Top storylines to watch in college football during the 2024 season

As the 2024 season approaches, a burning question looms large over the college football landscape: Can Alabama maintain its dominance despite the significant changes it has undergone?

They have faced a perfect storm of challenges this offseason. The legendary Nick Saban, who had steered the program to unparalleled success, has retired, leaving big shoes to fill.

Additionally, Alabama's roster has been significantly reshaped, with nearly 40 players leaving the program through the transfer portal or entering the NFL Draft.

Kalen DeBoer, fresh off a successful campaign at Washington that culminated in a national championship game appearance, has taken over as the new head coach. Despite the upheaval, Alabama remains a force to be reckoned with. DeBoer has wasted no time in assembling a talented transfer portal class and a coaching staff brimming with expertise.

QB Jalen Milroe is likely to be the starting quarterback under center, while the defensive line, anchored by Tim Keenan III, will play a crucial role in establishing dominance at the line of scrimmage. The linebacking corps, featuring standout players like Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell, provides a strong backbone for the defense.

As a result, the Crimson Tide are once again projected to be among the nation's elite and a legitimate contender for the national championship.

The question remains, however, whether these expectations will translate into reality in DeBoer's inaugural season.

After finishing last season with 12 wins, capturing the Big 12 championship and qualifying for the four-tea College Football Playoffs, the Texas Longhorns have high expectations for the 2024 campaign.

For many collegiate sports, the SEC is considered the premier league. The Longhorns know that and there's an excitement about how will they fare in 2024 under transformative coach Steve Sarkisian. Their conference schedule includes trips to old Southwest Conference rivals Arkansas and Texas A&M along with a traditional matchup against the Sooners in Dallas and a home game against defending SEC champion Georgia, among others.

The Longhorns will again be led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, a Heisman Trophy favorite, who returns for his third season. However, there's an intriguing QB battle emerging after backup Manning, the nephew of former NFL stars Peyton and Eli, dazzled in the Longhorns' spring game, which has without a doubt stirred up yet another wave of excitement for his expected starting debut in 2025, even though he won't displace Ewers in the fall, barring an injury.

Despite losing key pass catchers Xavier Worthy (Chiefs), Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington (Colts), first-team All-Big 12 tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (Panthers), and 1,000-yard rusher Jonathon Brooks (Panthers) to the NFL Draft, Texas will still boast a wealth of offensive talent.

Tight end Amari Niblack, along with wide receivers Ryan Wingo, Isaiah Bond, Silas Bolden and Johnny Cook, are expected to step up and contribute significantly. In the backfield, CJ Baxter aims to build on his success from last season and seize the opportunity for increased playing time.

On the defensive side, the team features several promising players, including linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and David Gbenda, standout pass rusher Colin Simmons, and cornerback Kobe Black, all of whom are poised to make an impact this season.

Michigan football scaled the heights in 2023, capturing their first national title since 1997. However, replicating that success will be an uphill battle, as the Wolverines face a steeper challenge than most previous champions. They must replace a school-record 13 players who were snatched up in the 2024 NFL Draft, and head coach Jim Harbaugh has also flown the coop, taking his talents to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Michigan chose consistency, appointing offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore to succeed Harbaugh. Moore has the tricky task of shaping the 2024 Michigan football depth chart and revamping a Michigan football roster that still has high-end talent, but also must replace mainstays such as quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum and linebacker Junior Colson, among others.

Replacing quarterback McCarthy is the top job for Moore and his staff, and the competition will likely come down to three players: Alex Orji, Jack Tuttle and Davis Warren. While Tuttle, a seventh-year player, did not participate this past spring due to an undisclosed injury, Orji and Warren were equally impressive in their showings, leaving the QB battle wide open heading into the training camp.

Typically, a program coming off an undefeated season would earn substantial respect in the conference and national landscape, but that's not the case with 2024 transition Michigan, who will enter the Moore era with virtually a clean slate and any steps forward in the right direction is good news for the future.

Ohio State fell short against Michigan and missed out on the Big Ten championship in 2023 for the third consecutive year. As they look ahead to 2024, expectations are soaring for the Buckeyes, who aim not only to defeat the Wolverines and claim the conference title but also to secure the national championship.

The Buckeyes have retained most of their key players from last season while also enhancing their roster with significant talent from the transfer portal. Notable additions include Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, Alabama safety Caleb Downs, and Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. Moreover, Chip Kelly, the former head coach at UCLA, has stepped down to take on the role of offensive coordinator at Ohio State.

This is the year for Ryan Day to finally get over the hump and deliver the Buckeyes their first national title since 2014. He has a championship-caliber team. Should they come up short, the Buckeyes would be viewed as a failure.

Not making the college football playoffs could end up in a lot of pressure to make a move in a different direction. Can Day rise to the occasion and lead his team to an extremely successful season despite all of the pressure?

Georgia came agonizingly close to competing for their third straight College Football Playoff championship last year. The Bulldogs were 12-0 and had been ranked No. 1 from the preseason through the first 13 weeks of the 2023 campaign before falling to Alabama in Atlanta.

How will Georgia fill the significant gap left by generational tight end Brock Bowers? This pressing question looms large for the Bulldogs as they prepare for the 2024 season.

Bowers was a remarkable talent, arguably one of the most dominant players in college football history. After being selected 13th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2024 NFL Draft, he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that includes two national championships, two John Mackey Awards as the nation’s top tight end, three All-American honors, and numerous other accolades.

Now, Georgia faces the challenge of replacing the immense impact that Bowers had on their offense. There isn't a tight end on the current roster who can replicate his unique skill set, as he set a standard that few can aspire to. However, Georgia's tight end room still boasts considerable talent. Rising junior Oscar Delp is expected to lead the 2024 tight end group, which also includes sophomore Lawson Luckie and true freshmen Jaden Reddell and Colton Heinrich. Additionally, the Bulldogs have welcomed transfer Benjamin Yurosek, an All-Pac 12 tight end from Stanford, adding further depth to the position.

While Bowers' absence will be felt, Georgia has the resources to adapt and could continue to be the team to beat.