2024 has all the makings of the biggest season in college football history.
With Week 0 just around the corner, the 12-team playoff era should give us intriguing matchups that could help benefit teams that never reached the college football playoff during the four-team playoff era. The end result should be some of the best football we have ever seen during the latter portions of the season.
For this occasion, however, we will break down the two most noteworthy games from Week 0.
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (in Dublin, Ireland)
Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on coach Mike Norvell's team as they look to capitalize on a memorable 2023 season in which they ended 13-1 and took home the ACC championship. The loss of several important players, including Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman, and Jared Verse, to this year's NFL Draft is the biggest obstacle the Seminoles will face this season.
If the Seminoles want to repeat their success from last season, it starts with journeyman quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who transferred from Oregon State last season. For Uiagalelei, this is his final chance to prove that he can be considered among the best at this position and live up to the hype that surrounded him when he was the nation's top prep quarterback in 2019.
Alongside him will be receiver Malik Benson, who will look to fill the void left by the departures of Coleman and Johnny Wilson. On defense, the Seminoles will have plenty of firepower with the pass-rushing duo of Patrick Payton and Sione Lolohea. In their secondary, the team will rely on cornerback Azareye’h Thomas to be their playmaker alongside senior defensive back Fentrell Cypress II.
Georgia Tech will look to improve on a respectable 7-6 season in 2023. The Yellow Jackets, like the Seminoles, will rely heavily on quarterback Haynes King, who threw 27 touchdowns but also 16 interceptions. Despite King's presence, the offense will rely heavily on running back Jamal Haynes, who recently achieved the program's first 1,000-yard rush since 2017. What should not be overlooked is the Yellow Jackets' receiving corps, headlined by true freshman wonder Eric Singleton Jr., who recorded 714 receiving yards on 48 receptions and six touchdowns.
On defense, senior safety LaMiles Brooks will look to replicate his performance from 2022, when he had three interceptions and seven pass deflections. Clayton Powell-Lee, a junior defensive back, finished second on the team in tackles (70), with an interception and two pass deflections. With that said, the heart of the Yellow Jackets defense is linebacker Kyle Efford, who led the team in tackles last season with 81 while also recording a sack and an interception.
SMU vs. Nevada
The SMU Mustangs are one team that college football fans should not underestimate this season. One thing is certain: the path to victory will not be easy, since the competition will be considerably better than in the American Athletic Conference Football. Preston Stone, the Mustangs' standout quarterback, is at the center of it all. Last season, Stone ranked 11th in the nation with 28 passing touchdowns and 3,197 passing yards.
As long as Stone stays healthy, the Mustangs should be competitive in their new conference. The importance of running back Jaylan Knighton should not be understated. Last season, he set career highs in rushing yards (745) and yards per carry (5.6). In terms of pass catchers, Stone will likely rely on tight end RJ Maryland, who registered 518 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Above all things, Stone will be protected by a stout offensive line led by seniors Justin Osborne and Logan Parr.
Aside from Stone, one of the team's most crucial returning players is defensive end Elijah Roberts. Last season, the transfer from Miami led the Mustangs defense with ten sacks and twelve tackles for loss. The actual strength of this team will undoubtedly be its backfield, with safeties Isaiah Nwokobia and Jonathan McGill. Linebackers Ahmad Walker and Kobe Wilson, who combined for 145 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss last season, round out the defense.
For the Nevada Wolf Pack, the key for them is to move forward from their abysmal 2023, in which they finished with a 2-10 record. Now with former Texas defensive coordinator Jeff Choate as their new head coach, there is renewed hope for this season.
The actual stars of this year's team will be the defense, led by cornerback Michael Coats Jr. Last season, Coats Jr. posted impressive coverage stats, allowing only 84 yards and a passer rating of 37.5. Linebacker Dru Watts deserves the Mustangs' full attention. Watts, one of the roster's most versatile players, can play in a variety of positions, including pass rusher. Last season, Watts led the club with four forced fumbles, 60 tackles, and six tackles for loss.
On offense, the Wolf Pack will need the best from quarterback Brendon Lewis, who finished second on the team in rushing yards (495). Although the team lacks a definite starter at quarterback, Lewis is the most probable candidate to take the reins. On the field, the squad will rely on transfer Savion Red, who will bring his Longhorns experience to the table and might become their first choice at running back. Not to be missed is the super senior combo of Sean Dollars and Patrick Garwo III, who could handle part of the load on the ground.
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