AP Top 25 : The 2025 college football season is already buzzing with excitement as the AP Poll Top 25 has officially dropped, setting the tone for what promises to be a historic year. From Texas Longhorns football to Penn State football, the AP Top 25 College Football Rankings reflect a fierce battle for supremacy in the NCAA.
AP Top 25 Rankings Overview
The AP College Football Rankings for the preseason have placed Texas at the coveted No. 1 spot for the first time in program history. With Arch Manning stepping into the spotlight as the starting quarterback, the Longhorns are riding high on expectations.
Top 10 Teams in the AP Poll
| Rank | Team | First-Place Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 25 |
| 2 | Penn State | 23 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 11 |
| 4 | Clemson | 4 |
| 5 | Georgia | 1 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | — |
| 7 | Oregon | 1 |
| 8 | Alabama | — |
| 9 | LSU | — |
| 10 | Miami (FL) | — |
🏆 Texas Football leads the CFB AP Poll, but history warns that preseason No. 1 teams rarely win the national championship.
Deep Dive: Texas Longhorns Football
The Longhorns have surged in the college football AP poll thanks to:
- A 25–5 record over the past two seasons
- Back-to-back CFP semifinal appearances
- The rise of Arch Manning, a Heisman favorite
- Defensive stars like Anthony Hill Jr. and Colin Simmons
Their season opener against No. 3 Ohio State on August 30 is already being billed as a potential national championship preview.
Penn State Football: Ready to Roar
Ranked No. 2, Penn State football enters 2025 with its highest preseason AP ranking since 1997. Key strengths include:
- QB Drew Allar returning for a Heisman-caliber season
- Elite RB duo: Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen
- A revamped defense under coordinator Jim Knowles
Penn State’s schedule is favorable early on, with a marquee matchup against Oregon in Week 5 and a showdown at Ohio State in November.
College Football Rankings by Conference
| Conference | Teams in AP Top 25 |
|---|---|
| SEC | 10 |
| Big Ten | 6 |
| Big 12 | 4 |
| ACC | 3 |
| Independent | 1 |
| MWC | 1 |
The SEC continues to dominate the college football rankings, with Georgia, Alabama, and LSU all in the top 10. Meanwhile, the Big Ten boasts two of the top three teams: Penn State and Ohio State.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Texas vs. Ohio State – Aug 30
- LSU vs. Clemson – Aug 30
- Notre Dame vs. Miami (FL) – Aug 31
- Kansas State vs. Iowa State – Aug 23 (Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin)
These games will heavily influence the early CFB rankings and shape the playoff picture.
CFB Rankings Trends & Insights
- Only one preseason No. 1 team has won the national title in the CFP era: Alabama in 2017
- Teams ranked in the top five have the best odds of winning it all
- Unranked teams like SMU and Boise State made the playoff last year, proving surprises are possible
AP Top 25
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