The preseason AP Top 25 poll has been released, with Ohio State earning the No. 1 ranking and Oregon slotting in at No. 2, per multiple outlets including the Associated Press and CBS Sports. The Buckeyes secured 40 first-place votes in the voting.
The Big Ten's presence in the top five reflects what CBS Sports described as a conference "takeover" of the upper echelon of college football. However, not all observers agree the rankings hit the mark. CBS Sports' analysis found Texas undervalued at No. 5, while USC appeared overrated at No. 14 in the preseason poll.
With the poll now released, analysts are already weighing which teams have the best chance to reach the College Football Playoff come season's end.