RADIO
With the calendar turned to August, college football season has finally arrived. Meaningful college football games will be played this month, starting with Florida State and Georgia Tech meeting in Dublin, Ireland just a few weekends away on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Week 1 will kick off the following week as title hopefuls will take the field in the first week of the longest college football season yet. With the playoffs expanding to 12 teams, the title conversation will naturally expand. Teams like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson have been dominant throughout the four-team CFP era. Now, 12 teams will be vying for a playoff berth.
Georgia and Ohio State once again seem to boast the strongest rosters heading into 2024, with Texas, Oregon, Michigan, and Alabama right behind them. The 10 teams we discuss in this article may not be pictured amongst the nation’s elite as the season opens, but they have the talent to compete with the best in the sport. Don’t let these teams fly under your radar this season.
Five Dark-Horse Title Contenders
These five teams will all likely be ranked heading into the season, but I think they have the talent to compete with the best. If things break their way, don’t be surprised if some of these teams are in the mix at the end of the season.
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona shocked the world and went 10-3 last season after going 5-7 the year prior. The Wildcats’ three losses were at Mississippi State in overtime in Week 2 (before starting freshman phenom Noah Fifita at quarterback), a seven-point narrow loss to eventual runner-up Washington, and a thrilling triple-overtime loss at USC against the eventual No. 1 overall pick. The Wildcats closed their season out with seven straight wins, finishing with a 38-24 win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
Coach Jedd Fisch left to take the Washington job following Kalen DeBoer’s departure for Alabama, and Brent Brennan was hired from San Jose State to fill his shoes.
Heading to a new conference with a new head coach and an entirely new defensive line, it’s understandable that last season could be pegged as a one-off for the Wildcats. I don’t think that is the case. Shockingly, no key players followed Coach Fisch to Washington.
Noah Fifita ➡️ Wuerffel Trophy Watchlist pic.twitter.com/ou1YLohv6v
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) August 1, 2024
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita returns after his breakout season with 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Joining him is junior Tetairoa McMillan, who many consider the best receiver in the nation. McMillan put up an impressive 1,402 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago and is a candidate to lead the nation in receiving.
The Wildcats return four starting offensive linemen, losing only first-rounder Jordan Morgan. On defense, linebackers Jacob Manu and Justin Flowe make up one of the nation’s best corps. Tacario Davis is a projected first-round cornerback.
The two toughest games on the schedule both come on the road, as Arizona will have to travel to Kansas State and Utah. It can afford to drop one and still essentially be a playoff shoo-in as long as it wins the rest of its games, in which it should be favored.
Utah Utes
I had Utah in this section last season, but then it lost senior leaders Cameron Rising and Brant Kuithe for the year and finished at 8-5 while playing quarterback-by-committee. Rising and Kuithe are both healthy and back in business for the Utes this season, and at 25 and 24 years old, respectively, they should be two of college football’s most seasoned veterans.
Now in the Big 12, Kyle Whittingham’s squad has what it takes to win the conference. Along with Rising and Kuithe, running back Micah Bernard is back healthy. The offensive line is made up of five returners, all with significant experience. USC transfer Dorian Singer joins returners Money Parks, Mycah Pittman, and Munir McClain to form a formidable receiving corps.
On defense, the departures of Jonah Elliss, Cole Bishop, Sione Vaki, and Miles Battle will sting, but Whittingham always finds a way to churn out a productive defensive squad. Returning cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn and linebacker Karene Reid will look to anchor the defense.
The toughest games on the schedule are back-to-back early in the season -- at Oklahoma State on Sept. 21, followed by a home game against former Pac-12 rival Arizona. If Utah gets through this stretch unscathed, it should be on its way to a playoff berth in the inaugural 12-team format.
Ole Miss Rebels
This season’s Ole Miss team is the best team Lane Kiffin has ever coached; on paper. After an 11-2 season that included blowout losses on the road against Alabama and Georgia, the Rebels have a stronger team and an easier outlook this season.
"We do, for the first time since I've been here, look like a real team. Doesn't mean we'll be any good but it means we actually have length and size like good teams do."
-#OleMiss HC Lane Kiffin
More from him, QB Jaxson Dart & LB Suntarine Perkins: pic.twitter.com/EoFIZuDWDG
— Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) July 31, 2024
Senior quarterback Jaxson Dart returns after throwing for 3,364 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2023. Three of the Rebels’ top four receivers return: senior Tre Harris, senior Jordan Watkins, and senior tight end Caden Prieskorn. Joining them is the explosive Juice Wells, a transfer from South Carolina who recorded 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021.
