16. Louisville Cardinals
247Sports post-spring ranking: N0. 20
Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals signed more players from the transfer portal than any other in the ACC this offseason coming off an appearance in the league championship game last fall. The roster revamping of sorts should keep Louisville among the list of contenders along with Florida State, Miami and Clemson.
17. USC Trojans
247Sports post-spring ranking: No. 21
After ending in disappointment with seven wins during Lincoln Riley’s second season, USC enters the Big Ten with renewed optimism after making widescale changes defensively to its coaching staff and personnel.
18. Iowa Hawkeyes
247Sports post-spring ranking: N/R
Can Phil Parker’s defense once again lead Iowa to a better-than-expected season? The Hawkeyes are hoping the other side of the football is much-improved under a new play-caller in 2024, too.
19. Kansas State Wildcats
247Sports post-spring ranking: No. 17
You know why the Wildcats are one of the trendy picks to win the expanded Big 12? Avery Johnson is a rising superstar after throwing for two touchdowns and running for another during Kansas State’s Pop Tarts Bowl win over NC State. After losing multi-year starting quarterback Will Howard to the transfer portal, this Kansas State offenses showed no ill effects of his departure after Johnson handled the offense with a flare for big plays on the move.
20. Virginia Tech Hokies
247Sports post-spring ranking: No. 24
No team in college football returns more starters than the Hokies, who were red-hot to end 2023 in the ACC.
