Tag: 2024 College Football Season

Texas named among top five in latest post-spring power rankings

Another top five ranking for the Burnt Orange.

Coming off the first College Football Playoff in school history, the buzz around the Texas Longhorns football program is palpable. The team returns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, which is a massive boon for the team.

Despite losing so many playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, the team has portaled very well with the additions of former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Bond and tight end Amari Niblack, who are set to try and replace the production of AD Mitchell and JT Sanders.

Defensively the team added Trey Moore of USTA, Tiaoalii Savea of Arizona, and Andrew Mukuba of Clemson. Each will be an integral part of the inaugural season in the SEC. The team will get tested early when they travel to Ann Arbor for a showdown with the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines in Week 2.

Per ESPN’s latest rankings Steve Sarkisian’s squad lands at No. 3 overall just behind the Georgia Bulldogs and Ohio State Buckeyes.

After guiding the Longhorns to a 12-win campaign and a spot in the CFP in 2023, coach Steve Sarkisian’s challenge is sustaining that success in the SEC. The Longhorns got a break when the SEC schedule-makers rolled out the red carpet with a slate that includes true road games at Vanderbilt, Arkansas and rival Texas A&M. Texas will face an early road test at Michigan, its annual trip to Dallas to play Oklahoma and a home game against Georgia. Offensively, the Longhorns should be as good as anyone in the FBS with quarterback Quinn Ewers and a veteran offensive line returning. Transfers Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Matthew Golden (Houston) and Silas Bolden (Oregon State) and top recruit Ryan Wingo will have to step up after star receivers Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell departed for the NFL. The Longhorns will have to identify difference-makers on the defensive line and improve a secondary that ranked 113th in the FBS against the pass, allowing 254.4 yards per game.

Recently the College 12-Pack ranked the Longhorns as the No. 3 team in their post-spring top 25 rankings. This team is ready for another deep run, and they have all the opportunity in the world to play for a national championship for the first time since the 2009 season.

College Sports Wire ranks Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame as one of the top 2024 openers

Is Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame with best game to open the 2024 college football season?

The 2024 college football season, or at least Week 0, is just 100 days away. The countdown begins for Mike Elko’s inaugural campaign as Texas A&M’s head coach, starting with hosting Notre Dame on Saturday, Aug. 31, in prime time.

Filled with storylines, Elko is extremely familiar with the Fighting Irish after serving as the program’s defensive coordinator in 2017. New Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard played under Elko during his last two years as Duke’s head coach before transferring to South Bend this offseason. This will be the first meeting between both programs since the 2001 season.

While Leonard’s status for the game remains unknown due to his recent ankle surgery in April, this is still one of the most anticipated matchups to start the year and could have major playoff implications for both programs at the end of the season.

With plenty of other marquee matchups to the star year, College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn recently ranked his Top 5 opening games, placing Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame at No. 3 on the list. Here’s what he had to say:

“I know ESPN recently announced that this game would be featured on College Gameday but this feels like the third-most intriguing game during Week 1. The Aggies usher in the post-Jimbo era with the return of Mike Elko to run the ship. If quarterback Conner Weigman can stay healthy, they should have a good season. Elko will likely have to figure out to slow down his former quarterback, who joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irishvia the transfer portal. Marcus Freeman has his best shot at making some noise this upcoming season with a relatively mild schedule. This matchup along with the Florida State and USC matchups will likely make or break this season.”

From Conn’s perspective, Notre Dame has more to lose due to a relatively easy schedule, while the Aggies have plenty of challenges ahead in the always-tough SEC. With the CFB Playoffs expanding to 12 teams for the first time this season, Elko’s squad can afford to sustain at least one or possibly two losses to stay in the playoff discussion.

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Sooners inside USA TODAY Sports Top 10 after spring ball

The Oklahoma Sooners are on a positive trajectory and answered a lot of questions this spring. USA TODAY Sports considers OU a top 10 team.

There are varied opinions on where the Oklahoma Sooners stand heading into 2024. The Sooners are a team with a ton of talent, but how they handle their first season in the SEC is the question.

