3 teams ranked behind Penn State in preseason coaches poll that could threaten to take top 12 CFP spot

Monday, just 19 days from the start of Week 0 in college football, the preseason coaches poll debuted with Penn State at No. 9, one spot behind the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines. The Nittany Lions finished last season at No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings before losing to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl for a 10-3 record on the season. 

Now, in James Franklin’s 11th year at Penn State and Drew Allar’s second year as his starting quarterback, the pressure is on to make the 12-team CFP. Currently holding a top 12 spot, who are the teams that could sneak up on the Nittany Lions throughout the season to steal a bid into the CFP? 

Let’s take a look at the three teams who begin the season behind Penn State in the coaches poll who are the biggest threats. 

In his fourth season at Missouri, Eli Dinkwitz finally got things turned around, largely due to his elite offensive skill players. Quarterback Brady Cook orchestrated a unit with Cody Schrader, now in the NFL, and Luther Burden III, who could be the best returning wide receiver in the country. Burden went for 1,212 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2023 and was one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country after the catch. 

In their 11-2 season that ended with a low-scoring win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, the Tigers were 28th in total offense and 20th in yards per play. With Burden and Cook both back, Missouri could be a real threat in a loaded SEC and could jump ahead of Penn State from No. 11 in the preseason coaches poll. 

Penn State met Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl and the Nittany Lion’s 35-21 win was the last time Utah had its starting quarterback on the field. Cam Rising suffered a devastating knee injury against Penn State that cost him his entire 2023 season. Utah struggled without an answer at quarterback and finished 8-5 with a Las Vegas Bowl loss. 

However, the 25-year-old is back healthy for the Utes that begin the year at No. 13 in the preseason coaches poll. Kyle Whittingham will always have a top-tier defense and Utah didn’t lose much from a quality defensive line last season. The Utes are the favorites in the new-look Big 12 and with one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country could be a national title contender. 

Josh Heupel brought Tennessee back onto the national stage in 2022 with Hendon Hooker at quarterback, finishing 11-2. Then, the Volunteers took a step back in 2023 with Joe Milton unable to operate Heupel’s innovative veer-and-shoot offense. The Vols finished 19th in total offense and gave up just 20.3 points a game, but finished 9-4 with losses to Florida, Alabama, Missouri, and Georgia. 

Now, Tennessee has a tough schedule again, but the Vols solved their quarterback problem, elevating 2023 five-star Nico Iamaleava to the starting role. Against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, Iamaleava went 12/19 passing for 151 yards and a touchdown but ran for three scores on 15 carries. If Iamaleava plays to his potential, the sky is the limit for Tennessee.