Football will once again be the main focus in Austin. Despite having some great athletic programs on campus, excitement is building for spring football for the Texas Longhorns at Forty Acres.
Texas’ success in 2023 is well documented. Head coach Steve Sarkisian led his team to a Big 12 title, a College Football Playoff berth and a 12-win season, led by a perception-changing road win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now, the team heads to the SEC with its strongest roster from the Sarkisian era.
As a result, many are speculating that the Longhorns will become one of the top teams in the country. This year, the competition for the top spots will be extremely fierce.
The Georgia Bulldogs won the national title in 2021 and 2022 and will be looking for another title. Alabama, Ole Miss, Missouri and LSU will be the Bulldogs' in-conference challenges.
Oregon State and Ohio State have proven to be reliable winners over the past few seasons. They hope to take the step from great to elite in 2024.
As we head into spring football, let's release our college football rankings for the upcoming season.
twenty five
liberty flames
2024 Liberty Flames Football Schedule 📅pic.twitter.com/pCS1dKdUfl
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) February 1, 2024
If you have a quarterback, you have a chance. Look for Kaidon Salter to lead the Flames back into contention.
twenty four
SMU Mustang
Expected arrival on July 1, 2024…🠎 @SMUMustang X @theACC pic.twitter.com/JP1xfp9Y7v
— SMU (@SMU) March 13, 2024
SMU has a well-established recruiting base with starting quarterback Preston Stone and has done well in acquiring portal talent. The situation in the ACC is about to change dramatically.
twenty two
Texas A&M Aggies
Maroon & White game time has been decided!
📆 April 20th
🕠1 p.m. #gim pic.twitter.com/s1DrSAHaYQ— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) March 1, 2024
There's a lot of doubt about the Texas A&M Aggies after the past three seasons. That said, head coach Mike Elko has the most returning players in the nation, led by starting quarterback Connor Weigman.
twenty one
Louisville Cardinals
It's time to lock up.''
The schedule for 2024 has been decided!#go card pic.twitter.com/nylN9tALMv
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) January 24, 2024
Making a conference title game can clear any doubts. Look for the Cardinals to compete in his ACC again in 2024.
20
iowa hawkeyes
Move forward at maximum speed.#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/ExBvT3orUD
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) February 23, 2024
Iowa has been a consistently above-average contender the last few seasons. The defense is reliable and will lead the team to another strong season.
19
Clemson Tigers
🠅ðŸ“^ pic.twitter.com/HAmwOEgwU0
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) March 15, 2024
Clemson is at a disadvantage by not being able to take advantage of the transfer portal, but the roster is strong enough to make some noise next season. Head coach Dabo Swinney will need to find help from starting quarterback Cade Klubnik to compete for the ACC title this season.
18
notre dame fighting irish
You'd better recognize ðŸ'€â˜ï¸#GoIrish~ pic.twitter.com/DgZqHBU7PG
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 14, 2024
Like Clemson, Notre Dame has a lot to prove in 2024. We can expect the Irish to be strong in the trenches, but will they be able to score enough points to separate themselves from higher-ranked opponents?
17
arizona wildcats
offensive coordinator @CoachBabers_ talks about his return to Tucson, his favorite memories as a Wildcat, and more. .more and more! pic.twitter.com/VqubWnAumh
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) March 13, 2024
It's unclear what Arizona will look like with a new coaching staff, but the return of Noah Fifita, one of the nation's top quarterbacks, bodes well for the team. The Wildcats have a chance to win the Big 12 this season.
16
kansas jayhawks
One and only @Dev_Neal23— ¸#rock chalk pic.twitter.com/9yKrUc3pax
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) March 12, 2024
There are few, if any, better backfield duos in college football than starting quarterback Jaron Daniels and running back Devin Neal. The Jayhawks' explosive offense makes them a legitimate Big 12 title contender.
15
Penn State Nittany Lions
Spring Ballin' 😎 pic.twitter.com/lYlQ9TqaDX
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) March 13, 2024
Penn State isn't flashy, but they're good enough to beat most teams on their schedule. The 2024 slate may be easier than usual for the Lions, but they will need to find more offensive explosion to win the Big Ten Conference.
14
michigan wolverines
It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine!#goblue pic.twitter.com/g81DFBZuH6
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 9, 2024
The University of Michigan could be headed for a downturn after losing its star quarterback, running back, top two receivers, leading tackler, entire offensive line and 75% of its defensive front. An early matchup against Texas could tell us how ready the roster is to compete again in 2024.
