will be interesting to see what type of scheme he deploys in Year One.

Mouser is blessed to have one of the best young quarterbacks in the Big 12 in Rocco Becht, who won the Freshman of the Year honors in the conference a year ago. He played with a confidence and poise well beyond his years in 2023, and will benefit from having a strong supporting cast around him. An experienced offensive line will keep him upright and out wide, this has a chance to be one of the strongest receiver corps Campbell has had since arriving in Ames.

Seniors Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are a fearsome duo at wide receiver, particularly after Higgins went on a tear down the stretch for the Cyclones last fall. Add in tight end Benjamin Brahmer, a reliable target who moves incredibly well for his 6'7" frame, don't be surprised if Iowa State looks to test teams through the air more often this year than in the past.

With that being said, sophomore tailback Abu Sama II is still likely to feature heavily. He came on strong down the stretch last fall, including a regular season finale that saw him finish with 276 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas State, and will be ready for even more as a sophomore.

Defense: The Cyclones are always tough on this side of the ball, and that shouldn't change in 2024. Nine starters return across all three levels of this defense, giving coordinator Jon Heacock plenty to work with as they gear up for the fall.

The secondary was a strength a season ago and remains one of the best in the league, as safeties Malik Verdon and Jeremiah Cooper are an elite 1-2 punch who play a pivotal leadership role on this team. Cornerback Myles Purchase is also back for his senior campaign, but will need a new running mate at the position after T.J. Tampa was taken in the fourth round of the NFL Draft this spring.

Up front, Iowa State has to be able to get after the quarterback more consistently. It was clear this defensive line missed Will McDonald last season and while they were stout against the run, they simply couldn't pressure opposing quarterbacks as often as was needed. Senior Joey Petersen is solid, but the Cyclones are hoping for even more, while Kenard Snyder could be an interesting addition from Louisiana-Monroe.

The linebacker corps does return a familiar face in Will McLaughlin, who is also going to rush the quarterback off the edge, but there will be some new faces, as well. Junior Caleb Bacon, a former walk-on, will play a particularly important role after being more of a rotational piece in 2023 - he'll likely start at middle linebacker.

Bottom Line: Iowa State feels like a program that is going to benefit from the new-look Big 12. Matt Campbell has proven he has a consistent winner in Ames, and this is a team with a clear identity, which most of the league lacks. The road schedule is difficult, which may make matching last year's six wins in the Big 12 a challenge, but the Cyclones should have no issues going bowling. And with Becht and Sama still only sophomores, it's not unreasonable to think even greater things could be on the near horizon in 2025 or 2026.

10. TCU Horned Frogs

Offense: It didn't came as much of a shock that TCU as a whole fell off after their shocking National Championship Game run in 2022, and the offensive struggles played a major role. The Horned Frogs struggled to find a difference-maker to replace Max Duggan, and the skill position talent struggled to find any rhythm throughout the fall.

The hope for the Horned Frogs is that the personnel will be more familiar with OC Kendal Briles in 2024 and in turn, this group will take a huge step forward. Sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover did show flashes, but will have his work cut out for him as he looks to take command of this offense. TCU did bring on Vanderbilt transfer Ken Seals, presumably to be his backup, but Seals does bring starting power conference experience from his time in Nashville.

Not having Quentin Johnston out wide played an obvious role in the passing game's struggles in 2023. However, Savion Williams and J.P. Richardson proved to be a rock-solid duo and if Hoover can make improvements, there could be some untapped potential here. There's also Dylan Wright, who missed a big chunk of last season with injury. Wright has always been one of the most talented wide outs on each roster he's been on, but now at his third school, can he finally put it together for an entire season?

Now that Emani Bailey is gone at running back, it wouldn't be surprising if TCU leans on a committee approach, led by sophomore Cam Cook. However, the ground game is going to have a tough go of it unless this offensive line can figure things out in a hurry, with four new starters settling in.

Defense: Andy Avalos was hired as defensive coordinator over the offseason, bringing with him an aggressive defensive scheme that will blitz early and often. Avalos didn't have the type of success at his alma mater, Boise State, as he was looking for but was one of the best defensive coordinators in the game while at Oregon.

