College football rankings as 2024 spring practice begins

James Franklin looks to finally make that push in the Big Ten with two new coordinators: Manny Diaz departs for the Duke head coaching job, but his defense, now led by Tom Allen, should still be a force to reckon with. Andy Kotelnicki inherits a five-star quarterback in Drew Allar who is yet to play like one, but two skilled backs in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen return to stabilize a talented offense in tandem with Ohio State transfer receiver Julian Fleming.

Missouri's loss certainly appears to be LSU's gain after defensive coordinator Blake Baker made the switch to Brian Kelly's team, and he'll go to work on a defense that was a structural weakness for this team a year ago. While he's doing that, LSU's offense is also undergoing key changes as two vital receivers turn pro and Garrett Nussmeier inherits the QB1 role.

Defense should be Notre Dame's strength this fall, especially in the secondary when going against opposing passers, but the Irish have questions to answer on offense as incoming coordinator Mike Denbrock loses two key edge blockers on the line, but gets transfer quarterback Riley Leonard, a skilled runner who could improve as a passer. But this schedule and an expanded playoff means Notre Dame should be in the conversation all year.

What a turnaround Eli Drinkwitz has pulled off so far at Mizzou, winning 11 games and beating Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl a year ago. The departure of back Cody Schrader and key defensive personnel is something to watch, but Missouri brings on top-five edge rushing recruit Williams Nwaneri and returns quarterback Brady Cook in tandem with star receivers Luther Burden and Theo Wease as one of college football's better passing attacks.

Kalen DeBoer has shown he can win — he's 104-12 in his career — but the SEC is another world. Outgoing transfers are notable, but so are those who stayed on, including quarterback Jalen Milroe, and what figures to be another stout defense, even with the loss of safety Caleb Downs. The pieces are there, but can DeBoer put them together, especially after the loss of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and OL coach Scott Huff?

Portal King Lane Kiffin pulled off another strong transfer class — the Rebels are our consensus No. 1 team in this year's portal rankings — with elite pickups like defensive lineman Walter Nolen, edge rusher Prince Umanmielen, and wide receiver Juice Wells, among others. Losing tailback Quinshon Judkins hurts, but otherwise Jaxson Dart should be surrounded by enough playmakers to make up for it.

Their first year in the Big Ten, and the Ducks are already getting serious play as a conference champion favorite, and with good reason. Veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel is a vital addition to an offense that looks loaded with receiver Evan Stewart coming over to help an already-talented unit. And they're working behind another strong offensive line. A home date against Ohio State is a crucial early test.

Steve Sarkisian has the Longhorns on a high note going into their SEC debut, coming off a Big 12 title and their first playoff appearance. Now the Burnt Orange roll into college football's premier conference armed with a star quarterback, two monster WR transfers in Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden, who had 10 TD catches between them last year, among other notable additions, and return a solid offensive line. But there's also a tough schedule that includes games at Michigan and against Georgia.

Major roster additions and retention, some coaching moves, and all that change at Michigan: this is the year Ryan Day has to restore order. Transfers like quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins, and former Alabama players like center Seth McLaughlin and five-star safety Caleb Downs are important pickups, and the likes of receiver Emeka Egbuka, back TreVeyon Henderson, edge rushers JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, and defensive back Denzel Burke put the Buckeyes in contention right away.

Kirby Smart's defense will be a little younger, but the unit never lacks in high-quality replacements from year to year, while the Bulldogs' top-ranked recruiting class should offer some early contributors, and Carson Beck returns under center buoyed by the addition of Florida transfer back Trevor Etienne, who had over 750 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns a year ago. But this schedule is much tougher than in 2023.