Top 25 Teams August/September Expectations

Week 0’s looming closer to Saturday. Even though the real matchups aren’t until next week, why not take in some Irish fun with Florida State/Georgia Tech. Also, I’m at the Nevada/SMU game. Fun facts: I was there in 2019 for the Purdue/Nevada game when the Wolfpack upset the Boilermakers with freshmen quarterback Carson Strong and freshmen kicker Brandon Talton on his 56-yard game-winning kick. I was also at the Kansas/Nevada game last year when the Wolfpack somehow stayed with the Jayhawks in a 24-17 loss. How the heck is that possible? So, anything can happen in the city of Reno. Anyways, I listed the Top 25 teams with expectations in August and September. Some will cakewalk their way to an unbeaten September while others may run into obstacles on the way to October.

1) GEORGIA

Clemson in neutral site, and road games at Kentucky and Alabama??? All on ABC??? That’s primetime for a prime team or prime for a beat…maybe I’ll leave that up to Kirby Smart and his boys on the early schedule. Good early test though.

2) OHIO STATE

Yawn! We’ll see you Buckeyes in October. Expect a 4-0 clapping on the first four teams, but let’s at least see how the new backfield looks before having an idea.

3) OREGON

Oregon likely follows Ohio State into October 4-0 as well. No Big Ten lurkers until then. But road matches against former Pac-12 foes Oregon State and UCLA are early tests to see what the 2024 Ducks are made of with new QB Dillon Gabriel.

4) TEXAS

Michigan in Week 2. Mark it on the schedule. Even though they play their first SEC matchup against Mississippi State before October, Michigan’s the priority. Former Texas coordinator Jay Norvell might sneak up on them with Colorado State, but it shouldn’t be an issue knowing Michigan’s their main focus.

5) ALABAMA

Bama will have a new identity and we’re about to find out real early and real quick. After a near massive upset against USF last season, let’s hope they bounce back against the uprising Bulls. Then, they travel to Wisconsin and there’s nothing to “jump around” about against those Badgers. Also, SEC teams seem to struggle away from Southeast territory. Then, they close September in a juggernaut matchup with Georgia. Can they come out of it 4-0??? Well…🤷🏾‍♂️

6) OLE MISS

It’s possible Ole Miss leaves September 5-0. It might get shaky early against Wake and Kentucky could pester their passing game, but Lane Kiffin didn’t come this far as a transfer portal king to not obtain his ultimate goal. They should be ok.

7) NOTRE DAME

No easy feat for Duke transfer QB Riley Leonard, coach Marcus Freeman, and Notre Dame. They’re tested in Week 1 at the 12th Man against Texas A&M and close out September against Louisville, who upset the Irish last season. If Notre Dame wants a playoff berth, it all starts at College Station in Week 1.

8) PENN STATE

A 4-0 Penn State team is very likely but at West Virginia and hosting Illinois seems a bit trickier than some think. Best to not overlook those rivals or they will get slammed by social media and the Penn State community. Keep your I’s dotted and T’s crossed Nittany Lions.

9) MICHIGAN

There’s Texas in Week 2. Then, they follow up two weeks later against USC. The positives, they’re at home until the first week of September. Great for the Natty champs. Bad news, the offense is completely different and they’re up against two ranked teams that are offensive-minded. Defense has little to no issue handling them, but how will the offense look with Donovan Edwards doing the literal leg work to get to 5-0?

10) FLORIDA STATE

There’s Georgia Tech at Dublin, Boston College, Memphis, Cal, and at SMU? FSU could find themselves undefeated by October. But why do I feel that they won’t go quietly? This September schedule spells trap somewhere and all five are capable of pestering and upsetting the Seminoles.

11) MISSOURI

Unless the Tigers get blindsided by Boston College or Vanderbilt’s quarterback Diego Pavia (hoping he’s the starter), the Tigers should be 4-0 by October. The good thing is that they’re at home, so little to no worry there.

12) UTAH

Utah may have some obstacles with their Big 12 matchups early. They host Baylor in the second week and travel two weeks later to Stillwater to play them dang OK State Pokes before facing their former Pac-12 foe Arizona to finish September. The good thing is that they have Cam Rising healthy and he’s familiar with the Big 12 as a former Texas QB.

