While they don’t always end up meaning a ton, College Football preseason polls are always a fun measuring stick to look at to start the season. On Monday, the AP released their Top 25 ahead of the 2024-25 college football campaign.
Preseason the polls don’t always tell the story of who will be the best teams come playoff time. However, a positive ranking in the preseason polls usually does give teams the benefit of the doubt and a head start with the selection committee.
Unsurprisingly, the SEC and Big Ten dominate the top 10. Outside of Notre Dame, each of the first 11 ranked teams reside in those two conferences and 16 of the 25 teams listed are either Big Ten or SEC teams. The Big 12 and ACC are also well represented. No teams outside of the ‘Power 4’ conferences cracked the AP’s initial Top 25.
AP Top 25
- Georgia (46 first-place votes)
- Ohio State (15)
- Oregon (1)
- Texas
- Alabama
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- Penn State
- Michigan
- Florida State
- Missouri
- Utah
- LSU
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State
- Kansas State
- Miami (FL)
- Texas A&M
- Arizona
- Kansas
- USC
- NC State
- Iowa
The College Football season kicks off on Saturday, August 24 with Week 0, though there will be only four games that day. The first full College Football Saturday of the 2024-25 campaign kicks off on Saturday, August 31.
Some of the biggest games that weekend include #14 Clemson at #1 Georgia, #7 Notre Dame at #20 Texas A&M, #13 LSU vs #23 USC in Las Vegas. Though those games might highlight the slate of action, there are a ton of additional Week 1 matchups to get excited about as well.