Brett McMurphy's college football preseason AP Top 25 ballot

All summer there was endless debates from college football leaders about the playoff’s future format or how many conference games should be played.

College athletics is a cluster right now. It’s chaos. Yet, despite all the confusion, there remains one thing all college football fans can agree on: my preseason Associated Press Top 25 ballot.

I don’t want to say I’ve been voting in the AP Poll a long time, but I still remember my first AP ballot back in 1 BC (Before Corso): I ranked Caveman A&M No. 1, Woolly Mammoth Tech No. 2 and The Neanderthal State University No. 3. 

All these years later and still no one has disagreed with any of my rankings. Ever. So enjoy. The entire AP Top 25 poll will be released next Monday, Aug. 11, at noon ET.

1. Georgia

In the past four seasons, Georgia has more wins (53), conference title berths (four) and national championships (two) than any program. Yet, some doubt the Bulldogs can sustain their success. Weaknesses at wide receiver – the Dawgs led the nation in dropped passes last year – were addressed. Helping QB Gunner Stockton will be transfers Zachariah Branch (USC) and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M). Under Kirby Smart, the Dawgs have signed a top three recruiting class virtually every year. That talent pipeline keeps Georgia, if not college football’s top Dawg in 2025, at least in another national title hunt.

2. Penn State

James Franklin begins his 12th season at Penn State and the expectations have never been higher. The Nittany Lions return a ton, including QB Drew Allar and the nation’s top RB duo (Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen). They also add new DC wizard Jim Knowles from Ohio State. Speaking of the Buckeyes, Franklin must exorcise those demons – 1-10 vs. Ohio State and a 1-15 record vs. Top 5 ranked teams. The Nittany Lions will get a lot of love at No. 1. I’m waiting until, you know, he wins some Big Games, James.

3. Texas

The Longhorns’ first season in the SEC was alright, alright, alright. Texas reached the SEC title game and the College Football Playoff. And all of this was BAM: Before Arch Manning. In case you’ve been unconscious for the past eight months, there’s a new sheriff in town. Manning is now the Man under center (or in the shotgun) for the Longhorns. Fair or not, anything less than a Heisman Trophy season and/or national title will be a Texas-sized disappointment for Steve Sarkisian.

4. Clemson

The ACC can expand to 17 or 117 teams and there remains one constant: Clemson. Little old Clemson no more, the Tigers have put together one of the NCAA’s most dominant runs: 14 consecutive nine-win seasons. A 15th shouldn’t be an issue. Whether Dabo Swinney adds another national title depends if QB Cade Klubnik delivers like CFP champion QBs Trevor Lawrence (2018) and Deshaun Watson (2016) and how much new DC Tom Allen impacts the defense.

5. Alabama

Kalen DeBoer’s first season replacing the irreplaceable Nick Saban started strong, but Alabama stumbled down the stretch – a 21-point loss to Oklahoma and an embarrassing ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan (too soon, Tide fans?). DeBoer reunites with OC Ryan Grubb, who was with DeBoer for two magical seasons at Washington. Grubb’s No. 1 priority: find a QB (Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or freshman flash Keelon Russell) to get WR Ryan Williams the ball. With an improved defense (seven returning starters), Bama should return to the playoff. If it can beat Vanderbilt.

6. Ohio State

The defending national champs have the nation’s best player on offense (WR Jeremiah Smith) and defense (S Caleb Downs), but lost coordinators Chip Kelly and Jim Knowles. “We’re not defending anything,” Ryan Day said. “They can’t take the trophy away.” Surprise, Ohio State is loaded again this year. But can Day and the Buckeyes finally solve the Michigan Mystery? It will be exactly 2,191 days since Ohio State last beat Michigan when they play Nov. 29. Not that anyone’s counting.

7. Notre Dame

Notre Dame almost became the first team to lose to NIU and then win a national title in the same season. The Irish fell one victory shy, but remarkably rebounded from 2024’s biggest upset by reeling off 13 wins before losing to Ohio State in the title game. This year, the Irish have bigger aspirations. They have the talent (stud RB Jeremiyah Love and WR Jaden Greathouse are among 11 returning starters) and schedule (Irish are projected to be favored in every regular season game). The biggest unknown is do they have the QB in freshman CJ Carr to win their first title since 1988.

