Texas takes top spot, Penn State 3rd in USA Today preseason coaches poll

By: The Associated Press
Monday, August 4, 2025 | 3:05 PM

Texas holds the top spot in the USA Today preseason coaches football poll released Monday.

The Longhorns received 28 of the 67 first-place votes. Defending national champion Ohio State is No. 2 after receiving 20 first-place votes, and the Buckeyes are followed by No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Georgia and No. 5 Notre Dame.

Texas leads nine SEC teams in the poll.

Clemson is the top team from the ACC at No. 6, with No. 7 Oregon, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 LSU and No. 10 Miami (Fla.) following the Tigers.

Arizona State is the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 11. Boise State, at No. 25, is the only Group of Five team in the poll.

The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll will be released Aug. 11.

The poll (first-place votes in parenthesis):

1. Texas (28)

2. Ohio State (20)

3. Penn State (14)

4. Georgia (3)

5. Notre Dame

6. Clemson (2)

7. Oregon

8. Alabama

9. LSU

10. Miami (Fla.)

11. Arizona State

12. Illinois

13. South Carolina

14. Michigan

15. Ole Miss

16. SMU

17. Florida

18. Tennessee

19. Indiana

20. Kansas State

21 (tie): Texas A&M

21 (tie): Iowa State

23. BYU

24. Texas Tech

25. Boise State

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma; Missouri; Louisville; USC; Utah; Baylor; Auburn; Iowa; Memphis; Army; Tulane; Georgia Tech; TCU; Nebraska; Syracuse; Washington; Navy; Arkansas; Duke; Colorado; Minnesota; UNLV; Florida State; Kansas; Vanderbilt; Buffalo