6. Michigan Wolverines

2023 record: 15-0, 9-0 Big Ten. Big Ten Champions and National Champions

Losses: QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, OT LaDarius Henderson, G Trevor Keegan, G Zak Zinter, C Drake Nugent, WR Roman Wilson, LB Michael Barrett, CB Mike Sainristil

My slightly biased thoughts: As The Clash’s hit song states, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”, Jim Harbaugh was once again dancing with the NFL. I read an article that states that he wanted immunity from being fired if the NCAA comes down on Michigan for their “alleged” infractions. I thought the Wolverines were innocent, though, Jim? I mean, that is what you announced to the whole world after beating Washington in the National Championship. The sports world, and mainly Michigan fans, have forgotten. I understand because it could have bigger ramifications than just losing wins, but they seem to have forgotten that their offensive coordinator was fired and had his computer seized by the FBI before the season started. They also have forgotten that their former linebacker coach was allegedly fired for telling the players to lie to investigators. The main cheating scandal has been swept under the rug well enough for people to no longer be up in arms about it and now have sided with Michigan. “It's the world against Michigan”. No, it’s Harbaugh being Harbaugh and breaking rules knowing that Michigan would go down with the ship if the NCAA had any power, and he will be scot-free as he jumps ship to the NFL. He did it with the 49ers, and at Stanford. With that rant being over. Michigan had three straight playoff appearances and finally a national championship to add to Harbaugh's long list of accomplishments. Jim is gone now, and with the NCAA having no bite or bark to rely on, Michigan’s national championship is safe. What is even more amazing is that since 2020, Michigan has only had two top-10 recruiting classes, 10th in ’20, and 9th in ’22. Their average class ranking has been 13th over that time, including this recent recruiting class (15th). This is amazing when you look at the teams which have won a national championship in that same time span. Georgia hasn’t had a recruiting class out of the top-5 since 2016 when they were 11th, Alabama not since 2018 when they finished 7th. It is hard to gauge Michigan for next season. What we do know is that Michigan is losing a lot on both sides of the ball, mainly running back Corum, quarterback McCarthy, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, and linebacker Junior Colson who led the team in tackles just to name a few. There are around 16 to 20 Wolverine players more than likely estimated to be drafted, which shows the depth of the coaching staff and how they progressed their players. The Wolverines are keeping a lot as well. Running back Donovan Edwards and linebacker Josiah Stewart have both announced that they will be coming back. The offensive line may need to be rebuilt, I mean, need to reload, along with the defensive front. This is usually harder said than done for the Wolverines. Sherrone Moore, who coached the team on game days while Harbaugh was suspended. I say “game days” because Harbaugh was still able to coach the team during the week, is at the helm of the Wolverines. He had to replace some staff but has been able to promote within and keep what looks like the bulk of Jim’s staff to stay in Ann Arbor. Mainly, Wink Martindale who oversaw the best defense in the country in 2023. The main concern is, can Moore keep the Wolverine train rolling?

Michigan has the 15th ranked recruiting class entering the 2024 season and the 41st ranked portal class, losing 13 players while only gaining 2.

Season Review- If Ohio State has the toughest Big Ten schedule, then Michigan may have the toughest schedule, period. With games against Texas, USC, Oregon, Northwestern, and Fresno State, all are at home though. Their lone west coast game is against a depleted Washington squad, but the toughest test will be against Ohio State in Columbus to close out the season.

Prediction- 9-3 (Losses to Texas, Oregon, and Ohio State) playoff bound.

Ole Miss WR Tre harris Credit: *Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report*

7. Ole Miss Rebels

2023 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC. Beat Penn St in the Peach Bowl

Losses: RB Quinshon Judkins, G Quincy McGee, OT Victor Curne, DE Cedric Johnson, CB Deantre Prince, CB Zamari Walton, S Daijahn Anthony, LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste

My slightly biased thoughts: The Lane train has finally found some tracks to run on. Yes, the rebels lost their leading rusher, Quinshon Judkins to the portal (Ohio State), but Kiffin gained a new nickname, the “Portal King”. Bringing in, so far, 17 new players just from the portal. Some of the big acquisition being defensive lineman Walter Nolan (Texas A&M), wide receiver Juice Wells (South Carolina), and edge rusher Princely Umanmielen (Florida), just to name a small handful. After coming off its first 11-win season ever in its 118-year history, Ole Miss may be poised to have an even bigger year in 2024. It will be interesting to watch how Kiffin gets his team to gel. We do know that the Rebel offense will be fun to watch, either good or bad, with quarterback Jaxson Dart returning for his senior year. Even though the Rebels lost Judkins, they may have found a suitable replacement with LSU’s second leading rusher in Logan Diggs who transferred in.

The rebel defense will have some new faces with 9 of the 17 transfers being on the defense. One of their key losses would be defensive linemen Cedric Johnson who was tied for the team leader in sacks. The player he tied with, Jared Ivey, has announced that he will be returning to the Rebels. The Ole Miss defense exited the 2023 season as the 42nd best defense in the nation. With the return of Ivey, and the additions of Umanmielen along with back-end additions. Ole Miss looks primed to make some massive noise in the SEC.

Ole Miss enters the 2024 season with the 19th ranked recruiting class and the 3rd ranked portal class with 17 incoming transfers and 15 outgoing.

