The 2024 college football season has been marked by an unusually close race at the top, with the eight highest-ranked teams separated by just 3.1 points in the SP+ rankings. The top team in SP+ this year would have ranked fourth in 2023 and fifth in 2022, indicating a high level of parity. This makes it an interesting time for the expansion of the College Football Playoff, as six of these top eight teams earned spots in the inaugural 12-team field. According to SP+, none of the teams start with better than a 20.4% chance to win the title, suggesting that no team is yet dominant. With a few games remaining, it’s uncertain whether the 2024 champion will be among the best of the CFP era. Now, it’s time to rank all 52 playoff teams, a tradition we’ll continue even as the number of teams has tripled, and this year’s teams account for nearly a quarter of the list. Let’s examine where the 2023 Michigan Wolverines rank after their undefeated national title run and where the 2024 champion might end up.
52. 2024 Arizona State (11-2)
CFP matchup: Peach Bowl vs. Texas or Clemson
Arizona State’s chances of making the playoff seemed slim as late as Week 12, with only a 2.9% chance, according to the Allstate Play
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