October 2024 College Football Preview- The Road to the 12-Team Playoff Heats Up

SEC: A Gauntlet of Contenders

The SEC continues to be the epicenter of college football, with multiple teams vying for playoff spots. All eyes will be on Jalen Milroe and Alabama as they face a brutal October schedule. After their highly anticipated clash with Georgia to close out September, the Crimson Tide don't get a breather. They travel to College Station to face a resurgent Texas A&M squad on October 12th, followed by a home showdown against Tennessee on October 19th.

How Alabama navigates this stretch could determine if they remain in the playoff hunt. Kalen DeBoer's offense has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be key against these formidable opponents. The Tide's defensive front seven will be tested by mobile quarterbacks and diverse offensive schemes.

Meanwhile, Georgia looks to cement its place atop the rankings with a trip to Ole Miss on October 12th. This game has all the makings of an instant classic. Lane Kiffin's high-powered Rebels offense, led by quarterback Jaxson Dart, will test the vaunted Bulldog defense in what could be an offensive shootout. Georgia's secondary will need to be on high alert against Ole Miss' vertical passing attack.

Don't sleep on Tennessee either. After their impressive win at Oklahoma, the Volunteers have a chance to make a major statement when they visit Alabama on October 19th. A win in Tuscaloosa could vault Tennessee into serious playoff contention and potentially knock Alabama out of the race.

Big Ten: A Three-Team Race?

The Big Ten race heats up in October, with Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State all harboring playoff aspirations. The Buckeyes face their first real test when they travel to Penn State on October 12th. Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions will look to knock off Ohio State and stake their claim as Big Ten frontrunners.

Michigan, coming off a tough win against USC, hopes to have found its offensive identity behind quarterback Alex Orji and running back Kalel Mullings. The Wolverines have a manageable October schedule and could be undefeated when they host rival Ohio State in late November.

The Big Ten's depth extends beyond these three powerhouses. Illinois, off to its first 4-0 start since 2011, faces a critical test at Penn State on September 30th. A win there would firmly establish the Fighting Illini as conference title contenders and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Part 2: ACC Action and Big 12 Chaos

ACC: Miami's Moment?

The ACC race is heating up, with Miami emerging as a surprise contender. The Hurricanes have stormed out of the gates behind Heisman contender Cam Ward. Through four games, Ward has been nothing short of sensational, throwing for 1,439 yards and leading Miami to 209 total points - the most the Hurricanes have scored in the first four games of any season.

Miami faces a critical road test at Clemson on October 19th. A win there would solidify Miami's place as ACC favorites and keep them firmly in the playoff picture. The Hurricanes' high-powered offense will be tested against a Clemson defense that has shown signs of returning to its dominant form.

Speaking of Clemson, the Tigers have rebounded nicely after some early-season struggles. Quarterback Cade Klubnik seems to have found his groove, throwing for 11 touchdowns with no interceptions over his last two games. If Klubnik can maintain this level of play, Clemson could very well work its way back into the playoff conversation.

Louisville and Notre Dame square off on September 30th in what could be an elimination game for playoff hopes. The winner will still have work to do, but will remain alive in the race for one of the 12 coveted spots. This game could come down to quarterback play, with Notre Dame's Riley Leonard looking to outduel Louisville's high-octane offense.

Big 12: Wide Open Race

The new-look Big 12 appears wide open, with Utah, BYU, and Iowa State all undefeated through September. Utah's win at Oklahoma State in Week 4 pushed the Utes to the front of the Big 12's early-season pack, but there are still concerns at quarterback with Cameron Rising's status uncertain.

BYU made a major statement with its dominant win over Kansas State, vaulting the Cougars into the playoff conversation. Their offense has been clicking on all cylinders, and they'll face another test when they travel to Baylor on October 5th.

Iowa State has quietly put together an impressive start, outscoring opponents by an average of 41 points through three games. The Cyclones face a challenging October schedule, including a trip to Oklahoma on October 19th that could have major implications for the Big 12 race.

Don't count out Texas just yet. The Longhorns, led by either Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning, still control their destiny. An October 26th showdown with Oklahoma could propel the winner into playoff position. The Longhorns' defense has been particularly impressive, allowing just 5.5 points per game through their first four contests.

