The primary off-season query for every college football team ranked in the top 25
Some teams will have to trade in their quarterbacks who are unbeatable. All the others have to do is ensure that the majority of their players are retained. However, every college football team, from the top to the bottom, will finish the season with more to prove.
For each team in the final Top 25 rankings of the College Football Playoffs, these are the most important offseason queries.
What will happen to Jim Harbaugh this offseason in Michigan?
Until he leaves Michigan for a position in the NFL or the program is disciplined for its two pending NCAA infraction cases, Harbaugh’s status will remain a cloud over the university. The coach, who has guided the Wolverines to three straight CFP appearances and helped the team win three straight Big Ten titles for the first time in team history, is definitely someone Michigan wants to keep on board. The university president, Santa Ono, started pushing for a contract for Harbaugh in October. However, that effort was shelved when the NCAA started looking into Connor Stalions, a former employee, and the team’s signal-stealing scheme. Ono is astrong advocate of Harbaugh, who may view Michigan’s response to the Stalions probe as one more justification for staying at his alma mater. Though Harbaugh, who turns 60 on September 23, has spoken with NFL teams during the previous two offseasons, this winter should offer him the best opportunity to rejoin the league given the positions that are already open and are probably going to become available. In 2024, he might also be subject to additional NCAA sanctions, particularly in light of the head coach accountability bylaw. — Rittenberg, Adam
2. Washington: Can the Huskies find a suitable replacement for their departing stars?
When quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and other key players chose to postpone their NFL dreams for another year, Washington emerged as one of the biggest winners of the previous offseason. The outcome has been ideal, with Penix moving to New York as a Heisman finalist and the unbeaten Huskies going to the playoffs as the Pac-12 champions. When the Huskies play in 2022, next year will be more like that.more of an unknown. The first priority is to replace Penix. At several stops, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and coach Kalen DeBoer have demonstrated that the offense should be successful, regardless of whether they go back to former starter Dylan Morris, who stayed on after Penix transferred in, or give the reins to a new player. The question of who the Huskies will find successful players with is more important than whether or not they can find success with new players. — Bonagura Kyle
3. Texas: With the stars leaving, who will step up, particularly at receiver?
Juniors Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, and Ja’Tavion Sanders, receivers, are all eligible for the draft and are expected to be selected highly by the NFL. One of the team’s most well-liked and respected receivers, Jordan Whittington, will graduate after his senior year. T’Vondre Sweat, a senior lineman on defense, returned and, along with junior Byron Murphy II, who may choose to play in the NFL, became a formidable force up front. The team’s turnaround and postseason run were largely attributed to this core, but the Longhorns have also recruited well (freshman Johntay Cook will start right away at wide receiver), and Texas will be a transfer portal destination for stars looking to replace them. — Dave
4. Alabama: Who will take the defensive helm?
It will take some time to fully understand the defensive starting lineup that is leaving. However, it’s reasonable to assume that a number of important players will be leaving, including seniors Trezmen Marshall (linebacker), Chris Braswell (linebacker), Jaylen Key (safety), and Malachi Moore (defensive back), as well as juniors Dallas Turner (edge), Kool-Aid McKinstry (cornerback), and Terrion Arnold (cornerback). Furthermore, outside
Coleman Hutzler, the linebackers coach, is reportedly planning to join the Mississippi State faculty. The favorable tidings? Alabama has defensive back Caleb Downs, one of the best young players in the nation, to build around, and a front seven that includes Jihaad Campbell, Deontae Lawson, and Jaheim Oatis should return some experience. Jaylen Mbakwe, a five-star cornerback, is also on the way. Having said that, don’t be shocked if Nick Saban and his staff try to select a few possible starters by logging into the portal. — Alex Scarborough
Florida State: How will the Seminoles react to being passed over for the playoffs?
Although the ire surrounding the events of CFP Selection Day has begun to fade, it will be interesting to see how the Seminoles use their playoff rejection as fuel to return even stronger the following year. With the departure of Jordan Travis, Trey Benson, Johnny Wilson, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kalen DeLoach, and potentially Keon Coleman, Florida State will need to replace almost all of its offensive and defensive production. Florida For the previous four seasons, State has taken advantage of the portal, and there’s no reason to think that will stop. Within the program, one person merely stated, “We will kill the portal again.” Others agree that under Mike Norvell, the snub will only propel the program to even greater heights. That will obviously depend on a number of factors, but Florida State wants to be clear that this team is here to stay for the near future. — Andrea Adelson
Georgia: How are the Dawgs going to replace their offensive firepower?
Even though Georgia’s defense has improved under Kirby Smart, its offense was the standout player in 2023. The Bulldogs now have a large number of their best players on that side of the ball to replace. Brock Bowers, an All-America tight end, is expected to be selected in the top ten and will definitely declare for the NFL draft. Additionally, tackle Amarius Mims, tailback Kendall Milton, and receiver Ladd McConkey may do so. Up to three additional offensive linemen, such as Sedrick Van Pran, a center, may also be moving. The good news is that after a strong debut season as a starter, quarterback Carson Beck appears to be leaning toward returning. In addition to some fresh faces at running back, he will need to rely on receivers Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell, and Rara Thomas. Another top priority is adding more depth to the interior defensive line, and Georgia may use the transfer portal to accomplish this. — Schlabach Mark
Ohio State: Who will start at quarterback going forward?
The first thing on Ryan Day’s and Ohio State’s to-do list is deciding under center for the Cotton Bowl in light of Kyle McCord’s decision to use the transfer portal. Either true freshman Lincoln Kienholz or sophomore Devin Brown (12-of-22 for 197 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception in five games this season) will probably get the call. But in 2024, with aspirations as high as ever, Ohio State ought to have no trouble selecting from the quarterbacks available in the portal, including Dante Moore of UCLA and Cameron Ward of Washington State. Additionally, they will have Langston Hughes High School’s Air Noland, a left-handed signal-caller who ranks No. 30 overall in the 2024 draft.
Oregon: Will the offense of 2024 meet or surpass the standards set by the 2023 squad?
With Dillon Gabriel arriving from Oklahoma and Bo Nix leaving, the Ducks’ new offensive line will have a difficult act to follow. The nation’s most prolific group was Nix and the 2023 offense. At least some skill talent will need to be replaced, even though wide receiver Troy Franklin and running back Bucky Irving’s NFL Draft statuses are still unknown. After a 696-yard, 11-touchdown season, sophomore running back Jordan James will probably play a much bigger part in the offense next season while Tez
At wideout, Johnson, Terrance Ferguson, and Gary Bryant Jr. (should they return) will probably work together to cover the void left by Franklin. Gabriel alone will get the Ducks’ offense going in the right direction. The transfer helped the Sooners to a 10-2 season last year with 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns. He ought to fit right in with offensive coordinator Will Stein’s scheme. — Paolo Uggetti
