Well, since there are now only four power conferences remaining (I will attempt to preview the two remaining members of the now poorly named Pac-12) I am only going to promise four conference previews. Apologies in advance to our extensive G5 demo. To start, I will highlight the most locally relevant of the two fun-wrecking, greed-motivated conferences, the Big Ten. As much as I hate the direction things are going, I must admit the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC and, (note the oxford) Washington makes for electrifying conference matchups. I don’t have time to preface much more so let me get into it. I will be ordering the schools by my predicted order of finish. Alright a little more preface, with the addition of the west coast schools there are no longer divisions and the Big Ten Title will consist of a match up against the first and second place finishing teams.
Editors Note: I promised a lot and delivered a little. This will be the only preview and it is half way done but the season starts in a week and I have a feeling the rest will not be getting done. So enjoy an empty promise and a nagging feeling that you are more confused than you are informed after reading this wall of text.
Oregon:
First things first, let me defend the positioning. There is a team who is going to follow who undeniably have more talent across the board, but I am skeptical of their coaching which is why I have Oregon finishing numero uno in the Big Ten in 24. This Oregon Ducks team may have the tools for a deep run in the playoff.
Offense: A familiar name to college football fans takes the helm at QB for Oregon in 2024, Dillon Gabriel. Father time previously played for Oklahoma in 22-23 and UCF from 19-21. He is as seasoned as it comes. Although they lose stud receiver Troy Franklin to the draft, they reloaded with Evan Stewart from A&M and have a stud Tight End in Terrance Ferguson. Coupled with the skill they’ve been bringing in consistently to Eugene, it is hard to imagine that this offense does not flourish. It remains to be seen, however, whether Gabriel can replicate the Heisman nomination worthy campaign that Bo Nix had achieved the season before.
Defense: One thing that is wise to do as you grow in CFB fandom is that there are certain gaps in information that don’t make it from out west to the presses in the east. Since Mario Christobal and subsequently Dan Lanning have taken over Oregon, their defense and specifically their front seven are consistently amongst the best in the nation. While their especially vaunted defensive front from last year has experienced turnover, the wealth of talent they have accumulated seems ready to continue business. It will be difficult to find a better linebacker duo than Jestin Jacobs and Jeffrey Bassa. I do believe that there will be a learning curve for this defense adjusting to the difference in style that exists in the Big Ten but the wealth of talent should supplant any deficiencies arising from that.
Schedule Note:
They get Ohio State at home in what will likely be the penultimate Big Ten matchup of the season. They do have to travel to Michigan but my internal model (inner machinations of my mind are an enigma link) has the wolverines taking a marginal step down this year. Other than that, it is extremely manageable.
Ohio State:
Projecting them to finish second may very well bite me in the behind but I would like Head Coach Ryan Day to prove it before I crown any of his Ohio State teams. Why might I be proven a fool? I haven’t seen a team this deep in years. There is a jaw dropping amount of talent in Columbus right now. Let me do my best to break it down.
Offense: Kyle McCord transferred out to sunnier skies in Syracuse, New York. In comes a personal favorite of mine, Will Howard from Kansas State. Under Howard, Kansas State has outperformed each year that he has led the offense and there should be no doubt he can continue his success at OSU. Treveyon Henderson returns at running back much to the dismay of everyone. As does Emeka Egbuka who is as talented as a wide out comes. Their high standard of recruiting at wide receiver should reap benefits as the new generation (with the exception of Egbuka) is taking over. Ohio State returns four of five starters on the line. Hoooly moooly.
Defense:
Last year they had four guys who were on NFL Draft boards on the defensive line, only one left. Granted, I think the production has matched the hype but still guys like JT Tuimloau and Jack Sawyer are beasts in the trenches. They lose Eichenberg to the NFL but return Sonny Styles who is an unbelievable athlete and should be one of the best Linebackers in the nation. Cornerback Denzel Burke returns and they add Alabama transfer Caleb Downs who was one of the best safeties in the nation last year as a freshman. The talent truly is absurd across the board.
Schedule Note:
So here is where I get to explain myself a little more because I feel like I am coming off as a contrarian picking Oregon numero uno. Ohio State faces a tough test out at Oregon after facing an absolute brute of a defense in Iowa and go out to PSU. My skepticism in the head coaches ability is factors in a loss they likely cannot afford.
Iowa:
Okay hear me out. This is not a shot at the remainder of the teams in the Big Ten (Penn State fans I am looking at you). Just take a look just beyond what is valued at face. This defense is once again electrifying ant might be one of the best of this decade for Iowa and their defenses have produced at a similar rate as Georgia’s. Coupled with a very light schedule, the record might just be there for a third-place finish.