Oklahoma certainly has question marks, but they also have a track record that minimizes the questions along the offensive line and at quarterback. And that’s why it’s not necessarily surprising to see the Oklahoma Sooners inside the top 10 of USA TODAY Sports post spring top 25. Oklahoma comes in at No. 8.

The Sooners improved from six wins to 10, including a victory over Texas, in Brent Venables’ second season. QB [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] had a strong spring and the receiving corps should be outstanding with Purdue transfer [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag], a star in the spring, a major addition. The defense will continue its improvement with LB [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and DB [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] two standouts that opted to stay for another season. Whether it is ready for the grind of the SEC is the team’s biggest concern. – Erick Smith and Paul Myerburg, USA TODAY Sports

While the offense may have something to prove, the defense has shown encouraging signs that it can be one of the top defenses in the country. Bringing back Stutsman and Bowman to a defense full of young, fast, physical, and athletic players at all three levels was arguably the most important thing that happened this offseason.

[autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] solved questions along the offensive line with development and a few key transfer portal additions. The addition of [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] provides the Sooners with a legit game breaker to go along with big-play threats [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag], [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag], and [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag].

Brent Venables improved from year one to year two and there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to make positive strides as a head coach. He and his staff are crushing it on the recruiting trail and show no signs of slowing down. As they continue to build the roster Venables has envisioned since his arrival to Norman, it puts Oklahoma one step closer to national title contention.

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Q&A with Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling

Q&A with Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling

The 2024 college football season is still a few months away, but the Wisconsin Badgers have already completed their spring camp. Entering the program’s second campaign under head coach Luke Fickell, plenty of familiar faces returned to Madison, including wide receiver Will Pauling.

Pauling was former Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai’s favorite target last season, reeling in 74 catches for 837 receiving yards and six touchdowns through the air across the team’s 13 games.

The wide receiver was in his first season with Wisconsin after transferring to Madison following two years at Cincinnati, making the most of his opportunities as a pass-catcher.

In 2024, Pauling will work with either Tyler Van Dyke or Braedyn Locke at starting quarterback, the latter of which he has experience with from the 2023 season.

When it comes to stepping up his game with a target on his back this season as the Badgers’ top returning receiver, Pauling isn’t overly concerned.

“I love to compete, playing against the best players in the country is only going to make me better, so I look forward to it. I’m not going to back down from anybody,” Pauling said.

In regards to the wide receiver room as a whole for Wisconsin, he said, “there’s a lot more familiarity with the offense and there’s a new sense of confidence.”

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‘They were promised Texas would never come in’: Paul Finebaum explains SEC’s betrayal of Texas A&M

“They felt that they had been promised Texas would never come in and they were promised, but things change. It’s A&M’s fault,” he explained.

Paul Finebaum was recently a guest on “That SEC Podcast” and the ESPN college football commentator discussed how the SEC went back on its word to Texas A&M Athletics by allowing the University of Texas to join the conference.

“They felt that they had been promised Texas would never come in and they were promised Texas would never come in, but things change. It’s A&M’s fault,” Finebaum recalled. “A&M was so successful in the SEC that Texas said, ‘We want some of that!’ Texas in 2010 was heading to the Pac-12, they had already commandeered a bunch of schools because they wanted to be more in line with the Pac-12 academics, the Stanfords, the Cals, which are now in the ACC.

“They finally realized that we need to do something. Texas could’ve gone to the Big Ten, ACC, all this nonsense that we heard. The SEC did nothing but answer the same phone call that everybody else got. The were on the prowl to leave and were going to go somewhere.”

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

10 SEC teams featured in updated College Football Power Rankings from ESPN

The SEC was prominently featured in ESPN’s updated power rankings for 2024.

Winter workouts are happening across the country. Spring ball is right around the corner. Though the 2024 college football season is still more than six months away, the SEC is shaping up to be a lot of fun in the new era of college football.

Realignment has consolidated power in the SEC and the Big Ten, and it’ll be on full display this fall, especially as the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams this season.

As the Oklahoma Sooners get set for their first season in their new conference, the schedule provides a number of challenges. But having marquee matchups throughout the schedule is what the Sooners were looking for. In ESPN’s most recent power rankings update ahead of spring ball, 10 SEC schools were featured. Here’s who made the cut.

