AP Poll Drama: Texas Makes History While Penn State Waits In the Wings

The first 2025 college football AP Poll has landed, and brace yourselves, because history just happened. The Texas Longhorns are preseason No. 1 in the AP poll for the first time. Is this real life, or did we all collectively step into some bizarre alternate universe where Arch Manning and burnt orange supremacy reign supreme? Either way, Texas snagged 25 first-place votes, topping the AP poll for the first time.

And look, Texas fans, before you start uncorking the champagne to celebrate your trophy-incoming season, let’s reflect on how narrow this vote really was. Penn State came in at No. 2, trailing Texas by a heartbreaking five measly points, thanks to 23 first-place votes of their own. While this marks Penn State’s best preseason ranking since 1997, being so close to the No. 1 spot probably stings worse than any Big Ten loss.

Penn State’s Close Second Feels Bittersweet

The Nittany Lions are rolling into the season with few weaknesses. They have Quarterback Drew Allar throwing bombs and a roster stacked with experience and depth. It is no wonder Penn State racked up 23 first-place nods in the AP poll.

Penn State has the schedule to back up the hype, too, with a late-September clash against an Oregon team trying to remind everyone they aren’t just honorary Pac-12 ghosts. And then, the November showdown at Ohio State. Bookmark it now, because that one’s shaping up to decide everything.

Oh, Ohio State, Why’d They Do You Like That?

Speaking of Ohio State, the Buckeyes are comfortably chilling at No. 3. Cool, right? Sure, if you ignore that their preseason votes and national championship pedigree clearly weren’t enough to make them more beloved than Penn State. But wait, there’s more! Their schedule kicks off against Texas in what might as well be a College Football Playoff game in August. Winning would be the ultimate mic drop.

On offense, OSU is reloading with a new QB (Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz) slinging passes to star Wideout Jeremiah Smith. Coach Ryan Day’s squad may look different, but this is Ohio State we’re talking about. Preseason positioning aside, they’ll be lurking deep into January. Bet on it.

SEC Dominance Continues In AP Poll

Surprise, surprise! The SEC dominates the AP Poll like it holds a monopoly on fresh recruits. Texas, new kids in the SEC playoff sandbox, leads the charge. Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Florida all cracked the top 15, marking another year of too many SEC teams in your rankings discussions. Alabama edges out bragging rights over LSU and a surging Miami team.

Key Highlights From the AP Poll Circus

• Texas is now officially the preseason No. 1 team with a jaw-droppingly low 25 votes. If they finish No. 1, they would pull off what only 11 other teams have since the AP preseason poll debuted.
• Recent history vibes strong! Penn State hasn’t been this high in a preseason poll in 26 years. Meanwhile, SMU is in the Top 25 for the first time since 1985.
• Boise State sneaking into that No. 25 spot is a big warm hug for Group-of-Five programs trying to prove they still matter in this Power-Four-centric landscape.

What Lies Ahead for Texas and the AP Top 25?

Can Texas live up to the hype, or is this just another preseason flame destined to burn out by Week 7? History isn’t exactly on their side. Remember all those years where “Texas is back!” was the biggest lie in college football? Yeah, so does everyone else. But Arch Manning and Head Coach Steve Sarkisian have built more than hype. They have built what might be one of the most complete rosters in years.