The preseason AP Top 25 is expected to confirm what the preseason Coaches poll did a week ago. The first blockbuster matchup of the 2025 college football season should pit No. 1 versus No. 2. Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns were the top program in the Coaches poll. The Ohio State Buckeyes were right behind them at No. 2.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State will open up the season as the nation’s No. 2 team following the release Monday of the Associated Press preseason top 25 poll. Cleveland.com once again has a vote in the poll with Stephen Means taking over the honor. Here’s my full preseason ballot:

At the AP, my job was to administer the poll, so I knew that as a first-time voter I'd be undertaking a challenge with no perfect answer.

That's the only way commissioner Jim Phillips and the conference are going to generate respect and a seat at the table in conversations with the SEC and Big Ten as further realignment speculation figures to hover over the ACC in the coming years.

No. 18 Tennessee will kick off its 2025 football season on Aug. 30 in Week 1. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Vols will face Syracuse in their season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta,

By the end of the season, the true freshmen were the best receivers in the country, and Smith helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship. Who's next? We look at 10 potential freshman breakout candidates.

The hype is high for these five college football teams coming off big seasons, but they're all likely to fall short of expectations.