College Football Preseason Rankings (25-1) // 2024

what up guys the bench buddies are back with my college football preseason power rankings 25 through one let's get into it here starting at 25 I got Iowa Iowa they've been great the last three or four years ever since the co year they've been awesome you know they just got those tampering allegations for Kade mcnamer so their head coach is going to be out for week one but not really too much of a blow but this team comes in in the air needs to figure out their offense defense is going to be great special teams is going to be great but if this team average more than three touchdowns a game average 21 or more points a game there's a good chance that they'll be looking at 10 wins and possibly a chance at a big 10 championship and even a college football playoff birth 24 I have NC State the wolf pack has a tough schedule this year but I think they can manage and the big ad for them is going to be Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall he's going to be great I think you know he's been great at Cal Carolina and NC State feels like that's what they've been missing in the Big Time games and the Tennessee and at Clemson those two toughest games I think mcau will be more than ready to answer the call for that game 23 I have Louisville Louisville is a team in the ACC that I think could make a run uh they got Austin pay week one should be a blowout there defense should be great again and I think this Louisville team could really make some noise in the ACC you know there's a team every year in the ACC that we don't know too much about or that is kind of towards this part of the rankings at the the middle 20s or really around the 20s uh Louisville is going to be that team for me this year that I think in the ACC could really make some noise 22 I have Kansas Lance Leopold has this program just on fire right now um who knows what's going to go well for Kansas here it shouldn't be Jason Bean it should be Jaylen Daniels Jaylen Daniels is he G to have another big year I don't know what you know this Kansas team holds uh for the rest you know I'm looking at their schedule right here you know they three toughest games probably at West Virginia is a tough game at Kansas State and then at Baylor at the end of the year but other than that I really don't see too much of a challenge uh they got very very lucky they don't have to play Oklahoma State or Arizona um or Utah so really if you look at their schedule they don't play the top three teams in the conference going into the year and if Kansas can I think go nine and three um there's a good chance that they might squeak into the playoff this year Miami is another team that I think a lot of people are talking about it's a big year from Mario christall and that's because cam Ward and Damen Martinez are looking to take this team to the promised land I'm not saying win the ACC Championship win it all they're just hoping to get to the playoff at this point uh Miami you know they're due it seems like they are due for a good year um you know if you look at their schedule here I'm looking at it right now Miami at you know the Florida game week one's always a tough game but they have Louisville Florida State Syracuse would be their three toughest conference games uh it's definitely right there on the table for Miami they just got to go and produce 20 we got Texas A&M week one they're starting off with a dozy Notre Dame at home it is a favorable match up because it is at home home of the 12th man in College Station but they win that game I'm sure they're on Cloud9 going into the rest of the year lose that one I don't know what's going to happen because you know the SEC is just a Gauntlet At this point and if you lose this game to nor Dame at home I think you're dropping out of the rankings at least my rankings and we might not see A&M again just because how tough their schedule is 19 is Kansas State in Kansas State they got one of the toughest Big 12 schedules um but they all are at home with Arizona Oklahoma State and Kansas and it's going to be Avery Johnson leading the show um with you know will Howard's transfer to Ohio State Avery Johnson gets to step up and really lead this program and I think they could you know be that big 12 team that's fighting for that last playoff spot Arizona another big 12 team same thing for them they got two tough games it's in early September which you know they always say it's better to lose early than late and it's at Kansas State and at Utah then after that Arizona could Coast possibly to a nine- win season Noah FAA and M Tera McMillan probably going to be one of the scariest Duos to stop this year in college football and and I expect this Arizona team to really light it up after what we saw late last year 17 is Oklahoma State and this team is going to ride and die by Oly Gordon the third Oly Gordon you know probably going to be one of the top Heisman favorites coming into the year and probably one of the best running backs coming into the year uh and it's going to all ride on him if he has a terrific season like last year I expect this Oklahoma State team probably right there around 9 10 wins just like a lot of these other teams but they're also in the same boat Utah at state in late September two of their toughest games early in the year and let's say they go one- one there there's a good chance that this team might finish 11 And1 and be you know a single digit seed heading into the playoff Oklahoma now I think 16's a fair ranking for them they did lose Gabriel and obviously Gabriel's gone to Oregon