Right now, Alabama, Georgia and Michigan are arguably the three top programs in college football, so it’s no surprise to see that trio getting a ton of love in the preseason polls.
The recently released AP preseason Top 25 slated Georgia at No. 1, Alabama at No. 5 and Michigan — the defending national champion — at No. 9. That may seem low for both the Tide and the Wolverines, but consider that both programs feature new head coaches in 2024. Nick Saban retired in favor of Kalen DeBoer at Alabama and Jim Harbaugh skipped town for the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s been replaced by Sherrone Moore in Ann Arbor.
Sideline changes aside, all three rosters remain chock-full of talent. So much so that the Bulldogs, Crimson Tide and Wolverines led the way in ESPN’s 2024 college football preseason All-America team with three first-team All-Americans each.
For Georgia, QB Carson Beck (a Heisman Trophy candidate), guard Tate Ratledge and safety Malaki Starks all made the elite cut.
For Alabama, center Parker Brailsford, guard Tyler Booker and new kicker Graham Nicholson — who, prior to arriving in Tuscaloosa, was the first MAC player to be named the nation’s top place-kicker, a feat achieved last season at Miami (Ohio).
For Michigan, tight end Colston Loveland, defensive tackle Mason Graham (last season’s Rose Bowl MVP) and cornerback Will Johnson made the outlet’s preseason first-team.
Though all three teams are sure to be talented in 2024, that doesn’t mean there aren’t question marks.
For Georgia and Carson Beck, it’s whether or not he can live up to the Heisman hype.
For Alabama, whether or not DeBoer can live up to Saban’s championship standard.
For Michigan, it’s how a significant purge of talent to the NFL (including the head coach) will impact a first-year head coach.
No matter how it shakes out, though, it can’t be denied that all three of these teams have talent.
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