Excitement, tension, and grander than before events: the anticipations for this college football season's spectacles
Prepare for a fresh perspective in college football this season.
Revamped conference lineup
The conference shakeup is officially over and the layout looks significantly different. USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington have moved to the Big Ten, while Colorado, Arizona State, Arizona, and Utah have joined the Big 12. Additionally, SMU, Stanford, and the University of California, Berkeley have all transitioned to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Stanford and Boston College, their new conference companion, are 3,125 miles apart.
Realignment has resulted in the loss of one of college football's iconic rivalries – “Bedlam.” Oklahoma State will no longer be taking on Oklahoma, following Oklahoma's relocation to the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
However, we've gained another legendary rivalry as Texas now faces Texas A&M in the SEC. This game will take place the Saturday following Thanksgiving, marking the first clash between the two teams in 13 years. There's no doubt that the 102,000 fans at Kyle Field in College Station will be in high spirits for this matchup.
Farewell to an era
For the first time since 1995, college football will be without the presence of Nick Saban or Jim Harbaugh in the coaching ranks. Saban retired and is now working for ESPN, while Harbaugh shifted to coaching the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL.
Will Alabama and Michigan experience a decline? Their supporters surely hope not. Alabama is ranked fifth to begin the season, while Michigan is ranked ninth following its triumph in the national championship last year.
Without Saban and Harbaugh, only three active head coaches have clinched a national title – Dabo Swinney with two at Clemson, Kirby Smart with two at Georgia, and Mack Brown, who won one at Texas, currently coaching the Tar Heels at North Carolina.
College Football Playoff (CFP) renovation
The 12-team bracket will include the five highest-ranked conference champions and the seventh to the 12th highest-ranked teams. There is no limitation on the number of teams from one conference that may qualify.
The top four conference champions, as determined by the CFP Selection Committee, will secure a first-round bye. The following four seeds will then host a first-round game on campus or a preferred stadium.
Picture Alabama engaging in a showdown at The Horseshoe in Ohio or Texas heading into Happy Valley against Penn State, with the season on the line. These initial-round games will take place on December 20 and 21.
The quarterfinals and semifinals will then be hosted by the New Year's Six bowls. The quarterfinals will occur on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
The semifinals will be staged on January 9 with the Orange Bowl and then on January 10 with the Cotton Bowl. We'll have our latest College Football National Championship game ever, taking place this year in Atlanta on January 20.
Notable teams to watch
Georgia remains the firm favorite to claim victory. Ranked No. 1 in both coaches’ and Associated Press (AP) preseason polls, the Bulldogs' fanbase continues to be fuming after missing out on the playoffs last year despite their perfect record during the regular season.
Despite the departure of quarterback Kyle McCord, who transferred to Syracuse, Ohio State remains the second-favorite. The Buckeyes boast an impressively talented roster and have added Caleb Downs, the SEC Freshman of the Year and standout safety, via the transfer portal. A strong run in the CFP could be on the cards for them.
Oregon, the new entrant to the Big Ten, is ranked third in the AP poll and aims to build on a successful 2023 season that concluded with a 12-2 record. Dillon Gabriel, who replaces Bo Nix at quarterback, who was drafted 12th overall by the Denver Broncos, will lead the Ducks as they seek their first national championship and their first CFP appearance since 2014.
The SEC's newest member, Texas, is ranked fourth in the AP poll. With an overwhelmingly talented roster, Texas fields arguably the most formidable quarterback corps in college football – Arch Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, serves as backup to Quinn Ewers, the current incumbent starter.
Pay close attention to Colorado, led by Deion Sanders. Despite finishing with a 4-8 record last season, the Buffaloes started their campaign with three victories, causing a nationwide stir. With ‘Prime Time’ at the helm, Colorado will aim to improve upon its disappointing 2023 campaign.
Michigan presents an intriguing storyline as they transition into Harbaugh's absence. JJ McCarthy, the starting quarterback, in addition to several other key players, has also moved onto the NFL. The Wolverines' potential to reach the heights of last season's performances remains to be seen.
Keep an eye on Florida State, who hold a grudge against the CFP Selection Committee following their omission from the playoffs as the first undefeated team from a major Power-5 conference to be excluded since its inception in 2014.
Finally, Washington may experience a significant downturn this season. Following head coach Kalen DeBoer's departure to replace Saban at Alabama, the Huskies have seen several key players, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Rome Odunze, both drafted eighth and ninth overall respectively, depart for the NFL.
The revamped conference lineup in college football has resulted in the University of California, Berkeley now competing in a new sporting environment in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This shift will place Stanford, their new conference companion, over 3,000 miles away.
With several coaching Changes in the top-tier college football teams, Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh's absence from the coaching ranks may leave an impact on their respective teams' performances this season. Both Alabama and Michigan are ranked high in the preseason polls, but without their experienced coaches, their success remains to be seen.
