The preseason AP Poll shows James Franklin and Penn State Football a little more love than the Coaches Poll did last week

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The preseason AP Top 25 was released Monday, solidifying Ohio State vs. Texas football as a marquee matchup to open the 2025 campaign. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 3 in the poll. Only, No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Penn State ranked ahead of OSU.

For the first time, Texas will open a college football season ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25. The Longhorns hardly have a mandate in the poll released Monday: They edged out Penn State by just five points in the closest preseason vote since 1998.