Ben Kenney
May 9, 2024 9:49 am CT
The run of post-spring 2024 top 25 ranking releases continued Thursday, this one from our friends at College Sports Wire.
The ranking shares the consensus top teams in the nation with nearly every other ranking: Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia and Texas. No. 5 is where it gets interesting, as many nationwide differ on how to rank Alabama, Michigan and other traditional powerhouses with new head coaches.
Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings, starting quarterback rankings
One universal agreement, unfortunately, is a lack of belief in any former Big Ten West team other than Iowa. The division used to dominate slots No. 21 – No. 25 in any top 25 ranking, especially with each team set to face some of the more manageable schedules in the nation. That is now gone, and the national rankings no longer give the benefit of the doubt to Nebraska, Wisconsin or Minnesota.
College Wire’s top 25 is no different. Here is that ranking — which, like The Athletic, ESPN, USA TODAY and Joel Klatt — has one notable omission. It isn’t high on Wisconsin entering the 2024 season:
1
Ohio State Buckeyes
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running backs coach Tony Alford, head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye signal from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.
2023 Record:11-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 2
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 1
- Joel Klatt: No. 1
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 3
- ESPN: No. 1
2
Georgia Bulldogs
Apr 13, 2024; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart on the field during the G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:13-1
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 1
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 2
- Joel Klatt: No. 2
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 1
- ESPN: No. 1
3
Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian greets wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) while warming up for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoffsemifinals game against the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Credit: Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record:12-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 4
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 4
- Joel Klatt: No. 3
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 2
- ESPN: No. 4
4
Oregon Ducks
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning (center) leads quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Ty Thompson (13) onto the field for the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:12-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 3
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 3
- Joel Klatt: No. 4
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 4
- ESPN: No. 3
5
Alabama Crimson Tide
Jan 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; The University of Alabama introduced new head football coach Kalen DeBoer with a press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium. DeBoer speaks during the press conference. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record:12-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 6
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 7
- Joel Klatt: No. 7
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 5
- ESPN: No. 9
6
Ole Miss Rebels
Nov 6, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA;Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks with a referee after a call during the second half against the Liberty Flames at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:11-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 8
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 6
- Joel Klatt: No. 5
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 6
- ESPN: No. 6
7
Penn State Nittany Lions
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 7
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 11
- Joel Klatt: No. 9
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 16
- ESPN: No. 8
8
Michigan Wolverines
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) scores a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:15-0
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 5
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 9
- Joel Klatt: No. 8
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 11
- ESPN: No. 13
9
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman celebrates at the 90th annual Sun Bowl game against Oregon State on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at El Paso, Texas. Credit: GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record:10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 9
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 5
- Joel Klatt: No. 11
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 7
- ESPN: No. 5
10
Missouri Tigers
Nov 24, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Missouri won 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:11-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 11
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 8
- Joel Klatt: No. 10
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 9
- ESPN: No. 7
11
Utah Utes
Apr 23, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the second half of the Utah Spring Football Game at Rice–Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:8-5
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 17
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 25
- Joel Klatt: No. 6
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 12
- ESPN: No. 10
12
Florida State Seminoles
Sep 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell on the sideline in the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:13-1
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 12
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 12
- Joel Klatt: No. 12
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 15
- ESPN: No. 15
13
Clemson Tigers
Sep 30, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the fourth quarter against Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 16
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 18
- Joel Klatt: No. 13
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 10
- ESPN: No. 19
14
LSU Tigers
Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) talk on the podium after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 10
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 14
- Joel Klatt: No. 14
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 13
- ESPN: No. 12
15
Oklahoma Sooners
Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables looks on in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 14
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 13
- Joel Klatt: No. 17
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 8
- ESPN: No. 14
16
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel during preseason football practice held on UT’s campus on Monday, August 7, 2023. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record:9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 15
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 15
- Joel Klatt: No. 16
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 17
- ESPN: No. 16
17
USC Trojans
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a penalty during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:8-5
2024 SP+ Ranking:No. 23
USC won’t miss a beat in 2024 with Miller Moss taking over for Caleb Williams under center. The defense may still be an issue. Gone is Alex Grinch, but the defensive build may take a few years — which should eliminate the Trojans from Big Ten contention.
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: Not ranked
- Joel Klatt: No. 15
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 22
- ESPN: Not ranked
18
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Sep 16, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy takes the field before an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and South Alabama at Boone Pickens Stadium. South Alabama won 33-7. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:10-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 20
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 24
- Joel Klatt: No. 19
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 18
- ESPN: No. 17
19
Arizona Wildcats
Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back DJ Williams (8) celebrates a touchdown with tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 19
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 19
- Joel Klatt: No. 21
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 20
- ESPN: No. 11
20
Kansas State Wildcats
Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman celebrates after beating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Pop-Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 18
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 16
- Joel Klatt: No. 20
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 21
- ESPN: No. 20
21
Kansas Jayhawks
Sep 17, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold on the sideline during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 35
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 23
- Joel Klatt: No. 23
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 19
- ESPN: No. 22
22
Iowa Hawkeyes
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:10-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 26
No preseason top 25 is valid without Iowa somewhere in the 20s. The program defends its way to double-digit win seasons and should continue to do so as Kirk Ferentz finally moves on to a different offensive coordinator. The Hawkeyes won’t defeat the goliaths, but they’re a competitive program every season.
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 20
- Joel Klatt: No. 24
- USA TODAY Sports: No. 24
- ESPN: Not ranked
23
Louisville Cardinals
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm during warm ups against the Florida State Seminoles at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:10-4
2024 SP+ Ranking:No. 24
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 22
- Joel Klatt: Not ranked
- USA TODAY Sports: Not ranked
- ESPN: No. 21
24
Miami Hurricanes
Nov 24, 2023; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) looks to pass against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:7-6
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 21
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 10
- Joel Klatt: No. 18
- USA TODAY Sports: Not ranked
- ESPN: No. 24
25
Texas A&M Aggies
Jul 21, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke head coach Mike Elko talks to the media during the second day of ACC Media Days at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record:7-6
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 13
Other Rankings:
- The Athletic: No. 17
- Joel Klatt: No. 25
- USA TODAY Sports: Not ranked
- ESPN: No. 25
26
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