The first edition of the 2025 AP Top 25 Poll dropped on Monday. One might argue that preseason polls are meaningless. That was certainly not the case in the BCS era. It matters less now that a selection committee determines the postseason. Coaches will say the polls don’t matter at all, but there are two […]
The first edition of the 2025 AP Top 25 Poll dropped on Monday. One might argue that preseason polls are meaningless. That was certainly not the case in the BCS era. It matters less now that a selection committee determines the postseason. Coaches will say the polls don’t matter at all, but there are two key data points worth examining.
From Chris Fallica: Last year, of the teams ranked 16 to 25 in the preseason AP Poll, only Miami, which finished 18th, finished the year ranked.
From Brett McMurphy: At least one team that started the season unranked finished in Top 10 in the final AP Poll in 29 of the last 31 years.
Which teams fit each criteria? Let’s make an educated guess.
Which Preseason AP Top 25 Teams Will Slide?
SMU
There’s always one random team that makes it to the ACC Championship Game. SMU seems to have more money than God to rebuild a roster, but will it be enough to keep them near the top of the league?
Ole Miss
There isn’t a team in the SEC that lost more production than Ole Miss. If they’re going to be a Top 25 team, it’s because of Austin Simmons. The first-time starter struggled in his first scrimmage. The learning curve is steep in the SEC, and the margin of error is extremely slim for Ole Miss if he doesn’t figure it out right away.
Oklahoma
After an abysmal offensive season, Brett Venables imported the Washington State offense by bringing in quarterback John Mateer and his play-caller, Ben Arbuckle. They also added a high-profile running back, Jadyn Ott, from Cal. There’s skill talent, but the offensive line is still a huge question mark. If the Big Men fail to lead the way, the Sooners face an unforgiving schedule that could send the Sooners piraling in Norman.
Unranked Teams That Could Finish in the Top 10
Auburn
Auburn has one of the best groups of wide receivers in the SEC, maybe in all of college football. There are serious questions about Hugh Freeze’s ability to call plays and develop quarterbacks in 2025. Jackson Arnold was a five-star quarterback before the Oklahoma offensive line turned him into a tackling dummy. Arnold is in a setting where he can look like a five-star talent. The schedule is daunting, but nobody should be surprised if the have nine wins entering the Iron Bowl.
Louisville
Nobody wants to hear it, but Louisville has a great 1-2 punch at running back and a quarterback who’s played at a high level. There are serious questions about the defense, but Miami taught us that it doesn’t matter that much in the ACC. With road trips to Miami and SMU, and a home date with Clemson, they’re a couple of upsets away from being in the CFP at-large conversation.
Baylor
Similar to the ACC, the Big 12 is a chaos league. Arizona State was picked to finish dead last, then won the league and got into the CFP. Baylor could benefit from the chaos this year, returning a QB who threw for more than 3,000 yards a year ago. Dave Aranda could mess around and give the fans a Top 10 team in Waco.
Missouri
Missouri has quietly put together consecutive 10-win seasons. It’s quiet because they didn’t have to beat too many good teams to get there in 2024. Beau Pribula and Ahmad Hardy should create a potent rushing combo for Eli Drinkwitz. Alabama travels to CoMo this fall. An upset will put them in a position to win 10 games for a third straight season and put the Tigers into CFP contention.
Category: General Sports