Part 3: Pac-12 Swan Song and Group of Five Contenders

Pac-12: One Last Hurrah

In the Pac-12's final season before major realignment, several teams are looking to make one last run at glory. Oregon appears to be the conference's best hope for a playoff berth. The Ducks face their biggest test when they host Ohio State on October 12th. A win there would vault Oregon into the playoff conversation and shake up the national landscape.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has settled in nicely after transferring from Oklahoma, throwing for 914 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions through three games. The Ducks' offense has been humming, but their defense will need to step up against Ohio State's array of playmakers.

USC stumbled against Michigan but remains dangerous behind their high-powered offense. The Trojans will need to run the table to have a shot at the playoffs, starting with a crucial game at Notre Dame on October 19th. This rivalry matchup could have major implications for both teams' playoff hopes.

Utah, now competing in the Big 12, still has Pac-12 ties and could factor into the conference's narrative. The Utes face a tough road test at Oregon State on October 12th in a game that could impact both the Big 12 and Pac-12 races.

Group of Five: Chasing the Golden Ticket

With the new 12-team playoff format, the highest-ranked Group of Five champion is guaranteed a spot. This has created unprecedented excitement among these conferences, with several teams emerging as early contenders.

Boise State leads the pack, showcasing a balanced attack that has them in the conversation for a top-12 ranking. The Broncos face a critical test when they host Washington State on September 30th, a game that could boost their playoff resume significantly.

UNLV has been a pleasant surprise, starting the season strong under new head coach Barry Odom. The Rebels face a challenging October schedule, including matchups with Fresno State and Oregon State that could make or break their playoff aspirations.

James Madison, in just its second year at the FBS level, has turned heads with its explosive offense. The Dukes put up 70 points against North Carolina, serving notice that they're a team to be reckoned with. Their October 14th clash with Georgia State could be a pivotal moment in their playoff push.

Part 4: Heisman Race and Playoff Projections

Heisman Trophy: Early Frontrunners

As we enter October, the Heisman Trophy race is starting to take shape. Miami's Cam Ward has surged to the forefront with his record-breaking start. Ward's 1,439 passing yards and 14 total touchdowns have him leading most Heisman watchlists.

Not far behind is Ohio State's collection of offensive stars. While no single player has separated themselves, the combination of TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, and Marvin Harrison Jr. has been nearly unstoppable. A big performance in their showdown with Penn State could vault one of these Buckeyes to the top of the Heisman race.

Georgia's collection of defensive stars, while not traditional Heisman candidates, have been so dominant that they're generating buzz. The Bulldogs' defense has yet to allow a touchdown through three games, a remarkable feat that has voters taking notice.

Dark horse candidates to watch include Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava, who has been impressive in his first year as a starter, and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, who could surge into contention with a big performance against Ohio State.

Playoff Projections: Who's In, Who's Out?

As we head into October, here's how the 12-team playoff field is shaping up, based on early-season performances:

1. Texas (SEC Champion)
2. Ohio State (Big Ten Champion)
3. Miami (ACC Champion)
4. BYU (Big 12 Champion)
5. Georgia
6. Ole Miss
7. Oregon
8. Tennessee
9. Penn State
10. Alabama
11. Clemson
12. Boise State (Highest-ranked Group of Five champion)

This projection sees Texas claiming the top seed as SEC champions, with Ohio State, Miami, and surprise Big 12 champion BYU rounding out the top four. Georgia, despite a projected loss to Alabama in their September showdown, remains in the thick of things as the highest-ranked non-conference champion.

The inclusion of Tennessee and Penn State speaks to the depth of the SEC and Big Ten, while Alabama sneaks in at No. 10, setting up a potential revenge match with Texas in the first round.

Clemson's resurgence keeps them in the picture, while Boise State claims the Group of Five's guaranteed spot.

Notable omissions include USC, whose loss to Michigan proves costly, and Utah, who falls just short in a competitive Big 12 race.

Remember, in this new format, the four highest-ranked conference champions receive first-round byes. The remaining eight teams would face off in the first round, with the higher-seeded teams hosting on campus.

As we've seen in years past, October is when contenders emerge and pretenders fall by the wayside. With more teams than ever in the mix thanks to the expanded playoff, expect chaos, drama, and unforgettable moments as the race for those 12 golden tickets heats up.