The 2024-24 National Collegiate Athletic Association Football (NCAAF) season started last August 26, 2024. A new season of excellence and competitiveness will showcase as different universities try to win the title from the back-to-back defending champion, Georgia.
So, if you’re one of the many people awaiting how this season will unfold, here’s what you need to look out for.
2023-24 NCAA Football: What To Expect?
The 2024-24 season of the NCAA is the 154th season of college football in the United States. The regular season will last until December 9, 2024 (Saturday). Then, the qualified winners will face each other again for the post-season games leading to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
This latter part of college football will begin on December 15, 2024 (Friday) and go to January 8, 2024 (Monday). It will present 42 bowl games fans enjoy at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Rule Changes
To further understand how the new season of NCAA Football will unfold, it’s essential to note what has changed in the system. To help you, here’s a brief overview of the essential changes in the rules approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Committee for the 2024 NCAA season.
- Rules regarding illegal hits to the passers/QBs will be enforced more strictly.
- Persisting emphasis on sideline control, faking injuries, targeting, concussions, and acts of taunting.
- Pre-snap actions by the offense that are designed to cause the defense to jump into the neutral zone, including abrupt, quick, and jerky motions by the QB. Also, disconcerting signals by the defense cause snap issues or false start on offense, such as simulating sounds/motions like snap signals, claps, etc.
- The game clock will no longer stop for the first downs on offense, excluding inside the final two minutes of each half. This is similar to the NFL’s but for first downs at any time in the game. This rule is adopted for all the NCAA Football divisions except Division III.
- Suppose the player acquired a third targeting penalty in the same season, and the National Coordinator of Officials overturns the penalty upon appeal. In that case, the said suspension will be vacated.
2023-24 NCAA Football Favorites
After learning the changes in the rules of NCAA football this season, here are the teams currently dominating every stage so far.
Although the season is warming up for what’s about to come, these teams are the early favorites to win the title. Significant events have already occurred, and here are the updates you should look into.
Georgia Bulldogs
The anticipation is high with the back-to-back title of the Georgia Bulldogs Football. Will they finally be defeated, or will they successfully defend their title again this season? You should know that their college football odds seem like it isn’t going down any faster.
Like any other season, some teams suffer significant losses after bidding farewell to their top players in the NFL. For Georgia, they will have to replace their offense QB Stetson Bennett, who has led the team to two national titles.
Fortunately, the team has an excellent player to replace Bennett, namely Junior Carson Beck, who is famous for his solid arm and quarterback skills. If they successfully apply these changes, they might be defending their title this season.
As of writing this article, Georgia currently holds a 10-0 overall with 7-0 home and 2-0 away. They’re also running with a 10-week winning streak. They’re the top in the SEC East, making them a highly favored team to win this season’s title.
If they do, it would be the first time for any college team to pull off such a feat in this era. The last time this happened was in 1934-36 when the Minnesota Gophers brought home their title.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Not far from the Bulldogs is the Ohio State Buckeyes, who won their last title in 2014. They’re also one of the eight teams predicted to win the national championship, with Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Texas, Ohio State, and Washington.
After winning the upset game against the Michigan State Spartans with 38-3, the Buckeyes are in their 10th week of Winning Streaks with 10-0 overall. At this point, it seems like Ohio State has the best chance of participating in the Playoffs.
Nonetheless, the Ohio State Buckeyes didn’t only experience rainbows and butterflies because, like other top teams, they have also lost their starting quarterback to NFL QB CJ Stroud. Still, the team boasts talented wide receivers led by Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. So, it isn’t a completely hopeless case for them after all.
Additionally, the Buckeyes also need to watch out for their defense. If they want to improve their chances of winning, the teams must be more dominant in the line of scrimmage with pass.
After the Georgia Bulldogs easily destroyed their front seven last season, they should have enough information on which areas need improving. All their effort should show this season if it’s effective and efficient.
Alabama Crimson Tide
One of the top-drafted quarterbacks in the NFL this year is from the Alabama Crimson Tide, QB Bryce Young.
Although this is a great recognition, it’s still a significant loss for their roster. Fortunately, head coach Nick Saban is prepared with three possible logical leaders for the QB position: Jalen Milroe, Julian Saying, and Ty Simpson.
These three have their fair share of good stats which stand out. Milroe had an average of 8.5 yards per carry in his five appearances last season. So, you can only imagine what the other prospects have in store.
Moreover, out of all the teams on this list, the Alabama Crimson Tide has the most appearances in the National Championship with seven, where they won three times. Considering the experience, the Crimson Tide is the top choice.
Michigan State Spartans
Although Michigan is one of the top five favorite teams to win the title this season, its game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 11, Saturday night, is one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history.
Still, despite this little hiccup, the team is on the run for the national title. For people and fans who aim to participate in sports betting, it’s important to note that the Spartans will be under the interim head coach Harlon Barnett after firing Mel Tucker at the end of September.
So, the following games will predict whether this interim coach can save Michigan and push the team through the post-season.
Final Thoughts
Expectations are high on many teams, and only time will tell whether they can live up to it. Since the season is in its early weeks, the tension has yet to build up, but many are playing well.
If you’re one of the many fans who awaits each game, the information above can help you with your betting.
