CFB; Previewing the Paramount Game for Every Power Conference in 2024
18 April 2024
Jake McCreven
Predicting games in April — when the portal is still open — is admittedly lucrative, we get it. But who doesn’t want to take a look ahead at the games coming this November that could determine a spot in the College Football Playoff? Plus, for those not as tuned into college football as the junkies who normally read these articles, you can have some foresight into which games are worth marking your calendar for this fall.
Michigan's Will Johnson; Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORKIn This Article:
Who will take home the new-fangled Big-10?
Will the SEC shake-up without divisions?
What about the PAC-‘two’? Is the AAC a Power?
How does Cam Rising’s return impact the Big-12?
How competitive will the ACC be in 2024?
vs.
Texas
Georgia
Saturday, October 19th
Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORKGeorgia is 47th in returning production, which includes returning Heisman-favorite Carson Beck at quarterback. The ‘Dawgs are currently favored to win the SEC and have a win total sitting at 10.5. Georgia has lost just once in three years and looks to return to the CFP for the fourth time in program history behind the usual stout defense and the “eat off the floor” mantra.
Quinn Ewers opted to return to the Forty Acres after last season’s CFP loss to Washington, albeit, without most of his core — Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell, and JT Sanders are all gone, along with most of the beef on the defensive line. Still, the Longhorns are 25th in returning production and begin their maiden voyage through the SEC in 2024. Ewers will now turn to CJ Baxter, Silas Bolden, and Isaiah Bond as the Longhorns look to return to the CFP for the second consecutive season.
What’s at stake: In all likelihood, this week eight match-up will determine the SEC regular season champion. Both Texas and Georgia have win totals set at 10.5 (two of five teams nationally to notch that mark), meaning both teams will more than likely come into this game undefeated. With an auto-bid to the CFP now being granted to each Power Conference winner, clinching a spot in the conference championship game is integral for a team’s chances at a first round bye. For the winner, a massive resumé boost will more than likely secure their spot in the CFP. For the loser, as long as they play each other close, an at-large bid remains in the cards.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
vs.
Ohio State
Oregon
Saturday, October 12th
BuckeYe Scoop 1The Buckeyes were declared winners of the first portal session after landing the likes of safety Caleb Downs (pictured), quarterback Will Howard, runningback Quinshon Judkins, as well as freshmen Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin. The Buckeye defense returns all but four starters, three of which are replaced by five-stars or All-Americans, respectively. Despite no clear indication of who the starting quarterback will be this September, OSU seems to be the consensus pre-season pick for national champion.
Oregon begins their inaugural season in the B1G with one of the most talented rosters in their program’s history. Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel is sure to be a consistent, veteran presence for a Ducks offense that struggled in big situations last season. Jabbar Muhammed, Jeffrey Bassa, and Jordan Burch are the tentpoles of a developing defense that returns just one starter from 2023. Still, the Ducks rank 28th in returning production and look to rival OSU for the conference title.
What’s at stake: The winner of this game may very well find themselves with either a B1G Championship trophy or the number one seed in the CFP — or both. These two heavyweights have tweaked their rosters in order to compete with each other (as well as Michigan) all off-season in order to clinch a spot in the B1G-title game and a coveted auto-bid to the CFP. With the new twelve team field in affect this year, both of these teams should find themselves playing in January, with this match-up affecting seeding more than placement. Look for the match-up between Oregon’s defensive line and Ohio State’s offensive line in determining the winner.
Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
vs.
Arizona
Kansas State
Friday, September 13th
Austin Van Meter/K-State Sports 1The post-Will Howard era is something that hasn’t been seen in Manhattan in over five years. Howard transferred to Ohio State, leaving true-sophomore Avery Johnson at the helm of a jittery Wildcats offense. Dante Cephus and DJ Giddens are solid weapons for Johnson to utilize while he develops his arm, and with nine starters returning on defense, K-State may be poised for a deep run if they can get by with nine or ten wins.
The other Wildcat team in the Big-XII finds themselves in vastly different situation than their conference rival. Arizona returns all of their offensive core, but finds themselves in search of defensive help under new head coach Brent Brennan. Heisman-hopeful Noah Fifita leads what should be one of the best offenses in the nation along with receiver Tetairoa McMillan, both of whom opted to stay at Arizona rather than transfer
What’s at stake: With Utah gearing up for a CFP run in 2024, the Big-XII has shifted into a different dynamic than most Power Conferences, being; who will play Utah in the Big-XII Championship? Remember, no more Oklahoma or Texas as they depart for the SEC. I believe that the winner of this match-up will meet the Utes at AT&T Stadium, as an overall scan of their rosters leads me to believe that they are the second and third most talented teams in the conference. Yes, there are the West Virginias, UCFs, and Texas Techs that can easily sneak their way into the title game, but in all likelihood, I believe it’ll be one of these teams.
Rebecca Sasnett/Arizona Athletics
vs.
Clemson
NC State
Saturday, September 21st
Pack InsiderThe Wolfpack, despite graduating All-American linebacker Payton Wilson, appear to be better on paper this season than they were last. With the addition of Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina, the offense will be able to take form around true-sophomore receiver Kevin Concepcion (pictured) and Ohio State transfer Noah Rogers. According to ESPN FPI, the Wolfpack are a preseason top-twenty five team, one looking to contend for a wide open ACC in 2024.
The Tigers stumble into 2024 with ten losses since Trevor Lawrence left for the NFL in 2020. To put that into perspective, Clemson, from 2013-2020, incurred a total of 10 losses. Last year’s 9-4 record was the program’s worst since the 6-7 campaign in 2010. The good news for Tiger fans; Clemson returns 64% of their production, including quarterback Cade Klubnik and tight end Jake Biringstool (pictured). The defense returns just four starters, one being Barrett Carter, a standout from last season.
What’s at stake: For Clemson; pride. The Tigers haven’t lost to NC State at home since 2002, but are 2-1 against the Wolfpack the last three years. For the Wolfpack; a chance to get over the hump in the ACC. With a win, the Wolfpack put themselves in prime condition to contend for an ACC Title with the likes of Florida State. This is a September match-up, meaning records won’t be wrecked with a loss. But a win — a win is huge. Tie breakers play such a large role in non-division conferences that a September win may help a team in December more than they know.
clemson Athletics
vs.
Memphis
Tulane
Saturday, November 28th
247SportsTulane returns just 50% of their production from 2023, losing both starting quarterback Michael Pratt and star receiver Chris Brazell II. Replacing Pratt is Oregon transfer Ty Thompson (pictured). If Thompson can develop, and not stagnate, for the Green Wave in 2024, there is a good chance Tulane remains in form and continues their dominance over the AAC.
The Tigers are being labeled as a sneaky contender heading into 2024 — and for good reason. Quarterback Seth Henigan is one of the best the conference has to offer, and with most talent fleeting the AAC over the off-season, Memphis puts themselves in a prime position to strike a down Tulane squad.
What’s at stake: AAC supremacy. The winner of this match-up will most likely play for the AAC Championship. Tulane has had an ironclad grip over the conference for the last two years. Memphis has completed their rebuild and is on the prowl of a youthful Green Wave team. With USF in the shadows of these two squads, a loss may mean forfeiting a spot in the AAC Championship to the Bulls. With this being a late November match-up, both teams will need every inch they can get, with a win holding vital importance.
Memphis Athletics