Full Breakdown
AP Preseason Top 25 Preview: A Voter’s Perspective
8/17/2026, 4:07:01 AM
Preview of the Upcoming AP Top 25 Poll
The Associated Press will publish its preseason Top 25 football poll early next week. While the official rankings are still pending, the columnist who casts a weekly ballot has already outlined his projected order and the reasoning behind his selections.
Rankings Rationale and Notable Teams
Notre Dame is placed at the top of the voter’s ballot, a decision driven by the depth of talent the Irish have assembled, including the writer’s preseason All-American quarterback pick, CJ Carr, and the experience of fifth-year head coach Marcus Freeman. Texas follows closely as the second-ranked team, bolstered by a “celebrated quarterback on the rise” in Arch Manning and the anticipated defensive improvement from newly hired coordinator Will Muschamp. The voter positions Oregon, Georgia, and Ohio State in the narrow third-through-fifth range, indicating a competitive cluster among those programs.
Key Players Highlighted
- Gunner Stockton – Georgia quarterback, noted for his performance in the recent Sugar Bowl.
- CJ Carr – Notre Dame quarterback, selected by the voter as a preseason All-American.
- Arch Manning – Texas quarterback, described as a celebrated rising talent.
- Will Muschamp – New defensive coordinator for Texas, expected to strengthen the Longhorns’ defense.
Anticipated Impact on the Season
The voter argues that the combination of high-profile quarterbacks and strategic coaching hires could shape early-season dynamics, particularly in the SEC and Big 12 conferences. The projected close grouping of Oregon, Georgia, and Ohio State suggests that those teams may contend for top spots throughout the year, while Texas’s defensive upgrade is seen as a potential differentiator.
Upcoming Release
The official AP Top 25 poll will be released early next week, at which point the voter’s projected rankings will be compared with the final list.
