Top 5 matchups to watch out for in 2024 college football season due to conference realignment

The 2024 college football season is less than aa week away as eight teams are set to kick the year off on August 24. The general landscape of the sport will have a much different feel, as conference realignment has affected all the former Power Five conferences, which are now just a Power Four after the Pac-12 lost 10 of 12 programs.

While there has been plenty of criticism of conference realignment, it will lead to plenty of new intriguing matchups. Take a look at the top five matchups to watch out for due to conference realignment in 2024 below.

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Top five matchups to watch out for in 2024 college football season due to conference realignment

#1 Georgia Bulldogs at Texas Longhorns

The No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs are set to visit the No. 4-ranked Texas Longhorns, who are in their first season in the SEC, on Oct. 19 in the seventh matchup of the season for both teams.

The game could have huge College Football Playoff implications, as both teams are expected to contend for a postseason berth. Additionally, the matchup could provide one team a leg up in reaching the SEC Championship Game, which could lead to a first-round postseason bye.

#2 Ohio State Buckeyes at Oregon Ducks

The No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes visit the No.3-ranked Oregon Ducks, who are now in the Big Ten, on Oct. 12 in both team's sixth game of the season. This is yet another matchup with major postseason implications, as both teams are expected to reach the College Football Playoff.

#3 Alabama Crimson Tide at Oklahoma Sooners

The No. 5-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will visit the No. 16-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, who are also in the SEC for the first season, on Nov. 23. The matchup will also likely have huge conference and College Football Playoff implications, as it's the penultimate regular-season game for both teams.

#4 Texas Longhorns at Texas A&M Aggies

The No. 4-ranked Texas Longhorns renew their rivalry with the No. 20-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, on Nov. 30, the final week of the regular season.

The teams first met in 1894 and played every year from 1915 to 2011, but the Lone Star Showdown hasn't taken place since the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC. They will once again meet as the Longhorns - who hold a 76-37-5 record in the series - are now in the SEC.

#5 Oklahoma Sooners at Missouri Tigers

The No. 16-ranked Oklahoma Sooners and No. 11-ranked Missouri Tigers will meet on Nov. 9 as they renew their rivalry for the first time since 2011, when the Tigers left the Big 12 for the SEC.

While there were several other matchups in contention for the final slot, the meeting between two ranked former rivals earned the nod. Oklahoma holds a 67-24-5 lead in the all-time series since 1902.