The 2024 college football season is already filled to the brim with storylines led by conference realignment in the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12, the evergrowing transfer portal, and, of course, an unregulated NIL landscape that has teams placing their highest bids to acquire a player to compete.
This month, spring football has fans excited for what’s to come with their respective teams. In contrast, Texas A&M’s new head coach, Mike Elko, comes into a familiar spot after serving as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2021 under then-head coach Jimbo Fisher. Nearly every major program has already completed their respective spring game outside of A&M, as the Maroon & White spring game is set for Saturday, April 20.
Looking far, far ahead, the CFB playoff structure’s expansion to 12-teams has every program on its toes, knowing that a possible nine or ten wins could secure a postseason spot that isn’t a run-of-the-mill bowl game, and yes, despite a lack of, well, consistently living up to preseason expectations, Texas A&M under Elko could be right in the thick of things due to the Aggies’ relatively manageable SEC schedule.
So, thanks to FanDuel Sportsbook’s college football future predictions, we can now gauge the Top 15 contenders who should be vying for a playoff spot in late Dec.
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
2023 record: 7-5 (4-4 SEC)
FanDuel odds: +4000
As I have said time and time again this offseason, if the offensive line holds up, a healthy starting quarterback Conner Weigman should thrive in new offensive coordintoar Collin Klein’s spread out offense.
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
2023 record: 11-2 (6-2 SEC)
Fan Duel odds: +3500
Outside of losing star running back Cody Shrader, quarterback Brady Cook and stud wide receiver Luther Burden III should be enough for the Tigers’ to be in the thick of the playoff race at the end of the year.
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
2023 record: 9-4 (4-4 SEC)
FanDuel odds: +3000
Tennessee is interesting due to former five-star blue chip quarterback Nico Iamaleava taking over full time next season, because if this kids hits his stride early, and most importantly, head coach Josh Heupel let’s him make plays out of structure on a regular basis, the sky is the limit for the Volunteers.
Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney welcomes new students and tosses t-shirts and a football into the crowd, during the Clemson University Athletics Showcase portion of the New Student Convocation in Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C. Friday, August 21, 2023. Coaches from each sport welcomed the new students and threw souvenirs in the crowd.
2023 record: 9-4 (4-4 ACC)
FanDuel odds: +3000
Dabo Swinney. That’s it. Kidding aside, can the two-time National Champion finally adapt to the chaotic transfer portal and NIL landscape, or will be further become the old man yelling at clouds? Clemson should be a solid team in 2024, but there’s plenty of questions.
Florida State football quarterback DJ Uiagalelei takes part in the final Tour of Duty winter workouts ahead of 2024 spring practices on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
2023 record: 13-1 (8-0 ACC)
FanDuel odds: +2800
Journeyman quarterback DJ Uiagalelei departed Oregon State after just one season, but did show vast improvement in his once shaky skill set outside of an elite arm. Well, that arm talent has made its way to a Florida State program that is still seething from being left out of the College Football Playoffs last season. Fun stuff. The roster is loaded once again, and if DJ continues to improve his accuracy, 12 wins isn’t out of the question.
Notre Dame’s Deion Colzie makes a one handed catch during practice at the SAC on Dec. 26, 2023, as they prepare for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Oregon State.
2023 record: 10-3
FanDuel odds: +2200
Will Notre Dame reach, let’s say, 8-0 then completely crumble down the stretch? Completely realistic given their history, and quarterback Sam Hartman, and his beautiful mane have left after what was a one-year rental, giving way to former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard to make a name for himself withe historic program before also leaving for the NFL. Notre Dame opens the season vs. Texas A&M in Kyle Field, as Leonard will face his former Duke head coach Mike Elko, if he’s healthy enough, that is.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
2023 record: 10-3 (7-2 Big Ten)
FanDuel odds: +2200
Here we go again! Penn State has all the peices it needs to compete in 2024, even with the expansion of the Big Ten, ten wins is very reasonable. However, former five-star quarterback Drew Allar needs to be much better in the pocket, while the late season meltdowns now too common under head coach James Franklin will continue to keep the fan base on edge.
A Michigan football player celebrates the 34-13 win over Washington to win the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
2023 record: 15-0 (9-0 Big Ten) 2023 National Champions
FanDuel odds: +2000
After finally winning the National Championship with Michigan after several years of coming painfully close, now former head coach Jim Harbaugh has transitioned to the Los Angeles Chargers, and starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is projected as a first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Even with all the losses, new head coach Sherrone Moore could surprise all of us in 2024.
Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin speaks at the 2023 SEC Football Kickoff Media Days at the Nashville Grand Hyatt on Broadway, Thursday, July 20, 2023.
2023 record: 11-2 (6-2 SEC)
FanDuel odds: +1500
I can roll with these odds for what should be the deepest team head coach Lane Kiffin has ever had during his tenure at Ole Miss after owning the transfer portal once again, landing several plug and play starters including former Texas A&M defensive lineman Walter Nolen.
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
2023 record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
FanDuel odds: +1500
Honestly, they’ll need to prove it in October and November before the odds can be taken seriously. With Heisman winning quarterback Jayden Daniels off to the NFL, new starting quarterback Garret Nussmeier has shown flashes, but doesn’t posess the “it” factor needed to carry LSU in 2024. Oh, and the Tigers will also lose both starting receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. to the draft as well.
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) looks to pass in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2023 record: 12-2 (8-0)
FanDuel odds: +1300
Hall of fame Alabama head coach Nick Saban has retired (at least for now) and former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer is the new head honcho for the first time in a decade-plus. We know what he brings offensively, and with quarterback Jalen Milroe back in the saddle, can the defense hold up?
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
2023 record: 12-2 (8-1 Pac 12)
FanDuel odds: +850
Yes, I can get on board with these odds. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning may have lost quarterback Bo Nix to the draft, but immediately gained two talented quarterbacks from the transfer portal in Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore, will will compete for the starting spot this fall. The offense is loaded, and the defense honeslty just needs to be good enough in 2024.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers during spring practice at the Frank Denius practice fields in Austin, Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
2023 record: 12-2 (8-1 Big 12)
FanDuel odds: +700
Texas may be back, but let’s wait and see what happens after the program’s first season in the SEC. Yes, quarterback Quinn Ewers posesses most of the traits needed to win a championship, coupled with O-line protections and a solid run game, but last season’s trip to the playoffs wasn’t just based on Ewers, because a ton of veteran talent has departed for the NFL Draft. Texas deserves to be a preseason favorite, but let’s hope that head coach Steve Sarkisian’s huge contract extension does’t result in a Jimbo Fisher-like path!
Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24.
2023 record: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
FanDuel odds: +450
I’l keep this short and sweet: IF Ohio State head coach Ryan Day can finally beat Michigan, and that’s a big IF, expect the buckeyes and freshman phenom wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to light up the scoreboard on a weekly basis and earn a playoff birth.
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
2023 record: 13-1 (8-0 SEC)
FanDuel odds: +300
Georgia, by their incredibly high standards, failed to reach the CFB playoffs just a year after winning a consectuive title, so let’s expect a revenge tour led by stellar quarterback Carson beck in 2024. Everytime they lose talent, they just seem to reload year after year, and all the credit goes to future Hall of Fame head coach Kirby Smart.
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