CFB countdown: 25 questions entering the 2024 season, Part 4

After a tumultuous offseason of upheaval, the 2024 college football season is officially upon us.

With significant changes across the landscape, theScore is tackling 25 pertinent questions to get everybody set for kickoff.

After previous installments covered conference realignment, high-profile coaching changes, and some of the nation's most important players, today's looks at teams outside the AP top 10 that could make a run at a national title.

10. Will Cam Ward stabilize Miami?

Miami's 2023 season was perfectly summed up by its epic collapse in the final moments of an astonishing home loss to Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes still have an incredibly talented roster, which has often been held back by poor in-game coaching from Mario Cristobal and his high-priced staff. Perhaps their largest failing was the downfall of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke after a strong freshman season in South Florida. Van Dyke has since moved on to Wisconsin with the prolific Cam Ward coming to Miami from Washington State after initially declaring for the NFL draft.

The reason behind the pursuit of Ward is simple: The Hurricanes were held back too often by lackluster quarterback play. Last year, Miami ranked 59th in passer rating and averaged 250 passing yards per game. Ward threw for over 320 yards per contest to rank sixth nationally and boasted a passer rating more than 10 points higher than Miami's team number. With Ward now throwing behind an experienced offensive line and to the electric Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, expect the Hurricanes' offensive output to skyrocket.

It's getting close to make-or-break time for Cristobal at Miami. He was brought back to his alma mater amid great fanfare only to go 12-13 in his first two seasons. With Ward now on board, the Hurricanes are well positioned to return to the days when "The U" ran wild over anyone in their path.

9. Is Clemson still an elite program?

Dabo Swinney and Clemson went 69-5 over a five-year stretch from 2015-19 with two national titles. The Tigers' insane run slowed slightly with a 31-8 mark over the next three seasons, but it's the last 19 games that has people questioning whether Clemson is still among the nation's elite programs. The Tigers are just 12-7 over that stretch with last year's nine-win total the program's lowest since 2011. That drop-off makes Clemson one of the most interesting teams to watch heading into the season.

Swinney continues to show strongly on the recruiting trail, but his refusal to use the transfer portal to acquire talent as the rest of the sport goes Black Friday shopping is shocking. While the parallels aren't exact, it borders on an NFL team opting against free agency and deciding to build its roster strictly through the draft. As the transfer portal has exploded, Clemson's performance has fallen off, which can't be a coincidence. However, that can all be put aside with a push to the 12-team playoff this year.

The defense once again should be among the ACC's best, but the offense will determine whether the Tigers are in the playoff or not. The coordinator-quarterback duo of Garrett Riley and Cade Klubnik must be better in Year 2. To help with that, Clemson brought in highly regarded offensive line coach Matt Luke to improve Klubnik's protection. That should give the former five-star recruit time to operate and show his ability from the pocket. Add in the rushing attack of Phil Mafah, and Clemson should be ready to get back to where it belongs.

8. Will Oklahoma's defense hold up in SEC?

Oklahoma's decision to hire Brent Venables to replace Lincoln Riley in 2022 essentially guaranteed improvements on defense. Venables' lengthy career as arguably the sport's best defensive coordinator was what got him the job, and he was expected to change the culture around the program in Norman. To say the 2022 campaign was a disappointment would be an understatement as the defense ranked 76th in yards allowed per play. Venables was able to improve to 51st last year, and that should get even better despite the move to the SEC.

Venables' defense will be a veteran-laden lineup led by returning star linebacker Danny Stutsman and seven defensive backs capable of starting in the back end. With the additions of some highly touted freshmen on the defensive line, it's easy to see the personnel bringing better results in 2024.

While the SEC slate is much tougher than the Big 12, Oklahoma's schedule is very favorable for its debut in the new conference. The Sooners host Tennessee and Alabama and play Texas in the usual neutral site of the Cotton Bowl. They also get a bye before both the Longhorns and Crimson Tide matchups and play FCS Maine the week before a trip to Missouri. Road trips to Ole Miss and LSU will stress the defense but come in the back half of the schedule.

7. Can Utah immediately establish Big 12 supremacy?

After winning two of the last three Pac-12 titles, Utah now heads to the Big 12 and has instantly been installed as the betting favorite to claim the title. One of the main reasons is the return of quarterback Cameron Rising. The 25-year-old is back for a seventh season with the Utes after coming to the collegiate ranks in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence, Will Levis, Brock Purdy, Michael Penix Jr., and Zach Wilson.

Rising didn't play at all in 2023 due to his ongoing recovery from knee surgery but has shown during his time at Utah that he's a difference-maker. Tight end Brant Kuithe and running back Micah Bernard also opted to remain in school for one last ride.

Utah's schedule could present a stat-padding bonanza. Only Iowa State returns a top-50 defensive unit among the conference opponents, and eight FBS opponents on the slate ranked outside the top 80 in yards allowed per play last year.

With the Big 12 champion getting an automatic berth to the 12-team playoff, Utah has to be thrilled with how things are lining up.

6. Can Tennessee make a surprise SEC push?

We've highlighted quarterback Nico Iamaleava previously in this series, but he's not the only one to watch on Tennessee as it looks to make a surprise SEC title push. The Volunteers may only have the seventh-shortest odds to win the conference, but if Iamaleava delivers on his immense promise, Tennessee could be a real problem.

Josh Heupel can get offensive production out of 11 random guys off the street, but he's got a number of top weapons back to help Iamaleava's transition to starter. Leading receiver Squirrel White returns, as does 2022 standout Bru McCoy after playing just five games last year. And with a veteran offensive line, you can expect fireworks like we saw two years ago.

The offense will be explosive, but it's the defense that might turn the Volunteers from a solid team to a title threat. The pass rush is as lethal as any in the country with projected top-five pick James Pearce Jr. leading the way. The Vols were top 10 nationally in both tackles for loss and sacks last year and project to be right back in that area this time around. If the offense can get early leads - something it thrived at in 2022 - the defense should be able to tee off on opposing quarterbacks.