College Football Risers and Fallers After Week 14 - 2024 College Football

Rivalry week lived up to be everything that football fans hoped it would be. From last-minute scores to fist fights and flag plants, college football’s greatest week of the regular season delivered. The mayhem started on Friday with an Iowa come-from-behind win along with an eight-overtime battle for the state of Georgia.

Saturday’s noon slate started with a comeback Tennessee road win, a last-minute LaNorris Sellers rushing touchdown to give South Carolina the win, and a 20-point underdog Michigan winning in the Horseshoe. Syracuse knocked off Miami in the midday slate, putting their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy while Notre Dame, SMU, and Alabama stayed on top of their respective rivals.

Arizona State and Iowa State locked up spots in the Big 12 title game, essentially becoming a play-in for a bid in the CFP. Texas downed Texas A&M in the rivalry’s renewal while Oregon finalized their unbeaten regular season. The mayhem shook up the playoff picture once again as we head into conference championship week. Let’s get into risers and fallers.

Stock Up

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Boise State’s running back is putting up historical numbers this season. He is outpacing the last few running backs to win the Heisman, finishing the regular season with 2,288 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Despite his historical season, Jeanty is not favored over Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter to win the Heisman Trophy.

No matter the results of the Heisman ceremony, Jeanty’s season deserves recognition. He will be in front of a national audience on Friday night as Boise State takes on UNLV in a rematch of a thrilling 29-24 win in what is essentially a play-in game for the CFP.

UNLV Rebels

Speaking of UNLV, everything went right for the Rebels this past week. With Tulane suffering their third loss, the Mountain West Championship is very likely a play-in game. The Rebels’ playoff hopes are alive after taking care of business against Nevada. 

CAN'T. WAIT. 🔥🤩@unlvfootball will face off with @BroncoSportsFB in the @MountainWest Champ Game next Friday on FOX 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6fGegYlbDy

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 1, 2024

Despite losing quarterback Matthew Sluka to an NIL dispute early in the season, Hajj-Malik Williams has slotted right in and the Rebels haven’t missed a beat. Buckle up for Friday night’s rematch.

Matt Campbell, Iowa State

His name has circulated in coaching circles for years, but the job Matt Campbell has done this year has been particularly impressive. After losing two straight to seemingly fall out of the playoff picture, Campbell’s Cyclones bounced back to win three straight and are now playing for a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff berth on Saturday. Campbell’s name is sure to pop up in coaching searches again this offseason. Could this finally be the year he makes a jump?

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State

Arizona State’s head coach is young (just 34 years old), fiery, and has his team in a win-and-in scenario one year after going 3-9 in his first season at the helm. 

National Coach of the Year is @KennyDillingham — and it shouldn’t even be a debate.

In just his second year, Dillingham has turned @ASUFootball into the best team in the Big 12.

After a 3–9 season last year, Arizona State is now 10–2 and heading to the Big 12 Championship… pic.twitter.com/vUSJKUDVdj

— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) December 1, 2024

Dillingham’s name will certainly pop up in coaching discussions this offseason, but will he even consider leaving? He has been an Arizona State fan his entire life, went to school there, and now has his dream job as the Sun Devils’ head coach. Regardless if he wins or loses on Saturday, Dillingham has earned himself a juicy contract extension.

Stock Down

Ryan Day, Ohio State

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has now dropped four straight games to rival Michigan. Of the four, no loss was as ugly as Saturday’s. With a clear talent gap and home-field advantage, the Buckeyes still found a way to fall to the Wolverines. 

Ryan Day became the bro is frozen meme

He realized he not built for this

pic.twitter.com/rO7vSyxq2W

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 30, 2024

Day’s track record is excellent in non-Michigan games, but the senior class just left that game with zero rivalry wins. Fans are disgruntled and if the Buckeyes don’t make a run in the playoffs, Day’s seat might be too hot for a 2025 return.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M

He was a great game manager for the Aggies this season, but quarterback Marcel Reed’s luck ran out on Saturday night when he led Texas A&M to just seven points at home in a must-win game. With the world watching, Reed threw for just 146 yards and an interception while also losing a fumble.

There is a good chance the redshirt freshman will return as QB1 next season for Mike Elko’s squad, but is he the guy who can get them into the playoffs?

Mike Norvell, Florida State

Mike Norvell’s disastrous season got even worse as the Gators walked all over the Seminoles on Saturday night, dropping Florida State to 2-10 on the year. Norvell has one of the hottest seats in college football, but as of right now it appears that Florida State is sticking with him going into 2025. 

Norvell’s 2023 team was successful due to transfer portal hits while his 2024 squad failed due to transfer portal misses. To keep his job, he needs to make smart decisions when navigating his roster build for 2025.

Miami Hurricanes

Cam Ward and the Miami Hurricanes had a magical run this year but after falling short against Syracuse on Saturday, it is very likely over. A two-loss ACC team without a conference championship appearance has little hope to sneak into the field, and while it is not official it will likely be confirmed on Tuesday’s ranking show.

SYRACUSE FUMBLE SIX🍊

The Orange erase a 21-0 deficit to lead the Hurricanes

pic.twitter.com/1MCbxriYHj

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 30, 2024

We have likely seen the last of Ward in a Hurricanes jersey, meaning Mario Cristobal is going to need to hit the transfer portal quickly to keep the team afloat for 2025.

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