1. Georgia
Key Returnees: QB Carson Beck, OL Tate Ratledge, DE Mykel Williams, LB Smael Mondon Jr., S Malaki Starks
Key Additions: RB Trevor Etienne (Florida), TE Ben Yurosek (Stanford), QB Jaden Rashada (Arizona St), CB Ellis Robinson (HS)
Key Games: 8/31 vs Clemson (at Atlanta), 9/28 at Alabama, 10/19 at Texas, 11/9 at Ole Miss
Summary: The Bulldogs play all of their toughest opponents away from Athens, and that could make winning the SEC a tall order despite being loaded again with talent. But in the 12-team playoff era, go ahead and pencil them in among the field.
2. Ohio State
Key Returnees: RB TreVeyon Henderson, WR Emeka Egbuka, DE JT Tuimoloau, DE Jack Sawyer, CB Denzel Burke
Key Additions: QB Will Howard (Kansas St), RB Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), OL Seth McLaughlin (Alabama), S Caleb Downs (Alabama)
Key Games: 10/12 at Oregon, 11/2 at Penn State, 11/30 Michigan
Summary: Good news: the Buckeyes had just 4 players taken in the recent NFL Draft, the least since 2013. Why is that good? Because a ton of talented players who could have left are coming back. Now Ryan Day faces expectations of not only ending a 3-loss streak to Michigan, but likely much more.
3. Oregon
Key Returnees: WR Tez Johnson, OL Josh Conerly, DE Jordan Burch, LB Jeffrey Bassa
Key Additions: QB Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma), QB Dante Moore (UCLA), WR Evan Stewart (Texas A&M), DT Derrick Harmon (Michigan St), CB Jabbar Muhammad (Washington)
Key Games: 10/12 Ohio State, 11/2 at Michigan, 11/30 Washington
Summary: With their strength and depth on the lines, the Ducks are the best prepared of the former Pac-12 newcomers for life in the Big Ten. The assembled talent in Year 3 of the Dan Lanning era means anything less than a CFP berth will be a disappointment.
4. Texas
Key Returnees: QB Quinn Ewers, QB Arch Manning, OL Kelvin Banks, LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Key Additions: WR Isaiah Bond (Alabama), WR Silas Bolden (Oregon St), DE Trey Moore (UTSA), S Andrew Mukuba (Clemson)
Key Games: 9/7 at Michigan, 10/12 vs Oklahoma (at Dallas), 10/19 Georgia, 11/30 at Texas A&M
Summary: The Longhorns came within 12 yards of playing for the national championship last season. Now they will try to finish the climb while acclimating to the SEC. The talent suggests they are prepared, but that’s easier said than done.
5. Alabama
Key Returnees: QB Jalen Milroe, OL Kadyn Proctor (transferred to Iowa, then transferred back), LB Deontae Lawson, DB Malachi Moore
Key Additions: WR Germie Bernard (Washington), DE LT Overton (Texas A&M), CB Domani Jackson (USC), CB Jalen Mbakwe (HS)
Key Games: 9/28 Georgia, 10/19 at Tennessee, 11/9 at LSU, 11/23 at Oklahoma
Summary: A brave new world dawns in Tuscaloosa. It’s a bit of a challenge figuring out where to rank Kalen DeBoer’s first Tide team. They lost a lot of key players to the NFL and the portal. But years of stacked recruiting classes and a few solid additions should keep them in the playoff hunt.
6. Penn State
Key Returnees: QB Drew Allar, RB Nick Singleton, DE Abdul Carter, MLB Kobe King
Key Additions: WR Julian Fleming (Ohio State), CB AJ Harris (Georgia), CB Jalen Kimber (Florida)
Key Games: 10/12 at USC, 10/26 at Wisconsin, 11/2 Ohio State
Summary: Perhaps no one is happier to see the 12-team playoff than James Franklin and the Nittany Lions. Unable to get over the hump against Ohio State and Michigan for years, 10 wins now gives them an open path. The offense returns plenty of skill talent, but 4 new starters on the OL could be a concern. Defense should continue to be their calling card.
