The AP preseason college football top 25 will be released on Monday, but the deadline to submit ballots was last week. I’ve cast mine and will be voting for the top 25 for the 13th year in a row. Here are my preseason top 25, as well as my full standings and predictions for the 12-team college football playoffs.
Chris Murray’s AP Top 25
1. Georgia: Despite not winning a third straight game last year, Georgia’s roster remains full, and quarterback Carson Beck is considered a hot candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
2.Oregon: QBDillon Gabriel takes on an important role for a program looking to prove it can compete with the best in the country as it heads to the Big Ten.
3. Alabama: Replacing Nick Saban won’t be easy, but I don’t see a major step backwards under coach Kalen DeBoer, who is taking over for QB Jalen Milroe.
4. Texas: The SEC will be a tougher test than the Big 12, but the Longhorns have plenty of next-level talent at key positions.
5. State of Ohio: I’m not sold on QB Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, but this team should have a top-notch offense.
6. Oklahoma: Like Texas, Oklahoma enters the SEC with the offensive line being the team’s biggest question mark.
7. Missouri: The Tigers have the QB-WR combination of Brady Cook and Luther Burden III and a favorable SEC schedule after last year’s 11 wins.
8. Tennessee: The Vols don’t have many starters back, but they should have a top-notch passing attack led by former five-star quarterback prospect Nico Iamaleava.
9.Michigan: Only five starters are returning for the reigning national champion, who always seems to be embroiled in controversy.
10. State of Florida: The ACC favorite has a first-class offensive and defensive line and imports quarterback Uiagalelei from Oregon State.
11. Notre-Dame: The Irish’s strong defense is back; Notre Dame should see an improved offense after the signing of LSU OCMike Denbrock.
12. Penn State: We believe Penn State can win big games when they actually get there, but they are still a solid top-15 program.
13. LSU: The Tigers have lost a lot of offensive talent, but could make up for it if the defense improves compared to last year (28 points allowed per game).
14.Clemson: Although Clemson is no longer among the national elite and has not been able to sign as many transfer talents as other top 25 programs, it should still remain stable.
15. Ole Miss: The Rebels have added a ton of talent to their 11-win team last year through transfers, and Lane Kiffin usually makes the most of his talent.
16.Kansas:QB Jalon Daniels is back after missing most of 2023 with a back injury, but improving the defense will be this team’s most important X-factor.
17. State of Kansas: It will be exciting to watch the battle for the Big 12 title and the automatic CFP spot, and the Wildcats have as good a chance of winning it as any.
18.Arizona: Former SJSU coach Brent Brennan inherits an enviable amount of offensive talent, led by quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
19. State of Oklahoma: Star RBOllie Gordon II is one of 20 returning starters, making this one of the most experienced rosters in the FBS.
20. Texas A&M:Mike Elko, who comes from Duke, is the latest to try to revive Texas A&M. As an Xs and Os coach, he is an improvement over his predecessor, Jimbo Fisher.
21.Utah:QB Cameron Rising is back for his 12th season (we kid) to power the offense; the Utes’ defense should be one of the best in the country.
22. NC State: This is an up-and-coming program that signed one of the best quarterbacks on the transfer market in Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina.
23.Louisville:Jeff Brohm led the Cardinals to 10 wins last season and that standard should not deviate much in 2024.
24.Miami:Mario Cristobal is 12-13 after two seasons in Miami. Another .500 season would put him in trouble. But there is plenty of talent.
25. SMU: Nevada opens the season with the Mustangs, who join the ACC in Rhett Lashlee’s second season after last year’s 11-win season.
College Football Playoff Table
First round
No. 5 Ohio State beats No. 12 Boise State
No. 6 Oklahoma beats No. 11 Kansas
No. 10Florida State beats No. 7 Missouri
No. 9 Michigan beats No. 8 Tennessee
Quarter Finals
No. 1 Georgia beats No. 9 Michigan
No. 2 Oregon beats No. 10 Florida State
No. 3 Alabama beats No. 6 Oklahoma
No. 4Texas beats No. 5 Ohio State
Semifinal
No. 1 Georgia beats No. 4 Texas
No. 2 Oregon beats No. 3 Alabama
Championship game
No. 1 Georgia beats No. 2 Oregon
Columnist Chris Murray provides insight into Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.