Caleb Fox and Paul Oyewale are returning starters on the defensive line, both fresh off solid but unremarkable campaigns. Yet, Oyewale is still just a sophomore and seems to have the upside to develop into a real presence off the edge. They'll be joined in the front seven by linebackers Shad Banks, Namdi Obiazor, and Johnny Hodges. Hodges is a X-factor, a hard-nosed defender who was a key piece to the defense in 2022, but who was limited to just four games last fall.

Even when TCU played for a National Title, the pass defense was a problem, and 2023 was not any improvement. On the contrary, the Horned Frogs were one of the worst pass defenses in the nation a year ago.

Junior safety Bud Clark gives the secondary a building block, but there's a bunch of questions beyond him. TCU was able to bring in some reinforcements through the portal in the form of Richard Toney Jr. from Nevada and JaTravis Broughton from Utah, but the lack of depth could be a real problem.

Bottom Line: For the third time in five years, the Horned Frogs finished 5-7 in 2023 and Sonny Dykes has real work to do to prove this program can re-emerge into the consistent Big 12 contender they were for years under Gary Patterson. There's certainly potential, as the offense has intriguing young talent and defensively, the front seven could actually be quite strong. But, there's enough questions to feel wary about the Frogs this fall - it feels like they could win anywhere from 3-8 games and it wouldn't come as a surprise, which could be said about half the league.

11. BYU Cougars

Offense: Kedon Slovis didn't end up being the quick fix BYU has hoping he could be in 2023, and the offense struggled throughout the entirety of the season. Slovis has since exhausted his eligibility, meaning a new signal-caller will be under center in 2024.

Gerry Bohanon, now on his third school, and former junior college transfer Jake Retzlaff seem to be the main competitors vying for the starting job, but Arizona State transfer Trenton Bourguet may factor in. Bohanon at least knows the league, starting his career at Baylor, and I think he'll start the August 31 opener with Southern Illinois. 

While quarterback is a huge question, six of the top seven receivers returning from 2023 will accelerate this aerial attack. Kody Epps, Darius Lassiter, and Chase Roberts are an impressive trio, but the Cougars are hoping they can stay healthier this fall, as Epps and Lassiter missed several contests. I'm high on tight end Jackson Bowers to have a breakout season, and true freshman Ryner Swanson could also see snaps.

L.J. Martin finished as BYU's leading rusher in 2023, but had just 518 yards, so the Cougars hoping for more this season. Martin is going to be the go-to guy, but it would not be shocking if a healthy Hinckley Ropati emerges. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but is 100 percent and extra motivated this year.

With three starters back on the O-Line, there's hope BYU can improve up front as they adjust to the physicality of power conference football. Caleb Etienne didn't play as large of a role as was expected after coming over from Oklahoma State, but he is likely to take over for the departed Kingsley Suamataia at tackle, a huge loss - literally.

Defense: Jay Hill was considered quite a big get as defensive coordinator after a successful run as Weber State head coach, but it was clear BYU had a difficult time adjusting to his complex scheme last fall. Add in the fact the Cougars were beat up down the stretch, this side of the ball struggled mightily over the second half of 2023.

There's hope that a full offseason with Hill will spring a major defensive turnaround this fall, and there is plenty of talent back here. That includes defensive ends Tyler Batty and Isaiah Bagnah, a pair of veterans who will give BYU a strong starting point up front. Batty in particular should continue to be a key figure after earning All-Big 12 honors last fall. But, the interior of the unit is weak, as the Cougars must find a way to replace both starting defensive tackles.

BYU is also hoping some pressure will come from outside linebacker Jack Kelly, who Hill has a relationship with going back to their time at Weber State. Kelly had 10.5 sacks for the Wildcats in 2023 and now reunites with Hill after a year apart. Senior Ben Bywater also returns at linebacker and is hoping for improved health after missing the final eight games of last season. When healthy, he has a chance to be one of the top linebackers in the conference.

The Cougars did make strides in their pass defense under Hill, and several starters now return. Senior corner Jakob Robinson was impressive in 2023 and will look to build on it, and may be joined by another Weber State addition in senior Marque Collins. Collins recorded 30 starts over a long career with the Wildcats, and should be ready for the jump to power conference football.

Bottom Line: BYU's 4-1 start was quickly erased by the Cougars proceeding to lose six of their next seven games, including their last five. It became clear the transition to power conference ball was not going to be an easy one for Kalani Sitake and company, and things weren't helped by the injuries BYU suffered on both sides of the ball. It's hard to imagine the Cougars turning things around in one offseason, but they should be more competitive in 2024 - if they can find a serviceable quarterback. The skill position talent aside from QB is promising, the defense looks ready to take a step forward, and the non-conference slate is manageable - a bowl game should be in play.

