Ranking the top 10 teams for the 2024 college football season

4. Texas

Texas is building something special under Steve Sarkisian and fell just short of playing for a national championship this past season. They could get back to the same point next season should quarterback Quinn Ewers return for another year which has seemed more likely in recent weeks. The Longhorns will lose some explosiveness on offense with running back Jonathon Brooks and wide receiver Xavier Worthy declaring for the NFL draft, but the transfer portal addition of wideout Matthew Golden should help mask that. While the defense will also lose some notable players, there is enough depth that the unit could be even better than it was in 2023. Perhaps the biggest hurdle to a top-10 finish for Texas will be the first year of playing an SEC schedule.