Predictions for 2025 AP NCAA Top 25 Preseason College Football Rankings

The preseason AP Top 25 is expected to confirm what the preseason Coaches poll did a week ago.

The first blockbuster matchup of the 2025 college football season should pit No. 1 versus No. 2.

Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns were the top program in the Coaches poll. The Ohio State Buckeyes were right behind them at No. 2.

Texas and Ohio State are expected to be the top two squads in Monday's AP Top 25 as well.

AP Top 25 Prediction

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

Texas and Ohio State are viewed as the top two teams by many experts right now with Penn State coming in a close third.

It makes sense to place the Longhorns and Buckeyes in the top two spots so that their August 30 showdown can be billed as No. 1-versus-No. 2.

Both teams are worthy of earning the top spot. Texas has one of the most well-rounded teams in the country. The promotion of Manning to starting quarterback is expected to take the Longhorns offense to the next level.

Ohio State has arguably the two best individuals in college football on its roster in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and defensive back Caleb Downs.

The Buckeyes come into the season with a question at quarterback, but there's enough talent around Julian Sayin to comfortably place them in the top two of the preseason polls.

Penn State returns its quarterback and both running backs from its semifinal run a year ago. The Nittany Lions should slot in right behind Texas and Ohio State at No. 3.

The differences in the AP poll compared to the Coaches poll will be minimal. A few teams may switch positions because they are viewed differently by the AP voters than coaches from across the FBS.;

A year ago, the top seven programs were the same in each preseason poll. The top 10 teams were the same with one difference in ranking position.

Some variation might happen at the back end of the AP poll just because there's more questions about teams once you get outside the top 10.

A team like Louisville or Oklahoma might slip into the bottom portion of the poll over Boise State or Texas Tech, but other than that, there won't be a drastic difference in the AP poll from what we saw in the Coaches poll release last week.