Thousands of words can be spilled over previews for every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Since last season ended, programs have undergone changes on the coaching staff. Transfers have exited and arrived. Players departed for the NFL draft, freshmen showed up to their college home. Several schools even headed to a new conference.

The list of storylines is nearly endless.

Yet all of that transition and those adjustments can be summed up in a single word in advance of the 2024 season.

The order reflects the AP Top 25.

25-21. Iowa, NC State, USC, Kansas, Arizona

25. Iowa Hawkeyes: Perplexing

I want to love you, Iowa. Defense, always good. Beyond a trip to Ohio State, the schedule is pretty darn awesome. But will the Hawkeyes adjust to a new offense and have a consistently reliable quarterback? Cade McNamara—or maybe Brendan Sullivan later—has much to prove.

24. North Carolina State Wolfpack: Sneaky

Not unlike Iowa, NC State has lived in the eight-win range lately. Dave Doeren has built a steady program in Raleigh, and the Wolfpack might be flying a bit under the radar in 2024. Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall has a great opportunity to elevate the offense, especially since NC State's conference slate is extremely favorable. Florida State, Clemson and Miami are ranked above the Pack, but they might have a large impact on the ACC race.

23. USC Trojans: Apprehensive

Not sure how to feel about USC? One, you're not alone. Two, we're going to find out quickly anyway. Within the first six games, the Trojans play three Top 15 opponents: LSU in Las Vegas, at Michigan and home to Penn State. Lincoln Riley isn't really on a hot seat, and only a total implosion would do that in 2024. But if the Trojans are 3-3 in mid-October, well, it won't be a comfortable spot.

22. Kansas Jayhawks: Energetic

During the nine seasons of the Charlie Weis, David Beaty and Les Miles era, Kansas won 16 games—and only five in conference. Lance Leipold arrived in 2021, and the Jayhawks have since collected 17 victories (nine in league play) with a pair of bowl appearances. Dual-threat standout Jalon Daniels is back from injury, so KU is expecting another quality year.

21. Arizona Wildcats: Hopeful

After a terrific 10-win season that introduced young quarterback Noah Fifita, the Wildcats are aiming for more. They should contend in the Big 12, which means a trip to the College Football Playoff is within reason. However, that will require adjusting to new coach Brent Brennan and navigating a new set of opponents in the Big 12.

20-16. Texas A&M, Miami, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma

20. Texas A&M Aggies: Curious

Maybe I'm the late adopter in this scenario. Hey, been wrong before, will be wrong plenty in 2024. Mike Elko should improve the coaching in College Station and did a respectable job restocking the roster in the portal. Texas A&M hosts each of its toughest games, too. While it feels—to me—like the rising expectations are setting up an avoidable letdown, the Aggies aren't lacking in the talent department.

19. Miami Hurricanes: Dangerous

In multiple ways, really. On paper, this offense has huge potential. Solid line, good receivers, promising backs and the best quarterback at Miami in a long time. Simultaneously, are we about to get fooled again? The program has a single 10-win record in the last two decades. There's real upside, but trusting the 'Canes has become a dangerous game.

18. Kansas State Wildcats: Steady

Chris Klieman has spent five seasons in Manhattan and guided the Wildcats to four years of eight-plus victories. Between a veteran defense and an exciting transition to quarterback Avery Johnson, K-State appears likely to continue that trend—even if upside is a fair question.

17. Oklahoma State Cowboys: Bright

Armed with one of the most experienced rosters in the nation, Oklahoma State has CFP aspirations in 2024. September is a particularly crucial time for the Pokes, who host Arkansas and Utah before closing the month at Kansas State. Survive that stretch no worse than 4-1 overall, and OSU should back up its billing as a Big 12 contender.

16. Oklahoma Sooners: Conflicting

Oklahoma, on the other hand, is a more complicated team. The offense is turning to gifted quarterback Jackson Arnold and restocked—especially up front—through the portal. Meanwhile, the defense is loaded with returning production. The schedule, though? Oof. Six teams with Top 15 rankings await the Sooners. Tough to get harder than at Missouri, home to Alabama and at LSU in November.

15-11. Tennessee, Clemson, LSU, Utah, Missouri

15. Tennessee Volunteers: Modest

Only in a best-case scenario is Tennessee a championship threat. This is a largely rebuilt roster on both sides of the ball, and showdowns with Alabama and Georgia loom as major obstacles. The likely result is UT hits the range of eight or nine wins. Avoid a bad loss and spring an upset, however, and the Vols can disrupt the CFP race.

14. Clemson Tigers: Meaningful

No matter if Clemson wins a league title, the playoff is a possibility. The SEC, the ACC is not. After strong comments from Dabo Swinney late in a disappointing year, however, 2024 is a statement season for the Tigers. Can they rekindle the powerhouse? Or will an opening five-game stretch including Georgia, NC State and Florida State send the narrative around transfer-resistant Clemson in a bad direction again?

