It feels like there are a thousand changes as we enter the 2024 college football season. Every conference looks completely different thanks to either the addition or subtraction of teams. There is an expanded College Football Playoff, there is an openness to treating players like employees rather than student-athletes, oh, and the broadcasts will look different with new deals and new broadcast partners. But one thing remains the same: each team is competing for one thing – a national championship. Here’s our 2024 SEC football preview.
Who is joining?
The SEC ignited conference realignment and completely changed the landscape of college football as we know it. Three years ago, the conference poached Texas and Oklahoma which sent everything into motion and ultimately led to the demise of the Pac-12. Texas had their best year in nearly 20 years last season but before that, it felt like Texas was relying on its past to disguise themselves as a powerhouse. Oklahoma has been a legit threat, but not as big of one since Lincoln Riley left town. OU has a lot to prove as their schedule gets about 10x more difficult.
Last Year
The SEC was gunning for the College Football Playoff last season with Alabama and Georgia duking it out until the final weeks of the season. The Bulldogs were hoping for a third straight National Championship but their rivals in Tuscaloosa had different plans. Both teams went undefeated in conference play and faced off against each other in the SEC Championship where Nick Saban got the best of Kirby Smart.
Ultimately, Alabama fell in the CFP semi-final before they had a shot at the title which ended the legendary career of Saban. Georgia, left out of the CFP, was irate and the question remains to be seen as to whether any of the other three schools could have taken them down.
What to Watch
How will Alabama be in the post-Nick Saban era is the most prevalent conversation happening in all of college football. We are talking about one of the greatest dynasties in the history of sports. To lose their head coach that engineered the entire thing is going to yield a massive shift in the program’s success. Kalen DeBoer is a legit coach, but he has maybe the toughest job in all of football.
Heisman Candidate
Carson Beck is the obvious choice here from Georgia. He is certainly in the best position to play in the most big-time games and put on a Heisman show. Beck was excellent a year ago and has a huge arm as he put up nearly 4000 passing yards and kept his touchdown-interception ratio at a nice clip.
Prediction
Georgia is coming for blood this season with the way last year ended and being left out of the postseason. There is no doubt that their defense will be top notch, and I truly believe that Carson Beck is the best QB in the country.