Where does Jackson Arnold rank in early 2024 Heisman odds according to Fan Duel?

Jackson Arnold is already getting some preseason Heisman buzz before his first year as a starter.

If you think [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] is going to win the [autotag]Heisman[/autotag] in 2024, now is the time to bet on it. You probably won’t see the odds this low again if he has the season you think he’s going to have.

Arnold is heading into his first year as the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners. The sophomore quarterback showed flashes in games last year. Even though his bowl game was soured with all of the turnovers, he showed in that game why people are so high on him and his ability.

He’s definitely got all of the makings to be Oklahoma’s next great quarterback and Heisman contender. Arnold’s going to have plenty of opportunities to show out against several high-quality opponents.

So where does Arnold land in 2024 Heisman odds according to Fan Duel Sportsbook? Let’s take a look at the early contenders.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3006″ ] Fan Duel

Report: Bill O’Brien set to take over Boston College program

Bill O’Brien’s return to Boston College promising to usher in a new era of competitiveness and local pride for the Eagles.

Boston College has set its sights on Bill O’Brien, aiming to bring the Massachusetts native back home as the head coach of the Eagles. This move, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, is a pivotal moment for a program looking to reestablish itself as a contender in college football.

O’Brien’s return to the Bay State is not just a professional homecoming but a deeply personal one, rooted in local ties and a storied career that spans both college and the NFL.

O’Brien clinched both the Big Ten Coach of the Year and the Bear Bryant National Coach of the Year awards, amassing a 15-9 record over two seasons at Penn State. Following his tenure there, he spent over six seasons at the helm of the Texans, guiding them to four playoff berths with a record of 52-48. He was also the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during Bryce Young’s Heisman Trophy-winning season at Alabama.

O’Brien’s mentorship of standouts like Bryce Young, Tom Brady, and Deshaun Watson highlights his exceptional knack for enhancing quarterback performance—a talent Boston College is keenly anticipating will benefit their promising yet unpolished quarterback, Thomas Castellanos.

Boston College’s decision to pursue O’Brien follows the departure of Jeff Hafley to the Green Bay Packers, leaving a void that demanded a figure of O’Brien’s caliber. O’Brien was set to call plays for the Buckeyes this year until Hafley unexpectedly left for the Packers. The Eagles, whose last brush with national prominence came in 2008 under the leadership of standouts like Justin Tuggle and Mark Herzlich, are thirsting for a resurgence.

O’Brien’s deep ties to Massachusetts, underscored by his family’s commitment to staying in the area and his wife’s Boston College legacy, weave a rich tapestry of personal and professional connections to this narrative, promising not just a new chapter for the team but a homecoming story full of potential.

Hurricanes bring in ACC’s top class amid coaching turnover

Miami’s strategic recruitment has set a new standard in the ACC, promising an era of dominance.

In a whirlwind of activity that encapsulates the highs and lows of college football, the Miami Hurricanes have closed national signing day with a flourish, not only by securing the top recruiting class in the ACC but also by navigating the choppy waters of coaching changes.

The departure of secondary coach Jahmile Addae to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the loss of Alonzo Highsmith to the New England Patriots mark significant transitions within the program. Amid these changes, the Hurricanes have filled an open coaching position by bringing on board Matt Merritt as the new running backs coach.

Addae, a key figure in Miami’s coaching staff, brings his expertise in developing secondary players to the Buffalo Bills after a successful tenure with the Hurricanes. Addae’s impact was profound, notably coaching All-American safety Kamren Kinchens and contributing to the development of NFL draftees Tyrique Stevenson and DJ Ivey. His recruiting prowess, shown during his time with Georgia when he helped secure a top-three class, leaves big shoes to fill at Miami.

Amid these departures, Miami has filled a hole in the staff by hiring Matt Merritt from USF as the new running backs coach. Merritt, recognized for his role in significant team improvements and player development, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the Hurricanes’ offense. His recent accomplishments include elevating the performance of USF’s tailbacks, with notable achievements such as Nay’Quan Wright’s breakout season.

