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

9. LSU (10-3)

LSU feels like that team every preseason that could either push for the playoff and a national title or will be the most disappointing team in the country. Last season, the Tigers were somewhere in the middle of that, going 10-3 despite having Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at quarterback.

Well, Daniels is gone and so is star wideout Malik Nabers so that means Garrett Nussmeier is going to have to step up as the starter and he has plenty of potential, but if he struggles, Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann will push him. I do believe that the Tigers will be fine with either of these guys running the show, but it'll obviously be a step back -- or two -- from Daniels.

CJ Daniels (Liberty) and Zavion Thomas (Mississippi State) are transferring in to help out the receiving corps and the new starter at quarterback so that should help matters.

The defense was a major liability last season but Brian Kelly made sure to address that by making changes to the staff and cleaning house so that side of the ball should improve.

If the offense is even close to where it was in 2023 and the defense improves like I believe it will under new leadership, LSU could push for the SEC title again.