College Football Teams With the Most Turnaround Potential in 2024
Nearly every college football season kicks off with hope, belief and optimism, but most programs fall short of their aspirations.
That's the rough reality of the sport, sure. However, it means that nearly every offseason provides a return of that optimism, which looks well-founded for several teams in 2024.
The choices are subjective and consider the context of each program. For example, many teams are happy with an eight-win regular season. That's nowhere close to the case for Clemson, however.
But no, Georgia or Ohio State fans, your teams aren't included. I'm inclined to say that 11-plus wins and a New Year's Six bowl is not a failure.
Clemson Tigers
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Boston College, for example, hasn't managed nine wins in a season since the 2008 campaign. You won't find BC fans shedding a sympathetic tear for Clemson after the Tigers finished 9-4 in 2023.
Everything is relative, though, and that nine-win record stood as Clemson's worst finish since 2010.
Much of the disappointment can be pinned on a turnover-prone offense that ranked an ugly 94th in red-zone touchdown rate. Continuity does not guarantee improvement, but the return of quarterback Cade Klubnik in his second year under coordinator Garrett Riley should be a positive.
Clemson has a front-loaded slate that within five games includes Georgia (in Atlanta), North Carolina State and Florida State. We'll know very quickly if Dabo Swinney's team is a true College Football Playoff threat.
But if the Tigers exit their opening stretch at 4-1 (or 5-0, yes), Clemson will quickly reclaim some national respect.
Colorado Buffaloes
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After an attention-grabbing 3-0 start, Colorado slipped out of the spotlight with a rough run through the Pac-12. Deion Sanders' debut season in Boulder ended with a 1-8 conference record in a 4-8 year.
The revamped roster had a couple of major issues in 2023. First, the offensive line yielded a Power Five-worst 56 sacks. Second, the defense surrendered 34.8 points per game.
Not exactly breaking news to say that's a problematic combo.
Once again, Sanders and his staff are living in the transfer portal. More than 20 players have committed to the Buffs, who are rejoining the Big 12 following a mostly unsuccessful 13-year stay in the Pac-12.
Colorado's schedule is a major obstacle, yes. Arizona, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, UCF and Utah are all on the docket. Add in FCS powerhouse North Dakota State coming to Boulder and CU traveling to Nebraska, and this is a legitimately rough road.
Still, the team's upside is interesting.
Shedeur Sanders—who threw for 3,230 yards and totaled 31 touchdowns to just three interceptions—is back to lead the offense. Two-way stay Travis Hunter lived up to his billing when healthy. Colorado had five one-possession losses last season despite its bad defense. Small improvements can lead to a sizable jump in 2024.
Miami Hurricanes
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Ah, the annual tradition of "Miami has the talent" only to watch the Hurricanes lose a few mind-numbing games in the fall.
Miami has the talent, though!
Washington State quarterback Cam Ward is a much-needed, exciting addition to an offense that lacked stability on the way to 7-6. Also, the 'Canes picked up several experienced transfers on the D-line and in the secondary to bolster a defense that progressed in 2023 and had a few young players become key contributors.
Mario Cristobal's suspect clock and timeout management are obstacles that may prevent Miami from competing at the highest level. That's the drawback of employing arguably the best recruiter in the sport.
Despite that, the 'Canes can be a 10-win team.
Opening the season at Florida, flying cross-country to Cal and playing at Louisville could be challenging. If those are the toughest games, however—along with Florida State at home—that's not an awful outlook.
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Michigan State Spartans
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Following a breakout 11-win campaign in 2021, Michigan State tumbled to a frustrating 5-7 year in 2022. Last season, the Spartans dealt with the adversity of Mel Tucker's early dismissal and trudged to 4-8.
The worst part is the offense—it stunk. MSU averaged the second-fewest points (15.9) among Power Five programs.
On paper, however, the Spartans have found a lifeline. Jonathan Smith left Oregon State as the program faces an uncertain future outside of its longtime home in the Pac-12. Under his guidance, OSU ascended from an offense that routinely ranked 80th or worse in yards per play to top-40 marks in each of the past three seasons.
Even better, Smith brought along Aidan Chiles. He's a talented dual-threat QB who should take the reins of MSU's offense in 2024.
Don't expect the Spartans to immediately contend for a Big Ten crown, but a return to bowl eligibility is well within reason.
UCF Knights
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Let's start here: This is not an easy schedule.
Central Florida hosts Arizona and Utah, two Pac-12 departures who are expected to begin the season as Big 12 front-runners. Plus, the Knights finished 6-7 overall with a 1-4 mark in conference road games in 2023, so any matchup not in Orlando requires an extra level of respect.
Nevertheless, there is plenty of optimism around a transfer-infused roster. UCF brought in Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson and retooled a defense that struggled badly at the start of Big 12 action.
Throw in UCF signing the league's third-best recruiting class, and Gus Malzahn has the program moving in the right direction.
As long as the Knights pick up a few road victories, they can improve from a simple bowl contender to a low-end Big 12 threat.
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