so Jackson Arnold is looking to be the next homegrown quarterback at Oklahoma and I think this team might be due for a step back um I'm not saying that just because you know they're moving to the SEC I'm saying that just because of their schedule if you look at Oklahoma schedule first three should be you know a little tricky but I don't think they're going to lose with Temple Houston and to Lane but welcome to the SEC first game you get Tennessee at home at Auburn then you got the Red River Showdown against Texas Old Miss on the road Missouri on the road um then you get Alabama and LSU to finish the year I mean I don't know I think this team might be around a six and six ball Club when it's all said in done Clemson at 15 um you know their biggest story heading in this year are they going to be able to get back on top of the ACC you know FSU NC State those teams are right there at the top along with Louisville and I think you know this week one game is really going to prove how we are going to view this Clemson team um they obviously they're going against Georgia and the last time they played didn't end too well for them it was the defensive battle offense couldn't get anything going they lost on a pick six pretty much and Clemson with Kade kumnick they're going to have to show out week one at least get some respect I think from a lot of people let's say they lose this one by a touchdown and it's 3831 they're putting up points but just couldn't get it done I think Clemson will be right here when it's all set and done after week one but you know that's a tall task for them 14 is Tennessee Tennessee I think this team the sky the limit for them uh Nico imil ala I think that's how you say it gets his shot to be a quarterback after Milton departs and you know he's going to be the guy for the next few years uh week one should be no problem but the at NC State game Tennessee NC State that's a big game early on in the year and especially with them being in the SEC I think that's a very very tricky game to go about because if you lose that one I don't want to say the pressure's on heading into the SEC uh schedule but you know you got to win as many as you can going into your own conference game and especially when you're in the best conference in college football that's tough and Tennesse you know they don't have too easy of a schedule I mean it is a little difficult they do got the two best teams in Alabama and Georgia on their schedule but after that their next toughest game would be that Oklahoma game in Norman um and I think they can go in there and get that win and Tennesse I think they'll be happy with a N9 and3 record as well let's say they you know let's say they lose um to Georgia Alabama and Arkansas or something 9 and3 there's a good chance they still get in because they're in the SEC with a tough schedule 13 is going to be Utah Utah now this is the team with Cam Rising I think this team can really win it all this year uh when it's all said and done their two toughest games are going to be Oklahoma State and Arizona and that's week four and five of the playoff of heading in the playoff and then that starting the conference play as well so you know really really have it all laid out in front of them um at Oklahoma State game I think will be very good and come down to the wire but if Cam raging is fully healthy um we saw what this Utah team can do when he is healthy and clicking Utah you know this is the year to buy in and go all in 12 is going to be Florida State and Florida State plays actually today uh against Georgia teeken Ireland but this team man they were so close last year perfect and then got left out of the playoff and I'm sure they're still pissed about that hopefully it won't happen again this year uh but they could be due for a Super Bowl hangover you know lost a lot of pieces DJ oui Al to have a monster year possibly coming from Oregon State you know at Clemson he just wasn't that guy transferred to Oregon State for a year and really put a good season together and now here he is back in the ACC uh playing for Florida State and hoping to lead this team to the promised land but they got a tough schedule I think it's going to be rough for them I'm not saying they're going to be awful but if they can go 10- two uh it's going to be well earned with Clemson Miami Notre Dame SMU UNCC and Florida on the schedule six of those 12 games right there already in a tough schedule uh Florida State you know good job last year but it's all behind you now and you got to put it put what you got in front of you and Mike noral is really really looking forward to a good bounceback year if you would say LSU comes in at 11 and they're playing the AP ranked 23rd team in the country USC Trojans in week one um this defense is going to have to carry the LSU team I mean their offense is going to be all right with Garrett nme but he's got big shoes to fill after Jaden Daniels leaves to the NFL obviously won the Heisman as well last year uh with the LSU like I said the defense is going to have to show up and show out all season long their toughest game probably I mean at Texas STM is going to always be a tough game but they got Old Miss at home um and Oklahoma at home as well at the end of the year so it's favorable against the teams they play cuz they are at home but you never know an LSU could get tripped up anywhere along the line talking about getting tripped up we got Notre Dame and that game at week one like I said about Texas A&M is just as tough for Notre Dame but even tougher because they're going on the road and they got a