College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2024

10. Penn State (10-3)

A lot of people are down on James Franklin after a disappointing end to the 2023 season which included a loss ot Michigan on Nov. 11 at home and then a 13-point loss to No. 11 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. It wasn't exactly how the Nittany Lions saw the season ending, especially after an 8-1 start, but Franklin was out-coached in the biggest games of the year.

The only reason this team isn't higher in the top 10 is because I just don't trust Franklin as a head coach. He always seems to get out-coached in big games and 2023 was no different.

The Nittany Lions do, however, return Drew Allar at quarterback to go along with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton at running back. Julian Fleming also transfers in from Ohio State to help out the receiving corps so that's going to be a big boost for Allar who needed some extra star power there.

Defensively, Manny Diaz may be gone as the coordinator, but Tom Allen takes over and you never really have to worry about this side of the ball in Happy Valley.

This team should be solid again, but it'll only go as far as Franklin allows it.