13
volunteer tennessee
𠕤𠕡 𠕣𠕚𠕟𠕥𠕚𠕟𠕘 ð •¥ð • ð •¤ð •¡ 𠕣𠕚𠕟𠕘 â˜€ï¸ ðŸā »#GBO 🠊 pic.twitter.com/bUKmWwvVXS
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 15, 2024
Last season, Tennessee's defense went from a weakness to a strength. Returning to the explosive offense of the past, along with second-year quarterback Niko Iamareaba, will be crucial for the Volantes as they aim to make the playoffs.
12
Kansas State Wildcats
Electrical pic.twitter.com/gvpZEmCrbU
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) March 14, 2024
After winning the Big 12 title in 2022, head coach Chris Klieman appears to have established Kansas State as one of the conference's top teams going forward. Two-way quarterback Avery Johnson will be key to the team's playoff chances this season.
11
oklahoma sooners
All good things come from effort. #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/U187omDhib
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) March 16, 2024
Experience is perhaps the biggest predictor of defensive success in college football, and the University of Oklahoma has one of the most experienced defenses in the country. Experience is also valuable at quarterback and on the offensive line, where the Sooners lack game reps. Oklahoma has high ceilings and high floors.
Ten
alabama crimson tide
The day is set! 🠟ï¸
â °: 3:00 PM (Central Time)
📰: ESPN#rolltide pic.twitter.com/ycyApltNO1— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) March 11, 2024
Alabama lost a significant share of its starters after the 2023 season. The development of the later years of the Saban era does not seem to have been comparable to that of the dynasty at its peak. Will starting quarterback Jalen Milroe be able to carry the Tide's unproven roster against what is likely a more difficult schedule than usual?
9
LSU Tigers
deep ball + speed@Garrettnuss13 🤠@iamchrishilton1 pic.twitter.com/4JFBLIhfAA
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) March 9, 2024
No one knows who will finish at the top of the list between Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma in 2024, but LSU's passing attack may be the most certain of the three. Keep an eye on quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as he strengthens his defense in the expanded SEC.
7
missouri tigers
Everyone, please take a look.
ðŸ—“ï¸ March 16, 1 p.m.
ðŸ“Follow Field
free entrance #Ms ðŸ ￣🠈 pic.twitter.com/OozEpBcSwJ— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) March 11, 2024
Missouri State has it all offensively, with good quarterback play, a solid receiver room and an improved offensive line from Oklahoma transfer Kayden Green. The Tigers should have an advantage entering the 12-team playoffs as a lower seed.
6
Yutu, Utah
Here is the 2024 Big 12 schedule ðŸ™ā https://t.co/h30OHkdm7Z pic.twitter.com/JBFSgAEUt4
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) January 30, 2024
Starting quarterback Cam Rising will lead a team that is likely to win the Big 12 championship in 2024. Head coach Kyle Whittingham may finally be in the College Football Playoff after a near miss in the four-team playoff.
Five
Ole Miss Rebels
Let's do it again next week#Professional Mindset | #hottytoddy pic.twitter.com/KyGgShMxBu
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 14, 2024
Starting quarterback Jackson Dart may not have been as good as fellow SEC quarterbacks Carson Beck (Georgia), Quinn Ewers (Texas), and Jalen Milroe (Alabama), but he is one of the best in the nation. He is one of the best return signal callers in the league. Ole Miss enters the spring as a top-five team.
Four
oregon ducks
rock. sand. history. Brotherly love. They are interwoven to create an unbreakable bond.#godax #OneCommonPurpose pic.twitter.com/isZZm5TIJ9
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) March 11, 2024
Oregon rebuilds one of the nation's top offensive lines with key transfers in Oklahoma State quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart. The Ducks should advance to the 12-team playoffs this season.
3
texas longhorns
Phase 1 -…
Please bring me a spring ball 🤘 pic.twitter.com/z2ZyWjNOVQ
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) March 15, 2024
Quarterback Quinn Ewers' third year starting behind four returning offensive line starters bodes well for Texas after returning to receiver in the transfer portal. Texas could play in the national title game with an on-campus roster.
2
ohio state buckeyes
“Spring of shoes”
Come check out the fun event on April 13, 2024 @OhioFB Spring Game – Parking is free and tickets are only $10.
Secure your tickets and watch a Buckeyes game in one month – https://t.co/b38DAjhYfy@UnionHomeMtg | #Gobucks pic.twitter.com/3yu9SZJUpV
— Ohio State Buckeyes ðŸā° (@OhioStAthletics) March 15, 2024
The return of key wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and the big portal additions of quarterbacks Will Howard (Kansas State) and Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) make Ohio State a team to beat in the Big Ten. Ta.
1
georgia bulldogs
weekend work #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/tAdn8QSnvw
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) March 16, 2024
Last season, Georgia lost the SEC title to Alabama, giving up its bid for a third straight championship. With Carson Beck returning as one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football last season, the Bulldogs' offense could be just as dangerous as their defense.
