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Mike's NCAA college football power rankings for the top 25 NCAA college football teams before Week 1 of the 2024 season. Which teams are the best contenders for the expanded playoff?
There were only two FBS vs. FBS games in "Week 0," so this article is going to be as ridiculous as the week. Don't blame me. Blame the NCAA for making Week 0 a thing to begin with. I'm never one to complain about more college football, but we have a staggering 96 games in Week 1. Move even a dozen of those to Week 0 and it makes it infinitely more interesting.
These rankings aren't going to change much, but they will look ridiculous. Why? Because I pride myself on doing my rankings solely on what has been done on the field. Since 130 FBS schools didn't even play, we'll see some out-of-whack rankings early on.
And no...I won't rank Montana State for beating New Mexico. This is FBS rankings only. I will say with confidence that this will be the only time Hawaii is "ranked" this year.
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College Football Power Rankings - 2024 Week 1
These rankings are based solely on what is on the roster as of today. They do not include the perceived strength of schedule since there is so much unknown surrounding college football this year.
There are new coaches and new players in new places. That's always a given. Now we have to deal with entire teams in new places. And let's face it...two losses won't disqualify you from the playoff anymore.
Three losses won't even disqualify teams from the Big Ten (18) or SEC. The strength of the schedule doesn't mean what it used to. This is the beginning of the end. The only way to go is more expansion of the playoffs, which means the regular season will be as "important" as the NFL in five years.
I am Nero watching Rome burn, but instead of playing a fiddle, I'm writing about it. How times have changed!
(25) North Carolina (0-0) ⇓3
What could be more Mack Brown than struggling against Minnesota? Since the Heels are gearing up to play two quarterbacks in the opener, this isn't as far-fetched of a scenario as you might think.
(24) Michigan (0-0) ⇓3
Jim Harbaugh might want to distance himself from Ann Arbor right now. Already hit with a 4 year show cause, the NCAA is about to hammer Michigan for cheating allegations they pretty much look like are true. Michigan's 2023 National Championship looks even…
— Your Campus Hookup (@campushookup) August 14, 2024
Everyone is high on Michigan but me. We'll find out if it's warranted next week.
(23) Washington (0-0) ⇓3
The more I look at Washington, the more I think I might be giving it too much credit. Vegas has it as a .500 team right now...
(22) USC (0-0) ⇓3
We're going to learn a lot about Miller Moss and if Lincoln Riley is the right coach for this team in Week 1.
(21) North Carolina State (0-0) ⇓3
Grayson McCall will have weapons here as he did in 2020 at Myrtle Beach. Can he lead the Wolfpack to a magical season like he did Coastal Carolina?
(20) Tennessee (0-0) ⇓3
I'm still not sold on Tennessee. I'll change my tune if it tunes up the Wolfpack in Week 2.
(19) Virginia Tech (0-0) ⇓3
● QB Spotlight ●
Kyron Drones - Virginia Tech
• Drones made a big difference for the Hokies last season once he became QB1. He threw for 2,085 yards 17 Touchdowns with only 3 INTs and rushed for 818 yards 5 Touchdowns. Drones has the size to run over defenders and quickness… pic.twitter.com/nQdrBavXUE
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) May 21, 2024
I may lay a small bet on the Hokies winning the ACC after that game in Dublin.
(18) Miami (FL) (0-0) ⇓3
Beating Florida may be just a name right now, but it will vault the Canes up this list in a hurry.
(17) Oklahoma State (0-0) ⇓3
Ollie Ollie Ollie! Oy Oy Oy! They sound like a bunch of Australians in Stillwater.
We are doing a 2025 RB thread and to zero surprise, I am true to my word and Ollie Gordon II is the first player I am watching. Explosive vertical jump cut while dealing with contact at the ankles and having the vision to see the outside cutback lane for a TD. pic.twitter.com/BbAcjO9AVJ
— Nick Martin (@themicknartin) April 30, 2024
(16) Iowa State (0-0) ⇓3
The Cyclones not being ranked in the AP Poll is a bit short-sighted. I wonder if AP will change its tune when the Cyclones take home the CyHawk...
(15) Penn State (0-0) ⇓3
We'll find out a lot about Penn State in about 72 hours. West Virginia in Morgantown is no joke.
This will be the 61st matchup between former Big East rivals West Virginia and Penn State. The teams met last year after a 31 year hiatus.
West Virginia is looking for their first home win in the series since 1988.#WeAre #HailWV #PSUvsWVUhttps://t.co/XDG0tReEQU pic.twitter.com/hewdz9b7m0
— Winsipedia (@Winsipedia) August 27, 2024
(14) Oklahoma (0-0) ⇓3
I won't be all that surprised if Oklahoma finishes the season unranked. If Brent Venables manages to win nine or 10 games with this schedule, he'll be in Barry Switzer/Bob Stoops territory.
