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In the released earlier this month, the five-point gap between the Nos. 1 and 2 teams — Texas and Penn State — was the smallest in the preseason poll since 1998.

A total of six teams received first-place votes. Only three got first-place votes in each of the previous three polls.

The year before that, 2021, saw five teams get first-place votes. Alabama received 47, while Oklahoma and Clemson each received five.

This year? Texas got 25, Penn State 23 and Ohio State 11.

Another indication of how much preseason opinions vary: Starting with No. 10 Miami (Fla.), each of the bottom 16 teams in the Top 25 was left off at least one voter’s ballot. The average starting point for teams not being ranked over the previous three seasons was No. 15.

How did the Star’s Michael Lev, an AP voter, sort it all out? Here’s a look at as the 2025 season gets underway:

1. Penn State

2024 record: 13-3, 8-1 Big Ten (lost in College Football Playoff semifinals)

Coach: James Franklin (12th year)

In a sentence: The Nittany Lions are following the blueprint that enabled Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State to win the past two national championships — retaining blue-chip players who could have gone into the NFL Draft such as tailback Nick Singleton and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton while supplementing them with key portal pickups, including badly needed receiving talent.

2. Clemson

2024 record: 10-4, 7-1 ACC (lost in CFP opening round)

Coach: Dabo Swinney (18th year)

In a sentence: Like the Nittany Lions with Drew Allar, the Tigers return a veteran quarterback with first-round potential in Cade Klubnik; they also have two potential top-10 picks in defensive linemen T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, making Clemson one of the most well-rounded teams in the nation — and a legit contender to win Swinney’s third national title.

3. Texas

2024 record: 13-3, 7-1 SEC (lost in CFP semifinals)

Coach: Steve Sarkisian (fifth year)

In a sentence: The hype around new starting quarterback Arch Manning is out of control, but leading the Longhorns to their first national championship in 20 years is a lot to ask — especially with Texas needing to rebuild both lines and facing a schedule that features road games against Ohio State, Florida and Georgia.

4. Ohio State

2024 record: 14-2, 7-2 Big Ten (won national championship)

Coach: Ryan Day (seventh year)

In a sentence: The Buckeyes might have the two best players in college football in receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, but their uncertain QB situation and coordinator turnover could limit their ceiling; of course, at Ohio State, the floor is higher than just about anywhere else.

5. Notre Dame

2024 record: 14-2 (lost in CFP championship game)

Coach: Marcus Freeman (fourth year)

In a sentence: Another well-constructed team under Freeman, led by star tailback Jeremiyah Love, but, like many others in the top 10, the Fighting Irish have a major question at quarterback as redshirt freshman CJ Carr — who has zero career pass attempts — takes over for dual-threat veteran Riley Leonard.

6. Oregon

2024 record: 13-1, 9-0 Big Ten (lost in CFP quarterfinals)

Coach: Dan Lanning (fourth year)

In a sentence: Even with top receiver Evan Stewart being sidelined, the Ducks have a deep, talented roster full of homegrown talent (DE Matayo Uiagalelei) and high-profile transfers (OT Isaiah World) — but their fate hinges on whether new quarterback Dante Moore can live up to his onetime standing as a five-star recruit.

7. LSU

2024 record: 9-4, 5-3 SEC

Coach: Brian Kelly (fourth year)

In a sentence: By their standards, the Tigers have been good, not great, in three seasons under Kelly (29-11), but this could be the year they break through with Garrett Nussmeier (4,052 yards, 29 TDs in 2024) back at quarterback and a loaded, portal-enhanced receiving corps.

8. Alabama

2024 record: 9-4, 5-3 SEC

Coach: Kalen DeBoer (second year)

In a sentence: It’s possible we’re underestimating the Crimson Tide, who should be better adjusted to DeBoer in Year 2, should benefit from the arrival of OC Ryan Grubb and might have the best offensive line (led by Kadyn Proctor) and secondary (led by Domani Jackson) in the nation.

9. Georgia

2024 record: 11-3, 6-2 SEC (lost in CFP quarterfinals)

Coach: Kirby Smart (10th year)

In a sentence: We have the Bulldogs four spots lower than the consensus because of lingering concerns about the offense and the difficulty of sustaining success after sending scores of players to the NFL this decade; then again, new starting QB Gunner Stockton just might provide the athleticism and intangibles that Georgia needs.

10. Miami

2024 record: 10-3, 6-2 ACC

Coach: Mario Cristobal (fourth year)

In a sentence: Georgia’s former starting quarterback, Carson Beck, is now at Miami and reportedly healthy after injuring his elbow late last season; assuming he’s good to go, the Hurricanes should push Clemson in the ACC — if their defense takes a sizable step forward under new coordinator Corey Hetherman.

11. South Carolina

2024 record: 9-4, 5-3 SEC

Coach: Shane Beamer (fifth season)

In a sentence: Fast, powerful LaNorris Sellers might be the best quarterback in the nation, but the Gamecocks have to replace a ton of quality defenders and navigate a schedule that includes consecutive games against LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M — plus the annual season finale vs. Clemson.

12. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ State

2024 record: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12 (lost in CFP quarterfinals)

Coach: Kenny Dillingham (third year)

In a sentence: Aside from bruising tailback Cam Skattebo, the Sun Devils return most of the main characters from last year’s surprise Big 12 championship squad, including quarterback Sam Leavitt, receiver Jordyn Tyson, fourth-fifths of the offensive line and almost the entire starting defense; the question is, can ASU handle the pressure that comes with being a favorite?

13. Illinois

2024 record: 10-3, 6-3 Big Ten

Coach: Bret Bielema (fifth year)

In a sentence: The Illini are basically the Sun Devils of the Big Ten, bringing almost everyone of note back from a team that hadn’t won double-digit games since 2001; ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ fans know a successful follow-up isn’t guaranteed, but the schedule is favorable (Ohio State at home; no Michigan, Oregon or Penn State).

14. Oklahoma

2024 record: 6-7, 2-6 SEC

Coach: Brent Venables (fourth year)

In a sentence: Assuming new quarterback John Mateer’s recent is the nonstory he says it is, he’ll provide the Sooners with electric playmaking alongside transfer tailback Jaydn Ott; Venables will need production from those two and more to cool the hot seat he finds himself on after a pair of 6-7 finishes in his first three seasons.

15. Florida

2024 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC

Coach: Bill Napier (fourth year)

In a sentence: The Gators finally generated some positive momentum under Napier last season, but uber-talented quarterback DJ Lagway’s are a concern; if he can stay healthy and build on his promising freshman campaign, Florida has enough pieces around him to go toe-to-toe with the heavyweights in the SEC.

16. Ole Miss

2024 record: 10-3, 5-3 SEC

Coach: Lane Kiffin (sixth year)

In a sentence: It’s probably a mistake at this point to underestimate Kiffin, who has led the Rebels to three double-digit-win seasons in the past four years while managing the portal masterfully; he has an established leader on defense in linebacker Suntarine Perkins and an intriguing one in new starting QB Austin Simmons.

17. Michigan

2024 record: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten

Coach: Sherrone Moore (second year)

In a sentence: While the continues to loom over the program — including a two-game suspension this season for Moore — the on-field focus is on quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 player in the class of 2025 who’s in line to become the fourth true freshman to start at QB in Michigan history.

18. Tennessee

2024 record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC

Coach: Josh Heupel (fifth year)

In a sentence: After parting ways with quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who landed at UCLA, the Volunteers brought in Joey Aguilar from Appalachian State (via UCLA); however, the strength of this team is its defense, which returns more than half the starters from a unit that ranked in the top seven nationally in total and scoring D.

19. Texas Tech

2024 record: 8-5, 6-3 Big 12

Coach: Joey McGuire (fourth year)

In a sentence: Despite three winning seasons in as many tries, McGuire is under pressure to win big right now after Red Raiders supporters spent a on the 2025 roster; the strength of the team might be the all-transfer defensive line led by former Stanford standout David Bailey.

20. Kansas State

2024 record: 9-4, 5-4 Big 12

Coach: Chris Klieman (seventh year)

In a sentence: Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s season opener vs. Iowa State in Ireland, the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ again should contend for the Big 12 title; whether they reach their ceiling will depend on Avery Johnson’s continuing development from a raw athlete into a fully formed quarterback.

21. SMU

2024 record: 11-3, 8-0 ACC (lost in CFP opening round)

Coach: Rhett Lashlee (fourth season)

In a sentence: Although the Mustangs are unlikely to romp through the ACC unblemished again — they visit Clemson and host Miami after avoiding both in the regular season last year — they again will be a tough out with Kevin Jennings back at quarterback and all-ACC safety Isaiah Nwokobia (100 tackles, three interceptions) anchoring a portal-enforced defense.

22. Utah

2024 record: 5-7, 2-7 Big 12

Coach: Kyle Whittingham (21st year)

In a sentence: Seeking a bounce-back in what could be his final season, Whittingham has possibly the best offensive line in the nation — led by projected top-10 pick Spencer Fano — and, critically, a new quarterback in New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier, who accumulated nearly 4,000 all-purpose yards a year ago under Jason Beck, who’s now the Utes’ offensive coordinator.

23. Texas A&M

2024 record: 8-5, 5-3 SEC

Coach: Mike Elko (second year)

In a sentence: Not only do the Aggies return more than half their starters — a rarity nowadays — they added receiver KC Concepcion (1,655 scrimmage yards, 18 touchdowns in two seasons at North Carolina State) via the transfer portal; his arrival, plus the return from injury of tailback Le’Veon Moss, could make A&M a sneaky SEC title contender.

24. Baylor

2024 record: 8-5, 6-3 Big 12

Coach: Dave Aranda

In a sentence: The Bears became one of the most exciting teams in the nation once Sawyer Robertson firmly established himself as the starting quarterback, averaging 41.3 points while reeling off six straight wins to close the regular season; Robertson is back, as is preseason All-Big 12 tailback Bryson Washington (1,028 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns in 2024).

25. Iowa State

2024 record: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12

Coach: Matt Campbell

In a sentence: The Cyclones could be at risk of regression after going 5-1 in one-score games last season and losing star receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylen Noel to the NFL, but four-fifths of the offensive line returns — plus the tailback duo of Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III — to support veteran QB Rocco Becht.