This college football season has been nothing short of wild, with numerous teams surpassing expectations and making the task of ranking them quite challenging. It's important to remember that it's still early, and there's plenty of room for surprises. Nonetheless, I'll venture into the world of predictions and offer my take on the potential 2024 college football playoff teams. Join me as we delve into these squads, and I'll do my best to explain my viewpoints
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Now, let's talk about the Alabama Crimson Tide, coming in at Number 4. They had a bit of a shaky start to the season, but lately, they've been on fire. Jalen Milroe has been a beast, tearing through defenses with his rocket arm and speed. His decision-making has improved big time, and he's looking more and more like he owns the field. Jermaine Burton and Isiah Bond have been on fire too. Burton's route-running is top-notch, and he's been letting those defensive backs know it. And speaking of speed, Isiah Bond is lightning-fast. But the real heroes here have been the defense. They've finally stepped up and started looking like the classic Alabama defense we know and love.
There's just one hitch – this team can't seem to put together two great halves of football. Last week against Arkansas, they almost blew a massive lead in the second half. And against the Vols this week, they made Joe Milton look like Prime Cam Newton in the first half. Luckily, whatever Saban said in the locker room worked like magic. If they can put a full game together, watch out, because this team is dangerous.
In my book, Bama's going to finish the regular season strong, including taking down LSU next week. I've also got Georgia winning out, mainly because they don't have many tough opponents this year. But in the SEC championship, I see Bama taking down Georgia, which will lock in their spot in the College Football Playoff. Georgia's got a high ranking, but they've been showing some weak spots, especially with Carson Beck at quarterback, and it's going to be tough for them without Brock Bowers.
Moving on to Number 3, we've got Washington, and let me tell you, they've been on fire this season. Michael Penix Jr. has been an absolute force, and he lived up to the Heisman hype that surrounded him at the start of the season. His precision and composure are unmatched, and when you look at his receiving trio of Germie Bernard, Jalen McMillan, and Rome Odunze, you've got a seriously dangerous combination. They showed their full potential when they took down Oregon in a memorable game.
Their defense is pretty solid, especially for a Pac-12 team, even though we know that's not always saying much. But the good news is, their defense hasn't gotten in the way of their success so far, and I don't see it becoming a problem. Washington does have a challenging schedule ahead, but I genuinely believe this team has what it takes to make it to the playoffs. Even if they stumble and drop a game, I can see them bouncing back to win the PAC-12 championship and secure their spot in the College Football Playoff. And if we're treated to another showdown between Oregon and Washington, well, get ready for some thrilling football.
Now, for the Number 2 spot, we have Florida State, and I've got a few things to say about this team. First off, I have to admit, I think they might be a tad overrated, even though the AP poll seems to disagree. They got a massive boost in rankings right out of the gate, thanks to their win over LSU, who, to be fair, isn't as strong a team as they used to be. Preseason rankings shouldn't carry that much weight, in my opinion.
Let's talk about their game against Duke – it was a close one until Riley Leonard got injured, and he wasn't exactly having a stellar game before that. The final score doesn't really show the whole story, and I believe if Riley had stayed in, the Noles might have been in trouble.
Now, don't get me wrong, FSU has been playing some good football and exceeding expectations. Jordan Travis has been putting up decent numbers, although I think he gets a bit too much credit sometimes, thanks to his receivers and defense coming through in the clutch. The real star of this team is Keon Coleman, no doubt. I've sung his praises before, and he's been killing it all season. He's easily a top 2 receiver, just behind Marvin Harrison Jr.
I don't mean to come across as a hater, but it's clear that this team has had its fair share of close calls. I'm just not convinced they're as good as their rankings suggest. However, they do have a relatively easy remaining schedule, and they should have a good shot at winning the ACC. UNC is a solid team, but that loss to 1-5 Virginia showed their true colors
Now, for the top spot, we've got Michigan, and let me tell you, they've been playing like the most well-rounded team in the country. It's true that we haven't seen them face a truly formidable opponent yet, but this team has shown significant improvement since last year. Both JJ McCarthy and Roman Wilson have been tearing it up on the field. Their defense has also taken a big step forward, and that pass rush is enough to give any quarterback nightmares.
Now, when it comes to Michigan, it feels like a familiar story. They handle their easy schedule with ease, and then it's time for the showdown with Ohio State. Even though Ohio State has had some impressive wins this year, they're not the same powerhouse they were last season. Apart from Marvin Harrison Jr., their offense doesn't really stand out. However, the Buckeye defense has been rock-solid, saving the day against teams like Notre Dame and Penn State.
But when they face Michigan, the Ohio State offense is going to need to step up. Kyle McCord, their quarterback, hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire. I'm not just predicting a Michigan win; I'm foreseeing a blowout victory for the Wolverines, especially at the Big House. If this plays out as expected, Michigan will be taking the coveted number 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.
There are plenty of strong teams that are just on the cusp of making it, underscoring the upcoming need for a 12-team playoff, set to debut next year. Teams like Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas are all on the outside looking in, according to my predictions. It's not that any of these teams are weak, but in college football, a single loss can quickly drop you down the rankings. In the case of Oklahoma and Texas, their recent performances haven't been stellar, and I anticipate they'll suffer another loss later in the season.
However, the beauty of college football is its unpredictability, and it's entirely possible that none of these teams will make the final rankings. It's a testament to how thrilling and unpredictable the college football landscape has been this year. So, kick back and relish the coming weeks of college football, as the excitement is sure to ramp up.