8. Oregon

Thankfully, the College Football Playoff corrected its gimmicky seeding format that put a historic No. 1 seeded Oregon team at a disadvantage last year with a Rose Bowl rematch with Ohio State. Unlike picturesque Pasadena, it wasn’t pretty. With 18 new starters, Dan Lanning will have different Ducks this year, but one constant remains: an explosive offense. Strong-armed Dante Moore is the latest in an impressive run of QBs in Eugene. Under OC Will Stein, Oregon has scored at least 30 points in a national-best 25 of 28 games the past two seasons.

9. Miami

Even with the addition of Georgia transfer QB Carson Beck, the Hurricanes’ offense should regress this year without No. 1 NFL Draft pick Cam Ward. However, whatever dip Miami experiences offensively, the Hurricanes should offset it on defense with new DC Corey Hetherman, who comes from Minnesota. DE Rueben Bain heads a defense that will be vastly improved – there’s no way they could be worse, right? – from last season’s matador unit. With yet another impressive transfer portal and recruiting haul, the improvement under Mario Cristobal continues with the Hurricanes taking aim at their first College Football Playoff berth.

10. LSU

The last three LSU coaches won a national title and each did so in either Year 3 (Les Miles and Ed Orgeron) or Year 4 (Nick Saban) in Baton Rouge. Can Brian Kelly, in Year 4, continue that streak? It may depend if he can stop a different streak. LSU has lost five consecutive openers and begins in “Death Valley Jr.” vs. Clemson. QB Garrett Nussmeier should have a big year with a stable of wide receivers, none of which, Nussmeier says, run slower than a 4.4 40-yard dash. LB Harold Perkins returns to lead the defense.

11. Michigan

Last season Michigan only outgained four of 13 opponents, but somehow still finished 8-5. Over their final 3½ games, the Wolverines’ defense allowed only 2 TDs to Indiana, Northwestern, Ohio State and Alabama. With six regulars back, Sherrone Moore is expecting more of the same from his defense. Offensively, freshman phenom QB Bryce Underwood and new OC Chip Lindsey are expected to solve the Wolverines’ woes from a year ago. 

12. Texas A&M

While Mike Elko’s known for his defense, his Aggies actually had the highest scoring offense in SEC play. With QB Marcel Reed starting from the outset this season, Texas A&M could be even better. Fifteen returning starters remember last year’s 1-4 finish, one win shy of the SEC title game. “We have a really strong chip on our shoulders,” Elko said. “To finish this thing the right way.”

13. Kansas State

QB Avery Johnson already has the best locks in college football and he’s ready to have an overall game just as impressive. As a first-year starter, Johnson set the school record for TD passes and now he’s added 17 pounds of lean muscle mass, Chris Klieman said. If Kansas State can survive its season opener vs. Iowa State in Ireland, the Wildcats could look as good as Johnson’s mane in December.

14. SMU

In SMU’s power conference debut, the Mustangs went 8-0 in conference play, lost the ACC title game by three points and earned a College Football Playoff berth over blueblood Alabama. QB Kevin Jennings will make sure SMU avoids a sophomore slump in ‘25. The Mustangs’ national best 17-game conference winning streak will be tested vs. Clemson, Miami and Louisville. “We know,” said Rhett Lashlee, “we belong on the national scene.”

15. Florida

With star QB DJ Lagway surrounded by the most talent in Billy Napier’s four seasons in Gainesville, Florida could make a run at a College Football Playoff berth – or fight to stay above .500. It depends if Lagway, who was 6-0 as a starter last year as a freshman, remains healthy and how the Gators fare against a schedule featuring seven teams on my preseason Top 25 ballot.