Season Review- Ole Miss has a chance to change up the SEC landscape in 2024. With games at home against Oklahoma and Georgia, and away games against LSU and Florida. The Rebels miss Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Alabama. This could set up a rematch with Georgia in the SEC championship.

Prediction- 11-1 (loss to Georgia) playoff bound.

8. Missouri Tigers

2023 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State

Losses: RB Cody Schrader, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, LB Ty'Ron Hopper, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., DL Darius Robinson

My slightly biased thoughts: One of the big if not the biggest surprises of the 2024 season. Who would have seen an 11-2 season for the Tigers following the 6-7 disappointment of 2022, and putting Drinkwitz firmly on the hot seat? Coming into the 2023 season, Missouri had only had double digit wins two times since joining the SEC, 2 of their first 3 seasons in the SEC while being led by Coach Gary Pinkel. Since 2015, the Tigers had finished last or close to last in the Eastern division six times, with their best finish since joining the SEC being 3rd in their division.

Drinkwitz has quarterback Brady Cook and leading receiver Luther Burden III returning for the 2024 season, and like Ole Miss, the Tigers have a legitimate shot at making some noise in the SEC. Like Ole Miss, Missouri jumped into the portal and picked up some nice players. Leading with former Clemson DB Toriano Pride who will help bolster the 2023 25th ranked defense and 48th against the pass. The addition of Pride will help with the sting of losing Abrams-Draine and Rakestraw who were the Tigers top two corners last season. Another massive hole will be at linebacker position with the loss of Butkus award finalist, Ty’Ron Hooper, and recently, defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who left to take same position at LSU, but for $2.5 million.

Offensively, leading rusher Cody Schrader, is gone, but they brought in 1000-yard rusher from South Alabama, Marcus Carroll, and Nate Noel from App State to add some depth. Quarterback Brady Cook and his 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns, will return for his senior year.

Missouri enters the 2024 season with the 21st ranked recruiting class, and the 10th ranked portal class with 11 incoming but losing 14.

Season Review- Like Ole Miss, Missouri has the opportunity to ruffle the SEC blue blood’s feathers. With games at Texas A&M, and Alabama, and home games against Oklahoma, and Auburn. The Tigers set themselves up nicely to make a run at the SEC championship game.

Prediction- 11-1 (loss to Alabama) Even though it is hard for me to see the 2023 Tigers having a loss on their record, This isn’t 2023, and I have a feeling that they will lose at least 1 game.

9. Arizona Wildcats

2023 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12. Beat Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl

Losses: OT Jordan Morgan, WR Jacob Cowing, RB Michael Wiley, TE Tanner McLachlan, DT Tyler Manoa, DE Taylor Upshaw, RB Jonah Coleman

My slightly biased thoughts: Since football became a thing at Arizona in 1899, the Wildcats had only won double digit games three times in a season and lost double digit games twice in a season, not a great ratio. 2023 was different for the Wildcats as former head man, Jedd Fisch led them to their 4th double digit win total and an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma. That was in December. It is April now and Fisch has bolted to take the Washington job that DeBoer left to take the Alabama job which Saban retired from, and San Jose State head coach Brett Brennan left to take the Arizona job because Saban left Alabama. Fisch has been accused of tampering with current Arizona players, by the players and Wildcat boosters, which is understandable. Fisch wants his players to transfer to Washington. As of writing this, Arizona had 23 players in the transfer portal with all but seven having committed to playing elsewhere, 10 heading to Washington.

Hiring Brennan from San Jose State was a great hire by the Wildcats. Many Wildcat fans may not be happy with the hire, but Brennan was 26-19 in five seasons at San Jose State, and won the Mountain West title in 2020, the Spartans first outright title since they won the Big West title in 1990. Also, Arizona is strapped with cash. Especially after a “clerical” error lost the university $250K, causing threats of cutting sports and educational programs.

A massive bright spot for the Wildcats heading into 2024 season, and their first year in the wide open Big 12, is the announcement by stud quarterback Noah Fifita, and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will both be back next season. McMillan led the Wildcats in most receiving stats while Fifita took over the play calling duties early in 2023 and led the time to a 10-3 season.

Brennan has some holes to fill, and some fires to put out. Since Fisch left for Washington, leading rushing running back, Jonah Coleman took off to join him. Cornerback Connor Shaw, and in coming 4-star quarterback commit Demond Williams Jr. Both committed to Arizona and switched to Washington to follow Fisch. Bringing the total number of committed transfers to 10.

Arizona enters the 2024 season with the 95th ranked recruiting class after ending January with the 42nd ranked class and the 61st ranked portal class only bringing in 9 while losing 23.

Season Review-The Wildcats and Brennan have a huge task ahead of them. In January, the 9th ranked team looked spot on. Now, who really knows. Right out of the gate, Arizona is introduced to the Big 12 with an away game against 21st ranked Kansas State. Arizona has home games against rival Arizona State, the Fighting Deions, and Texas tech. With away games against TCU, and Utah. They miss playing against Oklahoma State, Kansas, Baylor. Texas and Oklahoma are both no longer in the Big 12. This could make the conference wide open.

Prediction- 6-6 (losses to Utah, Texas Tech, BYU,West Virginia, UCF and Kansas St.) Not playoff bound.

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The Way Too Early Top 25. Rankings 11-15