Texas has made history by starting the college football season ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25. This is the first time in the program’s history they’ve held this position at the outset of the season. They barely edged out Penn State, with just five points separating the two teams—this is the closest preseason vote since 1998.
Texas garnered 25 first-place votes and 1,552 points, marking yet another year where the Southeastern Conference (SEC) claims the preseason No. 1 ranking. Meanwhile, Penn State secured 23 first-place votes and 1,547 points, making it their highest preseason ranking since 1997.
The Longhorns will face a significant challenge right away. Their first game on August 30 is against third-ranked Ohio State, a rematch of last season’s playoff semifinal, where Ohio State emerged victorious. The Buckeyes received 11 first-place votes, while other top contenders like No. 4 Clemson and No. 5 Georgia received four and one, respectively.
Notably, the SEC dominates the rankings with 10 teams in the preseason Top 25, the most by any conference. This dominance extends to having four teams in the top 10, mirroring last year’s results.
Texas has been on the rise since their 5-7 season in 2021. Under coach Steve Sarkisian, they’ve won 25 of their last 30 games and reached two consecutive College Football Playoff semifinals. “Expectations are high for our program,” Sarkisian acknowledged at SEC media days. “The standard at Texas is about competing for championships every year.”
With 12 players drafted into the NFL, including three first-round picks, there are concerns over the team’s depth this season. However, they’re optimistic due to top-notch recruiting and talent from the transfer portal. A strong defensive lineup will likely support any gaps left by departing players.
Interestingly, Texas did not dominate the voting. They received 38.5% of the first-place votes—the lowest share for a No. 1 team in preseason history since 2008. Previous seasons like 1963, 1969, and 2005 saw them finishing the season ranked No. 1, but they hadn’t started a season higher than No. 2 before this year.
Meanwhile, Penn State, which is just six points away from the top spot, appears to have a favorable schedule. The Nittany Lions will have returning quarterback Drew Allar and are looking forward to a potential strong performance against Ohio State later in the season.
Ohio State, attempting to protect its title as defending national champion, has a new lineup with only five offensive and three defensive starters returning. Coach Ryan Day emphasizes the team’s desire for its own identity, but with a nod to past success. Their season opener against Texas will be a crucial test for gauging their potential.
As the season kicks off, both the Longhorns and Nittany Lions aim to prove their mettle. With Texas attempting to start and finish a season ranked No. 1—a feat achieved by only 11 teams since the AP poll began in 1950—the stakes could not be higher.
Interestingly, the last time a team started and finished at No. 1 was Alabama in 2017. Texas’s journey this season will capture the attention of fans and analysts alike as they navigate a competitive landscape filled with powerhouse teams.
You can follow more updates and poll alerts on the AP Top 25 [here](https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll).
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