The must-follow college football storylines of the 2024 season

As the new college football season kicks off, fans and analysts are abuzz with anticipation over the top storylines set to unfold. From powerhouse programs vying for national supremacy to Heisman Trophy hopefuls showcasing their talents to teams looking for a fresh start in new conferences, this season promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

As teams battle it out on the gridiron, keep an eye on the following players, coaches, and situations that will shape the trajectory of the 2024 season.

New rules, who dis?

• The playoffs are finally expanding this season, with 12 teams qualifying for a tournament-style format. The five highest-ranked conference champions will automatically qualify, and the remaining seven teams with the highest rankings will complete the bracket. The top four teams will earn a first-round bye, forcing the other eight teams to battle it out based on seeding.
• The college rules will now mirror the pro game with respect to the two-minute warning. Beginning this season, the clock will stop at the two-minute mark at the end of each half. This coincides with the rule change last year that allowed the clock to run on first downs, except in the final two minutes of each half.
• In-helmet communication will now be allowed between coaches and one player on the field. Both teams will have access to this amenity, as well as tablets on the sideline that can be used for reviewing in-game video.

They play where now?

2024 is going to be the year of transformation within the college football landscape. Several additions have been made to each of the power conferences, leaving the Pac-12 with only Oregon State and Washington state for the time being. Whether these are good moves for the following schools remains to be seen.

• Big 10: Adds Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington
• Big 12: Adds Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah
• SEC: Adds Oklahoma and Texas
• ACC: Adds Cal, Stanford, and SMU

Programs poised to stand out in 2024

• Colorado is entering its second season under Deion Sanders. After winning its first three games last year, including crazy victories over TCU and Colorado State, this team was full steam ahead on the hype train. Unfortunately, they stumbled a lot as the season wore on, mostly due to a lackluster offensive line and defense. Sanders revamped those two weaknesses in the offseason, and he returns his son Shedeur at quarterback to lead an offense that showed it could put up points when given time to run its plays. Colorado could contend this season if what’s on paper pans out on the field.
• USC is playing in a new conference, welcoming new challenges on the schedule. However, the perceived speed bumps don’t look too bad, considering that the team is 75-30-3 all-time against the opponents currently in the Big 10.
• Ole Miss is coming off of an impressive 2023 campaign in which they went 11-2 (including 7-0 at home) and won a prominent bowl game. With a lot of returning players from that squad and some new talent via some savvy recruiting, this team could be in the top 5 or better by the end of 2024.
• Following a 9-4 season a year ago, West Virginia isn’t receiving a lot of hype entering the 2024 season. Perhaps they should be because there are several winnable matchups on the schedule, and with just one or two more wins, they will vault into the upper echelon of the country.
• The same can be said about Nebraska. They finished 5-7 last season, just outside of bowl eligibility, but an exciting freshman quarterback named Dylan Raiola and a dominant defense could push this team over the hump.
• SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee has led the team to an 18-9 record in his first two seasons, including a dominant 11-3 showing last year. With several returning players and a schedule that welcomes them nicely to the ACC (only Florida State looms large on the slate), SMU could challenge for the crown in their new conference.
• Utah’s schedule isn’t without its challenges, but funny enough, their move to the Big 12 coincides with some other Pac-12 schools that are making the same leap. That means Utah’s dominance could continue to show up, allowing them to contend for the conference championship and possibly more.

New faces on the sidelines

• On the heels of losing Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, Washington has brought in Jedd Fisch from Arizona and Steve Belichick from the pro ranks. While a return to the national title game would be a lofty expectation, this team could surprise a lot of opponents with new schemes and strategies.
• Speaking of DeBoer, he will take over for the legendary Nick Saban. His confidence must be at an all-time high because the Saban regime, during which the team was 206-29, is perhaps the toughest act to follow.
• After a brief hiatus at Duke where he led the team to two consecutive bowl games, Mike Elko returns to Texas A&M where he was equally as successful as a defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
• Chip Kelly is now the offensive coordinator at Ohio State, bringing a greater emphasis on the run game and mobility at the quarterback position. He inherits one of the best rosters in college football this season, including transfer Will Howard, who could contend for the Heisman this year.

The 2024 college football season is looking like one of the most exciting yet, so stay tuned throughout the year to see how your favorite programs and players perform. The fun part about college sports is that nothing happens exactly how you think.