Which teams could end up not qualifying in 2024?

Now that the AP rankings of the preseason Top 25 college football teams are out, we have a better understanding of where the perceived opinion of experts stands when judging teams across the country.

But as anyone who follows college football knows, being included in the preseason poll is no guarantee of success, especially for teams ranked outside the top 10.

Also inside the top 10: Since the turn of this century, 45 preseason teams in that lofty atmosphere have finished the season unranked, the most recent being USC, which was then ranked sixth.

Over the past decade, at least one college football team ranked in the preseason top 10 has dropped out of the poll entirely every year except 2019.

Which teams could suffer a similar fate this season?

Since the Fighting Irish play a more winnable schedule overall, pollsters could lose faith in the team if it underperforms — and especially if it loses — in key games against Texas A&M and Florida State.

And while the Irish defense is a strong point of the team, especially against the pass, quarterback Riley Leonard has yet to prove his worth, as has their protection, certainly since the loss of left tackle Charles Jagusah.

Being ranked No. 9 is still a pretty enviable position, but no defending national champion has had a preseason ranking as low as Michigan since Auburn in 2011, with voters unsure about the program’s significant overhaul both on the sidelines and on the field.

That instability and loss of personnel at key positions, and the absence of sure-fire solutions, combined with a tougher schedule that includes games against Texas, Oregon and Ohio State, could derail the Wolverines’ title defense if they’re not careful.

Another team that suffered from top-tier player departures after winning the ACC title a year ago, the Seminoles responded with an aggressive transfer campaign, plugging holes at key positions on both sides of the ball.

DJ Uiagalelei is a strong option at quarterback and Marvin Jones is a skilled pass rusher, but there are still questions about how well these new pieces can mesh, especially heading into a schedule that includes dates against three AP-ranked teams and other notable matchups.

LSU’s defense ranked 105th nationally in total production a year ago, and while Blake Baker comes in to fix the unit, he also lost experience in the front seven lineup. Harold Perkins returns, but it can’t all be on him.

And while the offensive line may be the strength of this team, the offense lost its Heisman-winning quarterback and its top two receivers. Garrett Nussmeier projects as a legitimate passer, but the talent around him is unproven. Five losses is a worst-case scenario for LSU.

Brent Venables’ defense took a major step forward last season, but the lineup he’ll face is exponentially tougher as the Sooners make their SEC debut this fall.

The same goes for OU’s offensive line, a largely new rotation that will protect a younger quarterback and have to fend off teams like Tennessee’s excellent defense, the Longhorns, Ole Miss, Missouri, Alabama and LSU in a brutal second half of the season.

The additions of Mario Cristobal are a huge upgrade for the Hurricanes’ offense, particularly the addition of dual-threat quarterback Cameron Ward, but there could be some pitfalls in this schedule.

Following the opener against rival Florida, the Canes will host Virginia Tech and travel to Cal in back-to-back matchups and, in consecutive weeks following the bye week, travel to Louisville and host Florida State.

There’s little room for error after Miami debuted at No. 19 in the preseason rankings, especially with those ACC rivals just below the surface looking to make a statement and win more votes at the Hurricanes’ expense.

A program in transition after the ill-fated Jimbo Fisher experiment, the Aggies are counting on Mike Elko to right the ship, but his A&M team faces four teams ranked in the AP preseason poll.

The good news? All four games will be played at home — against Notre Dame, Missouri, LSU and rival Texas in the final. However, A&M hasn’t exactly been unbeatable at home in recent years, and a preseason ranking of No. 20 means any slip-up could be very costly.

Two tough road games highlight the Wildcats’ first month of the schedule, with dates at Kansas State and Utah, followed by challenging matchups against Texas Tech and West Virginia.

Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan are one of college football’s best 1-2 duos on offense, but if Arizona fails to adequately replace departing contributors on the defensive line and rush the quarterback, a promising Big 12 debut could go south quickly.

The core of the Hawkeyes’ excellent defensive rotation is back, minus star cornerback Cooper DeJean, but the big question remains this terrible offense.

Tim Lester steps in to coordinate things and gets quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Luke Lachey back, but at No. 25 there’s plenty of room for error if there’s a slip-up.

Look for Iowa State’s matchup against what is projected to be a better Cyclones team, and early trips to Minnesota and Ohio State that could throw Iowa off pace early.

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