Offense: It was the worst last year. My 2008 North Hills Youth Football team put up more points a game than Iowa in 2023 (I was a defense only starter). After Cade McNamara (former Michigan starting QB) went down early in the season, each win was a miracle. But they found a way to win 9 in the regular season. It wasn’t all bad however, the Hawkeyes found a formidable tandem in Leshon Williams and Kaleb Johsnon at the running back position. After firing nepo baby Brian Ferentz they brought in former Western Michigan Head Coach Tim Lester who is not the most inspiring hire should be able to beat 15.4 points per game. Tight End Luke Lachey returns as does a promising group of receivers. Return 4 of 5 on the line. Offensive success this year is far from guaranteed, I find it to be impossible to be as bad as they were last year.
Defense:
The only reason that Iowa found itself with 9 wins was because of the defense last year. They always reload which they only need to do on the line, replacing two starters. Here is were things get a bit nutty, the linebacker core last year comprised of a Big Ten First Team All American in Jay Higgins, and two Second Team Big Ten All Americans in Sebastian Castro and Nick Jackson. All three of those guys are back. Very well could be the best linebacker group in the nation. And while they need to replace Cooper Dejean in the secondary, he is the only guy gone from the group. This defense is stacked head to toe and again might be the best that Iowa has seen.
Schedule Note:
They go to Ohio State and that is pretty much the only automatic loss on the schedule for the Hawkeyes. It is a fortuitous break in this year’s Big Ten and points to another ten win season for Iowa. Every other game they have they will likely be favored.
Penn State:
I have no pity for you guys, I want to get that out of the way. What I will do is play in to the, “this is the year” trope that seems to exist in perpetuity and here is why I am buying in. Andy Kotelnicki is in my opinion a fantastic hire. He had successful offenses with Buffalo and Jaret Patterson and at Kansas with Jalon Daniels. Be as pessimistic as you like but I think Drew Allar fits comfortably in that range of QB talent. If I am a Penn State fan (could you imagine), I love an offseason of Allar and Andy.
Offense:
I didn’t even mention the best rb duo in the nation in Kaetron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Absolutely terrifying to be an opposing defense. To quote a young and up and coming coach out of a small town Indiana, this is literally all Penn State needs to do (we’re going inside me, we’re going outside em, inside and outside…). While the receivers are receiving (lol) their fair share of doubt, the addition of Julian Fleming should be a more productive addition than Dante Cephus. The O Line is missing some NFL level names but that doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there as they have recruited the line well as of recent. I won’t judge anyone who wants to buy the stock of this offense.
Defense:
Abdul Carter leaves the linebacker group and puts his hand in the dirt (he could be standing d end but I am not looking that far into it) and rounds out one of the most complete d lines in the Big Ten. While that leaves a hole in the Linebacker room, incumbents Kobe King and Jaylen Reed look to be the experience complement to the young talent that is in the Lasch Building. Speaking of King, Kalen King is off to the NFL but they add DB’s Jalen Kimber from Florida and AJ Harris from Georgia. With those two lined up on defense, Penn State will show the rest of the Big Ten that this is how they roll, out in Happy Valley.
Schedule Notes:
Things are as easy as they come in the first half of the season which bodes well for Penn State fans’ midseason expectations. They face Ohio State and (a more subdued) Washington in back-to-back weeks, fortunately at home. UCLA at home would not concern me if they didn’t face USC in LA the next week. If PSU can ace October and early November everything should take care of itself.
Michigan:
If I wasn’t an ethical writer I would rank them far lower. The reigning National Champs are in the midst of an NCAA investigation in which there is substantial evidence that they got caught stealing signs in one of the most ostentatious ways possible. Ole Jimmy Harbaugh got his National Championship and ran to the NFL as fast as he could. Not an ounce of remorse from those proud alumni at Michigan. Get over yourselves.
Offense:
Do they return one of the most dynamic backs in the country? Yes (Donovan Edwards). Is that pretty much it. A huh. The only other notable name is 2nd Team Big Ten TE Colston Loveland Jr who is a very efficient and effective target. They lose all but one starter on the line. The quarterback situation is very fluid as Alex Orji seems to be the favorite to start week one. As is the case with most quarterback transitions, it is unsure what the production from QB will look like this year. The reason they find themselves this high on the list is that the Harbaugh regime had been recruiting at a high level prior to his departure so there is talent across each position group especially the running backs.
Defense:
The situation is not dissimilar to the offense. Each position group has lost its primary contributors. Junior Colson, gone. Mike Sanristil, gone. Jaylen Harrell, gone. So again, Michigan will have to rely on the talent of the next group up in order to be productive. They did go out and get Jaishawn Barham, linebacker from Maryland, who will be a critical part of this defense. 2nd Team Big Ten Kenneth Grant Jr. is back as well and they have reloaded well on the defensive front but the secondary does not have nearly the depth that they did last year. It comes down to the question of how does this coaching staff under former OC Sherron Moore, transition post Harbozo.
Schedule Notes:
September 7th the face Texas at home which will give you as clear a picture as any as to how 2024 will fare for the Wolverines. They also get Oregon at home and are at Ohio State. Facing two of the top teams in the Big Ten regardless of venue will be a test for a first year head coach. This really is a crapshoot and I am making the rare gamble (for me) on talent here.
