College Football Playoffs: Round by round predictions for 2024
The 2023 college football season has ended with the Michigan Wolverines winning their first National Championship in over 20 years. They defeated the Washington Huskies 34-13 in the championship game, completing a 15-0 season. They were the best team all season long and proved it on the biggest stage.
When one season ends, it's natural to look ahead to the next. Big changes to the playoff format begin next year, with the field expanding to give 12 teams a shot at a title. The original format called for six conference champions and the top six at-large teams will vie for a National Championship. With the dismantling of the Pac-12, it remains to be seen if they will stick with the 6+6 format or modify it for a likely 5+7 format.
It may be 12 months away, but it's never too early to predict how things could play out.
- Georgia: SEC Champion
- Ohio St: Big Ten Champion
- Utah: Big 12 Champion
- Florida State: ACC Champion
- Texas: At Large SEC
- Oregon: At Large Big Ten
- Notre Dame: At Large Independent
- Missouri: At Large SEC
- Michigan: At Large Big Ten
- Alabama: At Large SEC
- Boise St: Mountain West Champion
- Tulane: AAC Champion
Tulane has been one of the better non-Power Five teams over the past few seasons, compiling a record of 23-5 over the past two years. New head coach Jon Sumrall and former Oregon quarterback Ty Thompson will lead the way into the playoffs. Standing in front of them is Quinn Ewers and the Texas Longhorns. They will lose some talent to the NFL, but Ewers will be good enough to push his team past the Green Wave pretty easily.
Boise St won the Mountain West Conference last season and looks prepared to repeat in 2024. Former USC commit Malachi Nelson transferred to the Broncos and they have a talented roster around him. Unfortunately, a match-up with Oregon in round one will require a perfect performance to win. Bo Nix is gone, but Dillon Gabriel, formerly of the Oklahoma Sooners, steps into the starter role. They also have a top-10 recruiting class. The Ducks win this one.
The news that Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban is retiring has shocked the college football world. However, with Kalen DeBoer replacing him, they should keep rolling with the talent they have. Jalen Milroe looked great at the end of 2023, and they brought in plenty of talent via the transfer portal and recruiting. Notre Dame and new quarterback Riley Leonard pose an interesting match-up. Both teams have elite offensive tackles to replace, and this game could be close. Alabama is just a bit better, and the new coach gets his first playoff win.
Missouri could be the surprise entry into the playoff, but it shouldn't shock those who paid attention in 2023. Quarterback Brady Cook shined, and should be even better next season. Like Alabama, Michigan has some major questions about the program. Jim Harbaugh could leave for the NFL, and the defending champs will also be losing a lot of talent to the NFL. However, they've been able to reload in recent seasons. The Wolverines will continue to win games in the trenches, and that's good enough to take this one.
Whether or not Harbaugh and JJ McCarthy return may play a big part in how this one turns out. Georgia barely missed the playoff this past season, but is primed to return with a bang next year. They bring back quarterback Carson Beck, a talented roster around him, and the nation's top recruiting class. If the Wolverines can bring back McCarthy, retain Harbaugh, and grow quickly in the trenches, this game could be an instant classic. The Bulldogs can pull it out, though.
It has been a heart-breaking past few seasons for Buckeyes fans. The inability to beat Michigan has to eat at not only those who root for Ohio St but the players as well. They will finally overcome that hurdle in 2024, but the Crimson Tide stands in the way of their playoff hopes. Quarterback play will be the biggest question for the Buckeyes. They brought in Will Howard to answer it, but time will tell if that is good enough. In this game, it is, and Ohio St moves on.
Utah moves to the Big 12 for the 2024 season and could stand atop the conference in their first year there. Quarterback Cam Rising returns, hopefully fully healthy, and the Utah defense always seems to be very good. The Big 12 is winnable as Texas and Oklahoma move to the SEC, and Utah is as likely to do it as anyone else. Their defense can keep them in any game, but Oregon can score enough that Rising and Utah can't keep up. The Ducks win.
The Seminoles are another team in transition at quarterback, but they did bring in DJ Uiagalelei for the spot. Their biggest hurdle, though, might be mental after being left out of the playoffs this season. They'll have to get over the hangover. The defense figures to be really good again, so that should help. Texas will be bringing in a true National Championship-caliber team, led by one of the country's best passers. Florida State's defense will keep it close, but the Longhorns are just too talented, and they win this match-up.
This match-up features a long-time Big Ten stalwart and a brand new Big Ten addition. Both teams are led by transfer quarterbacks, and both teams are dripping with talented players and top recruits. This could come down to one mistake, one lucky bounce, or one untimely injury. The Buckeyes are on a mission, though, and head coach Ryan Day needs a deep playoff run to silence critics. They win a close, high-scoring affair.
The Georgia Bulldogs will likely be overwhelming preseason favorites to win the National Championship next season. They'll certainly have one of the most talented rosters in college football. Texas is no slouch in that area, though. The advantage that the Longhorns have here is at quarterback, and Ewers could be the difference. The former top recruit gets it done in upset fashion, and Texas advances to the championship game.
It's been almost 10 years since the Buckeyes won a National Championship, and close to two decades since Texas claimed a title. This isn't their most talented roster, but Ohio St is motivated to match what Michigan did this year. Texas has the better quarterback and is trying to return to yearly prominence in the college football world. This could wind up as a track meet, with scores in the 30s for both teams. In the end, Ewers’ elite quarterback play wins the day, and he leads the Longhorns to a late score, and they're able to fend off the Buckeyes to win their first championship since the 2005 season.
The Texas Longhorns will be the first National Champions of the twelve-team playoff era.
