College Football Preview & Predictions

Adam Eaton, Staff Reporter

August 30, 2024

Credit: PFF.com

The 2024-25 college football season marks a new era in college football. The stage is set for a thrilling new chapter in college football. Perennial powerhouses look to reclaim their dominance, and emerging programs are hungry to make their mark. This season promises to be a historical one, conference realignment, NIL landscape, and the first official 12-team playoff make for a season like no another. All eyes are on the gridiron to see which team, whether powerhouse or dark horse, rises to the occasion and etches their name into forever college football immortality.

Heisman Hopefuls

The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most prestigious athlete in college football on and off the field. The voting involves former Heisman winners, a selection committee of sports journalists, and, in recent years, a public fan vote. In this brand-new era of college football, favorites for this outstanding award have already emerged.

Dillion Gabriel, Oregon:

From the Knights of Central Florida to the Sooners of Oklahoma to now the Oregon Ducks, Dillion Gabriel enters the 2024-25 season as the favorite for the prestigious Heisman trophy. The southpaw joins a loaded Ducks offense and looks to lead Coach Dan Lanning and crew to success in the new look Big Ten conference.

Carson Beck, Georgia:

Senior quarterback Carson Beck looks to build on an impressive 2023-24 campaign, recording over 4,000 total yards along with 28 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Established as one of the best quarterbacks in the country and with Georgia the favorite for the National Title, consider Beck one of the favorites for the Heisman trophy.

Quinn Ewers, Texas:

A former number one ranked prospect in the 2021 class and top ranked transfer in the 2022 transfer portal, Quinn Ewers has lived up to expectations as a quarterback. As a two-year starter at Texas, Ewers has accounted for over 5,000 total yards and 43 touchdowns. A Big 12 title and CFP appearance was not enough for Ewers as the Longhorns make their debut in the new look SEC this season.

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss:

The “dark horse” Heisman pick, Jaxson Dart, returns to Oxford for another year in the quarterback friendly Lane Kiffin offense. Dart is surrounded by talent at the wide receiver position with names such as Jordan Watkins, Tre Harris, and Antwane Wells. Although the loss of Quinshon Judkins in the backfield may hurt, Ole Miss should be able to sling the ball across the yard this year.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama:

Hall of fame head coach Nick Saban has retired, enter Kalen Deboer. Coach Deboer brings a new style to Alabama that we haven’t seen before in crimson red. After a successful 2023-24 campaign for Deboer, leading Washington to a Pac 12 title and National Championship appearance, he looks to turn Jalen Milroe into a Heisman finalist just as he did with now Falcons quarterback, Michael Penix Jr.

Will Howard, Ohio State:

Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard entered the transfer portal in late November of 2023 and ended up committing to Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. Howard will have no shortage of weapons in Columbus as transfer Quinshon Judkins roams the backfield alongside star back Treveyon Henderson. All-American receiver Emeka Egbuka lines up wide with five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith as well. A loaded roster leads to unending preseason hype for Howard and the Buckeyes.

Other names worth mentioning: Cam Ward (Miami), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Brady Cook (Missouri)

What does Trinity think?

Adam Eaton ‘25: Jalen Milroe, going to sling it with Kalen Deboer as his coach

Ronan Byrne ‘25: Quinshon Judkins, about time a running back won it

Kyle Bibelhauser ‘25: Dillon Gabriel, kid can sling it

Cameron Bryant ‘25: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss has a loaded receiving room

Sam Alexander ‘25: Jalen Milroe, he’s only gotten better over the years at Alabama

Dr. Aaron Striegel (Counselor): Jalen Milroe

Luke Barrott ‘25: Dillon Gabriel, extremely talented on a loaded offense, they like to throw it up there in Oregon

Davis Rapp ‘25: Carson Beck

Aaron Welch ‘25: Quinn Ewers

Bailey Jones (Staff): Tyler Shough

Jackson Supsky ‘25: Jalen Milroe

Cooper Hendrick ‘25: Jalen Milroe

Owen Lanham ‘25: Quinn Ewers

Meyer Hitch ‘25: Isaiah Bond

Cole Piendel ‘25: Jaxson Dart

Jack Davis ‘25: Shedeur Sanders

Will Desensi ‘25: Dillon Gabriel

National Championship Contenders

Georgia:

