My early Top 25 for 2024
1. Ohio State: Ryan Day has immense pressure but also a top defense and a new OC.
2. Georgia: Carson Beck might be the top QB in the nation, and Brock Bowers is gone, but the Dawgs are flush with talent and angry about 2023.
3. Texas: As Sark restocks through the portal, the Horns are Alabama West.
4. Ole Miss: Rebels lose RB Judkins but return their QB, WR and TE and add nine defensive transfers.
5. Alabama: Anyone still there? New coach Kalen DeBoer faces incredible pressure and massive departures.
6. Missouri: The Brady Cook-Luther Burden III connection is back, but the defense has some holes.
7. Oregon: OU's Dillon Gabriel is ready to take the reins, but all-American RB Cody Schrader is gone.
8. Clemson: No one should sleep on QB Cade Klubnik, a strong OL and the Tigers' five-game winning streak.
9. Oklahoma: Can blue chip QB Jackson Arnold mature quickly to help LB Danny Stutsman and S Billy Bowman?
10. Michigan: Who's the coach, who's the QB, and can Donovan Edwards repeat his title game heroics? Lots of questions.
11. Arizona: Jeff Fisch has gone to Washington, but freshman QB Noah Fifita could be great, and the Wildcats have a breezy nonconference schedule.
12. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys should rule the new Big 12 behind Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon Jr., QB Alan Bowman, five offensive linemen back and their top WR.
13. Notre Dame: Most of the defensive nucleus is back, but can Riley Leonard be the passer he needs to be?
14. Iowa State: The Cyclones should be a contender with 18 returning starters.
15. Kansas: Don't doubt Lance Leipold. Plus QB Jalon Daniels is back, and RB Devin Neal is solid.
16. LSU: QB Garrett Nussmeier has big Heisman shoes to fill, and the defense has to be built back up.
17. Kansas State: The Wildcats will be helped by 1,200-yard RB D.J. Giddens, an experienced OL and big defensive playmakers.
18. Tennessee: The Vols will rebound after an erratic 2023 season.
19. Penn State: Maybe this is too low, but QB Drew Allar has to step up under another new OC and not just rely on great RBs and defense.
20. Utah: College lifer Cam Rising remains to beef up an offense with stud TE Brant Kuithe.
21. Texas A&M: The Aggies should surprise with QB Conner Weigman and Mike Elko's defense.
22. Memphis: QB Seth Henigan and WR Roc Taylor offer a solid passing attack.
23. Liberty: A 13-1 record and strong returning nucleus provide huge momentum.
24. Boise State: The Broncos slipped to 8-6 but have one of the nation's top RBs in Ashley Jeanty.
25. Jacksonville State: Thirteen returning starters off a 9-4 team know how to win.
My next five — Florida State, North Carolina State, SMU, Washington, Louisville.