AP Top 25: Texas No. 1 in Preseason Poll, Setting Up Top-3 Matchup vs. Ohio State
AP Top 25: Texas No. 1 in Preseason Poll, Setting Up Top-3 Matchup vs. Ohio State
Texas received its No. 1 ranking after two appearances in the College Football Playoff semifinals in each of the last two years, earning 25 of the 65 first-place votes. The Longhorns also received the No. 1 ranking as Arch Manning is set to take over at quarterback for the 2025 season.
Manning, a redshirt sophomore, sat behind Quinn Ewers the last two seasons, but briefly played in 2024, recording 939 passing yards, two interceptions, 108 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns.
Ohio State received the No. 3 ranking after winning its first national championship under head coach Ryan Day last season. Fourteen players from that team were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, including quarterback Will Howard and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. The Buckeyes arguably have the two best players in college football entering 2025, however, with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs returning. Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz are battling for the starting quarterback job. Ohio State got 11 first-place votes.
Penn State nearly got the No. 1 overall ranking. It earned 23 first-place votes and was only five points shy of Texas’ point total. The Nittany Lions return quarterback Drew Allar, along with running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, helping them receive their highest ranking in the AP Top 25 preseason poll since 1997.
