The AP Top 25 college football poll preseason rankings are now out. Texas took the No. 1 spot for the first time in an opening poll, narrowly edging out Penn State by just five points in the closest preseason vote since 1998. Defending champion Ohio State ranked No. 3.
A tradition since 1936, no organization has been ranking teams and naming a major college football national champion longer than the AP — and now you can follow live updates before and after the poll drops.
See where your team ranks and which teams and players to watch ahead of the 2025 season.
Here’s what to know:
- Why Texas? The Longhorns don’t have a major mandate for the No. 1 ranking, but they’ve been on an upward trajectory since going 5-7 in 2021. They’ve won 25 of their last 30 games and reached two straight CFP semifinals. With undisputed starting quarterback Arch Manning at the helm, “Arch Mania” is at a fever pitch.
- Who decides the rankings? The Top 25 voters are over 60 journalists covering college football for AP-member news organizations. They’re urged to base their votes on head-to-head results, not reputation, preseason speculation or regional bias.
- When does the 2025 season start? The wait is almost over. Opening weekend begins Saturday, Aug. 23.
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