This offseason has been anything but boring, with significant movement in the transfer portal, playoff expansion, and conference realignment. For some teams, these changes bring a renewed sense of hope and opportunity that was absent during the four-team playoff era. For others, it’s business as usual, with a few more obstacles in the way. With 2024 shaping up to be a historic year, here are some teams that will be facing some big expectations entering the season.
Ohio State Buckeyes
While Ryan Day may not be on the hot seat just yet, this season feels crucial for him to finally break through and reach the championship game. The Buckeyes return stars like TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, and J.T. Tuimoloau, and have added standout transfers such as Quinshon Judkins, Caleb Downs, and quarterback Will Howard. With Michigan undergoing a transition year, Ohio State cannot afford to lose a fourth straight game to its rivals. Should the Buckeyes fall short again this year, serious discussions about Day’s future in Columbus will be inevitable.
Ole Miss Rebels
No one has leveraged the transfer portal more effectively than Lane Kiffin. To bridge the talent gap with the SEC’s elite teams, Kiffin has brought in top-tier transfers, quickly turning Ole Miss into a highly competitive program. This offseason, Kiffin has taken it to another level, assembling one of the most talented portal classes ever seen. Acquisitions like Walter Nolan, Princely Umanmielen, and Juice Wells should be enough to propel Ole Miss into playoff contention. The Rebels are all in this year, so anything short of making the playoffs would be a massive disappointment.
Miami Hurricanes
Mario Cristobal has had a rocky start to his tenure at Miami, posting a 12-13 record in his first two years. Despite this, the Hurricanes have recruited well and found success in the transfer portal under Cristobal. With the influx of talent over the past two offseasons, this seems like the prime year for the Hurricanes to break out. Given the questions surrounding Clemson, Florida State’s significant losses to the draft, and a manageable schedule, winning the ACC is within reach for the team in Coral Gables.
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Penn State Nittany Lions
During the four-team playoff era, Penn State has often been the third wheel in the Big Ten, failing to ever reach the playoffs. There might not be a team in the country that will benefit more from playoff expansion and conference realignment, than the Nittany Lions this upcoming season. Not only does a 12-team playoff give them a higher chance, but with the disbanding of divisions in the Big Ten, Penn State avoids playing Michigan and Oregon this season, presenting the easiest path to the playoffs for the Nittany Lions under James Franklin. If Penn State were to miss out on a playoff berth, Franklin’s seat will turn red hot after the season.
