Deion Sanders' Colorado, Bill Belichick's UNC Unranked in 2025 Preseason AP Poll
The preseason AP Top 25 poll for the 2025 college football season was officially released on Monday.
Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes and Bill Belichick's North Carolina Tar Heels did not earn a spot on the rankings, but Sanders' squad received one vote.
Here's a look at the full poll.
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Preseason AP Top 25
- Texas
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Clemson
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Oregon
- Alabama
- LSU
- Miami
- Arizona State
- Illinois
- South Carolina
- Michigan
- Florida
- SMU
- Kansas State
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- Indiana
- Ole Miss
- Iowa State
- Texas Tech
- Tennessee
- Boise State
The Buffaloes wrapped up a 9-4 finish last season, reaching as high as No. 16 in the AP Top 25 poll during the year before ending their 2024 campaign in the No. 25 spot.
It was an impressive finish for a program that sat at just 1-11 in 2022, the year before Sanders' arrival. Colorado improved to 4-8 in 2023 before taking another step forward last season.
Colorado's ability to replicate its success isn't a certainty, as the team lost multiple key contributors during the offseason, headlined by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter heading into the NFL.
Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are one of the sport's most intriguing teams following the offseason hiring of Belichick. The legendary former New England Patriots head coach will be assuming the same role in college for the first time in his career.
North Carolina hasn't lived up to expectations as of late, ending its 2024 campaign with a 6-7 mark. The Tar Heels have also compiled a winning record against ACC opponents just once in the past four years.
Still, North Carolina could earn a spot on the AP poll once the season begins if it can start stringing wins together. The Tar Heels were active throughout the offseason, bringing in the No. 9 recruiting class in the country this year (via 247Sports).
Both Colorado and North Carolina will be unranked to open the season, though.
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