13) LSU

After the loss to Florida State in the opener last season, nothing’s guaranteed by the Tigers, but maybe they have some traction in Vegas against USC that has yet to learn what defense is. They follow up at South Carolina before hosting UCLA and South Alabama. They must tread lightly because one loss will come from somewhere if their defense doesn’t step up.

14) CLEMSON

Clemson won’t cakewalk through September like their previous seasons. They face Georgia in Atlanta (subtly the Bulldogs’ home game), and then hosts back-to-back North Carolina teams in App State and NC State before closing out September against Stanford. The first three weeks could easily determine the Tigers’ season and playoff hopes.

15) TENNESSEE

Tennessee’s Week 2 and Week 4 schedule will be the most challenging. They travel to Charlotte to face NC State and then follow up two weeks later with a trip to Norman to face Oklahoma in the Sooners’ first ever SEC matchup. Tennessee will come away from September either unbeaten or with two losses. Good luck, Vols. Boomer Sooner!!!!🐎

16) OKLAHOMA

Speaking of Boomer Sooner, Oklahoma should win their first three games against Temple, Houston, and Tulane…speaking of AAC and former AAC involved. However, they shouldn’t slouch against Houston nor should they underestimate Tulane…again! Then, they dive into their first annual SEC play against Tennessee and at Auburn to close out September. Both will test the Sooners in a much more competitive conference. At least they don’t travel until the last week of September against Auburn.

17) OKLAHOMA STATE

Speaking of Oklahoma, how trustworthy are we with the Pokes? They seem to flub when they had a good past season on multiple occasions. Let’s just say their August/September schedule will determine who they are with running back Ollie Gordon II. Home games against FCS champ South Dakota State, Arkansas, and road games at Tulsa and Kansas State will determine if the Pokes are for real or just farfetched.

18) KANSAS STATE

Speaking of Big 12, Kansas State has their own challenges after their August game. Home games against Arizona and OK State is no guarantee. Road games against Tulane and BYU are also not guaranteed. K-State will be judged on their performance for the whole month.

19) MIAMI (FL)

Miami could make some noise early, but they must outplay the Gators in August, not underestimate quarterback Byrum Brown and USF, and must outplay quarterback Kyron Drones and Virginia Tech. If they start hot in September with a new backfield, we may see the Hurricanes swirling at the ACC title bid.

20) TEXAS A&M

For a team that lost to Miami last year, they have plenty to prove with new/returning coach Mike Elko. Notre Dame at home will be a massive test for the Aggies. They follow up two weeks later at Florida. Then end September at Arlington against Arkansas. If they escape with at least one loss, watch out for the 12th Man march.

21) ARIZONA

Expect a 2-0 start by the Wildcats with new coach Brent Brennan. But the next two games are tricky. Road games at Kansas State and Utah with a bye in between will determine where the Wildcats are in the Big 12 standings by October.

22) KANSAS

With Oklahoma and Texas out of the Big 12, Kansas and Lance Liepold now have high expectations for the Big 12 title bid. They should win one in August, but nothing’s guaranteed in September. They travel to Illinois and West Virginia, pretty difficult places to play. They host UNLV and TCU, and both shouldn’t be underestimated. If the Jayhawks are for real, prove it…especially on defense.

23) USC

The Trojans march into the Big Ten with high expectations. Lincoln Riley better expect a competitive team that was like Pete Carroll’s years ago. Utah State is a cakewalk. LSU in Vegas, Michigan at Ann Arbor, and Wisconsin at home are not. Riley better ready his boys for some upgraded competition that doesn’t rival either the Big 12 or Pac-12.

24) NC STATE

NC State has the opportunity to be ACC title and College Football Playoff contenders early. Outside of 3 wins against non-Power 4 opponents, they travel a short distance to Charlotte for a Tennessee matchup and then Clemson two weeks later to compete for an early advantage in the first ACC matchup. Time to see if coach Dave Doeren’s team is finally for real.

25) IOWA

Iowa hopes to have some offense to be somewhere in the playoff realm, even if they don’t compete for the Big Ten title. Their September schedule should get them off to a good start. However, Iowa State and Minnesota won’t let them walk away with a win. Both games are immediate 50/50s.