12. Cincinnati Bearcats

Offense: Scott Satterfield and the Bearcats were hopeful QB Emory Jones was going to be a quality short-term solution in a transition season in 2023, but the former Arizona State and Florida signal-caller struggled in his final season and in turn, so did Cincinnati's offense. 

With Jones graduating, the Bearcats now turn to Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby, who made seven starts on a Big Ten cellar dweller. It seems unlikely we see Sorsby come on and set the world on fire, but he flashed enough to think there is now upside at the position as we look ahead to this fall and beyond. 

Sorsby is blessed to have Cincinnati's leading receiver from last year, Xzavier Henderson, back in town and the Bearcats add a pair of Group of Five transfers in Tyrin Smith from UTEP and Tony Johnson from Florida Atlantic. Plus, I'm still hopeful we see something from Evan Prater, who hasn't been able to break through at quarterback, but could be a fun weapon to use now that he's converted to receiver.

This was a strong offensive line on a bad team in 2023, and now five starters are back. Senior guard Luke Kandra sets the tone, but with three other senior starters, he's far from the only experienced, hard-nosed linemen on this roster. That line should help open things up for tailback Corey Kiner, who is back after notching 1,047 yards a year ago.

Defense: Tyson Viedt will be Cincinnati's new defensive coordinator after stints at Iowa State and Toledo under Matt Campbell. He'll be tasked with turning around a defense whose numbers slipped in a major way as they made the jump from the American Athletic to Big 12.

Dontay Corleone, a physical, relentless defensive tackle, looked to be the heart and soul of this Cincinnati defense heading into 2024. Instead, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in late June and his status for the fall is up in the air. If the Bearcats don't get him back, they'll miss their best overall player on either side of the ball.

The rest of the front seven is a mixed bag. It may be a good thing that Cincinnati saw plenty of personnel turnover among a group that struggled beyond Corleone, and the staff worked the portal hard over the offseason. Mikah Coleman, Darian Varner, and Kameron Wilson are all transfers who should factor in heavily into the rotation on the defensive line, while Jared Bartlett and Jack Dingle are back to bring stability at linebacker.

There's no Sauce Gardner in this secondary in terms of star-power, but the unit could be solid in 2024. Junior corner Jordan Young made 11 starts after transferring from Florida and should be a building block, but the corner spot opposite him is a question mark. Derrick Canteen and Josh Minkins are both transfers who could be in line for major roles at safety, and senior Mekhi Miller is also going to see ample snaps.

Bottom Line: For a team that made a College Football Playoff appearance in 2021, the fall to 3-9 last season was startling. But at the same time, it was fairly understandable. Not only was Cincinnati making the jump to the Big 12, they were breaking in a brand new staff, and it's no secret that Luke Fickell's last few recruiting classes when he was in town were not at the level they needed to be to keep this thing rolling. Scott Satterfield is now under a bit of pressure as he prepares for 2024, but the Bearcats do have some interesting pieces both back and coming in through the portal and the schedule is certainly favorable. I don't imagine Cincinnati will be competing for a Big 12 Title in any way, but returning to the postseason seems like a reasonable goal as this program looks to build something for the long-term in the Big 12.

13. Baylor Bears

Offense: Jeff Grimes earned himself Broyles Award consideration during his first season at Baylor as offensive coordinator, but his offenses tailed off significantly over the last two years. Feeling the heat, Dave Aranda moved on from Grimes over the offseason and replaced him with Jake Spavital, a play-caller with Texas roots who will look to bring in an up-tempo, wide-open scheme.

Finding the right quarterback to run this system will be the top priority, with Blake Shapen transferring to Mississippi State. Sawyer Robertson is still around from 2023, but the most likely starter is Toledo transfer DeQuan Finn, who had over 3,000 yards of total offense with the Rockets last season. At the very least, Finn's dual-threat ability will add some playmaking to an offense that was desperately needed it last year.