16. Illinois

After last year’s historic 10-3 team, the best in 25 years, Bret Bielema hasn’t been shy about touting his team. “If you don’t stand up for yourself,” he said. “No one else will.” Illinois returns 16 starters, including the entire offensive line and veteran QB Luke Altmyer. If the Illini can win 10 games for a second consecutive season for the first time in school history, expect even more boasting from Bielema.

17. Utah

Utah’s offense last year was, well, offensive, so Kyle Whittingham brought in New Mexico OC Jason Beck and Lobo QB Devon Dampier, who will operate behind what Willingham said is the “best offensive line” he’s had in his 21 years. The Utes have been decimated by injuries the past two years. If they can finally stay healthy, Utah could be the surprise of the Big 12.

18. Oklahoma

It’s been 100 years since an Oklahoma coach survived three losing seasons, so Brent Venables, already with two 6-7 seasons, knows what’s at stake. Venables took over the defensive coordinator duties and hopes the addition of former Washington State OC Ben Arbuckle and Wazzu QB transfer John Mateer can revive what was an injury-riddled and comatose Sooner offense in 2024.

19. Tennessee

Under Josh Heupel the past three years, Tennessee has 30 wins, its best three-year stretch in nearly 30 years. Coming off their first College Football Playoff berth, the Vols winning ways should continue in 2025. DL Joshua Josephs and CB Jermod McCoy head a stout defense, while the offense must adjust to new QB Joey Aguilar, who replaces Nico Iamaleava, who is off to UCLA.

20. Arizona State

The S(t)un Devils shocked the Big 12 last season. Picked to finish last, Arizona State won the league and almost upset Texas in the playoff. Nearly every player with eligibility returned to Tempe, most notably QB Sam Leavitt, WR Jordyn Tyson and 16 starters. “They feel they’re part of something bigger than themselves,” Kenny Dillingham said. What’s his biggest concern? “Can we play with that chip, can we play with that passion” like last year’s stunning season.

21. Ole Miss

QB Austin Simmons takes over after three seasons with Jaxson Dart running Ole Miss‘ offense. Lane Kiffin is excited to see what his lefty can do in a full season. “He’s got elite talent,” Kiffin said. The self-proclaimed “Portal King” had another successful stint in the Portal, with an emphasis on looking to improve last season’s stagnant rushing attack and keep the pressure off Simmons.

22. USC

Lincoln Riley held his thumb and fore finger slightly apart: “so close,” he said, summing up 2024 for USC. Five losses by one score; four of those when USC blew fourth-quarter leads. Riley expects a different 2025. QB Jayden Maiava, 3-1 as a starter last year, is back. While DC D’Anton Lynn, who resurrected the Trojans’ defense last year, looks for even better results in LaLa Land.

23. Texas Tech

Money can’t buy happiness, but will it buy a Big 12 title? We’ll find out this fall in Lubbock if Texas Tech’s NIL roster pays off. The criticism the Red Raiders are receiving is “comical,” Joey McGuire said. If Tech’s new roster meshes with QB Behren Morton and new coordinators Mack Leftwich and Shiel Wood, the Red Raiders will go laughing all the way to the bank – and the College Football Playoff.

24. Indiana

Last year was the best in Indiana history. “No. 1 in 126 years,” Curt Cignetti said. Will the Hoosiers be one-hit wonders or can they return to the playoffs? “We’re not looking to sustain it,” Cignetti said. “We’re looking to improve it.” It won’t be easy. Cal transfer QB Fernando Mendoza and IU face a tougher Big Ten slate (Illinois, Iowa, Oregon and Penn State) than last season.

25. Louisville

Jeff Brohm knows first-hand what to expect from USC transfer QB Miller Moss, who shredded his Cards for 372 yards and six TDs in the 2023 Holiday Bowl. With Moss now at Louisville, the Cards could reach another ACC title game if they improve in close games (four losses by one score last season) and survive an ACC schedule featuring Miami, Clemson and SMU.

What if I could rank 40 teams, you ask? My next 15 teams (in alphabetical order): Auburn, Baylor, Boise State, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, TCU, Tulane, Washington, Wisconsin