13. LSU Tigers: Provocative

Truly, they fascinate me. How do you balance the impact of the Tigers' retooled offense with an inspired defense? Five ranked preseason opponents await, yet three of those matchups are in Death Valley. I'm not quick to tout LSU but won't dismiss its 10-win potential, either.

12. Utah Utes: Optimistic

Utah is an ideal example of the value assigned to a quarterback. Cam Rising led Utah to consecutive Pac-12 titles in 2021 and 2022, and then the Utes slumped to 8-5 without him last season. The defense should be stout as usual, and Rising's supporting cast is full of experience. Taking down Oklahoma State and Arizona in September would solidify Utah as the conference favorite during its Big 12 debut.

11. Missouri Tigers: Favorable

Said it once, say it a million times: Among top preseason teams, Missouri owns the nation's most favorable schedule. The defining games are at Texas A&M, at Alabama and home to Oklahoma. Bad losses are always a possibility, yes. But if Mizzou can scrap to 10 wins, the Tigers presumably will be part of the CFP.

10-6. Florida State, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss

10. Florida State Seminoles: Admirable

Whether the 'Noles are a high-end championship threat will depend on a revamped passing game. At the least, Florida State figures to remain an upper-tier squad in the ACC. However, a sweep of Clemson and Miami should keep FSU in the thick of the CFP discussion.

9. Michigan Wolverines: Fine

Michigan lost so much talent, particularly on offense. Thanks to a well-defined recruiting approach, though, the Wolverines should be fine. The schedule is dicey, given that Top Five opponents Texas, Oregon and Ohio State are scattered around the slate. But the rest is very manageable. Michigan might not be a title challenger in 2024. Even if U-M falls short of the CFP, it should be around 8-4 or 9-3. So, you know, fine.

8. Penn State Nittany Lions: Tense

Had a 12-team CFP existed throughout James Franklin's tenure, the narrative could be different. Penn State would've reached the playoff in six of his 10 seasons and may have enjoyed a little success in the spotlight. The counterargument is simple: Would we actually have more evidence of poor showings against top competition? Penn State is built to win plenty, but will it win those demanding games?

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Obtainable

Notre Dame brought in quarterback Riley Leonard and wide receiver Kris Mitchell to fortify the offense, while edge-rusher RJ Oben bolstered a veteran-led defense. It's not a stacked roster, but it's a solid one overall. The schedule is basically only as tough as Texas A&M, Louisville, Florida State and USC will be. Notre Dame doesn't have much of an excuse to not find 10 wins.

6. Ole Miss Rebels: Compelling

Tons of offense and a little defense. Ole Miss is hoping that combination can work again, considering the Rebels set a program record with 11 victories last year. September is pretty appealing, and the toughest games—at LSU, home to Oklahoma and Georgia—are spaced out by two weeks. The recipe for a successful year is apparent.

5-1. Alabama, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia

5. Alabama Crimson Tide: Strenuous

Fair or not, Alabama must prove itself without Nick Saban calling the shots. That can be said while acknowledging the hefty benefit of the doubt Bama enjoys, and it's not like coach Kalen DeBoer or quarterback Jalen Milroe are unknowns. Still, the Tide's collective mettle will be tested in matchups at Wisconsin, Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma with Georgia, Missouri and Auburn coming to Tuscaloosa.

4. Texas Longhorns: Credible

Proof of concept is a valuable thing. If the Longhorns hadn't secured a Big 12 crown or reached the CFP last season, we'd be wondering if Texas was actually "back" yet again. Instead, we can point to Quinn Ewers and a transfer-infused offense with confidence. Win early at Michigan, and the Horns should be 5-0 before the critical back-to-back against Oklahoma and Georgia.

3. Oregon Ducks: Exciting

Dillon Gabriel is an ideal replacement for Bo Nix, keeping Oregon as one of the most dangerous offenses in the country. The defense made an enormous jump in 2023 and restocked the secondary with an impressive group of transfers. On paper, this is a well-balanced, elite roster.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes: Confident

If you and some friends were drafting a roster of CFP predictions, Ohio State would probably be the safest pick. Thanks to a bunch of veterans, OSU's defense should be incredible. The offensive skill-positions look excellent, and the blocking unit in front of Will Howard should be stout.

1. Georgia Bulldogs: Tougher

Look, it's not Georgia's job to apologize for the SEC East being an underwhelming group lately. Cross-division games were set years in advance, and UGA managed a string of good luck there, too. The result, combined with the Dawgs' immense talent, was three undefeated regular-season records in a row. The new-look SEC abandoned divisions, so Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas are on Georgia's docket in 2024. Might win anyway! Tougher road, though.