College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2024
25. USC (8-5)
Although Caleb Williams is gone and there will be rumors about Lincoln Riley heading to the NFL, Miller Moss looked really good in the bowl win over Louisville. Assuming Moss is a solid starter, the Trojans should find their way into the preseason AP Top 25, but don't sleep on UNLV quarterback transfer Jayden Maiava to push for the starting job. I'm also really excited to see how Jo'Quavious Marks fits with the new-look offense.
24. Wisconsin (7-6)
Year one in Madison for Luke Fickell wasn't exactly the success that he expected when he took the job, but he's hoping to rebound in a big way with Tyler Van Dyke transferring in at quarterback and the No. 24 recruiting class coming in as well. While the divisions are now a thing of the past in the Big Ten and that's going to force Wisconsin to have to actually run the table -- or come close -- in conference play to make the title game, I do think the Badgers will have one of the league's top teams.
23. SMU (11-3)
What Rhett Lashlee and SMU were able to do last season was impressive, going 11-3 and running the table in AAC play but the three losses to Power Five teams have some wondering whether or not the Mustangs are ready for ACC play this coming season. Heck, they couldn't even beat Boston College in the Fenway Bowl, but Preston Stone is back at quarterback and he has some of his top weapons with him. It'll be interesting to see how the Mustangs adjust to the Power Five -- I guess now Power Four.
22. Louisville (10-4)
Louisville was one of the biggest surprises in college football last season, going from irrlevant to 10 wins in the first year of Jeff Brohm. Now, he's looking to replicate that success and he's doing so by attempting to quickly reload the roster through the portal. Tyler Shough is coming in to play quarterback after stints at Oregon and Texas Tech and he's joined by 25 other transfers -- a lot of them are high-impact guys. I think Louisville could be a 10-win team again.
21. Kansas (9-4)
Lance Leipold was high on every program's list that was looking for a new head coach this offseason but he decided to remain in Lawrence and it just feels like Kansas is the perfect fit for the maintenance head coach. Jalon Daniels is back at quarterback and if he can stay healthy, this team will be a major problem in the race for the Big 12 title. Think about it, Kansas won nine games with Daniels missing most of the season.