College football rankings: SEC blue-bloods lead the early 2024 power poll

A look ahead to the 2024 season with our early college football power rankings

History will be made when the 2024 college football season rolls around in August. For one thing, a major seismic shift in conference realignment will have taken place, all but completely consolidating power in the hands of the SEC and Big Ten. And for another, the College Football Playoff will undergo a huge expansion, moving from a four-team semifinal to a 12-team, month-long postseason colossus, including on-campus games.

Now, after the confetti fell on Michigan after its first national championship of the 21st century, let's take a never-too-early look ahead to the 2024 college football to come, and get our heads around what the upcoming power rankings might look like right now.

10. Arizona

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Arizona schedule: vs. New Mexico, vs. Northern Arizona, at Kansas State, vs. Arizona, vs. Colorado, vs. Texas Tech, vs. Houston, vs. West Virginia, at BYU, at TCU, at UCF, at Utah (Order TBD)

Where Arizona is now: The Wildcats capped off a surprise 10-win season by beating five straight ranked teams and beating the Sooners in a bowl game. Now they bring back quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to a very potent offense as they move to the Big 12.

9. Notre Dame

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Notre Dame schedule: at Texas A&M, vs. NIU, at Purdue, vs. Miami (Ohio), vs. Louisville, vs. Stanford, at Georgia Tech, vs. Navy, vs. Florida State, vs. Virginia, at USC

Where Notre Dame is now: There's an easy path to the expanded College Football Playoff here looking at the schedule, especially as the Irish bring on transfer quarterback Riley Leonard and wide receiver Beaux Collins, in addition to offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and some defensive pieces.

8. Missouri

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Missouri schedule: vs. Murray State, vs. Buffalo, vs. Boston College, vs. Vanderbilt, at Texas A&M, at UMass, vs. Auburn, at Alabama, vs. Oklahoma, at South Carolina, at Mississippi State, vs. Arkansas

Where Missouri is now: Eli Drinkwitz is on a roll, but will have to make adjustments in 2024 as he loses his defensive coordinator to LSU in addition to lead back Cody Schrader. But he gets quarterback Brady Cook and wide receivers Luther Burden and Theo Wease, in addition to transfer back Marcus Carroll and some intriguing defensive prospects.

7. Ole Miss

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Ole Miss schedule: vs. Furman, vs. MTSU, at Wake Forest, vs. Ga. Southern, vs. Kentucky, at South Carolina, at LSU, vs. Oklahoma, at Arkansas, vs. Georgia, at Florida, vs. Mississippi State

Where Ole Miss is now: The loss of back Quinshon Judkins hurts, but quarterback Jaxson Dart returns in tandem with a dangerous trio of receivers in Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and transfer Juice Wells, plus some vital defensive transfers, including stud interior lineman Walter Nolen.

6. Ohio State

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Ohio State schedule: vs. Akron, vs. Western Mich., vs. Marshall, at Michigan State, vs. Iowa, at Oregon, vs. Nebraska, at Penn State, vs. Purdue, at Northwestern, vs. Indiana, vs. Michigan

Where Ohio State is now: Looking for a win against the Wolverines, now national champions, and hoping to recover some of its previous offensive success to pair with newfound defensive production. The additions of transfer quarterback Will Howard and tailback Quinshon Judkins to the rotation are an immediate upgrade. No. 1 wideout recruit Jeremiah Smith will arrive on campus, and D-lineman Jack Sawyer and Tyleik Williams are back, too.

5. Michigan

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Michigan schedule: vs. Fresno State, vs. Texas, vs. Ark. State, vs. USC, vs. Minnesota, at Washington, at Illinois, vs. Michigan State, vs. Oregon, at Indiana, vs. Northwestern, at Ohio State

Where Michigan is now: Expect a lot of roster turnover as key contributors move on to the NFL Draft or exhaust their eligibility, and, as ever, there are rumors Jim Harbaugh could bolt. Still, there's enough of a firm recruiting foundation here, and quality assistants, who can keep Michigan in contention in 2024.

4. Oregon

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Oregon schedule: vs. Idaho, vs. Boise State, at Oregon State, at UCLA, vs. Michigan State, vs. Ohio State, at Purdue, vs. Illinois, at Michigan, vs. Maryland, at Wisconsin, vs. Washington

Where Oregon is now: Dan Lanning has experience returning at quarterback after Dillon Gabriel transferred to the Ducks, in addition to Dante Moore, while defenders Jordan Burch and Jeffery Bassa are coming back, in addition to star offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius. This might be the best roster in the Big Ten come 2024.

3. Alabama

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Alabama schedule: vs. WKU, vs. USF, at Wisconsin, vs. Georgia, at Vanderbilt, vs. South Carolina, at Tennessee, vs. Missouri, at LSU, vs. Mercer, at Oklahoma, vs. Auburn

Where Alabama is now: Despite the 2023 Tide not being one of Nick Saban's better teams, it was still SEC champion and a couple yards away from playing for the national championship. And while the defense will lose some personnel, including the now-retired coordinator Kevin Steele, Alabama returns quarterback Jalen Milroe and should have a top running back room led by Justice Haynes.

2. Texas

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Texas schedule: vs. Colorado State, at Michigan, vs. UTSA, vs. UL Monroe, vs. Mississippi State, vs. Oklahoma, vs. Georgia, at Vanderbilt, vs. Florida, at Arkansas, vs. Kentucky, at Texas A&M

Where Texas is now: The two key pieces of that elite defensive line are gone, but the Longhorns return quarterback Quinn Ewers, the bulk of his protection, and some legitimate perimeter speed that will help this program transition easily into the SEC. 

1. Georgia

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Georgia schedule: vs. Clemson, vs. Tenn. Tech, at Kentucky, at Alabama, vs. Auburn, vs. Mississippi State, at Texas, vs. Florida, at Ole Miss, vs. Tennessee, vs. UMass, vs. Georgia Tech

Where Georgia is now: Expect a much-tougher schedule for the Bulldogs than this past season, but they're equipped to run the gauntlet as quarterback Carson Beck returns behind a veteran line and backed up by a defense with young prospects who gained crucial experience this year. Not to mention the consensus No. 1 recruiting class incoming, too.

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