The countdown to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is on, with the opening round of the 2024-25 CFP set to get underway in six months. FOX Sports college football experts Michael Cohen and RJ Young explore the upcoming season, looking at potential teams in the mix for the playoff. They also consider which team that finished outside the top 10 last year has the best chance to finish inside the top 10 this season, such as Notre Dame and Oklahoma State. They also discuss which top 10 team from last year might struggle to maintain its ranking by the end of the 2024 campaign.
RJ Young believes Washington will struggle to maintain its top 10 ranking this season, citing coaching changes and a lack of returning starters. Michael Cohen agrees with this assessment and adds Florida State as another team that may struggle to maintain its high ranking due to significant losses from the previous season. They discuss factors such as quarterback play and difficult schedules that could impact these teams’ success in the upcoming season.
The experts also consider which schools may have the opportunity to host a College Football Playoff game in the new 12-team format this year. Michael Cohen highlights the excitement of a winter-time game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, while RJ Young expresses his desire to attend a game at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, where he has personal connections and a deep love for the team.
When predicting which conference will have the most representatives in this year’s College Football Playoff, RJ Young points to the SEC as a likely candidate. He notes the conference’s historical success in the playoff and believes that SEC teams are well-positioned to secure multiple spots in the expanded field. Michael Cohen agrees with this assessment, emphasizing the strength and depth of the SEC as a conference that could produce several playoff contenders this season.
Both experts provide insights into potential contenders from the Big Ten and SEC conferences, highlighting teams like Ohio State, Oregon, and Georgia as top-tier contenders. They discuss the potential for multiple teams from these conferences to earn spots in the expanded playoff field. RJ Young also touches on the impact of the SEC’s reputation with the CFP selection committee and how that could influence at-large bids in the expanded format.
In conclusion, the experts offer their perspectives on the upcoming college football season and the changes to the playoff format. They analyze teams that could exceed expectations or face challenges this season and discuss the potential for diverse representation from different conferences in the College Football Playoff. Fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead as teams vie for a spot in the expanded playoff format.
