Its week two of The Booster Club, which means we’re another week closer to college football kick off. With that in mind we wanted to use this week’s edition of the blog to talk about teams to watch this season. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will be the best teams, after all, you don’t need me to tell you how good Georgia is, though a team like them will almost certainly be featured. This is much more about the teams with the most on the line going into this season or the intriguing storylines that will dominate the season. So, without further ado, let’s get to our 12 teams!
Ohio State
The Buckeyes come into this season with their typically high expectations, as their fans nationwide dream about winning it all. Standing in their way is a deeper Big Ten conference and their own rocket brained head coach, Ryan Day. Day is on the hot seat after losing to Michigan for a third straight year and really needs a big year to turn the pressure down in the Ohio capital. Fortunately for him he’s added two wonderful transfer players on offense to bail himself out of trouble, in former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins and former Kansas State QB Will Howard, both of whom will make noise in the Heisman race. It feels like the scarlet and gray have surpassed the Wolverines in the talent department, now it’s time to show it on the field.
Nebraska
For the first time in a long time there isn’t a black cloud of doom hovering over Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Nebraska. “Big Red” is back on the march and Huskers fans are hoping head coach Matt Rhule is on the verge of bringing back their glory days under Tom Osborne. Rhule’s first season in charge of the Huskers saw them finish a respectable 5-7, probably an overachievement given their talent level. Expectations are much higher in 2024, especially given the arrival of freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola who may or may not be Patrick Mahomes long lost brother…at least off the field that is, now can he mimic the Chiefs signal caller on the field?
USC
California, where the weather is beautiful, and the pressure is on for the men of Troy. Lincoln Riley has had two starkly different seasons while in charge at USC. The first nearly resulted in a playoff berth while his quarterback won the Heisman Trophy. The second was an embarrassment where his team struggled to get any momentum going and finished a disappointing 7-5. Their trademark, as it has been everywhere for Riley, was an aversion to playing any semblance of defense. If they’re going to turn it around in 2024 it has to start on that side of the ball, and they will put to the test early against LSU in week one.
Michigan State
Our last stop in the Big Ten is in East Lansing, where a new era is beginning for Michigan State Football. The short lived and mostly embarrassing Mel Tucker tenure came to a shameful close, after a single highlight worthy season where Kenneth Walker damn near dragged the green and white to the playoff. They went west to find their next head coach and settled on former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith, who has been one of my favorite coaches to watch the last two years. His Beaver teams played an angry smash mouth style of football while being stout on defense. This feels like a good stylistic fit for Smith as he can retool the Spartans on the fly and get them back on the road to competing with the best again. His transfer QB Aiden Chiles adds some intrigue to an offense in need of flash as well.
Utah
Our next stop is in the Big Twelve, who welcomes some new teams to the fold this year, most notably former PAC Twelve contender, Utah. The Utes arrive having enjoyed their most success yet under head coach Kyle Whittingham over the last few years. That success was due in large part to starting quarterback Cam Rising, who unfortunately missed the 2023 season due to injury. But Rising is slated to make a full return this year, making the new arrivals very dangerous, particularly given how physical they will play in a conference that is a bit to “fast break on turf” to hang with them. Good luck going into Rice Eckles at night.
SMU
Let’s go to Dallas, where the best show in town this season may not reside in “Jerry World.” Skip the drive to Arlington and head on over to Gerald J Ford Stadium, home of the SMU Mustangs who are looking to become national players. Head Coach Rhett Lashlee’s team arrives in the ACC (yep, it’s weird) with an offense that should score plenty of points, led by talented signal caller Preston Stone. The Mustangs will for the first time in a long time, be competing with the big boys but the ACC isn’t exactly murderers’ row either. Keep an eye on this squad in 2024, they’re a long way from Eric Dickerson and Craig James, but the Pony Express is alive and kicking. And the good news, this time around, you can actually pay for players.
NC State
Let’s stay in the ACC and head down Tobacco Road. Normally this is basketball country, but it feels like the NC State Wolfpack are being slept on a bit on the grid iron. Head Coach Dave Doren has built a solid program, but last season felt disappointing as they failed to get to the top of the ACC lagging behind Florida State and Clemson. That was in due in large part to a limited offense, which should take a jump in 2024 thanks to the arrival of quarterback Grayson McCall, who transferred in from Coastal Carolina. McCall put up some gaudy numbers at his last stop and if he does anything remotely similar, the Pack could be a sleeper in the national picture…right V?
Oklahoma Sooners
Another new entrant to a conference in 2024 is Oklahoma, who arrives in the stacked SEC hoping to avoid a reality shock. The Sooners had a surprisingly solid 2023 campaign in their final go around in the Big Twelve but will now face a league steeped in quality and tradition. Jackson Arnold takes over under center for an offense than feels ill-equipped physically to attack SEC defenses while Brent Venables tries to change the complexion of this steam from a flashy Big Twelve squad to a stout SEC outfit…unfortunately I don’t think they will be “going green” much this season, after all “it’s the wonder of nature baby!!!” Right Dusty?
Florida
That sizzling you’re hearing is Billy Napier’s pants catching on fire in Gainesville. The Gator head coach is squarely on the hot seat after a miserable 2023 campaign where his team looked unprepared to play more often than not. 2024 appears to be an “ultimatum year” and if the Gators don’t deliver then Napier will likely be taking his coaching talents elsewhere. When you look at this roster it’s hard to see how they can turn it around this year, barring something drastic happening. Tim Tebow ain’t walking through that door folks.
Texas A&M
2024 marks the beginning of a new regime in College Station, as Mike Elko is the new head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies. Elko wasn’t first choice for the high-powered boosters in Aggieland, but I ultimately believe he will prove to be the right one for them. He’s been a decorated coordinator for years at Notre Dame and in his first stint with the Aggies. Elko then plied his trade at Duke where he turned the Blue Devils around and enjoyed a solid 2023 season. His task at A&M is much more daunting but he might have just the quarterback to help him do it this season, with second year starter Conner Weigman healthy and ready to run the offense against a vicious schedule that features an SEC gauntlet, book ended by home games against Notre Dame and Texas.
Boise State
Let’s go to the Group of Five, where someone is going to get very lucky and win an automatic playoff bid at the end of the season. The Boise State Broncos may be just that team as they are looking to take the jump back to the national stage. Head Coach Spencer Danielson’s team boasts a solid array of talent, led by star running back Ashton Jeanty, who had over 1,500 yards all-purpose in 2023. It would be a great thing to see the Broncos contend for a title again after coming so close back in the early 2010’s.
Missouri
Our final team comes from the SEC, a potential title contender that no one would have expected a few years ago. The Missouri Tigers are coming off a big 2023 and are looking to take a jump towards contending for a playoff spot in 2024, after being just a few plays away from finishing in one last season. Coach Eliah Drinkwitz leads a high-powered offensive team that features returning starters on offense in QB Brady Cook and wideout Luther Burden. Burden has all the makings of Sunday star coming off a 1,212 yard and nine touchdown campaign in 2023. The Tigers have a chance to make real noise this year so keep an eye on them to be in the twelve-team field.
Be on the lookout for more college football coverage in the days and weeks ahead as Mike and I will be getting busy! You can find me on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. We have also launched a podcast which carries the same name as the Instagram account. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. The store just went live and Little Ed has been in the lab cooking up some can’t miss items for you fans. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!
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