It’s pretty rare that there’s ever a serious race for No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll. Even if there’s a debate, it’s typically settled long before ballots are cast. Over the last 20 seasons, the difference in first-place votes between No. 1 and 2 has been within 10 ballots only twice.
But in a sign of the changing times, that changed dramatically in 2025. Texas captured the No. 1 ranking in the preseason AP Top 25 on Monday, amazingly earning the honor for the first time in program history. However, UT only edged out Penn State by two first-place votes (25 vs. 23). The margin ranks as the closest since 2008, when Georgia beat out Ohio State by a single first-place ballot.
In fact, the totals were even closer as the Longhorns and Nittany Lions were separated by only five ballot points. That makes it the tightest race for preseason No. 1 since 1998, when Ohio State beat out Florida State. Adding another dimension, six teams received a first-place vote in the preseason poll. That’s the most since the 2016 season. Keep in mind, these are two programs that didn’t even reach the national title game last year.
The message is clear: The consolidation era is on hiatus. Heading into 2025, college football is preparing for its most wide open national championship race in years.
AP Top 25 poll takeaways: Big Ten, SEC widen gap but parity exists among national title contenders
Tom Fornelli
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-rankings-why-balanced-preseason-ap-top-25-poll-foreshadows-chaos-ahead-in-2025-season/
Author : Shehan Jeyarajah
Publish date : 2025-08-12 12:18:00
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