The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing on record, with conference realignments, back stars, and new coaching configurations enriching the theatrics. On August 11, 2025, the Associated Press put out its preseason Top 25 poll and set the stage for what should be a fun-filled year. 

Texas debuts at No. 1 in the preseason poll for the first time, edging out a talent-laden field headed by Big Ten, SEC, and beyond behemoth programs by a hairsbreadth. The article does a breakdown of the whole rankings, big highlights, and things to watch as the season begins.

 

 


 

Full 2025 Preseason AP Top 25 Rankings

Here is the entire 2025 Preseason AP Top 25 college football poll with first-place votes and points:

Rank

Team

First-Place Votes

Points

1

Texas

25

1552

2

Penn State

23

1547

3

Ohio State

11

1472

4

Clemson

4

1398

5

Georgia

1

1331

6

Notre Dame

0

1325

7

Oregon

1

1236

8

Alabama

0

1179

9

LSU

0

1174

10

Miami (Fla.)

0

889

11

Arizona State

0

791

12

Illinois

0

713

13

South Carolina

0

667

14

Michigan

0

662

15

Florida

0

626

16

SMU

0

565

17

Kansas State

0

512

18

Oklahoma

0

463

19

Texas A&M

0

434

20

Indiana

0

423

21

Ole Miss

0

370

22

Iowa State

0

309

23

Texas Tech

0

274

24

Tennessee

0

192

25

Boise State

0

191



This poll shows a tight battle at the top, with Texas and Penn State separated by a mere five points—the closest preseason battle for No. 1 since 1998.

 

 


 

Top 5 Breakdown: Powerhouses Projected to Make Playoff Pushes

The top five of the 2025 preseason AP Top 25 is stacked with talent and potential.

  • No. 1 Texas Longhorns: With a strong 2024 season, Texas features a high-scoring offense spearheaded by quarterback Quinn Ewers and a bolstered defense. Their No. 1 preseason ranking is the first time in school history that the Longhorns have ever held the top spot, and they set themselves up to be dealt a season-changing blow by No. 3 Ohio State in the first round.
  • No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions: Penn State has 23 first-place votes and is riding high on its veteran lineup and improved offensive line. Coach James Franklin's team is seen as a Big Ten favorite to potentially be in the running for a national championship.
  • No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes: The 2024 champs come back at No. 3 with Heisman favorite Ryan Day leading the team once more. Their stacked recruiting class makes them a contender for another playoff appearance.
  • No. 4 Clemson Tigers: Dabo Swinney's Tigers come back revitalized with a rich defense and growth of Cade Klubnik behind center. Four first-place votes indicate promise in an ACC revival.
  • No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs: With the exception of a single first-place vote, Georgia's steady play under Kirby Smart has them as a yearly threat. Be patient, they will rise with the passing of time.

All of these teams are a combination of SEC, Big Ten, and ACC dynasties, something that shows the changing landscape of college football.

 

 


 

Surprising Omissions, Snubs, and Overrated/Underrated Teams

The 2025 preseason ballot is not controversy-free, either. Arizona State at No. 11 is a surprise mover on the strength of a breakout 2024 and star transfers. Conventional powers like Ole Miss at No. 21 are underrated based on their offense.

The analysts have ranked No. 18 Oklahoma as overrated due to defense weaknesses in the SEC, and Clemson at No. 4 has been ranked as underrated under scrutiny for their current performance. Missing are the likes of USC and Florida State, who fell short after phenomenal recruiting.

Tennessee in at No. 24 is a vote for what they can be, but need to back it up on the field.

 

 


Big Ten and SEC Head the Pack in 2025 Preseason AP Top 25 Breakdown

Big Ten and SEC continue to top the 2025 preseason AP Top 25, affirming their designation as super conferences.

  • Big Ten (8 teams): Penn State (No. 2), Ohio State (No. 3), and Oregon (No. 7) head the conference, with depth coming from Illinois (No. 12), Michigan (No. 14), Indiana (No. 20), and others.
  • SEC (9 teams): The division leaders are No. 5 Georgia, No. 8 Alabama, and No. 9 LSU, followed by No. 13 South Carolina, No. 15 Florida, No. 18 Oklahoma, No. 19 Texas A&M, No. 21 Ole Miss, and No. 24 Tennessee.
  • ACC (3 teams): Representing the league are No. 4 Clemson, No. 10 Miami, and No. 16 SMU.
  • Big 12 (5 teams): Arizona State (No. 11), Kansas State (No. 17), Iowa State (No. 22), Texas Tech (No. 23).
  • Independents and Others: Notre Dame (No. 6) and Boise State (No. 25) complete the list.

This alignment will create fierce conference fights and potential playoff scenarios.

 

 


 

Key Storylines to Watch Throughout the 2025 College Football Season

When the season starts, there are some storylines that will draw in the audience:

  • Texas vs. Ohio State: An early-season top-3 game potentially could shake up the rankings.
  • Big Ten Expansion Fallout: Oregon and others included, how will the conference setup play out?
  • SEC New Arrivals: Texas and Oklahoma's rankings are a testament to the lofty expectations, but it will be withstanding the SEC grind that will matter.
  • Playoff Expansion: The 12-team format is a boon for more teams like No. 25 Boise State to ruin the party.

College football fans should watch this space closely as games begin in late August.

 

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