Predicting Top 25 Coaches Poll for 2025 Preseason College Football Rankings

The Coaches Poll is the first official indication of where the best college football programs stand going into the 2025 campaign.

Some of the sport's marquee programs are expected to once again be at, or near, the top of the rankings.

The reigning champion Ohio State Buckeyes have plenty of hype, but their first opponent, the Texas Longhorns, are likely to be on top of the preseason rankings.

Texas is led by Heisman Trophy favorite Arch Manning. His presence in the pocket could help Steve Sarkisian's team take the next step in the College Football Playoff.

A bunch of other usual contenders, like the Penn State Nittany Lions, Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs should feature in the preseason top 10 once again.

Preseason Coaches Poll Prediction

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Preseason Coaches Poll Prediction

1. Texas
2. Penn State
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Clemson
7. Oregon
8. Notre Dame
9. LSU
10. Miami
11. Michigan
12. Tennessee
13. Illinois
14. Texas A&M
15. South Carolina
16. Arizona State
17. Kansas State
18. Missouri
19. Ole Miss
20. Boise State
21. SMU
22. Indiana
23. Florida
24. Oklahoma
25. Iowa State

Texas, Ohio State Expected to Be In Top 5 for Season Opener

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Texas and Ohio State each should be ranked in the top five ahead of their season-opening clash in Columbus on August 30.

Texas has a better chance to be the top-ranked team in the Coaches and AP polls because of its returning core and the presence of Manning at quarterback.

Manning is the main attraction at quarterback, but the Longhorns also return running back Quintrevion Wisner and wide receiver Ryan Wingo among others.

Texas' defense, which was excellent for most of the 2024 campaign, is expected to be strong again as well. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is the star of that unit.

Ohio State has a question at quarterback with Julian Sayin taking over for Will Howard, but you can argue pretty easily that the Buckeyes will have the two best players on the field on August 30 in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs.

The loaded roster makes Ohio State a contender to repeat, but having a lesser-hyped new quarterback will put the Buckeyes behind the Longhorns, at least until Week 1.

Penn State Should Receive Some First Place Votes

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Penn State enters 2025 as one of the fascinating programs.

The 2024 CFB Playoff semifinalist brings back quarterback Drew Allar and the running back tandem of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

However, Penn State isn't returning everyone, as the Nittany Lions also lost tight end Tyler Warren and defensive end Abdul Carter to the first round of the NFL draft.

Penn State has enough returning talent, though, to be considered a contender to win the Big Ten alongside Ohio State.

Allar is arguably the best of the returning quarterbacks with lengthy starting experience, and because of that, Penn State should earn some first-place votes.

The Nittany Lions probably won't start the season in front of Texas, but they will challenge for the No. 1 spot for most of the campaign.