My preseason top 25. #14-11
Here are teams 14-11 on my preseason top 25 list.
#14 The Florida State Seminoles
I’m not super high on FSU this year, and think there’s a real chance they don’t finish as a playoff team this year. After dominating the ACC last year, they lost about half of their production from 2023. They filled the hole that Jordan Travis left with QB DJ Uiagalelei, but other than that I think they have some major gaps on this roster. I think the defensive line of this unit is going to be the biggest weakness after losing Braden Fiske and Jared Verse to the NFL. The ACC is an easy conference to win this year, but FSU has to prove themselves before I solidify them as one of the best teams in the country.
#13 The Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee is another team that comes in 2024 as a low-floor-high-ceiling type of team. You could either see this group going 7-5 or 11-1, it just depends on how well the roster plays. At QB they got redshirt freshman and former 5-star Nico Iamaleava. In limited snaps, Nico looked great last season and if he’s the real deal, this offense will be electric. The Vols rank near the bottom of the nation in returning production, but finished top 15 in recruiting class rankings in both 2023 and 2024. I think their young talent is going to be enough to have a good amount of success this season.
#12 The LSU Tigers
Much like the Vols, the Tigers need to replace a lot of lost production from 2023, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The biggest question mark for the tigers heading into 2024 is the QB position. Losing your Heisman-winning QB sets the offense up for regression this season. The starter is going to be Garrett Nussmeier who has big shoes to fill. Lucky for Nussmeier the LSU receving room is still stacked despite losing Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. I think LSU will be a competitive team, especially given the fact that they are returning a large amount of their defensive starters from 2023. Look for them to make some noise in the SEC this season.
#11 The Utah Utes
Utah gets stud QB Cam Rising back for what feels like his tenth year of college. Rising looks to bounce back after missing 2023 due to injury. Utah returns 72% of total production from last year, a team that finished 8-5. I think its fair to say with Rising’s return and a switch to the Big 12 that this team can add at least two wins to that record. Expect Utah to be a top competitor for the Big 12 playoff bid this season
