The Associated Press has released its preseason college football poll, and for the first time in 65 years the Big Ten Conference occupies the top two spots. Ohio State leads the rankings, followed closely by Oregon, marking a historic shift that underscores the conference’s recent resurgence.
Ohio State earned 40 first‑place votes, the most of any team in the poll, and will open the season as the No. 1 ranked squad for the ninth time since 2015. The Buckeyes return a potent offense that includes a Heisman Trophy finalist, a premier receiver and a freshman who posted a 1,000‑yard rushing season last year. Yet the defense must replace eight starters, prompting the program to rely on six transfers who are expected to start or play major roles.
A New Era for the Big Ten
The SEC remains the most represented conference, boasting nine teams in the top 25 and five of the top ten positions — a feat not seen since 2013. Traditional powerhouses such as Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas round out the top five, while Indiana, the seventh returning national champion in four decades, enters the poll at No. 6 despite being ranked outside the top five in the preseason.
Big Ten teams have captured three consecutive College Football Playoff titles and are now eyeing a fourth straight national championship, a pursuit that adds pressure to Ohio State’s quest to finish the season still ranked No. 1. The Buckeyes will face early tests, including a September 12 showdown with Texas and a slate of conference games against other preseason‑ranked opponents.
Other storylines feature Lane Kiffin’s first LSU squad, which opens at No. 11 after a 7‑6 season under previous coaches, and a resurgence by Houston, which earns its first preseason ranking in four years. Meanwhile, Oklahoma climbs to No. 10 for the first time since 2022, and Notre Dame enjoys its highest preseason position since 2006, driven by quarterback CJ Carr, a Heisman candidate who brings a 10‑game winning streak to the field.