7. Michigan
Key Returnees: RB Donovan Edwards, TE Colston Loveland, DT Mason Graham, CB Will Johnson
Key Additions: OG Josh Priebe (Northwestern), OLB Jaishawn Barham (Maryland), S Wesley Walker (Louisville)
Key Games: 9/7 Texas, 9/21 USC, 11/2 Oregon, 11/30 at Ohio State
Summary: So many new faces in Ann Arbor, none more conspicuous than the head coach. Jim Harbaugh finally bolted for the NFL, and so did 13 players from last year’s national champion. Former OC Sherrone Moore inherits a lot of talent, but not much experience. A favorable schedule that features all but one of the toughest games should keep them in the CFP mix.
8. Ole Miss
Key Returnees: QB Jaxson Dart, WR Jordan Watkins, S Trey Washington, S John Saunders
Key Additions: DE Walter Nolen (Texas A&M), DE Princely Umanmielen (Florida), LB Chris Paul Jr. (Arkansas), OG Nate Kalepo (Washington)
Key Games: 10/12 at LSU, 10/26 vs Oklahoma, 11/9 vs Georgia
Summary: Lane Kiffin has assembled a level of talent seldom seen in Oxford. The lines on both sides of the ball can stack up against anyone in the SEC. The #1 question mark remains the consistency of Dart in big games.
9. LSU
Key Returnees: OT Will Campbell, OT Emery Jones, TE Mason Taylor, LB Harold Perkins
Key Additions: WR CJ Daniels (Liberty), WR Zavion Thomas (Miss St), S Jardin Gilbert (Texas A&M)
Key Games: 9/1 vs USC (Las Vegas), 10/12 vs Ole Miss, 11/9 vs Alabama, 11/30 vs Oklahoma
Summary: Jayden Daniels will be very hard to replace. Former starter and redshirt-junior Garrett Nussmeier will get the first crack at it. Having arguably the nation’s best OL in front of him helps. What would help even more is if the Tigers could get much improved play from their defense, which surrendered 28 ppg and 417 ypg last season.
10. Notre Dame
Key Returnees: TE Mitchell Evans, NT Howard Cross, DE Jordan Bothelo, CB Benjamin Morrison
Key Additions: QB Riley Leonard (Duke), WR Kris Mitchell (FIU), DE RJ Oben (Duke), S Jordan Clark (Arizona St)
Key Games: 8/31 at Texas A&M, 9/28 vs Louisville, 11/9 vs Florida State, 11/30 at USC
Summary: Riley Leonard should fill Sam Hartman’s shoes nicely at QB. The OL is a bit of a concern, as they already had to replace both starting tackles from ’23, and then lost likely heir Charles Jagusah for the season to a torn pectoral. A Top-10 caliber defense and friendly schedule should still get the Irish in the CFP for the first time as an independent.
11. Missouri
Key Returnees: QB Brady Cook, WR Luther Burden, LB Chuck Hicks, S Joseph Charleston
Key Additions: OT Cayden Green (Oklahoma), LB Darris Smith (Georgia) LB Jeremiah Beasley (Michigan), CB Toriano Pride (Clemson)
Key Games: 10/5 at Texas A&M, 10/26 at Auburn, 11/9 Oklahoma
Summary: The Tigers should profusely thank SEC schedule-makers for the gift. With the Cook-Burden connection back, Eli Drinkwitz & Co. appear to have a friendly path to a CFP berth. Even their OOC schedule should be a walk in the park, with a home date against Boston College the only power conference foe. Less than 10-2 might be a letdown in Columbia.
12. Utah
Key Returnees: QB Cam Rising, TE Brant Kuethe, DT Junior Tafuna, CB Zemaiah Vaughn
Key Additions: WR Dorian Singer (USC), TE Carsen Ryan (UCLA), CB Kenan Johnson (Georgia Tech)
Key Games: 9/21 at Oklahoma State, 9/28 vs Arizona, 11/9 vs BYU, 11/23 vs Iowa State
Summary: The Utes enter the Big 12 as a consensus favorite as Kyle Whittingham returns a team with a lot of experience. That they dealt with so many injuries while going 8-5 last season may now be a blessing in disguise, as they also have experienced depth. At the end of the day, the Utes will go as far as Cam Rising can take them.
College Football Analyst
Mike is a Baltimore native living in Portland, OR since 2007. He currently runs his own business specializing in video production and online marketing. Prior to that he was a legal technology consultant, worked for 9 years at Johns Hopkins University and served 6 years in the Air Force. He also enjoys travel, food, beer, and is a volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society.