What every Top 10 college football team wants for Christmas this year
It's the most wonderful time of year once again, with Christmas finally here, the bowl season marching on towards the national championship, and with an expanded, 12-team playoff set to make its historic debut at this time next year.
Some schools have already received their Christmas presents a little early, as the always-active transfer portal opened up, the coaching carousel kicked off, and the early signing period with top recruits making their intentions known.
What do the top 10 teams in the current college football rankings want to see under their Christmas tree this year?
10. Penn State
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What Penn State wants for Christmas: To beat the Big Ten's elite finally
Over 20 games against Ohio State and Michigan so far, Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin has won just four, and he went 0-2 against the class of the conference this season, finishing another solid third in the B1G power rankings. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and Franklin's team won't get over the hump and move into playoff contention without beating at least one of them.
9. Missouri
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What Missouri wants for Christmas: To not lose momentum
Eli Drinkwitz has built something special at Missouri, by steady recruiting gains and important improvements on the field, leading the school to its first 10-win season in nine years, and being named SEC Coach of the Year for his achievements. Now, after another strong signing class in 2024, one that includes No. 3 edge rusher Willliams Nwaneri, the Tigers are in position to take the next step.
8. Oregon
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What Oregon wants for Christmas: A way to beat Washington
Dan Lanning is yet to beat one of the Ducks' biggest rivals in three attempts, including twice this season, culminating in a loss to the Huskies in the Pac-12 Championship Game, one that in all likelihood would have put Oregon in the College Football Playoff.
7. Ohio State
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What Ohio State wants for Christmas: A plan to beat Michigan
For most of the 21st century, the Buckeyes had every confidence that they would beat their arch-rivals, but the last three in this series have tilted The Game decidedly back in The Team Up North's favor. Michigan scored 117 points in those three wins, and parlayed them into three Big Ten titles and CFP appearances. Another loss next November, and the seat underneath Ryan Day could turn very warm.
6. Georgia
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What Georgia wants for Christmas: To not lose a grip on its dynasty
Sometimes, when a program wins a lot in a short period of time, they can lose momentum and not get back into contention. Georgia has won the last two national championships, but lost out on a three-peat after falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Kirby Smart has to ensure that his program isn't just the product of a moment and continue to build for the future. Signing the nation's No. 1 recruiting class is a good start, but the 2024 schedule is much harder than this year's.
5. Florida State
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What Florida State wants for Christmas: A ticket out of the ACC
The school made the first move recently by announcing it will challenge the ACC's grant of rights agreement, but we're a long way from seeing if that's a realistic possibility. If so, it'll cost a ton of money, but the Seminoles think they can get it somewhere else. The SEC? Or the Big Ten? Even the Big 12 is a possibility.
4. Alabama
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What Alabama wants for Christmas: Another national championship
Obviously, that's what every college football team wants, but if the Crimson Tide wins this time, it would seem extra special. Few thought Bama could get back to the playoff after the Texas loss, and even fewer after the ugly win over USF. But the team fought back, rode a strong defense, and got markedly improved play from quarterback Jalen Milroe to make the semifinal. If he can do this, it might be the best coaching job Nick Saban ever pulled off. And that's saying something: a 7th natty would break Bear Bryant's record at Alabama, and extend Saban's extant national championship record to eight.
3. Texas
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What Texas wants for Christmas: For its top players to stay healthy
All eyes are on quarterback Quinn Ewers and wide receiver Xavier Worthy as the Longhorns prepare for their first College Football Playoff appearance. Ewers dealt with an issue this year, and Worthy was banged up in the Big 12 title game. Both are crucial for Texas to advance in the playoff, especially after the loss of No. 2 quarterback Maalik Murphy, who transferred to Duke.
2. Washington
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What Washington wants for Christmas: To keep head coach Kalen DeBoer
Washington's head coach has won 24 of 26 games since arriving on campus, and his partnership with transfer quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. has been a godsend for the football program. Together, they produced UW's first 13-win season and its second playoff appearance. Now Washington has to make sure its head football coach stays put and doesn't get lured somewhere else.
1. Michigan
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What Michigan wants for Christmas: Revenge
Michigan is still under NCAA investigation for the sign-stealing allegations and there is some speculation on the inside that head coach Jim Harbaugh could be suspended for some amount of time next year, including some rumors that it may be the entire season. Not to mention other talk that Harbaugh could leave for the NFL, all while he's in contract talks with the school on a new deal. Michigan has felt like the whole world has been coming after it this season, from start to finish, so winning its first national title since 1997 would feel extra special.
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