Associated Press Preseason Football Poll Ranks Ohio State, Oregon at Top
The Associated Press preseason Top 25 college football poll has been released, with Ohio State and Oregon ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. The Big Ten Conference leads with two top-ranked teams, while the Southeastern Conference has the most…
Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 17, 2026 —
The highly anticipated Associated Press preseason Top 25 college football poll has been unveiled, placing Ohio State University and the University of Oregon in the top two positions. Ohio State secured the No. 1 ranking, followed closely by Oregon at No. 2.
This preseason ranking highlights a significant achievement for the Big Ten Conference, as it is the first conference since 1987 to have two teams occupying the top two spots in the AP’s initial poll. The Big Ten Conference leads with these two top-ranked teams.
In terms of overall representation, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads the nation with the most teams featured in the Top 25, boasting a total of nine ranked teams. This indicates a strong presence of SEC teams among the elite college football programs heading into the new season.
The release of the preseason poll traditionally sets the stage for the upcoming college football season, generating excitement and discussion among fans and analysts alike regarding team performances and conference competitiveness.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
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