Man, what a ride. If you had told me at the start of the season that we'd see a 12-team playoff actually working without the world imploding, I probably wouldn't have believed you. But here we are, looking back at the wreckage and the glory of the college rankings 2024 football landscape. It was messy. It was loud. And honestly, the final AP poll and the CFP committee didn't always see eye to eye, which is basically par for the course in this sport.
The Chaos of the First 12-Team Bracket
The 2024 season changed everything. We finally got away from that cramped four-team room and let the big dogs (and a few scrappy underdogs) hunt in a real bracket. Ohio State ended up on top, taking down Notre Dame 34-23 in the title game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It’s kinda wild when you think about it because the Buckeyes weren't even the top seed going into the tournament. Oregon held that #1 spot for a long time.
But the rankings? They shifted like sand.
By the time the dust settled in January 2025, the AP Top 25 looked a lot different than it did in September. Ohio State finished #1, followed by a resurgent Notre Dame at #2. Oregon, despite their dominant regular season, landed at #3 after falling to the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Texas and Penn State rounded out the top five.
Why the College Rankings 2024 Football Season Felt Different
Usually, by November, half the country is already "waiting for next year." Not this time. Because the 12-team format rewarded conference champions and gave life to the "Group of Five," teams like Boise State stayed relevant deep into the winter. Boise actually grabbed the #8 spot in the final AP poll, a massive statement for the Mountain West.
- The Big Ten Dominance: They had four teams in the final Top 10. Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Indiana.
- The SEC Depth: They didn't take the trophy, but they flooded the Top 25 with seven different teams, led by Texas at #4 and Georgia at #6.
- The Indiana Miracle: Curt Cignetti basically turned Bloomington into a football town overnight. They finished #10. Seriously.
The committee had a tough job. Georgia beat Texas twice—once in Austin and once in the SEC title game—yet Texas finished ranked higher in the final AP poll (#4 vs #6). People were furious. It’s one of those "eye test" vs. "resume" arguments that will never go away. Georgia had three losses, while Texas had three but played a schedule that the voters clearly preferred in the end.
The Stars That Defined the Rankings
You can't talk about the 2024 rankings without talking about Travis Hunter. The kid is a freak of nature. Winning the Heisman while playing both ways at Colorado? That just doesn't happen in the modern era. Colorado finished ranked #25, which might seem low, but considering where that program was two years ago, it's a miracle.
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Then you have the quarterbacks. Will Howard at Ohio State really found his rhythm when it mattered. He wasn't the flashy 500-yard-a-game guy, but he was efficient. His 56-yard strike to Jeremiah Smith in the championship game was the dagger. Meanwhile, at Indiana, the defense was the real story, led by guys like Mikail Kamara who just lived in opposing backfields.
The Final Top 10 Breakdown (Post-Playoff)
- Ohio State (14-2): The undisputed champs. They beat the #2, #3, #4, and #5 teams. Total gauntlet.
- Notre Dame (14-2): They silenced the "independent" haters. That loss to Northern Illinois early on feels like a lifetime ago.
- Oregon (13-1): So close. Their only loss was to the eventual champs in the semifinals.
- Texas (13-3): Established themselves as the new face of the SEC.
- Penn State (13-3): Finally broke through the ceiling to reach the final four.
- Georgia (11-3): The "what if" team of the year. Still the scariest roster in the country.
- Arizona State (11-3): Kenny Dillingham is a wizard. Nobody saw this Big 12 run coming.
- Boise State (12-2): Ashton Jeanty basically carried an entire city on his back.
- Tennessee (10-3): Nico Iamaleava is the real deal. The Vols are back.
- Indiana (11-2): The best story in sports this year. Period.
What This Means for 2025 and Beyond
If you're looking at these rankings and trying to figure out who to bet on for next year, look at the "returning production" stats. Teams like Ole Miss and Missouri finished strong (#11 and #22 respectively) and are keeping a lot of their core. The transfer portal is going to shuffle the deck again, but the blueprint is clear: you don't have to be perfect anymore. You just have to be peaking in December.
The 2024 season proved that the "Blue Bloods" still run the show, but the gap is shrinking. When Arizona State and Indiana are top-ten programs, the old guard should be nervous.
Your Post-Season Action Plan
- Watch the portal: Key players from mid-tier ACC and Big 12 schools are already moving. This will dictate the 2025 preseason rankings.
- Check the coaching carousel: Changes at places like Alabama (post-Saban era adjustments) and Washington are still settling.
- Analyze the schedules: The "Power Four" schedules for 2025 are out. Look for teams with "soft" Septembers that can build momentum for a playoff run.
- Follow recruiting: Jeremiah Smith's impact at Ohio State proved that a generational freshman can jumpstart a title run immediately.
Don't just look at the wins and losses. Look at the point differentials and strength of schedule. That's what the voters are doing, and that's why the college rankings 2024 football season ended with a few surprises that still have fans arguing at the bar.