2024 college football predictions: CFP champion, Heisman, conference title picks and more

The 2024 college football season has begun.

After a turbulent Week 0 that featured a last-minute upset, a wild 17-point comeback, and plenty of other crazy moments, Week 1 is full of action.

We've been waiting for years for a bigger and better College Football Playoff system, and now it's finally here. At the end of the 2024 regular season, we'll see a new, expanded 12-team postseason, complete with byes for the top four conference champions and on-campus home games for the next four top-ranked teams. The top-ranked Group of Five champion will also have a shot at the title as a participant in the field.

So which teams will make it to the College Football Playoffs? Which teams will play for the national championship and who will lift the trophy on January 20th? Our experts give predictions for the conference champions, the Heisman Trophy winner, the biggest surprises, disappointments and more.

Ross Dellenger

In what is likely the most anticipated season in college football history — new conference compositions, expanded playoffs — the Buckeyes are my favorite to win overall. Ryan Day and Co. finished the offseason with one of the best (and most expensive) transfer portal catches in the country, snagging Quinshon Judkins from OIe Miss, QB Will Howard from Kansas State and DB Caleb Downs from Alabama. It's time for the athletic payroll to produce a ring for Ohio State, and this time, Michigan won't stand in the way.

Daniel Wetzel

New postseason, new teams in new places, this should be a wild and exciting season. If QB Will Howard is who Ryan Day believes he is, the Buckeyes are well-positioned to face an equally strong Georgia at the end. Miami has enough talent to break through, Kansas State will survive a tough battle in the Big 12, and I think Tennessee – great QB, great defense – will host a playoff game. It will be an exciting game.

Nick Bromberg

Georgia and Ohio State appear to be the two most talented teams in the country and should compete for the national title. I'm picking Ohio State in this exciting game to close out the first 12-team playoff. Carson Beck seems like the player most likely to win the Heisman award – an award that a quarterback is sure to win. I think Indiana has a good chance of winning eight games as the Big Ten moves away from divisions, and I have a hard time seeing how Colorado can be considered for bowl eligibility with its gauntlet of a Big 12 schedule.

Caroline Fenton

Florida State is considered a popular favorite to win the ACC or make the College Football Playoff, but I don't think Florida State's roster is capable of competing for a championship. The Seminoles lost quarterback Jordan Travis, leading rusher Trey Benson and three top receivers. On defense, they'll have to replace three of their top rushers. That's… a lot. Mike Norvell has found happiness and proven he's an excellent coach. But if quarterback DJ Uiagalelei never lived up to expectations at Clemson or Oregon State, why should we think it will be any different in Tallahassee? There are too many holes to fill and too many question marks for me to be optimistic about a playoff push. (Editor's note: This was written before FSU's season-opening loss to Georgia Tech.)

Picking Georgia to win the national championship this season feels so gross because it's so obvious. But there's just so much to like about this roster, starting with quarterback Carson Beck. Kudos to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo for supporting Beck's development like he did last year. Beck was never asked to do too much early on, but as the season went on, the playbook became more open and we saw Beck take more calculated risks. Now he has a year of experience and a more complex understanding of the offense. Plus, he'll have countless weapons around him, including former Florida running back Trevor Etienne. Also keep an eye on Oscar Delp, who will take over TE1 duties after Brock Bowers leaves for the NFL. Overall, Georgia has one of the deepest and most talented rosters in college football. The Bulldogs have an absolute gauntlet of a schedule, so it certainly won't be a walk in the park, but this team has the talent and experience it takes to once again compete for a championship.

Jay Busbee

The most important and meaningful college football season…ever? Maybe! For the first time in the sport's history, well over a dozen programs have a legitimate path to the championship.

While the Final Four won't look perfect, there will be at least one serious upset in the first round of the playoffs (Alabama losing in Tuscaloosa? Ohio State losing in Columbus? It's going to happen sooner or later). Between the transfer portal, NIL promises, and the expanded playoffs, this is as wide open as it's ever been in college football. Buckle up.

Jason Fitz

The expanded playoffs have forever changed college football for the better. But that also means we need to prepare for a chaotic year and change our predictions about what will happen in the sport. Of course, being the most talented team deserves respect, but for me that's not the be-all and end-all when it comes to what we expect. In a world where playoff games decide everything, I want teams with experienced quarterbacks. That's why I'm willing to bet on Dillon Gabriel and Jaxson Dart. Of course, Ohio State and Georgia are strong, but a one-game sample with everything on the line will normalize some of that dominance and create opportunities.

While the SEC is absolutely packed, Tennessee has talent everywhere and a quarterback who I think will become a household name come fall. As much as we'll fall in love with the Vols, we'll fall in love with Clemson and the ACC as a whole. None of the teams in this conference will ultimately be worthy of a top spot.

Ian Casselberry

I didn't think I'd rate Oregon so highly, especially with another top team in the Big Ten. Ohio State, however, is under a lot of pressure to succeed and has a lot of new players to juggle. I guess the same could be said about Miami in the ACC, but if the Hurricanes beat Florida in their opener, the rest of the schedule will go pretty smoothly.