Nico’s 5 Bold Predictions for the 2024 College Football Season

Estimated 7 minute read

For Kyle’s predictions, click here

Some people make bolder predictions than others

Colorado is going to be good… and you’ll be mad about

Shedeur Sanders not being on the All-American team is the craziest thing the AP has done in a while. It’s an absolute mess over there. The guy has 17 interceptions in 3 years with only 3 last year. Is the list just for the best players on the “best” teams or the best players at certain positions? Because if “Georgia” or “Oregon” was beside this young man’s name, he’d be there. Between him and Travis Hunter, we know this team is going to be “talented.” How does “talented” translate to “good” for Colorado though?

The Buffalos have five nationally ranked opponents on their schedule. I’d argue Utah is probably the toughest and they face them on their 10th week. Ironically enough, they face all of five of those opponents in the back stretch of their season. First bold prediction? They’re going to enter week six 5-0 and nationally ranked. Not because they deserve it, but because of the hype. Second bold prediction, that’s probably going to make you angry.

The back half of their season is tough. Even without the ranked opponents mentioned above, they still have Cincinnati at home and Texas Tech on the road to face as well. Third bold prediction? They’re going to squeeze a few of those games out as well. If they end 9-3 would that be considered “good”? What if they happen to get another? “Good” then? I’m not sure. What I will know is once the wins pile up and the coverage builds up they’ll soar in the rankings synthetically from there. I’m nervous for potentially being let down if they lose a big game late to miss a potential conference championship. Even then, they’ll probably be praised. You’ll still probably be mad.

Honestly, with what happened last year I think an 8-4 bowl game bid would be a “win”. I do think that the potential for a massive jump for a team that has been overhauled and is much better is realistic. Don’t sleep on the Coach Prime. 

Ask yourself though, did I even know anything about the University of Colorado before he came there? Why is there so much hate in my heart for a 4-8 team just trying to make it out the bottom of their conference?

SMU is going to make an immediate impact

Have you been sleeping on SMU? Don’t. This has been a long process since the NCAA death penalty. This jump to the ACC wasn’t an accident. This is Texas football. Don’t ignore a school with money in the top 10 pipeline in the nation with the new NIL rules. 

David Miller, the rich alumni funding this whole operation, wants wins. He’s not going to stop spending until he gets them. Having “enough” money is what got the SEC powerhouses where they are today. I’m going to argue that the Mustangs are next up and they have the checkbook to get it done. They’re also in the worst P4 conference with one of the weakest schedules. 

Preston Stone’s ability to play quarterback, their unselfish brand of football, and the shakiness right now in the ACC is going to be a breeding ground for change in Dallas. This team just came off an AAC conference championship and now they don’t face a Top 25 opponent until Week 5 at home when they welcome the Florida State Seminoles. I think they take that game in a nail biter that leads to Mr. Miller having to pay for a few more goal posts. Coaching stability and an easy schedule makes me think they could be a problem for their new ACC rivals. Bold prediction inside of a bold prediction you ask? I think the ACC will be the weakest P4 conference this season. They’re going to struggle to get a team close to the semifinals of the playoffs. It’s why I’d argue that if SMU can take down FSU on September 28th, they can take the rest down easily. 12-0 incoming? 

Viewership goes up for those who are in need

Personal opinion here, not much fact based statements in this section. It’s because there is not much to go on with this prediction. A quick Google trends search is the only thing I can even come up with to even come close to backing me up.

I think this year's viewership and engagement will go up across the board. Between the lack of parity in the NFL right now and the newest smash hit video gameCollege Football 25, fans are going to want to know more about what’s going on this season. For most of the fans of the P4 conferences, this is the normal routine. The Browns stink, so I’ll follow the Buckeyes. The Raiders aren’t going anywhere, so I’ll see what USC is doing. I can go on for days. What about for the schools that need the help the most though?

