Preseason Coaches Poll: USA Today names 5 biggest snubs in Top 25

On Monday, USA Today released its preseason Top 25 rankings, via the Coaches Poll. While many of the usual suspects graced the list, there were several teams surprisingly nowhere to be found.

As expected, Texas and Ohio State headlined the rankings. Meanwhile, up-and-comer Texas Tech and Group-of-Five powerhouse Boise State brought up the rear. The SEC had nine teams make the Top 25, the most of any conference in the country.

As with any list, there were still some fans unsatisfied with their teams being excluded. On Tuesday, USA Today released its five biggest snubs from the rankings.

1. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma fell just outside of the rankings, with the most votes of any team that didn’t make it. Expectations are high in Norman this offseason. The team underwent a makeover after a disappointing 2024 campaign, bringing in new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.

Washington State quarterback John Mateer followed Arbuckle to Oklahoma and is expected to be one of the best QBs in the conference this fall. Mateer tallied 3,129 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions last season.

2. Utah Utes

Utah looked like a shell of itself last season, posting a losing record for the first time since 2013. If history is any indication, the Utes won’t remain down for long. With the Cam Rising era officially over at Utah, New Mexico transfer quarterback Devon Dampier is expected to lead the offense this year.

Like Mateer, Dampier followed his offensive coordinator to his new program. Jason Beck was hired by Utah in December after spending just one season at New Mexico. The Lobos’ offense averaged the fourth-most yards per game in the nation last season.

3. Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa’s defense is always reliable. Thus, all eyes are on its offense entering the 2025 campaign. And, in an unusual twist of events, the Hawkeyes fans have reason to hope for brighter days.

Iowa landed South Dakota State transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski this offseason. Gronowski was one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the transfer portal. In his four years at SDSU, Gronowski amassed 10,330 passing yards, 1,767 rushing yards, 93 passing touchdowns and 37 rushing scores.

4. Georgia Tech

It’s quarterback Haynes King‘s final year at Georgia Tech, and he’s hungry to make it a memorable one. King showed off his upset potential last season, defeating Miami and narrowly falling to Georgia in double-overtime. Now, King will look to lead the Yellow Jackets to new heights.

Of course, he isn’t alone in his mission. Georgia Tech is also returning star running back Jamal Haynes. Haynes racked up 944 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season. He’ll look to take his game to the next level this fall.

5. Memphis Tigers

Memphis received just 34 votes in the Coaches Poll Top 25 despite posting an 11-2 record last season and being in contention for the G5 College Football Playoff slot. In fairness, Memphis is only returning 39% of its total production from last season.

Alas, head coach Ryan Silverfield hasn’t given his fellow college football coaches any reason to doubt him yet. The 2024 campaign was Memphis’ second-consecutive 10-win season and the Tigers will undoubtedly aim to build on that momentum this fall.