If Finn can come in and make an impact, the Bears do have interesting talent around him at the skill positions. Dominic Richardson and Richard Reese are a rock-solid 1-2 punch at running back, and Monaray Baldwin and Ketron Jackson are key returnees out wide. There's also tight end Michael Trigg, now on his third program, who is still hoping for his breakout season. Talent has never been a problem for Trigg, who has spent time with USC and Ole Miss, but it's never felt like he's been in the perfect system for his skill-set - could Spavital unlock something with him?

The offensive line was incredibly young last season and endured their fair share of struggles, but there's hope 2024 could be a rebound campaign here. At two of the most crucial positions, center and left tackle, Baylor brings back a returning starter (Coleton Price and Alvin Ebosele) and they brought in several experienced transfers through the portal.

Defense: Although Matt Powledge is back as defensive coordinator, there are notable changes on this side of the ball. Aranda will now take over play-calling duties, looking to showcase the skills that once made him one of the top coordinators in all of college football.

Getting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks is going to be crucial to Baylor's defensive success in 2024. Losing T.J. Franklin and Gabe Hall on the defensive line doesn't seem to help in this pursuit, but the Bears are high on this defensive end group, which includes a healthy Jackie Marshall after he missed all of 2023. Nose guards Cooper Lanz and junior college transfer Tonga Lolohea will lead the interior of this unit.

The back seven has a chance to be very good, assuming it can stay healthy throughout the fall. Garmon Randolph and Matt Jones are two players who have been with the program for several years and have a chance to play a key role in a potential rebound. Junior "Rover" Keaton Thomas is also a familiar name who had a great offseason and should line up just about anywhere for this team in 2024.

Sophomore corner Caden Jenkins was a revelation for this time last season and now should play a leading role in this secondary, and Devyn Bobby and Kendrick Simpkins are also returning. Look for a competition to unfold at the other corner spot opposite of Jenkins - Chateau Reed is a solid veteran, but Arkansas transfer Lorando Johnson is going to push him.

Bottom Line: Since winning the Big 12 in 2021, Baylor has gone 9-16, putting Dave Aranda on quite the hot seat as they enter 2024. Even so, I actually really like this roster on paper, and feel as though this could be the conference's dark horse this season. However, one major obstacle stands in their way: a brutal schedule. Beyond Tarleton State to open the year, the Bears have to travel to Utah and Colorado within the first month, and then add always-tough Air Force in the non-conference. Their bye will be helpful in mid-October, but the second half isn't easy either, with Texas Tech, Houston, and West Virginia all on the road, and Kansas and Oklahoma State also looming. If Aranda struggles with this schedule early on, which would be understandable, and he gets fired, what does this season look like for Baylor? Perhaps they find a way to overcome this in much the same way Neal Brown and WVU did last fall, but that schedule caps this team's ceiling.

14. Colorado Buffaloes

Offense: Pat Shurmur took over play-calling duties halfway through last season and now that Sean Lewis is the head coach at San Diego State, Shurmur will operate as the team's offensive coordinator. There's no question he has talent to work with, but after the Buffaloes ended last season scoring 20 or more points just once in their final five games, there's obviously work to be done.

Shedeur Sanders is one of the faces of college football, fresh off a season in which he totaled 31 touchdowns. He has all the arm talent in the world, which was caught the eye of more than a few NFL scouts, but Colorado won't be successful if he can't stay upright this fall - he was sacked a school record 56 times in 2023. The offensive line has to be better, but Sanders must also learn to get rid of the ball quicker if he is to build on last season.

Speaking of the offensive line, this unit was completely overhauled over the offseason. Kahlil Benson comes in from Indiana, Tyler Johnson from Houston, and Justin Mayers from UTEP. And then there's highly touted newcomer Jordan Seaton, a five-star prospect who some expect to start right away at left tackle. On paper, it's a more talented group than last season and there is more experience, but how quickly this group gels will determine how high Colorado's ceiling is in Year Two under Deion Sanders.

With hopes the O-Line will improve, Colorado is also banking on an improved ground attack. Now that Dylan Edwards has left to Kansas State, the Buffaloes are set to lean on either Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden or true freshman Micah Welch. 

It's a better situation at receiver, even with last year's top option, Xavier Weaver, gone. Travis Hunter will be used heavily on this side of the ball again after going for 721 yards in 2023, but he's far from the only playmaker in the passing game. Jimmy Horn is going to be used heavily, and a slew of transfers arrive, including Lajohntay Wester from Florida Atlantic (1,168 yards in 2023) and Cordale Russell from TCU.