transfer quarterback starting week one in Riley Leonard you know he was great at Duke but he has big expectations to take this team to the playoff because we thought Sam Hartman was going to be that person to take it to another level but he just couldn't get it done um and you know this team because they are an independent team Notre Dame they could only get in the playoff as a five seed five or 12 seed because they are't a conference Champion so it is a little harder for Notre Dame to get in technically because there's not as many spots open for them but I expect Notre Dame to be right there when it's all said and done pro probably around 10 and two um and get in there uh as an independent around a 10 11 or 12 seed um just because their schedule is fairly easy you know this game against Texas St m is one of their two toughest scheduled games this year um and if they get that done go on the road in College Station we might need might see Notre Dame not fall out of the top 10 for the rest of the year at 9 he got Missouri and I love this Missouri team heading into the year uh Missouri being I think they're going to you know probably be around the same record that they were last year their schedule very easy first four games then they got to buy and go on the road to College Station Texas STM uh then after that their toughest game is in Tuscaloosa against Alabama then their last four games I wouldn't say are a cakewalk but it's definitely against the middle to lower end teams in the SEC and as long as you got Brady cook there and he's healthy I think this Missouri team can really make a run eight is Penn State and we don't need to talk about any other players or their schedule or anything we just need to talk about how they can not be 10 and two and actually win a big game their problem is winning a big game whether it's at home or on the road in week one at West Virginia it's going to be no joke that's going to be a tough tough place to play um I think they will go in there and get that win but at what cost I think Drew Aller needs to really step up this year uh and be accurate in those big games you know they have at Ohio State at USC and then at Wisconsin this year so three of their toughest games are all on the road and he's going to have to step up and I think at least two of those three uh for this Penn Ste State team to be really considered to be a playoff team because you know James Franklin obviously he's a great coach but he just can't win those big games and if you can't win those big games why would we put you in the playoffs seven is Alabama obviously their big storyline losing Nick Sabin to college game day uh kayin dor the Washington head coach last year coming in to take Sabin spot he's got tough shoes to fill but man does he have a roster to possibly get them back to the promised land Jaylen millero comes back and he is looking to really solidify himself as a top quarterback in college football you know last year they didn't know who to start but they finally went with milroe and since they went with milro this team was awesome until obviously that Rose Bowl game against Michigan but man does Alabama have a tough schedule they are at Wisconsin in week three and then you open your first SEC game with Georgia at home and then vanderbelt South Carolina should take care of them um but then you go on the road face 10 tenee in Knoxville then you get Missouri at home bye at LSU you know your cupcake game and then at Norman uh against Oklahoma then obviously you got the iron and Bowl the last week of the season and that's a great game no matter how good each team is so Alabama they definitely have their work cut out for them uh but I do see Alabama probably getting around 10 wins this year uh just because you know it's Alabama it's not like they the wheels are falling off already in year one so the expectations are high but I think dor can really live up to those expectations that's six you got my Michigan Wolverines and I couldn't put them any higher I just couldn't with all that they lost on offense pretty much everything except Donovan Edwards and obviously talking about Donovan Edwards now that corm is gone I think Donovan Edwards is going to have a huge year now that he's going to be the lead back and the Workhorse for Michigan they do have some good backups though in Mullins uh I think he can be the new Donovan Edwards role but the starting quarterback is still undetermined with one week away it's G to be Alex orgy or is it going to be Tuttle I think it's probably going to be orgy just because you know he's been there he's been playing more uh in the McCarthy system under harball and shiron Moore I think I think this team can really do really well uh obviously their schedule is very cupcake for the first week and then they get Texas at home week two what happens if they win that game at Tech or against Texas at home I think a lot of people are going to be turning their heads and saying this Michigan team isn't going down without a fight and they're going to be pretty solid and if they get that win great I think momentum's going to be at an all-time high and carry them through you know probably half of the year but if they lose that game I'm sure they're going to have a lot to prove you know they're not out of it like you used to be in the playoff it feels like if you lose once you're out of it but nowadays you know two three losses anything more than three losses you're probably out of the consideration but Michigan I expect some big things for him obviously he's a Michigan fan but I don't think they're going