What’s up everyone! It’s July, which means the realignment is finally confirmed with Oklahoma arriving in the SEC!

I’m working on some college football information for the upcoming season. I haven’t exactly taken a full break, but I have papers and sticky notes full of ideas stacked up before prepping for the season. I listed teams with playoff chances, including some that are guaranteed while others could sneak their way in. I’ll post some college football information for the next two months before the season, so expect changes and my predictions before Week 0 next month.

Here’s a list of teams I’ve considered as potential playoff contenders right now. If you have a different opinion, feel free to comment down below. Have a great day!

PLAYOFF CONTENDERS

1) GEORGIA

Georgia will return, no question about it. They can endure a loss or two, not appear in the SEC title game, and still qualify as an At-Large in the Top 12. Alabama kept them out thanks to Nick Saban and Jalen Milroe with a little motivation from Pat McAfee on GameDay. However, Saban’s not there anymore and Georgia hasn’t lost to a soul outside of Alabama in two of the last three meetings. Not even a challenging schedule will prevent them from making the playoffs.

2) OHIO STATE

Looking at their roster, including a few key transfers like running back Quinshon Judkins, quarterback Will Howard, and Caleb Downs, the Buckeyes should return to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Their schedule presents a challenge, but it’s hard to not include them for the overall seed and a Natty opportunity. If Will Howard or another quarterback can lead them over Oregon and end their 3-game skid against Michigan, they are guaranteed a Top 4 spot.

3) TEXAS

I hate talking about Texas in a “positive way” (being a Sooner fan and all), but I’ll be unbiased. They arrive in the SEC with a built roster ready for upgraded competition. Quinn Ewers returned with key players. They also snagged a few players from Alabama, including receiver Isaiah Bond and running back Amari Niblack. If defeating Alabama and watching Nick Saban retire wasn’t enough to add insult to injury. Texas is also presented with a challenging schedule. However, they have the hogs and experience to combat those issues (and damn them all to heck for being that way).

4) FLORIDA STATE

The Seminoles might return with a vengeance and give every committee and doubter the finger. They brought in some key transfers, including DJ Uiagalelei and a good amount of Alabama players after Nick Saban retired. Yes, key players departed for the NFL, graduated, or transferred, but that roster’s still stocked for another playoff opportunity. Like Ohio State, the schedule’s challenging but grudge and vengeance is one heck of a motivator. However, their playoff opportunity hinges on DJ Uiagalelei’s performance.

5) PENN STATE

Penn State failed to defeat both Ohio State and Michigan in three straight seasons, which kept them out of the Big Ten title game and college football playoff every time they’re within range. Well, 2024 might be the year the Nittany Lions come through. They only face Ohio State but also see new faces from LA and have tricky road games. James Franklin must take advantage with an improved offense while hoping their young defense progresses quickly.

6) OREGON

Bo Nix will be missed from Eugene, but Dillon Gabriel’s arrival from Oklahoma makes the transition virtually seamless. Gabriel, along with Evan Stewart (Texas A&M), Matt Bedford (Indiana), and Jabbar Muhammad (Washington), helped clear up some minor issues on the roster. Oregon should be in playoff contention, but it’ll take coach Dan Lanning to keep the Ducks’ mindset now that they’re playing in the Big Ten.

7) OKLAHOMA STATE

Oklahoma and Texas are gone, and Oklahoma State appeared in two Big 12 titles in the last three seasons. The doors open with plenty of returns on both sides led by quarterback Alan Bowman and Heisman contender running back Ollie Gordon II. They’re faced with early challenges on their schedule. If they can conquer it and not let expectations overwhelm them (per usual), the road to the Big 12 title game and playoffs goes through Stillwater.

8) ALABAMA

The Tide has calmed after Nick Saban retired and an abundance of players transferred out. However, the tide hasn’t receded since coach Kalen DeBoer’s appearance and résumé managed to keep a good number of players in Tuscaloosa. He even brought in a good few, including Domani Jackson (USC) and Kadyn Proctor after transferring to Iowa months ago. The schedule varies based on Bama’s performance under coach DeBoer, but we’ll assume they’re in playoff contention.

9) NOTRE DAME

The Fighting Irish are tasked with making the Top 12 this season. Anything short will cause criticism and questions on them being an Independent team any further. Their schedule sets them up for near playoff guarantee, but they face four teams that’ll either prove they belong in the Top 12 or not (Texas A&M and USC on the road, Louisville and Florida State at home). With the addition of quarterback Riley Leonard (Duke), they have a chance.

10) CLEMSON

The Tigers will do whatever it takes to win their way in the 12-team playoff. Cade Klubnik has a chance to show what he’s made of this season, but expect running back Phil Mafah to be the workhorse for Clemson and dark horse for the Heisman. If their roster comes together, they could be their old selves again. The schedule’s challenging with Georgia, Florida State, and Louisville, however.

11) UTAH

Why not the Utes? Cam Rising not only returns to the Utes healthy, but he also returns to the Big 12 where he was on the Texas roster before transferring. They have the roster to compete with anybody in the conference. However, back-to-back games at Oklahoma State and home against Arizona, and the November schedule could test the endurance of the roster. As long as Rising stays healthy, they Utes should find their way in the Big 12 championship game.

12) FRESNO STATE

While Boise State may have the best shot of winning the Mountain West, you can’t overlook the Bulldogs. They have an experienced roster at each level and the schedule sets them up for a potential big run if everything goes right. Most importantly, they add former 5-star defensive end Korey Foreman from USC (thank you, Bulldogs!) which could be a huge factor when facing their conference foes. They probably won’t defeat Michigan (anything’s possible though with Fresno), but the rest of their schedule could lead to double-digit victories. Their only challengers in the Group of Five for the playoffs outside of the Mountain West are likely Liberty, a team in the Sun Belt, a MAC East team, and either Tulane or Memphis.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

TULANE

MICHIGAN

BOISE STATE

KANSAS

LSU

OLE MISS

OKLAHOMA

NC STATE

MIAMI

MEMPHIS

COLORADO

LOUISVILLE

IOWA STATE

LIBERTY

WEST VIRGINIA

KANSAS STATE

TEXAS TECH

UTSA

WISCONSIN

IOWA

USC

LURKERS

CALIFORNIA

GEORGIA TECH

TEXAS A&M

FLORIDA

MISSOURI

KENTUCKY

AUBURN

NEBRASKA

AIR FORCE

APPALACHIAN STATE

JAMES MADISON

UCLA

UCF

MIAMI (OH)