As the calendar flips to November, the college football world eagerly awaits the first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2024 season. With a plethora of undefeated and one-loss teams vying for a spot in the top four, the playoff picture remains murky. Let’s dive into a projection of the top 12 teams in the inaugural rankings.
Oregon Ducks Lead the Pack
The Oregon Ducks have built an impressive résumé, notching wins over ranked opponents like Ohio State and Illinois. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has emerged as a Heisman contender, powering the Ducks’ high-octane offense. Oregon’s lone blemish – a close loss to top-ranked Georgia – shouldn’t dampen their playoff hopes.
Nipping at Oregon’s heels are the one-loss Georgia Bulldogs. The defending national champions boast quality wins over Clemson and Texas, with their only stumble coming against Alabama. The Dawgs’ stifling defense and balanced offense make them a formidable contender.
Buckeyes, Nittany Lions Jockey for Position
The Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions are locked in a battle for Big Ten supremacy. Both teams are undefeated in conference play, but Ohio State’s loss to Oregon could prove costly. The Buckeyes’ explosive offense, led by Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, will need to be firing on all cylinders down the stretch.
Every team ranked ahead of Ohio State is also ranked higher in ESPN’s Strength of Record metric, which measures how difficult it is for the average playoff contender to achieve the same record against the same opponents.
According to a college football analyst
Penn State, meanwhile, has navigated a tricky schedule with wins over Wisconsin and USC. The Nittany Lions’ suffocating defense could be the key to a playoff berth.
Texas A&M, Miami Make Moves
Keep an eye on the surging Texas A&M Aggies. After a season-opening loss to Notre Dame, A&M has rattled off seven straight wins, including a statement victory over LSU. Coach Mike Elko’s squad is hitting its stride at the perfect time.
The Miami Hurricanes are also making noise, thanks to their high-powered offense led by Heisman hopeful Cam Ward. The ‘Canes have posted 50+ points in four games this season. While their strength of schedule lags behind other contenders, an undefeated record is hard to ignore.
Don’t Sleep on the Group of Five
The Boise State Broncos are the current favorites to snag the Group of Five’s playoff spot. With wins over Washington State and UNLV, plus a narrow loss to Oregon, the Broncos have a strong case. Quarterback Ashton Jeanty and a ferocious pass rush make Boise State a dangerous out.
- Boise State’s combination of talent and schedule separates them from other Group of Five contenders.
- The Broncos have higher than a 50% chance to win each of their remaining games.
- If Boise State finishes as a one-loss Mountain West champion, they should be a virtual lock for the Group of Five playoff bid.
The race for the College Football Playoff is heating up, with several teams jockeying for position. The first rankings will provide a glimpse into the committee’s thinking, but there’s still plenty of football left to be played. Buckle up for an exciting November as the contenders look to punch their tickets to the playoff.
