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.

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.

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.