Clutch moments are an inevitable part of the college football season. On those stressful drives, it's a great luxury for an offense to have a reliable wide receiver.

Need an explosive play to kick-start the possession? Go to that guy. Third-down or red-zone conversion? Look his way first.

As now-retired coach Nick Saban said he learned early on about key calls: Don't think of plays, think of players.

Throughout the 2024 season, plenty of wideouts will become that critical target for their respective offenses. Entering the campaign, though, six highly ranked teams are most in need of a No. 1 receiver to emerge in the fall.

Alabama Crimson Tide

The good news: Alabama has Jalen Milroe at quarterback.

Because of Milroe's playmaking ability, the Crimson Tide can lean on him to create big plays, too. But he can't do it alone. This offense must replace now-NFL target Jermaine Burton (798 yards), and the expected solution, Isaiah Bond (668), transferred to Texas.

As a result, Bama's top returning wideout is Kobe Prentice, who tallied 18 receptions for 314 yards and had multiple catches in only four appearances last season. Germie Bernard reeled in 34 passes for 419 yards at Washington last year, so he's the most likely solution for the Tide.

However, Bama needs to see it consistently on Saturdays.

Florida State Seminoles

Florida State enjoyed a strong outlook at receiver last season, even as the production wasn't necessarily elite. Keon Coleman caught 50 passes with 11 touchdowns, while Johnny Wilson and tight end Jaheim Bell had at least 39 receptions and 500 yards apiece.

They're all in the NFL now.

Tight end Kyle Morlock (255 yards) and receiver Ja'Khi Douglas (243 yards) are FSU's most productive returnees in 2024. Neither one of them scored a touchdown last year.

Perhaps the 'Noles will see Hykeem Williams—a 5-star prospect in 2023—put together a breakout year. That would ease the burden on new quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.

Until that happens, though, FSU's receiving corps has lots to prove—and plenty more if it doesn't.

Georgia Bulldogs

On a scale of 1-10, Georgia is very low on the panic meter.

Dominic Lovett hauled in 54 catches for 613 yards last season and had multiple catches in all but one game. Miami transfer Colbie Young is also a promising option after back-to-back years of five touchdowns.

Georgia will probably be fine. Still, not having Brock Bowers as a coverage-bending tight end is going to affect this offense.

Oscar Delp may be a satisfactory replacement, but he doesn't yet command the respect that Bowers required as a three-time AP All-American. The receiving corps must replace Ladd McConkey (478 yards) and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (535 yards), too.

While that depth is admirable, UGA's offense would be most effective with a clear-cut primary target for Carson Beck.

Kansas State Wildcats

Given Kansas State's offensive philosophy, it doesn't need a stable of big-time targets. Over the last decade, the Wildcats had eight-plus victories in six years despite having zero receivers go above 725 yards.

What a nice bonus it would be, though, right?

Jayce Brown collected 437 yards as a true freshman, so it's natural to believe his stats will increase. Since development isn't always linear, the Wildcats might end up leaning on Keagan Johnson (227 yards) or transfer Dante Cephas—who previously was that go-to receiver for Kent State before a year at Penn State in 2023.

The bright side is K-State will be a run-heavy team, especially with quarterback Avery Johnson being such a mobile threat. But whenever the Wildcats need to string together a drive, they can't be desperate for a surprise hero.

Michigan Wolverines

Considering what the offense must replace, Michigan may be a rare offense led by a tight end.

Roman Wilson (789 yards) and Cornelius Johnson (604 yards) headed to the NFL, leaving tight end Colston Loveland (649 yards) as the lead returning option. Running back Donovan Edwards (249 receiving yards) is even higher than Semaj Morgan (204 yards), who is otherwise the top receiver from the title-winning team.

In all likelihood, Michigan will heavily lean on Edwards and a sturdy offensive line. That strategy worked last season, and the running-game emphasis may even rise if Alex Orji is the quarterback as expected.

But the Wolverines' margin for error is thinner; their schedule is tougher. They won't breeze through a majority of the season like they did in 2023, so Loveland and/or his counterparts will be tasked with showing up in more clutch moments this season.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State would have counted on KeAndre Lambert-Smith in this role, but he left for Auburn.

The hoped solution is Julian Fleming, a 5-star prospect in the 2020 class who spent four years at Ohio State. He never emerged as hoped in Columbus and transferred to Penn State this offseason.

Again, ideally, Fleming is the guy, but he brings a modest 963 yards of career production. That's no sure thing.

Tight end Tyler Warren deserves a mention after catching seven touchdowns, so his red-zone presence is well-established. Because he's not a high-volume target, though, Fleming or Harrison Wallace III appear to be the Nittany Lions' main contenders here.

Given the inefficiency of the passing game against top opponents in recent years, Penn State may need both of them to shine, too.