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The College Football Playoff field officially expands during the 2024 season. This has breathed new life into a growing list of programs that needed to be perfect under the old model to get it, just don’t bring that up for the Florida State Seminoles.
The Noles were perfect last season but were left out in favor of one-loss conference champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas Longhorns. Under this year’s rules, they would have earned an automatic bid. A total of five conference champions (the Power Four and highest-ranked Group of Five) will earn automatic bids. This leaves another seven spots up for grabs as at-large teams. Strong conferences such as the Big Ten and SEC are sure to get multiple teams in, while the ACC and Big 12 may only see their champion make the field.
With the 2024 season fast approaching, check out our rankings for the party crashers who could make their first-ever trip to College Football Playoffs:
1
Utah Utes
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Despite going to a new conference, the Utah Utes are still among the favorites to be conference champions. The Utes immediately became one of the top teams in the new-look Big 12 following their arrival and the departure of the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns. They also welcome back quarterback Cam Rising, who sat all of last season with the horrific knee injury he suffered against Penn State in the 2022-23 Rose Bowl. The Utes might have the easiest path of the teams on the list, only needing to be Big 12 champs to earn a trip to the CFP.
2
Ole Miss Rebels
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The expanded field will help with the goal of bringing a national championship to the ‘Sip. This might be Lane Kiffin’s best shot at the CFP trophy with the Rebels. He has an experienced quarterback in Jaxson Dart and loads of talent, including former South Carolina WR Juice Wells to throw to. The defense upgraded with the additions of former Texas A&M DT Walter Nolen and former Florida edge rusher Princely Umanmielen. Keep your eye on Ole Miss this season.
3
Missouri Tigers
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The Missouri Tigers were a surprise team in 2023 and this year they should have a shot at being one of several SEC teams in the College Football Playoffs. With Brady Cook returning at quarterback and Luther Burden III at wide receiver, the offense should put up big numbers again. This time around they won’t catch teams by surprise. This team will get tested at Texas A&M and Alabama, they will host the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field.
4
Penn State Nittany Lions
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Had the playoff field expanded last year, the Penn State Nittany Lions would have been among the 12 teams selected. Being the third-best team in the Big Ten behind the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes has prevented them from a playoff berth, but that shouldn’t be a problem moving forward if they can keep their slot in the conference. It won’t be easy with the additions of the Oregon Ducks, UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, and Washington Huskies. Still, this roster has the talent to stand tall come December.
Check out Nittany Lions Wire for more on Penn State, part of the College Wire network.
5
USC Trojans
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There is a bit of projection with the USC Trojans, who are coming off the worst season for Lincoln Riley as a head coach with an 8-5 record. The offense isn’t the concern but perhaps the changes on the defensive side of the ball will allow them to get back into the national championship hunt. They will get tested in Week 1 out in Las Vegas when they take on the LSU Tigers, who also are replacing their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and defensive coordinator.
Check out Trojans Wire for more on USC, part of the College Wire network
6
Tennesee Volunteers
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The path to the CFP was tough for the Tennessee Vols before expansion, now with more slots head coach Josh Heupel will have an opportunity to return them to the national championship conversation. This year the team is full of talent including edge rusher James Pearce, who is viewed as a top-five draft pick, and quarterback Nico Iamaleava who put on a show in the Cheez-It Bowl with four total touchdowns. The chase for the CFP officially begins when the Vols travel to Norman to take on Heupel’s former team, the Oklahoma Sooners.
Check out Vols Wire for more on Tennessee, part of the College Wire network
7
Liberty Flames
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The Group of Five has only seen one CFP participant since the four-team field began in 2014. With the guaranteed spot for the highest-ranked G5 champion, Jamey Chadwell and the Liberty Flames will have ample opportunity this season. Last year they earned a berth to the New Years Six with a spotless run through the season. Looking at their schedule in 2024, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility to see them get that highly-coveted G5 spot in the CFP.
8
Kansas State Wildcats
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With the Big 12 getting an automatic bid to the College Football Playoffs as a Power Four conference, the Kansas State Wildcats jump into the conversation. They won the Big 12 two seasons ago and could be in line to win it again in 2024. They will have to navigate a conference that added four teams to the mix with Oklahoma and Texas exiting stage left for the SEC. New quarterback Avery Johnson is ready to lead this team into the new era of Big 12 football.
9
Louisville Cardinals
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Jeff Brohm returned to his alma mater and came close to claiming the ACC crown in year 1 after inheriting a team that had one winning season over the last three years. The Cardinals also stocked up in the offseason thanks to the transfer portal adding QB Tyler Shough, WR Ja’Corey Brooks, and TE Jaleel Skinner among others. If Shough can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for this team in the new ACC.
10
Oklahoma State Cowboys
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The Oklahoma State Cowboys turned an embarrassing loss to South Alabama into a launching point to challenge for the Big 12 title in 2023. They might have lost to the Longhorns, but they return a veteran quarterback (Alan Bowman) and the reigning Doak Walker Award winner (Ollie Gordon II). Not to mention the defense, which is led by linebackers Nick Martin and Collin Oliver. They should be in line to challenge for the Big 12’s slot in the CFP.
11
Memphis Tigers
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The main challenger for the Liberty Flames in the chase for the G5’s slot has to be the Memphis Tigers. They recently were at the top of the AAC media poll and if they can run through the season, the Tigers have a good shot at their first trip to the CFP. One game that could prevent them from a flawless run is a Sept. 14 trip to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles, but a good showing could help them in the committee’s decision.
12
Miami Hurricanes
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We keep waiting for the return to glory for the Miami Hurricanes. Perhaps the new transfer quarterback will be the key to unlocking the U’s potential. Cam Ward opted not to test the NFL draft waters and transfer from Washington State to South Beach. We will get a good feel for the Canes right off the bat when they travel to the Swamp to face the Florida Gators in Week 1.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/college-football-playoff-first-time-contenders-utah-utes/