The Vols and Canes are poised to stun everyone in 2024.
The 2024 college football season is currently less than 100 days away from getting underway. Hallelujah! Kickoff marks the start of a new age in the sport, which has evolved more in the last few years than it has in decades. Part of it will be the launch of the new 12-team College Football Playoff tournament to decide the national champion.
Never before will so many schools compete to identify the top college football squad. Undefeated seasons and one-loss teams will no longer be the only ones eligible to compete for the sport’s top prize. There is now a probability that clubs with three or more losses will be included in the 12-team field.
While this has elicited varied reactions, it must delight many institutions whose teams have long felt like they were on the outside looking in. And now, with rosters being flipped upside down thanks to the transfer window, there is a real chance for a dark horse squad to come in and make some noise.
The Tennessee Volunteers and Miami Hurricanes might be considered dark horse possibilities.
Why Tennessee Football is a dark horse for the 2024 College Football Playoff
Since Josh Heupel arrived in Knoxville in 2021, the Vols have reestablished themselves as a legitimate SEC challenger. The 2022 Tennessee football squad astonished everyone when they were once recognized as the best team in the country. They finally completed 11-2, including an Orange Bowl triumph.
Heupel has never had a losing season at Tennessee, and while the team did take a tiny step back last season, it was most likely due to factors other than coaching. The Vols struggled with poor quarterback play and a slew of injuries to their offense, particularly their wide receiver corps.
However, it wasn’t all awful for Tennessee football. Despite their offensive struggles, they finished in the top 25 in overall offense, averaging nearly 500 yards per game. The majority of this was due to being a top-10 rushing offense. However, what was most impressive was the defense’s growth last year.
Despite the excitement surrounding Heupel’s offense, the defense, headed by defensive coordinator Tim Banks, continues to improve season after season. Last season, Banks’ defense ranked in the top 25 for scoring defense (22nd), allowing 20.3 points per game.
Tennessee football’s future advancement makes it a dark horse contender for the 2024 College Football Playoff. With former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava taking over as starter, the offense should improve significantly. Dylan Sampson, one of the top 20 SEC rushers last year, will join him, as will returning receivers Bru McCoy and Squirrel White.
Then there’s defensive end James Pearce Jr., who is already expected to be a top pick in the NFL’s draft next year. Plus, to address their secondary needs, Heupel and his team used the portal to bring in corners Jermod McCoy and Jalen McMurray.
The toughest barrier for the Vols in reaching the playoffs will be navigating a usually difficult SEC schedule. However, the playoff will most likely favor SEC teams over those from other leagues, excluding the Big Ten. Don’t be surprised if orange and white appear on the field in December.
Why Miami Football will be a dark horse for the 2024 College Football Playoff
Mario Cristobal enters his third year with the Miami (FL) football club, seeking to show progress. Since Cristobal took over in 2022, the Canes have yet to resemble any of the great teams that once dominated college football. The Canes are 12-13 in two seasons under Cristobal, matching the previous head coach Manny Diaz’s record of 21-15 in three seasons.
The Miami football program has been out of relevance for more than two decades, with only one top-10 performance since 2004. However, optimism is returning as a result of Cristobal and his staff’s efforts over the last few years through recruiting classes and the transfer site. According to 247Sports, the Canes have added two composite top ten-ranked classes in the last two cycles (No. 4 and No. 7).
Miami’s largest leap toward being regarded a dark horse for the 2024 College Football Playoff is the transfer portal class they brought in throughout the last winter and spring cycles, combined with their recruiting classes.
The most significant addition is Cam Ward, a former Washington State quarterback. There have been many gaps in the Miami football program over the years, but one of the most significant has been the position of quarterback. Ward should totally fix that by 2024. Ward was placed in the top ten in the majority of Pac-12 passing categories last season, despite the conference’s abundance of quarterback talent.
That is only one upgrade, however. Damien Martinez of Oregon State, the Pac-12’s second-leading rusher, will join him on offense. Martinez should see a lot of carries because Cristobal enjoys a good running game. However, Miami also has the highest-graded returning wide receivers in the ACC in Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, and transfer Sam Brown, according to Pro Football Focus. Needless to say, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has a lot to work with.
Last season, the defense finished in the top 25 in total defense (24th). However, after some exits to the NFL, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry will be working with a mostly new-look defensive front. Between the portal and recruiting, they’ll have 12 fresh bodies, three of whom are five-star prospects, to play alongside All-ACC picks Francis Mauigoa and Reuben Bain Jr.
This Miami football squad is built to not only compete in the ACC, but perhaps advance to the 12-team College Football Playoff and possibly upset some opponents.