Some examples? The Georgia Southerns of the world. Their Google interest over time has gone up steadily over the past 90 days. The same happened with Appalachian State and Kennesaw State. What about “East Carolina Pirates” going from 0 searches for days to 100 the day the newest EA sports title came out? I’m not saying it’s going to give them billions of dollars. What I am saying is that engagement brings fans and fans bring talent. These new viewers will become fans of these smaller schools and some of those viewers will be 3 star recruits someday. More views, more clicks, more money, means more players. I’m not saying it’s going to happen in year 3 like your rebuild, but what I am saying is that I want to watch more smaller teams than I did last year and I think most fans will too. Could be a big win for those waiting their turn to be your next “favorite” underdog. Who knows… maybe some upsets will catapult them back into the spotlight as well.

Oregon State makes things uncomfortable

Oregon State is one… count it the pointer finger… one win away from making things real uncomfortable in the PNW. Their rivals down the road at the University of Oregon, a former member of the now practically defunct conference Pac-12, has spread their metaphorical and literal wings to the Big Ten conference. A team partially known for its dominance in a conference that hasn’t won a title since 2004 doesn’t impress me at all. When is the last time you genuinely used the word Pac-12 and power conference in the same sentence… and if you did… How many beers were you drinking? Especially after Washington turned into a warm up game for the eventual national champion Wolverines. 

Other than branding, I don’t know exactly what gives them the right to be in a top two conference. 7-8 against top 25 opponents over the last three years and a new quarterback with a new offense doesn’t inspire confidence in me that they’re going to hit a homerun in the Big Ten. Even giving them the benefit of the doubt on their 12 game schedule, I count a 9-3 record at best. That’s even including the fact we’re assuming they’ll get some hard fought wins against Boise State, Michigan State, UCLA, and Wisconsin. All of which, I think they will win, but if they drop one of those by accident then they’ll end up 8-4. Not very inspiring to say the least, especially in what should be the best conference this year. I think they’ll have a different problem on their hands though.

The hottest of hot takes and the one I’m going to be willing to look like an absolute fool for is this… Oregon better circle Week 3 on their schedule. An Oregon State team that is beyond angry over the conference realignment situation and coming off 3 straight loses that dropped them from the Top 10 position to their end of season rank of 27th could potentially make things real uncomfortable for the Ducks real early on. A fierce quarterback battle, a new head coach, offensive lineman who could potentially have the letter “C” on their chest, and some key transfers could make this team a sneaky assassin against their former conference rivals. Even better? They’re bringing their rivals to their home stadium to play them. The best? If they lose to Boise State, they’re going to come into this game completely rattled against the Beavers. Think it’s out of the question? Think this is only the makings of a NCAA 25 rebuild on your console of choice? The Ducks are 3-2 against the Beavers in their past 5 matchups and I think they have enough going against them that I wouldn’t want to be wearing yellow and green on September 14th. 

I’m not saying it’s likely… and I’m not going to put the house on it… but if the Oregon Ducks leave Week 3 with at least one loss, I wouldn’t be super surprised. I’d argue they’re the most overrated team in their conference and maybe the entire FBS. The long-term implications of this? If Oregon State happens to pull off the upset in Reser Stadium, what will that do to their lofty Power 4 invitation hopes?

Ohio State finally does it

This is the year… I swear. For the past 10 years, the screaming fans in the college town of Columbus, Ohio have waited. I predict this is finally the year they embark on another championship run. They have, unarguably, the best defense in the nation. They’re going to have to, as always, depend on that unit when they’re struggling with what they’ve always struggled with. Offense.

Sometimes explosive, and sometimes choppy, Ohio State fans know that this team has a history of making you want to throw your controller through a wall on any given day. 3 and outs, bad passes, and a lack of running game can halt this team against the weakest of Big Ten opponents. Ohio State fans also know that they always seem to find a way though. Good news? Transfer running back Quinshon Judkins is absolutely phenomenal in the backfield and TreVeyon Henderson is not far behind him. They have the weapons with Emeka Egbuka and they have a quarterback that I think can genuinely not mess things up when they’re defense is carrying them. Don’t throw picks… don’t try to be the savior… just follow the easy reads. That’s all the transfer from Kansas State Will Howard needs to do. Well.. he also has to beat Michigan. Nothing serious and absolutely no pressure.

If he doesn’t, maybe Ryan Day would be a good coach somewhere else too? We’ll just have to wait and see.