The 2023-24 college football season is officially in the books and Michigan found itself at the top of the mountain.

The Wolverines defeated Washington in the National Championship Game. Now, there is a chance that Michigan sees an overhaul. When looking at the early favorites to win the title next year, is Michigan near the top?

J.J. McCarthy will be entering the 2024 NFL Draft and there is a chance that Jim Harbaugh leaves as well. If this happens, there will be teams that jump Michigan when thinking about potential favorites to win next year. Below, these are five teams that can reach the top.

5. Oregon

Oregon had a great season this year aside from one thing — it could not beat Oregon.

Bo Nix put together a Heisman-caliber season and the Ducks will be looking to have the same from Dillon Gabriel.

Oregon will be joining the Big Ten next season. While some of the schedule will lighten up from this year’s Pac-12, there will still be the headaches of Michigan and Ohio State. Oregon will feature a speedy offense once again and this is good enough to get them into the playoff and make a potential run.

4. Texas

It will be a new look for Texas next season with many questions marks along the way. Quinn Ewers has a decision to make regarding his future but has a chance to return. If Ewers passes on the NFL this year and returns to Texas, he will do so in a different conference.

Texas will join the SEC next season and take a major step up in competition. The Longhorns went to Tuscaloosa and defeated Alabama this season so they have shown that they can play against the best in the country.

Texas made a run to the Big 12 Championship and was one of four in the playoff this year. If Ewers returns and the offense is as strong as ever, the Longhorns could be one of 12 next season regardless of conference.

3. Ohio State

Michigan’s biggest foe finds itself in the top three thanks to one major move. Will Howard was the top quarterback in the transfer portal this offseason and recently committed to the Buckeyes.

This was a problem for Ohio State this season as Kyle McCord did not look the part of a typical Buckeye quarterback. It’s a shame too because this might have been the deepest and most well-rounded Ohio State teaming years. The defense was strong and Marvin Harrison Jr. was one of the best players in the nation. He will be moving on but Ryan Day and the Buckeyes replenish.

Howard gives Ohio State an elite option under center, which means the offense will be better than it was this season. If the defense follows suit, Ohio State has a great chance to make a run next season.

2. Alabama

Jalen Milroe began finding his stride over the final two months of the season. His return for the 2024-25 campaign will have Alabama right back in contention for an SEC and National Championship.

With the field expanding to 12 teams, this puts less emphasis on the SEC Championship Game. Of course, the Crimson Tide still want to win the conference and remain at the top but they will likely be able to enter the CFB Playoff even with a loss.

The Crimson Tide were one game away from a title this year. It seemed as though the winner of Alabama and Michigan would be able to win the title and the Crimson Tide were four minutes away but allowed Michigan to march down to tie the game.

Alabama will lose many key players defensively but this is nothing new for Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide always rebuild and replenish both sides so it is clear that they will be favorites once again.

1. Georgia

One loss from Georgia in three years was the reason the Bulldogs were left out of the playoff this season. Let’s face it, the Bulldogs were the best team in the nation once again this season and would have likely ran through the rest of the field.

Unfortunately, the four-team playoff was compromised of conference champions who survived at the right time. Now with the field expanding to 12, this will have more leeway and Georgia would have been in this year.

Kirby Smart has built an insane defense that will likely be near the top of the nation once again. The offense will take a major hit by losing Brock Bowers to the NFL but added Trevor Etienne in the backfield. Carson Beck will also be back under center the Georgia will look to roll into next season.

The expectations will be high for Georgia once again. This includes an SEC Championship and being the favorites to regain the national title.