2024 College Football Season

The Olympics have ended, and while gymnastic enthusiasts go into hibernation for another four years, the arrival of football season promises even more high-level athleticism for those of us that can’t run a 40-yard dash without blowing out a lung.

College football has experienced some big changes, too. Things to keep an eye on this season will include:

1. The Playoffs Have Gotten Bigger

Once upon a time, the college ranking system alone determined the two teams that got to play for the championship. Then the four-team, single-elimination college football playoff came online, and there was some semblance of a very short tournament to decide the champion.

But this year? Ooh boy.

The playoffs this year will feature 12 teams, made up of five conference champions and seven additional teams, vying for the college football championship. If the goal was to make college football season look more like college basketball season, then mission accomplished. The top four teams at the end of the CFP rankings will also earn a first-round bye, meaning this year’s college football season will also have a little resemblance to an NFL season.

So, how’s this going to work, and what does it mean for future football seasons? Only time will tell, and fans will have tons to argue about this season before the January 20, 2025, title game.

2. Some Surprising Pre-Season Rankings

The rankings haven’t changed much over the last few decades, so it’s not surprising to see Georgia at the top spot or Alabama hanging around in fifth. Michigan fans might feel irritated with Ohio State starting out at second, but the loss of their head coach after last year’s championship will do that to a school’s ranking.

The return of Oregon to the top ten, let alone third place, was especially surprising since they kind of disappeared from the top rankings since playing Ohio State for the championship in 2014. And Ole Miss hasn’t been in the top ten since 2015, not to mention Texas and FSU, the pre-season poll feels new while offering some old favorites.

Oh, and Notre Dame fits in there, too.

3. Player Pay Will Get a Lot of Attention

As a result of new NCAA rules introduced in 2021, college players are now allowed to be financially compensated for the use of their names, images, and likeness for endorsement deals. While this does not equate to receiving a salary for playing at a high athletic level, the rule change has prompted a great deal of discussion about the impacts – both real and imagined – will continue to change college football.

We’re in uncharted territory on this subject, and it wasn’t so long ago that anyone speaking in favor of paying college athletes would have been ignored or ostracized for even suggesting such a ridiculous idea. But now that it’s here, expect the purists to complain the game has been forever robbed of its purity while the enthusiasts consider what can be done next.

What’s not clear yet will be exactly how the endorsement deals will work in regards to the entire NCAA football operation. The megastars will likely profit from the rule change, of course, but it’s hard to imagine an offensive lineman earning enough popularity to start making bank off their name and likeness.

4. Also, No Harbaugh

Michigan’s loss was San Diego’s gain, but dang, we’re gonna miss that guy. Not so much Nick Saban.

When the 2024 season kicks off, there is a lot of action look forward to. The regular season begins on August 24 and ends on December 14. The postseason follows and ends on January 20, 2024. This will be the first season of the new College Football Playoff system with the bracket being expanded to 12 teams.