The latest AP preseason poll has placed Ohio State at No. 1 and Oregon at No. 2, a combination that has not been seen in the conference since the early 1960s.
A historic milestone
Ohio State enters the season with a record 40 first‑place votes, the most of any team, and this marks the ninth occasion the Buckeyes have been tabbed No. 1 in the preseason poll. Their rise reflects both the program’s sustained excellence and the confidence voters have in a roster that, while losing eight defensive starters, still boasts a potent offense.
Oregon’s ascent is equally noteworthy. The Ducks have secured their highest preseason ranking ever, having previously opened at No. 3 on four occasions. The elevation underscores the impact of a recruiting class that includes standout talents such as quarterback Bo Jackson, who arrives as a 1,000‑yard rushing freshman, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, already the team’s leading receiver in yards and touchdowns.
The Big Ten’s dominance is not limited to the top two. The conference commands five of the top ten spots, a feat last achieved in 2013, and its teams are poised to capture a fourth consecutive College Football Playoff championship. Such a streak would reshape the traditional power dynamics of the sport.
Challenges on the defensive side
Ohio State’s defense will be reshaped for the second straight year, with six transfers projected to start or play major roles. The loss of eight starters creates a void that the coaching staff hopes to fill through both internal development and strategic acquisitions.
The Buckeyes’ schedule adds another layer of intrigue. Their early test comes against Texas on September 12, and throughout the conference slate they will meet five opponents who entered the preseason rankings. Games at Indiana and a home matchup against Oregon promise to be pivotal moments that could set the tone for the season.
Beyond the Big Ten, other programs are making headlines. The Georgia Bulldogs, favored for a sixth straight conference title game and a sixth straight CFP appearance, sit in the preseason top five for the ninth consecutive year. Texas, which held the No. 1 spot last year, returns in the top five for the third straight season, while Texas A&M climbs to No. 8, its highest position since 2022.
The landscape also includes a resurgence of traditional powers. The Indiana Hoosiers, the seventh returning national champion in four decades, are ranked No. 6 despite falling outside the top five in the preseason poll. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s rise to No. 5 marks their highest preseason standing since 2006, driven by quarterback CJ Carr, a Heisman candidate.
Even programs outside the traditional power conferences are making noise. LSU, after a 7‑6 season that left them unranked under previous coaches, re‑enters the poll at No. 11, illustrating the impact of a new coaching direction. The exclusion of Group of Six teams such as James Madison and Tulane from the CFP field highlights the continued disparity in access to the elite postseason.
Overall, the 2024 preseason rankings set the stage for a season filled with high‑stakes matchups, defensive overhauls, and the pursuit of an unprecedented fourth straight national title by the Big Ten. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely as the early games unfold, determining whether the conference can translate its historic preseason momentum into another championship run.