In the 2023-24 season, the Georgia Bulldogs lost in the SEC title game and ultimately missed out on a College Football Playoff berth. This gave legendary head coach Kirby Smart plenty of bulletin board material, not like they need it. This Georgia team is absolutely loaded, as I feel like we say every year, but it really is one of the most talented Bulldogs’ rosters we’ve seen in Smart’s time at Georgia. Expectations are at an all-time high for Heisman favorite Carson Beck as he leads his Dawgs down the track.

Ohio State:

The seat continues to get hotter and hotter for fifth year Buckeye’s coach Ryan Day, as he has proved he can bring in the talent, but has not proved he can win with it. So, the question is, how much talent is enough talent to beat everybody? That’s a question Day tried to answer this offseason as he brought in a historical transfer portal class alongside a top three recruiting class in the country. Some of those names include Quinshon Judkins, Caleb Downs, Will Howard, and Jeremiah Smith. There is no doubt in the college football world that Ohio State has the talent, but can they perform?

Oregon:

New conference, new quarterback, and whole new roster. The Oregon Ducks enter the new-look Big Ten conference with high expectations. Transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel comes from Oklahoma to dominate with a loaded offense. The Ducks bring in one of the best offenses in the country, but also struggle defensively. Gabriel, with one of the best and biggest arms in the country, expects to sling the rock around the yard this year.

Texas:

Led by Heisman contender quarterback Quinn Ewers and head coach Steve Sarkisian, Texas is back and reloaded for the 2024-25. Although losing Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, and Jonathon Brooks, Sarkisian brings in key transfer Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, and Silas Bolden at wide receiver. The challenge for the Longhorns, the SEC. It will be interesting to see how Texas performs in the toughest conference in college football.

Alabama:

Kalen Deboer steps into one of the hardest jobs in the nation in 2024-25. Being Nick Saban’s successor is a tough task for the former Washington coach. He will have help though, star quarterback Jalen Milroe looks to lead this passing game alongside his weapons at receiver, Kendrick Law, Germie Bernard, Kobe Prentice, and stud freshman Ryan Williams. The defense remains strong as well. The question that faces Alabama is can you run the football effectively? If they can, Alabama could be one of the most dangerous teams in the nation.

Other teams worth mentioning: Ole Miss, Michigan, Notre Dame, LSU, Penn State, Clemson, Miami, Missouri

What does Trinity think?

Adam Eaton ‘25: Ohio State

Ronan Byrne ‘25: Ohio State

Kyle Bibelhauser ‘25: Georgia

Cameron Bryant ‘25: Ohio State

Sam Alexander ‘25: Ohio State

Dr. Strigel (Counselor): Ohio State

Luke Barrott ‘25: Texas

Davis Rapp ‘25: Georgia

Aaron Welch ‘25: Georgia

Bailey Jones (Staff): Louisville

Jackson Supsky ‘25: Louisville

Cooper Hendrick ‘25: Oregon

Owen Lanham ‘25: Oregon

Meyer Hitch ‘25: Texas

Cole Piendel ‘25: Texas

Jack Davis ‘25: Ohio State

Will Desensi ‘25: Notre Dame

The Governor’s Cup

Finally, who will win the anticipated rivalry game between the Cats and the Cards? Kentucky returns key role players both offensively and defensively. Star wide receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key return for a junior season, while head coach Mark Stoops brought in North Texas wideout, JaMori Maclin. The Cats return multiple starters on defense including pre-season all-Americans, Deone Walker and Maxwell Hairston along with Georgia transfer Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

Jeff Brohm enters his second season as the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals in 2024-25. Jack Plummer has graduated and now, Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough takes over in his seventh year playing college football. Key losses on the offense leave some question marks for the Cards. Running backs Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo went to the NFL as well as star receiver Jamari Thrash. On the flip side, Louisville’s defense remains strong with Quincy Riley and Ashton Gillotte returning for another year.