Despite losing Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, Ulysses Bentley IV and Miami transfer Henry Parrish Jr. will be a formidable duo on the ground.
Defensive line returnees Jared Ivey and J.J. Pegues are joined by Florida transfer Princely Umanmielen and Texas A&M transfer Walter Nolen to create one of the most imposing groups in the nation.
The first true test of the season will come on October 12 as the Rebels travel to LSU. Other tough games include Oklahoma (home) and Georgia (home). This team should be able to walk into the playoffs and has the firepower on both sides of the ball to get hot and compete with anyone in the country.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa -- a dark-horse title contender? THAT Iowa? Defense wins championships. While this team is clearly behind the very top of the conference in terms of talent, it plays a favorable schedule this season in which it dodges Oregon, Michigan, and Penn State. There is a very good chance that the only game it isn't favored in will be on the road against Ohio State.
The Hawkeyes made a crucial change at offensive coordinator, bringing in Tim Lester to replace Brian Ferentz. Lester worked as an analyst with the Packers last season, helping Jordan Love develop into one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Before that, he was the head coach at Western Michigan.
The strength of Kirk Ferentz-led teams is always the defense, and this unit is one of the best in the nation again entering 2024. The defensive line lost some depth, but the projected four-man starting lineup of Deontae Craig, Aaron Graves, Yahya Black, and Ethan Hurkett has a combined 22 career sacks.
Both linebackers are back -- Jay Higgins was a first-team All-Conference player in 2023, while Nick Jackson made the third team. The defensive backfield returns everybody aside from Cooper DeJean, who will be replaced by sophomore cornerback John Nestor. Look for safety Sebastian Castro to be amongst college football’s most impactful players in 2024.
As for the offense, the glaring change is the departure of Deacon Hill and the return of Cade McNamara. The former Michigan quarterback’s season ended just five games into last season’s campaign, but the hope is that with a new play-caller, he will improve. If he doesn’t, Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan could push for playing time after looking impressive filling in for the Wildcats when needed in 2023.
Calling Iowa a title contender may be a long shot, but the playoffs are attainable for a team whose second-toughest game on the schedule appears to be a home game against Wisconsin or a road game against Minnesota.
Tennessee Volunteers
If Tennessee can get into the playoffs, watch out. This Vols team will be put through the ringer this season early and often. Their first test comes in Week 2 in a neutral-site game against NC State. They will also play road games against Oklahoma and Georgia while taking on Alabama and Kentucky at home. Even if they lose three games, the Vols will likely be in the playoff conversation the way that this new format is laid out.
Last season was a disappointment for the Volunteers, who went 9-4 and suffered blowout losses at the hands of Alabama, Missouri, and Georgia along with a surprise loss to Florida. This season, they land an upgrade at quarterback as sixth-round pick Joe Milton III is replaced with former five-star recruit Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava was very impressive in his lone start a season ago, leading Tennessee to a 35-0 win over Iowa against one of the nation’s best defenses. He did not turn the ball over and made impressive reads despite the game being his first start.
“I definitely love road games more than home games. I don't want to upset our Neyland fans -- I love playing in Neyland Stadium. But I feel like away games, I just feel like all the odds are against you.” — an absolutely elite competitor mindset from Vols QB Nico Iamaleava pic.twitter.com/JKtKQUWtpa
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) July 30, 2024
Two seasons removed from their massive home win over Alabama, there is reason to believe that Josh Heupel’s team can do it again as the Crimson Tide exit the Nick Saban era.
Returning receivers Squirrel White, Bru McCoy, and Dont’e Thornton are joined by Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell II and Notre Dame tight-end transfer Holden Staes to form a formidable receiving corps.
Dylan Sampson, who had 604 yards and seven rushing touchdowns a season ago, will lead the way on the ground after playing behind Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. Running behind an offensive line anchored by LSU transfer Lance Heard and Cooper Mays, this Vols offense will be back to their high-flying ways.
On the defensive side of the ball, Heupel’s team has loads of talent. James Pearce Jr. has been touted as a potential first overall pick following a 9.5-sack sophomore campaign. The secondary looks a lot better, headlined by sophomore Rickey Gibson III and Oregon State transfer Jermod McCoy.
The path is not easy, but the talent is all there for this Tennessee team in 2024.