Rutgers:
Rutgers??? Behind Michigan??? There are a ton of reasons to love the Scarlet Knights this year folks. Greg Schiano returned to Piscataway with revival in mind and he is doing exactly that. Let’s take a look.
Offense:
There is only once concern I have. Whether or not Athan Kaliakmanis can return to the efficient numbers he put up in 2022 at Minnesota. Fortunately enough for him, Kirk Ciarrocca the OC at Minnesota during the 22 season will be his OC at Rutgers this fall. Elsewhere, one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic running backs Kyle Monangai returns to the backfield. They return four of five on the line. The wide receivers group is the deepest in decades at Rutgers headlined by the return of Christian Dremel, the leading pass catcher from 2023.
Defense:
Starts, starts, and more starts. They return 9 of 12 starters on defense. And those finding themselves in the starting role for the first time have extensive experience in reserve roles. With an imposing and physical secondary who played a massive hand in limiting opponents to 21 points per game in 2023, there is tangible evidence that the Rutgers defense will frustrate opponents offense to no end. Cornerback Eric Rogers is 6 ft 2 in and finding the starting role for the first time but has been the talk of camp thus far. If you are looking for a sign that typically average to below average program is going to make a sensational run, you look for a roster exactly like Rutgers. Experience at every position but more importantly the experience comes from guys within the program and not from the portal. I am very excited to see what happens to SUNJ (State University of New Jersey) this year.
Schedule Notes:
They don’t call it the Garden State for no reason as their athletic department has to be growing some inside favor with the Big Ten with the schedule they have this year. No Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, or Oregon. They play all four west coast new comers this year with only one of them being away. That is one of the most generous conference schedules you could find in the Big Ten.
Notre Dame:
Grad Assistant, Notre Dame isn’t in the Big Ten (Not Yet LOL!). Yeah I know that but I ran out of time because I bit off more than I can chew with these previews. These conferences are massive and I started out by writing way too much about each team and I got too deep into it to stop. Anyways, any good catholic knows the symbolism associated with the number three. Coincidentally, every good Notre Dame fan knows the significance of the coach’s third year in South Bend. Leahy, Parseghian, and Devine all won a national championship in their third year and Brian Kelly made the BCS title in his third year as well. Guess what, Marcus Freeman is in his third year as Head Coach. The expectations could not be higher for the Irish this year.
Offense:
Notre Dame has never been much of an Agg school and as such it is another year without a home grown QB at the helm. They add in Duke Transfer Riley Leonard to lead the offense. While they lose Audric Estimee to the draft, the Running Back room is as stacked as any with Sophomore Jadarian Price likely to carry the majority of the load. The Wide Receiver room has talent across the board. With Leonard being an athlete at QB and not known as a pocket passer, OC Mike Denbrock back from his stint as OC at LSU will assuredly create a gameplan that involces utilizing the running backs, allowing Leonard to be the athlete that he is and highlighting the talent of the Wide Outs. While the analysis from yours truly seems to be entirely qualitative and lacking in statistics, you have to make the educated guess that Denbrock and this offense has the ability to prevent defenses from shutting down any phase of the O.
Defense:
The good news is, with a defense as formidable and deep as the Irish’s 2024 defense is, Notre Dame should be in every single game that they play. I was talking with my mentor (only the greatest CFB minds have been formed in his basement) this past week about the ceiling of this team and I decided that there is an impenetrable fact about this team. No matter the matchup, the atmosphere, the schematics or the gravity of each game; this defense has every tool at their disposal to slow down any offense in the game. The first to be mentioned is is First Team All American Xavier Watts. The six foot safety tied for the most interceptions in college football last year with seven and will be the great anchor in this talented secondary. The linebackers are the least deep but have experience at every position. The defensive line (I feel bad for encasing this tangent in parentheses because I am about to go off for a second here (you are more than welcome to skip to the closing of the first set of parentheses if you are tired of reading (I’ve added a third set of parentheses for effect (parentheses))) but I believe the single most important aspect of the college game is a defensive line. They have the ability to dictate the game more than any other position. The key to success lies within the talent of your d line.) can and will be talked about as one of the best in College Football. Duke transfer RJ Oben as the ability to generate pressure from the tackle position which as an ace in the hole. Noseguard Howard Cross is the perfect size for a nose guard whose stocky frame will cause issues with any line they face and Jordon Bohtelo’s ability to stop the run as an end is remarkable. Force the QB’s to pass the ball because they sure as heck will be wasting their time with a run heavy game plan. Also, to boot, they have defensive guru Al Golden as their defensive coordinator whose ability to produce high quality defenses is as good as I am at getting caught up writing lengthy previews.
Schedule Note:
Starting the year at A&M will be an early and formidable test but defense travels, I think the Irish will be a handful for the aggies (Good Luck Solomon Deshields you clown). The Irish are fortunate to have their biggest matchups sprinkled in between softer teams so if they can stay healthy and manage the schedule well, they should be ready for the big games against Louisville (I’m not doing an ACC preview but I am out on the cards) Florida State (just lost to the rambling wreck) and Southern Cal.