Defense: There's a new coordinator on this side of the ball, too, with Robert Livingston set to take things over after a long stint in the NFL. Livingston has some familiar faces to work with, but the Buffaloes are also breaking in a bunch of transfers at all three levels.

One of those transfers, Dayon Hayes from Pittsburgh, was a nice addition late in the portal cycle who will bolster a defensive line that has questions entering 2024. Fellow end B.J. Green should also be in line to start after coming from Arizona State, and look for either Chidozie Nwankwo from Houston or Shane Cokes to start at tackle.

There's a bunch of turnover at linebacker, but Trevor Woods and LaVonta Bentley are arguably the two most important players on this defense not named Travis Hunter. Woods isn't flashy, but is the type of rangy, hard-nosed defender every college football team needs, and Bentley was second on the team in tackles last year.

Hunter may be the most talented player in all of college football, and considering his two-way abilities, it's not unreasonable to think he'll be a factor in the Heisman race. But, staying healthy is crucial for him this year after he missed time in 2023. Colorado is so thin at nickel and corner, they can't afford to not have him on the field, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Buffs limit his offensive work this year to save him for his natural position.

Shilo Sanders led the team in tackles last season, but has to prove he can be the right type of leader for this secondary. He'll play alongside veteran Cam'Ron Silom Craig at safety, while Idaho State transfer Herman Smith is also set to see plenty of work.

Bottom Line: The hype around Deion and Colorado was overwhelming last fall, and winning their first three games had the Buffaloes riding high - until reality hit. They would lose eight of their next nine, which included a humiliating double overtime defeat to a Stanford team they were beating by 29 at half. But even after a 4-8 campaign, Colorado doesn't seem to be shying away from expectations, and they believe themselves to be a real threat in the new-look Big 12. With Shedeur and Hunter, there is a core here that can be a real contender, but the problems that persisted last year are still there. This is a program looking for a quick fix through the portal, and the lack of depth and cohesive play was evident over the final two-and-a-half months of last season. They'll be entertaining and probably win a big game or two, but it's hard to imagine them doing too much more beyond last year's four victories, at least until we see more consistency week to week.

15. Houston Cougars

Offense: After years of Dana Holgorsen, the hiring of Willie Fritz will bring a different look and feel to this Houston offense. Expect them to be more balanced and methodical, with offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay now in charge after a one-year pit stop at Mississippi State.

Houston does bring back an incumbent starter in Donovan Smith, who began his career at Texas Tech, but there's some thought that Louisiana transfer Zeon Chriss could push him. Chriss impressed in six games last season before being lost for the year, and seems like the future at the position for the Cougars.

Running back appears in good shape, with Parker Jenkins looking to be the guy after making eight starts as a true freshman. Houston does have depth behind him, with Tony Mathis and Stacy Sneed both returning after both made multiple starts a season ago. The depth will be crucial in a scheme like Fritz that will look to keep opponents guessing and off-balance with their personnel looks.

The rest of the offense is full of questions. There's talent at receiver, but a shortage of proven weapons beyond junior Joseph Manjack, who had 577 yards last year. Mekhi Mews comes over from Georgia and tight end Maliq Carr from Michigan State, both of whom could be used in some interesting ways, but neither moves the needle very much. 

With Patrick Paul gone on the O-Line, Houston loses their stalwart left tackle, as well as several starters. They did hit the portal hard and will lean heavily on newcomers, although senior guard Tank Jenkins receiving a seventh year of eligibility was huge. 

Defense: Coordinator Shiel Wood follows Fritz from Tulane, looking to engineer a turnaround at a school that surrendered over 31 PPG and 413 YPG a year ago. Wood and Fritz did bring several Tulane defenders with them, including end Keith Cooper and safety Kentrell Webb, but those additions alone won't have the issues.

With Nelson Ceaser and Jamaree Caldwell both departing, Cooper will play an outsized role on a D-Line that will be going through a transition. Junior tackle Anthony Holmes is an important holdover, and jUCO transfer Xavier Stillman should also factor in. There is depth here, too, but how quickly this group gels will have a major impact on this team's success.

The turnover from last season doesn't stop at the D-Line, as the back seven has a bunch of new faces. Corey Platt is another piece coming over from Tulane who could lead the linebacker corps, while Jamal Morris could lead the team in tackles as a returning starter at middle linebacker.