to be as bad as people think you know they're over under win totals n and a half um and I think they're going to get that over probably around 10 wins Old Miss comes in at five starting my top five and this team's biggest storyline this year they lost quinon junkins to Ohio State but they still got Jackson Dart and as long as he's there this team could be really good under Lane kein I think M Miss has you know very very good chance to get to the SEC Championship and I say that because if you look at their schedule They Don't Really play any tough team until October 12th which is going to be week seven at LSU in Baton Rouge other than that I'm looking Georgia at home um and then really that's it Georgia at home is going to be their toughest game uh besides that LSU game so 10- two let's say they lose both but win all the others 10- two I think you got to put this team in the playoff at four you got Ohio State 1 a 1B whatever you want to call them in the Big 10 favorites um you know this this Ohio State team reloaded at quarterback and a running back that running back Duo of quinon Judkins and Henderson are going to be one of the best if not the best in the nation uh just because we know how Ohio State loves to run the ball and now that they finally have a quarterback uh and will Howard the pressure is on him really to lead this team to the promised land and you know ran day let's say they go 11-1 Ohio State they go 11-1 and they lose to Ohio Michigan at the end of the year might get a chance to redeem themselves in the Big 10 championship at the end you know literally in two weeks after that just because you know the new system and how everything is in play but Ryan day's got to beat Michigan I think that's all Ohio State fans care about at this point right now it's in Columbus um it's right there for it and if not I think the writing's on the wall and Ohio State might be looking for a new head coach next year and three got Texas and this team is already off to a rough start they lost two of their running backs to injury this year with Baxter obviously being one of those guys then obviously he lost Jonathan Brooks the NFL so the running back situation is a problem for Texas heading into the year but I don't think it's going to bother them too much in week one where week two it might against Michigan like I said but Quinn ear coming back obviously he's exceptional probably top three quarterback in college football but they got a tough schedule I think ug michig obviously the Red River rivalry in Oklahoma then at Texas A&M it's going to be tough for them they could you know possibly fall um and miss the playoff I'm not saying they're gonna but it's definitely possible with that schedule that they have um the out of conference besides Michigan's super easy and last week of the year I think at College Station the Texas STM game could be the the game that really decides if Texas is going to get into the playoff week two you got Oregon and man you know as a Michigan fan joining the Big 10 not loving it but I love that Oregon is reloading immediately after they lose pretty much their whole roster to the NFL you know bonx is gone Bucky Irving's gone Troy Franklin's gone your top three Playmakers on offense are gone so what do you do you go get Dylan Gabriel out of Oklahoma out of UCF as well and he's probably a top five quarterback and under him I think they're going to just be slinging the rock all around Oregon though they do have a very easy uh Big 10 schedule till week seven where they get Ohio State at home and then they their toughest game is going to be on the road at Michigan and then at Wisconsin late in the year will be a tough one Camp Rand will be rocking but I expect Oregon to be really good and I think they're going to make the playoff it's just going to be whether they win the Big 10 and get one of those top four buys or they're going to be one of those top teams uh on the outside and obviously at number one I got to have Georgia Georgia you know this team didn't lose a lot um at least where it matters in my opinion with Carson Beck in that quarterback position Carson Beck is going to be awesome this year you know obviously the SEC Championship losing to Bama missing the playoff I'm I'm sure Georgia fans are still pissed off about that and week one against Clemson this is your time to come out and prove it and just throttle them I think it's going to happen in all honesty I do I think Georgia's just going to take care of business and it's not going to be that close of a game uh heading into the fourth quarter but if you look at this Georgia schedule toughest game probably on the road at Alabama um or at Texas or at Old Miss just based on you know the road situations but they do have Tennessee at home uh and then obviously the Florida Georgia game in Jacksonville but Georgia definitely has their work cut out for him because they have like I like I said at Alabama at Texas and at miss you just saw those are the other top three teams in the SEC and they're all on Georgia schedule so I'm not saying they're going to go 3 and0 in those games I think they could go maybe two- one if they go two and one in those uh Georgia's probably going to walk away with college football playoff birth when they're just going to be like Oregon if they win the SEC they're going to be one of those top four teams and probably number one that's going to be it for my PR season rankings check back next week or in two weeks actually to see where your team ranks after all the week one games but until the next time the bench buddies are out [Music]