Five Deep Sleeper Teams
These five teams probably won’t contend for a national title, but could be very fun for viewers this season and could find themselves in the national spotlight with the expanded playoff. Remember: one non-power conference team is guaranteed a playoff bid. My favorite preseason contenders for this slot are two of the teams in this section.
Boise State Broncos
Boise State went 8-6 a season ago, winning the Mountain West over a solid UNLV squad, but then fell to UCLA in the LA Bowl. Starting quarterback Taylen Green transferred out to Arkansas, but new head coach Spencer Danielson worked in the transfer portal to bring former five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson to Boise.
The hype is through the roof for the 20-year-old USC transfer, who only saw action in one game last season. Nelson was a five-star prospect in the class of 2023, grading as the fifth-best quarterback behind Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava, Dante Moore, and Jackson Arnold. The ceiling of the Broncos offense is extremely high with him at the helm and with former NFL HC Dirk Koetter calling plays.
#BoiseState redshirt freshman QB Malachi Nelson put in the work this offseason.
“Worked his tail off. Extra meetings. Extra hours. Extra meetings with coach Koetter. [He] put the work in and continually progressed every single spring ball practice to the next.” - @Coach_SD pic.twitter.com/2ympH9JLeZ
— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) July 16, 2024
Joining Nelson in the backfield is returning junior running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty exploded for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns a season ago while splitting the backfield with George Holani and is one of the top NFL running back prospects.
Jeanty will likely lead the way through the air as well, although veteran Latrell Caples will be healthy after missing 2023 and Indiana transfer Cam Camper has the profile to fill the WR1 role but has also faced injuries.
With experience coming back on the offensive line and the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos have a team built to win the Mountain West should Nelson live up to the hype. The hardest game on the schedule is by far a Week 2 visit to Eugene. In the conference, Boise State dodges three of the top five teams in Fresno State, Air Force, and Colorado State. If the Broncos don’t completely get blown out by Oregon, they should be in the driver’s seat to earn a playoff bid.
NC State Wolfpack
NC State went 9-4 a season ago with Brennan Armstrong and MJ Morris under center. The Wolfpack won the games they should have won and dropped the ones that they should have dropped on paper as they fell to Notre Dame, Louisville, Duke, and Kansas State.
Dave Doeren’s rebuilt team looks imposing. Quarterback Grayson McCall joins the team after five seasons at Coastal Carolina. With 10,005 career passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns, and 34 wins to his name, McCall brings loads of experience to Raleigh.
The weaponry around McCall has been retooled a bit, with Duke transfer Jordan Waters expected to carry the load on the ground after his 819-yard, 12-touchdown season a year ago. Receiver KC Concepcion broke out as a freshman with 1,159 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. He is expected to lead the room, teamed with Ohio State transfer Noah Rogers, UConn transfer Justin Joly, and returnee Dacari Collins.
Defensive lineman Davin Vann will anchor the defense along with linebacker Sean Brown, who will look to replace Payton Wilson’s production. Safety Devan Boykin will lead the way in the secondary after securing three interceptions in 2023.
The schedule is brutal early on, with the two clear-cut toughest games coming over the first four weeks. The Wolfpack will play Tennessee in a highly anticipated Week 2 matchup at Bank of America Stadium. They will then play on the road at Clemson two weeks later. The next-toughest game is their rivalry matchup at North Carolina, although the Tar Heels are poised to take a step back this season.
With the ACC champion clinching a first-round playoff bye, there is reason to believe that Doeren’s team has what it takes to not only make the playoffs but even clinch a first-round bye.
USF Bulls
Given that their non-conference schedule includes a trip to Alabama and a matchup against the Miami Hurricanes, USF may be one of the least likely teams to make the College Football Playoff in 2024. The Bulls went 7-6 a year ago and did not qualify for their conference championship game. The key in college football? Continuity. Alex Golesh’s squad has a lot of it following his first season at the helm of the program, which won just one game in 2022.
This team’s ceiling hinges on junior quarterback Byrum Brown. If you don’t already know the name, learn it now. Brown was very impressive in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,292 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while rushing for 809 yards and 11 additional scores. The dual-threat quarterback stands 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, has a rocket arm, and could find himself pretty firmly in the conversation to be highly drafted in 2025.
