10 best college football teams heading into 2024 season ft. Ohio State

College football 2024 is taking shape. Spring practice is over. The transfer portal has closed, and fans are looking forward to fall. As usual, the ranks of preseason hopefuls are numerous and varied.

There are plenty of new coaches, new quarterbacks and new reasons for optimism. Alas, everybody can't win, but here are 10 teams that could:

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Best college football teams in 2024

#10 Utah

A year ago, Cam Rising had to watch from the sidelines.

Utah enters the Big 12, which makes no geographical sense, but excellent football sense.

Veteran QB Cam Rising is back for another run, and if he's healthy, look out. Tight end Brant Kuithe could tell the same storym often injured, but also a dangerous playmaker. If things go Utah's way, there's a national title dark horse. If not, another 8-5 is possible.

#9 Penn State

At some point, James Franklin's Nittany Lions are going to break through. Could this year, with all the focus on defending champ Michigan and now-or-never Ohio State, be that time?

The defense is stout. Last year, it was the nation's third best scoring defense. Can Drew Allar make enough plays to deliver close games? If so, look out.

#8 Alabama

So, here's a dilemma. If Nick Saban was still at Bama, the Tide would be several notches higher than eighth.

While Kalen DeBoer is an incredibly well-respected young coach, it would be naive not to expect a bit of a transition struggle. Time that with Texas and Oklahoma coming to the SEC, and the situation doesn't stack up for a title for Alabama this year, but they could always surprise.

#7 LSU

The Tigers might have overachieved a bit in last year's 10-win season. There's reason for more optimism this year, though.

Yes, Jayden Daniels is gone, but backup Garrett Nussmeier was sharp in the Tigers' bowl game. Meanwhile, the issue a year ago was defense. Mizzou coordinator Blake Baker is likely to tune that up in a hurry. Could LSU sneak into winning the SEC?

#6 Michigan

The defending champion left a lot on the field - talent and its former coach - most notably.

Sherrone Moore doesn't exactly inherit a decimated team. Donovan Edwards is finally going to get his shot at being the primary offensive option. How well the QB situation ends up will have plenty to do with Michigan's ultimate level of play.

#5 Ole Miss

Lane Kiffin's Rebels keep sneaking closer and closer to the top of echelon of college football.

After a massive portal year, are they ready to deliver? Juice Wells, Walter Nolen and Prince Umanmielen are three examples of the kind of talent pool Ole Miss have tapped into via the portal. For Kiffin, with Jaxson Dart, all the weapons are in place for a big run.

#4 Oregon

Oregon took a solid base and added some of the top pieces in the transfer portal to its roster.

Dillon Gabriel and Evan Stewart were exactly what the doctor would have ordered for the Ducks. Can they hold up in the Big 10? Those sorts of questions resonate across the landscape of college football this year, but there's no reason to think that Oregon isn't for real.

#3 Texas

Likewise, it's a new day for the Longhorns as they enter the SEC. Beating Alabama on the road a year ago was a heck of a signal that Texas won't be intimidated.

Steve Sarkisian has built up a lot of continuity around his program, and Quinn Ewers seems like he's ready for a jump to the next level. Even in the spots where Texas lost some talent, the Horns have rebuilt in a hurry.

#2 Georgia

After two losses in three seasons, it's tough to pick against Georgia. Kirby Smart got Carson Beck back and adds one of the deepest and most experienced rosters in college football.

Yes, Georgia lost some talent to the NFL. But with an annual top recruiting class, the guess here is that a lack of depth won't be an issue in Athens. The Bulldogs have owned college football and aren't ready to change that.

#1 Ohio State

The Buckeyes are always near the top of the preseason rankings and stumble down the stretch.

Like fans of baseball's Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s, Buckeye fans find themselves muttering "Wait 'til next year." For Ryan Day, next year may have arrived. Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins were amazing additions, and OSU's defense looks primed to go. Watch out for the Buckeyes this college football season.

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Which college football teams would you highly regard in 2024? Weigh in below in our comments section: