The 2024 college football season has come to a close, with Ohio State claiming a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame. This season, which ran from pre-Labor Day weekend to MLK Day, was the longest in history, making rankings particularly challenging due to the 12-team College Football Playoff format. The final rankings take into account bowl games, though opt-outs are considered.
Among the notable results, Arizona State, Indiana, Illinois, and Navy emerged as overachievers, while Florida State, Appalachian State, Utah, and Liberty were deemed underachievers. The final ranking also includes preseason rankings to evaluate teams relative to expectations. Ohio State was the sole team correctly predicted in the preseason rankings.
The final Athletic 134 for the 2024-25 season includes Oregon in second place, ahead of Notre Dame, due to its strong regular-season performance and wins over top teams. Penn State, Georgia, and Texas round out the top five.
BYU, Illinois, and Alabama saw shifts in their rankings based on bowl game performances as the season concluded. Navy’s victories against Army and Oklahoma propelled them into the top 25. Michigan, after a rebuilding year, secured wins against top teams to close out the season at No. 21.
The rankings extend beyond the top 25, offering a comprehensive look at the performance of teams throughout the season. Noteworthy movements include Florida’s climb to No. 32 and Purdue finishing as the lowest-ranked Power 4 team at No. 112. Overall, the 2024 college football season saw a mix of expected and unexpected outcomes, adding to the excitement of the sport.
(Photo: Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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