The Hurricanes also excelled in recruitment, finishing national signing day with the top class in the ACC. This marks a historic moment for Miami, which achieved the No. 1 spot in the conference in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the 247Sports era. The defensive line class stands out as possibly the best in the country. Among the eight prospects, four defensive linemen are ranked inside the top 150. The addition of talents such as Justin Scott, Armando Blunt and Marquise Lightfoot highlights Mario Cristobal’s commitment to building a powerhouse in the trenches.

Furthermore, Miami’s success in keeping local talent home is evident in this year’s recruiting class. With 14 players from the Sunshine State, including eight ranked in the Florida top 25, the Hurricanes are making significant strides in retaining top local talent.

Going into his third year as Miami’s head coach, Cristobal secured more five-star prospects than the rest of the ACC combined. He flipped notable blue chips Jordan Lyle and Justin Scott away from Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. He also finished strongly and came close to securing the No. 1 player in the country, Jeremiah Smith, who signed with Ohio State.

The Fran Brown Era at Syracuse could see early success

With Kyle McCord’s skill and Coach Fran Brown’s vision, Syracuse football is set for a landmark season, driven by a favorable schedule and a united goal to reshape their legacy.

Syracuse football could be on the brink of a seismic shift. Taking the reins for the Orange this season is none other than Kyle McCord, the former commander of the Ohio State offense. This transfer was a headline-grabber and a shock to many. McCord’s leap to Syracuse, mixed with a schedule that seems almost handpicked for success, tees up the Orange for what could be a banner year.

A gem from the 247Sports Composite, McCord’s five-star status isn’t just for show. His pivot to Syracuse, sealed during an official campus visit, cranks up the Orange’s offensive dial. Steering the Buckeyes to an 11-1 finish last season, McCord’s stats speak volumes: 3,170 yards, 24 TDs, and a 65.8% completion rate. Numbers like these placed him in the conversation for the top of the FBS quarterback heap.

At the helm for Syracuse is Fran Brown, the newly minted head coach. Brown’s not just about X’s and O’s; his recruiting prowess and deep Northeast roots are part of his DNA.

Brown’s coaching odyssey began at Paul VI Catholic High School. He swiftly moved through the ranks at Temple, where he first showcased his knack for transforming defensive backfields and his magnetic pull in recruiting circles.

His journey with Matt Rhule from Temple to Baylor only amplified his reputation as a top-tier recruiter and a defensive strategist. Returning to Temple, this time with added responsibilities as co-defensive coordinator, Brown further cemented his status in the coaching fraternity, even as head coaching opportunities teasingly danced around the edges.

During his tenure with Greg Schiano at Rutgers, Fran Brown experienced a transformative leap forward, setting the stage for his subsequent ascent into the national spotlight at Georgia. In this high-profile role, Brown’s recruiting skills and strategic coaching brilliance reached their zenith, ultimately contributing to a resounding National Championship triumph. This period of his career reached a pinnacle with Brown being honored as the nation’s premier recruiter by 247Sports, a testament to his profound impact on the field.

Brown is considered by many as one of the nation’s premier recruiters, possessing a unique talent for forging authentic connections with high school athletes and their families.

Now, as Syracuse’s 31st head coach, Brown brings more than just a playbook and recruiting strategies. He carries a legacy of soundness, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and a deep-rooted connection to the Northeast’s football fabric.

With the absence of conference heavyweights like North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson, and Louisville from the schedule, this is a chance for Syracuse and their first-year head coach to sharpen their game without the shadow of the conference giants looming over them. Coupled with portal newcomers like McCord, Edge Fadil Diggs, and Jackson Meeks at wide receiver, this could give the Orange early success.

Going into the season with McCord’s arm, Brown’s vision, and a schedule that might as well be a golden ticket, Syracuse and Fran Brown are not just dreaming of greatness in his first year; they’re on the cusp of it and reaching for it. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the Syracuse faithful are buzzing. As Coach Brown put it during his introduction as the Orange’s head coach, “I am competitive. I need to win at everything. You can’t chew gum faster than me. I’m going to win at everything, and we’re about to go shock the country.”