College football win total predictions for 2024 season
There's no such thing as the college football offseason anymore, not with the advent of the transfer portal, and with spring ball already already starting around the country, we're starting to see some preseason projections for the 2024 kickoff to come.
And what a historic kickoff it will be. In addition to a tidal wave of conference realignment, college football will also embark on an expanded, 12-team playoff system to determine the national champion. What teams will be in contention? For that, let's take an early look at the projected win totals for the 2024 season.
Projections via FanDuel
Georgia
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Georgia win total: 10.5
You could argue Georgia belonged in the playoff this past season, but it's a virtual guarantee for the 12-team field, returning another young, highly-promising defense and quarterback Carson Beck is under center to lead the offense, albeit against a tougher schedule.
Ohio State
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Ohio State win total: 10.5
Three straight losses to Michigan haven't quite put Ryan Day on the proverbial hot seat, but people are starting to ask questions. The team up north lost its coach and a ton of players, while the Buckeyes bring back key pieces and scored major additions in the portal, including back Quinshon Judkins and five-star safety Caleb Downs from Alabama.
Oregon
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Oregon win total: 10.5
A historic move to the Big Ten comes at a time when the Ducks look absolutely loaded on offense, returning an experienced line, transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and 5-star transfer receiver Evan Stewart, another huge acquisition of talent by head coach Dan Lanning.
Texas
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Texas win total: 10.5
After departing the Big 12 as champions and earning its first College Football Playoff berth, Texas heads into the SEC loaded with a very skilled roster, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, and into a tough schedule that includes a date against Georgia and early at Michigan.
Alabama
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Alabama win total: 9.5
The bombshell retirement of Nick Saban signals the biggest transfer of power arguably in college football history, and now it falls to Kalen DeBoer to keep the elite standard Saban built. It's a tough ask, especially with a harder schedule and some notable outgoing transfer players leaving the team.
Clemson
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Clemson win total: 9.5
It's been three years since Clemson — one of the early CFP dynasties — has been in the College Football Playoff, and there are still questions around whether Dabo Swinney has properly re-tooled a defense losing a ton of skill, and if Cade Klubnik and Garrett Riley's offense can produce, especially with a dearth of talent at wide receiver.
Ole Miss
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Ole Miss win total: 9.5
Fresh off the first 11-win season in program history, Lane Kiffin was once again very aggressive in the transfer portal, signing up some elite defensive pieces who put the Rebels in contention for the 12-team playoff, especially with the return of quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Florida State
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Florida State win total: 9.5
Missing out on the College Football Playoff in controversial fashion, now the Seminoles have to pick up the pieces around a roster undergoing major turnover. But coach Mike Norvell responded to the challenge by adding 15 transfer portal players, including five from Alabama alone, and notably quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to start in 2024.
LSU
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LSU win total: 9.5
Brian Kelly's main job this offseason was to clean up what was a very bad defense from this past season, and the addition of former Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker is a positive step in the right direction. Meanwhile, the Tigers will look to install a new offense with Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback.
Kansas State
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Kansas State win total: 9.5
One of the more consistent programs in the Big 12, the Wildcats should be a championship contender in a more wide open, expanded conference this season, especially as quarterback Avery Johnson returns, fresh off a statement win over NC State in the postseason.
Michigan
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Michigan win total: 9.5
No more Jim Harbaugh, no more Jesse Minter, and no more key starters, who are off to the NFL after sending a national-best 18 players to the Combine. Sherrone Moore steps in as head coach, providing some needed stability and confidence, but he has work to do retaining and acquiring talent first.
Penn State
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Penn State win total: 9.5
The over has been a good wager the last three seasons, as Penn State has won 10 games in each of those years, but consistent losses to Ohio State and Michigan have kept the program from taking control of the Big Ten pecking order. Tom Allen steps in to coach this elite defense, while James Franklin tries to get more out of former 5-star quarterback prospect Drew Allar.
Missouri
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Missouri win total: 9.5
Coming off a hugely successful 11-win season that resulted in the school's first top-10 ranking in a decade, Missouri is undergoing important roster and coaching turnover, but with key transfer additions on defense, the return of Cook/Wease/Burden, and a winnable schedule, the Tigers should be in the conversation again in 2024.
Utah
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Utah win total: 9.5
Expect the Utes to be in the title conversation in the expanded Big 12 this coming season and potentially in the mix for the 12-team playoff, in particular as veteran quarterback Cameron Rising will return.
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