In Austin, Texas, excitement is building as the Texas Longhorns claim the top spot in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings for the first time in their history. They edged out Penn State, taking the spot by just five points in the closest preseason vote since 1998. Following behind Texas and Penn State are Ohio State at No. 3, Clemson at No. 4, and Georgia rounding out the top five.
The full preseason AP Top 25 poll includes a variety of other teams that received votes. Among them are BYU with 156 points, Utah with 144, and Baylor with 132 points. Notable contenders include Southern Cal, Missouri, and Auburn as well. The SEC and Big Ten conferences continue to dominate the rankings, with four and three teams in the top 10, respectively.
This year’s preseason No. 1, Texas, boasts significant talent with redshirt sophomore Arch Manning taking over the starting quarterback position after two years behind Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns are aiming for their first national title since 2005. On the other hand, Penn State, with a strong group led by quarterback Drew Allar and standout running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, is set on making a splash with their highest preseason ranking since 1997.
As the season approaches, other teams like Illinois and Arizona State are gaining attention. Both teams are seeing their highest preseason rankings in decades, offering a fresh perspective on the upcoming games.
The opening week promises action with a spotlight on the highly anticipated matchup between Texas and Ohio State. In addition, fans can look forward to games featuring Clemson vs. LSU and Miami vs. Notre Dame, highlighting the depth of competition this season.
As the season unfolds, the mix of veteran players and fresh talent will surely shape the landscape of college football this year, with all eyes on the teams vying for championship glory.
