With Alabama, Michigan and Washington losing their head coaches and Texas moving to the SEC, there was every reason to believe after the season that Georgia deserved to be the top team in the nation heading into 2024. But one new ranking suggests that another team is ready to steal their thunder.
In a recent feature for 247Sports, college football insider Brad Crawford removed Georgia as his longtime No. 1 team in the country. The team replacing them? The Ohio State Buckeyes.
Crawford explained that the Buckeyes made major waves with the number of players that they both retained and accumulated via recruiting and transfers over the past few months. Between the players joining the program and the addition of Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator, they might be the team to beat.
“No elite program made more power moves in terms of talent accumulation this spring than the Buckeyes. Ohio State went from College Football Playoff threat to one of the national title favorites given the roster and coaching staff additions accomplished by Ryan Day. On top of securing one of the nation’s top transfer classes with Alabama All-American safety Caleb Down, Ole Miss standout ballcarrier Quinshon Judkins and multi-year Kansas State starting quarterback Will Howard, the Buckeyes also quickly replaced newly-hired offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien with UCLA head coach Chip Kelly,” Crawford wrote.
Crawford still spoke glowingly of the Bulldogs, a team that he cannot find a single weakness in heading into 2024.
“Where are the weaknesses for Georgia in 2024? One would be hard-pressed to find any. After signing another top-ranked recruiting class and convincing quarterback Carson Beck to return, the Bulldogs are one of the favorites to win another title. The schedule is arduous, but this team has enough talent to overcome it,” Crawford added.
Rounding out positions three through five are Texas, Oregon and Alabama respectively.
Who do you think will emerge as the preseason No. 1 when the polls come out in August?