College Football AP Poll Preseason: Top 25 Teams Unveiled
Who's In and Who's Out
The much-anticipated College Football AP Poll preseason rankings have been released, revealing the top 25 teams heading into the 2023 season. Alabama, the defending national champions, unsurprisingly hold the No. 1 spot, followed by Ohio State and Georgia.
Key Takeaways:
- Alabama remains the top-ranked team for the fifth consecutive year.
- Ohio State and Georgia round out the top three, with Michigan and Clemson completing the top five.
- Several teams made significant jumps in the rankings, including Tennessee (No. 6), Penn State (No. 8), and Texas (No. 10).
- Last year's runner-up Michigan Wolverines dropped to No. 5, while Utah fell out of the top 10.
- Florida State re-entered the top 25 at No. 21, marking their first appearance in the preseason rankings since 2017.
Breakdown by Conference
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads the way with nine teams in the top 25, followed by the Big Ten (5), and the ACC (4). The Big 12, Pac-12, and Group of Five conferences each have one team represented.
The SEC's dominance is evident with Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU all ranked among the top 10. Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State represent the Big Ten in the top 10, while the ACC's Clemson and North Carolina hold down the top 10 and 13th spots, respectively.
Heisman Trophy Contenders
The preseason AP Poll also provides valuable insights into potential Heisman Trophy contenders. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, last year's Heisman winner, is the clear frontrunner once again. Other top candidates include Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, and Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Upsets and Surprises
While the top of the rankings largely met expectations, there were a few notable upsets and surprises. Most notably, Texas A&M dropped out of the top 25 entirely after a disappointing 5-7 campaign last season. On the other hand, Kansas State, which finished 8-4 in 2022, made a significant jump to No. 15.
Looking Ahead
The preseason AP Poll sets the stage for an exciting college football season. The top teams will look to prove their worth on the field, while underdogs will aim to upset the favorites. With so much talent and potential storylines, the 2023 season is sure to deliver plenty of thrilling moments.
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