Texas is going for it in 2024, but it'll have to contend with others doing the same

A talented roster. Quarterback security. A favorable schedule.

[Join Inside Texas and get ONE MONTH of Longhorn intel for just $1!]

In the era of the 12-team College Football Playoff, which comes into effect this year, any program that has these three attributes heading into a season should do what’s necessary to go all-in on contending for the national championship. In 2024, the Longhorns are one of a number of teams that have these requirements for competing for a national title and have made the moves needed to play at the high-stakes table.

The talent on the roster accumulated by Steve Sarkisian and company has the Longhorns in rare air few others can breathe. Three straight top recruiting classes are one thing. Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning on the roster is another. But even strong recruiting as defined by the rankings can leave weak spots in the roster.

So what did Texas do? They went out and signed three of the best wide receivers in the portal in Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond, and Silas Bolden, made up for the loss of Ja’Tavion Sanders with Amari Niblack, shored up the defensive front with Trey Moore, Tia Savea, and Kendrick Blackshire, and elevated the talent in the secondary with Andrew Mukuba.

Between giving Ewers weapons in the passing game, strengthening positions weakened by draft departures or the rare recruiting miss, and doing so while looking forward to a manageable schedule, the Longhorns are among select company looking way out in front ahead of the 2024 season.

Ewers, Manning and the rest of the Horns will face a 12-game schedule that should set up Texas for a spot in the 12-team playoff, even if the Longhorns suffer a loss or two.

How does a schedule that features defending national champion Michigan, way-too-early favorite Georgia, and rival Oklahoma be favorable?

Michigan, in the wake of Jim Harbaugh leaving for the Los Angeles Chargers and other stars from the 2023 title team leaving for the draft, will be formidable but is likely to take a step back. Georgia, who just missed the 2023 playoff, likely has to battle the Longhorns in a night game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma, who always brings an intensity to the Cotton Bowl no matter the odds, has to replace much of the offensive production that helped the Sooners to a 10-win season.

If the confluence of Texas’ talent and quarterback security helps Sarkisian’s team go 9-0 in the other games on the schedule, then the Longhorns need to win just two of the three games versus Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma in order to solidify a place in the 12-team field. So what did Texas do? Put together a roster that gives Sarkisian the best chance possible to go at least 2-1 against OU, UM, and UGA.

Texas has set itself up well, even in the first year of Southeastern Conference membership, to contend in the 12-team playoff and even host a game even when looking at the 2024 schedule in late January.

But they aren’t the only ones.

Ohio State

Talented roster?: Check

QB security?: Check

Favorable schedule?: Check

This may be Ryan Day’s best team in Columbus, and there have been other groups of Buckeyes that have fallen just short of the national championship. Returning offensive lineman, a skill talent treasure trove, and overall high-level recruiting has the OSU roster in a fantastic place.

Quarterback was the unknown, with Kyle McCord leaving creating a vacuum at the starting role. Day added Kansas State transfer Will Howard and Alabama freshman five-star Julian Sayin to the roster to compete with 2023 backup Devin Brown. From those three, there’s one signal-caller that gives the Buckeyes a sense of QB security.

On the schedule, there are only two menacing road contests: a game at Penn State and a trip to Oregon. Ohio State gets Michigan at home this year. Their non-conference slate is Akron, Western Michigan, and Marshall.

The Buckeyes are going for it.

Ole Miss

Talented roster?: Check

QB security?: Check

Favorable schedule?: Check

If Texas didn’t win the portal, then it was in second place to Ole Miss. The Rebels made a number of key pickups to elevate a roster with top-of-the-depth chart additions that will have its frontline as one of the best in the country. They paired those additions with a senior quarterback in Jaxson Dart, who is adept at running the offense put together by Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr.

Most importantly for the Rebels is their 2024 schedule. Their non-conference is Furman, Middle Tennessee, at Wake Forest, and Georgia Southern. The toughest road game for the Rebels is a trip to LSU. While Oklahoma and Georgia are on the schedule, both of those teams have to travel to Oxford.

Ole Miss is going for it.

Oregon

Talented roster?: Check

QB security?: Check

Favorable schedule?: Check

The Ducks have recruited well under Dan Lanning, but they took it to another level with what they added in the portal after ending up just six points short of playing in the College Football Playoff. After losing Bo Nix, not only did Oregon add Dillon Gabriel but they also brought in Dante Moore to set up for future runs. Plus, other portal additions have been the sizzle to a properly cooked steak, an approach in the same vein as that of the Longhorns.

Oregon does welcome Ohio State. But the toughest road trip is to Ann Arbor to face a depleted Wolverine team. Additionally, Oregon avoids both USC and UCLA during their debut Big 10 campaign.

Oregon is going for it.

There are other teams not on this list of four that are obvious national title contenders, namely the Georgia Bulldogs. At this juncture, Kirby Smart oversees a program that always goes for it. Their window is always open.

Ohio State typically resides at that level but they’ve put forward an extra effort this offseason in the wake of three consecutive losses to Michigan to win that program’s first title in 10 years.

Texas and Ole Miss are looking to end longer droughts, while Oregon is seeking its first crown. All three have made efforts similar to those of Day and the Buckeyes.

The 12-team playoff opens the doors to more contenders, but the list of teams that have what it takes to win are smaller in number.

[Subscribe to the brand new Inside Texas YouTube channel!]

Once those teams recognize their opportunity like Texas has, they do everything they can to go for it.