(13) Kansas (0-0) ⇓3
in case you #kufball fans wanted to see the downfield dime from Jalon Daniels to Quentin Skinner from tonight's Spring Showcase: pic.twitter.com/ftXAahEpia
— Katie Maher (@wibwKatie) April 13, 2024
If Jalon Daniels can finally play a healthy season, the Jayhawks might win 10 games.
(12) Mississippi (0-0) ⇓3
AP is higher on Ole Miss than I am. This will be the norm until at least the middle of October.
(11) Utah (0-0) ⇓3
We're going to find out if Cameron Rising is back early on. Games against Baylor and Utah State won't be easy. Then they travel to Stillwater. That's all in September!
(10) Missouri (0-0) ⇓3
Luther Burden III is WR1 in the 2025 NFL Draft ?
He is a compact threat from the slot who is dangerous and strong both at the catch point and with the ball in his hands. pic.twitter.com/GoCdAp9mq0
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 7, 2024
Like Ohio State, Missouri won't be tested until October, either. Good luck moving up my rankings against the likes of Murray State, Buffalo, Boston College, and Vanderbilt...
(9) Alabama (0-0) ⇓3
The Tide are one of those teams that I'm really curious about. They are also one of the few teams that we will learn a lot about in September. Western Kentucky and Wisconsin aren't horrible. USF is dangerous if the Tide aren't prepared. Then they get Georgia in the SEC opener. Ouch.
(8) Arizona (0-0) ⇓3
There is a giant discrepancy between my assessment of Arizona and AP's. One of us is very wrong. We'll find out who on a Friday in the Little Apple in a couple of weeks.
(7) Oregon (0-0) ⇓3
Returning QBs who were +1 STDEV better than FBS average in both successful dropback rate and explosive dropback rate:
Kaidon Salter
Dillon Gabriel
Carson Beck
Quinn Ewers
Brady Cook
Kyle McCord pic.twitter.com/q0FPpfqtVe— ??️♈️? (@ADavidHaleJoint) May 9, 2024
If Oregon is pushed (or heaven forbid...loses) to Boise, it might not get its preseason ranking back.
(6) Ohio State (0-0) ⇓3
In true Ohio State fashion, it won't be tested until October. It'll be a little further down in my rankings because of that, but my stance on it hasn't changed. I know Will Howard is a good quarterback for this system and the Buckeyes have the best tandem of backs in the country.
(5) Texas (0-0) ⇓3
Texas will have a shot to regain its slot in Week 2 due to Michigan's inflated AP ranking.
(4) Georgia (0-0) ⇓3
#Georgia's Most Passing Yards - Season:
1. 4,437 in 2022
2. 4,274 in 2023
3. 4,085 in 2013
4. 3,991 in 2012
5. 3,778 in 2021Carson Beck flirted with Georgia's record for passing yards in a season after not starting a football game for nearly 4 years. pic.twitter.com/Kin8MqSzwe
— The Bulldawg Report (@ReportBulldawg) May 8, 2024
This is a really good Georgia team. It'll be back at the top soon enough. Like if it wins this week.
(3) Hawaii (1-0) (NR)
Last week: 35-14 vs. Delaware State
Come on now...it's Delaware State. But hey...something can be said for Hawaii playing a game (and not losing to an FCS team). That's enough in Week 0.
(2) SMU (1-0) (NR)
Last week: W 29-24 at Nevada
SMU needed a complete collapse to beat a Nevada team that was bad last year. I wonder what will happen to the Pack once Chubba Purdy is healthy enough to push Brendon Lewis. Lewis looked the part in this one and Nevada's transfer backs are legit. SMU gets a week off to plug the holes before a meeting with BYU.
(1) Georgia Tech (1-0) (NR)
Last week: 24-21 vs. (23) Florida State
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) August 24, 2024
Georgia Tech's win was by far the most impressive of the week and would have been even on a normal week. Even though I didn't have FSU as high as AP did, this was still an impressive win and highlighted what I've said all offseason. Continuity is king in college football now, especially early in the season.
Tech was operating with Haynes King, Jamal Haynes, and Malik Rutherford...all of whom were starters on last year's team. Florida State didn't play a bad game, but I was surprised at how Tech's lines dominated on both sides of the ball. That's an issue for FSU.
Others Receiving Votes
- Kansas State
- Clemson
- LSU
- Louisville
- Colorado
- West Virginia
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