USF could compete for the G5 Playoff spot in 2024
Especially if Byrum Brown makes plays like this 👀
(@SSN_USF / @byrumbrown17)
pic.twitter.com/2dP7ZfV7o6— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) July 27, 2024
The Bulls return senior receiver Sean Atkins, who broke out with 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns a season ago. They also added Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen from Purdue in the transfer portal and former Minnesota receiver Mike Brown-Stephens will be a factor after recording 350 yards and two scores a season ago.
Brown led the team on the ground last year, but second-leading rusher Nay’Quan Wright is also back after putting up 797 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago. This is an offense that can hurt opponents in multiple ways.
The defense struggled at times last season but came together in a 45-0 shutout win to close the season out against Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl. The squad looks a lot deeper after finishing 129th of 130 teams against the pass in 2023 and returns nine of 11 starters along with three transfers from Power 5 schools.
USF probably won’t make the playoff due to its treacherous non-conference schedule, but what it will do is provide free entertainment all season long. Make sure you are tuned in to its early season matchups with Alabama and Miami as Byrum Brown begins his ascension up draft boards.
Miami Hurricanes
After a disappointing 7-6 season that was highlighted by the worst coaching decision of the season, Mario Cristobal’s squad is reloaded and has the potential to compete in a wide-open ACC. Miami started 4-0 a season ago and would have been 5-0 if Cristobal had chosen to take a knee late in the fourth quarter against Georgia Tech.
After back-to-back overtime wins over Clemson and Virginia, the wheels fell off in narrow defeats against NC State, Florida State, and Louisville. The Hurricanes ended the season with a 31-24 loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl.
This year’s edition of the Miami Hurricanes looks different, as Cristobal went to work in the transfer portal. The biggest addition is former Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward, who threw for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions last season while adding eight rushing touchdowns.
Former Oregon State star running back Damien Martinez joins Ward in Miami after totaling 1,185 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. He will form a dangerous duo with sophomore Mark Fletcher Jr. At receiver, last year’s top two players, Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, return and are joined by Houston transfer Sam Brown. Tight end Elijah Arroyo is healthy once again, and three starters on the offensive line return. This offense should be the best unit in the ACC.
The defensive line is anchored by sophomore Rueben Bain Jr., who had a stellar freshman season. The position group as a whole is regarded as one of the nation’s best and is the strength of Cristobal’s defense.
The Hurricanes will be tested in Week 1 with a trip to Gainesville. Other intriguing matchups include at USF, at Louisville, and vs. Florida State. Overall, it is a soft schedule for a team that should be much improved from a season ago. If Cristobal cleans up some coaching errors, this team could be headed for its first ACC title and a potential playoff debut.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers, a playoff contender? Hold my beer. Greg Schiano’s squad has shown improvement every season that he has been at the helm, topping off last season with a bowl win over Miami.
With last year’s starting quarterback, Gavin Wimsatt, out the door, former Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is in line to start for the Scarlet Knights this season. The Big Ten’s leading rusher from 2023, Kyle Monangai, is back to lead the way on the ground once again. Three offensive line starters are back as well. Just like last season, the Scarlet Knights will win through a strong ground game and a rock-solid defense.
Defensive ends Wesley Bailey and Aaron Lewis are one of the Big Ten’s best duos. They are joined on the defensive side of the ball by stud returnees in linebacker Mohamed Toure, linebacker Tyreem Powell, safety Desmond Igbinosun, cornerback Robert Longerbeam, safety Flip Dixon, and safety Shaquan Loyal.
The most favorable part of the outlook for the Scarlet Knights’ 2024 season is the schedule. With divisions eliminated from the Big Ten, they don’t have to play Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa, or Oregon in 2024. I'm not the only one banging the drum for Rutgers as a dark-horse playoff contender...
Kirk Herbstreit believes Rutgers is a dark horse to make the College Football Playoff out of the Big Ten👀
“Someone is going to come out of that conference that you really didn’t expect..."
(via @PatMcAfeeShow) https://t.co/MIz2AKQCqd pic.twitter.com/hdAmDn3czs
— On3 (@On3sports) July 30, 2024
The toughest matchups appear to be at Nebraska, vs. Wisconsin, at USC, and at Maryland. While most of the games on the schedule are toss-ups, there is not a single game that can be marked as an auto-loss. This is a resilient team, as proven last season, and with great coaching from Schiano, it has what it takes to string together a very competitive season. Will it result in a playoff appearance? Very unlikely, but that’s why Rutgers is listed as a dark horse. It will be a fun season in Piscataway.