Junior safety A.J. Haulcy is an important returning piece in the secondary and there are some interesting pieces here, including Latrell McCutchin and SMU transfer Bryan Massey. But, it's just so hard to know what this group is going to look like until we see them on the field. It's likely Houston is going to mix and match in Year One of Fritz, which means growing pains are a near certainty.

Bottom Line: Willie Fritz was a very strong hire by Houston brass, a no-nonsense coach who has won at every one of his previous stops. But like most first-year coaches in the portal era, he's leaning so heavily on transfers, it's a complete mystery what this team is going to look like this fall. There's some interesting pieces and a few holdovers from the Holgorsen era that the staff managed to keep, but unless Fritz is able to pull off a miracle, it's likely the Cougars will stick around the bottom of the Big 12 standings once again this season. This fall should be all about building a foundation that can be competitive in the long-term, and with ample resources, Fritz should be able to get this done.

16. Arizona State Sun Devils

Offenses: Considering Arizona State boasted one of the worst offenses in all of FBS football last fall, there's no way to go but up in 2024 - or so they hope. The Sun Devils managed just 17.7 points per contest, and managed to put up 30 points or more just one time.

Marcus Arroyo takes over as offensive coordinator after previously serving as offensive coordinator at Oregon and as head coach at UNLV. Finding stability at quarterback and across the offensive line, the two main problem areas for Arizona State a season ago, is a must.

Senior Trenton Bourguet finished as the team's leading passer a year ago, but didn't exactly set the world on fire, finishing with 1,486 yards and a measly 1-4 TD-INT ratio. He is back, but it feels like the QB competition is between redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt, who played in four games as a freshman with Michigan State, and Jeff Sims, now on his third school. The staff is high on Leavitt and brings the most upside, but Sims can make plays with his legs.

Tailback Cam Skattebo is a bright spot, coming off a year in which he ran for 788 yards and nine scores. He's the type of hard-nosed, workhorse back that this team will need with questions at quarterback, but the Sun Devils have worked to bring in more explosiveness around him in the backfield. Raleek Brown, a USC transfer could help open things up, as will Alton McCaskill, also on his third stop in the collegiate ranks.

Receiver is a problem - this was already an underwhelming group, and then they lost their top two pass-catchers from 2023. In fact, Skattebo is their top returning receiver, bringing in 24 receptions for 286 yards on top of his work on the ground. Perhaps one of these former transfers could emerge between Jake Smith, Troy Omeire, Melquan Stovall, and now Jordyn Tyson, but it's hard to feel particularly encouraged.

Between injuries and just poor play, the O-Line was horrific through long stretches of 2023. Head coach Kenny Dillingham and this staff worked the portal and brought in seven transfers, providing much-needed experience. 

Defense: The Sun Devils may have been better on this side of the ball last season, but there's still plenty of work to do for Dillingham, coordinator Brian Ward, and the rest of this defensive staff. Forcing more turnovers will be a priority, as ASU was -11 in turnover differential during the lost 2023 campaign.

The defensive front isn't deep or supremely talented, but they infused the unit with transfers over the offseason. Former Texas transfer Prince Dorbah had six tackles for loss a year ago and seems to be their most consistent threat off the edge, although junior Clayton Smith could be a breakout candidate at the other end spot.

Look for transfers to lead the way at linebacker, with Zyrus Fiaseau from San Diego State and Keyshaun Elliot Jr. from New Mexico State in the mix to start. Yet, Elliot will have a tough time unseating Tate Romney at middle linebacker, a rapidly improving defender who notched 52 tackles in 2023.

Cornerback is a concern, as Arizona State is almost sure to lean on newcomers heavily there, not a super encouraging development against some of the teams on their schedule. Yet, the safety position provides a saving grace, as Myles Rowser and Shamari Simmons could be the best combo on the team. Simmons led the team in tackles last year and will line up just about anywhere.

Bottom Line: Herm Edwards left this program in a bad spot and it was always going to be a long rebuild for Dillingham. Yet, the youngest coach in FBS ball has plenty of familiarity with the program as an alum, and knows what it will take to get the Sun Devils back to where they need to go. This has always been a program with significant potential with the right leadership in place, and moving to the Big 12 could be the spark they need. 2024 is almost sure to be another rough one considering the roster limitations and tricky schedule, but the hope is that this team does enough to build towards brighter days ahead in 2025 and beyond.