Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas celebrates an interception for a touchdown with Abdul Carter against SMU during the first half in the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

By MAURA CAREY

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll preseason rankings are now. Texas took the No. 1 spot for the first time in an opening poll, narrowly edging out Penn State by just five points in the closest preseason vote since 1998. Defending champion Ohio State ranked No. 3.

A tradition since 1936, no organization has been ranking teams and naming a major college football national champion longer than the AP — and now you can follow live updates before and after the poll drops.

See where your team ranks and which teams and players to watch ahead of the 2025 season.

Here’s what to know:

1. Why Texas? The Longhorns don’t have a major mandate for the No. 1 ranking, but they’ve been on an upward trajectory since going 5-7 in 2021. They’ve won 25 of their last 30 games and reached two straight CFP semifinals. With undisputed starting quarterback Arch Manning at the helm, “Arch Mania” is at a fever pitch.

2. Who decides the rankings? The Top 25 voters are over 60journalists covering college football for AP-member news organizations. They’re urged to base their votes on head-to-head results, not reputation, preseason speculation or regional bias.

3. When does the 2025 season start? The wait is almost over. Opening weekend begins Saturday, Aug. 23.

Here’s the latest:

AP Top 25 college football poll rankings:

1. Texas

2. Penn State

3. Ohio State

4. Clemson

5. Georgia

6. Notre Dame

7. Oregon

8. Alabama

9. LSU

10. Miami (FL)

11. Arizona State

12. Illinois

13. South Carolina

14. Michigan

15. Florida

16. SMU

17. Kansas State

18. Oklahoma

19. Texas A&M

20. Indiana

21. Ole Miss

22. Iowa State

23. Texas Tech

24. Tennessee

25. Boise State

Can SEC powerhouses Georgia and Alabama bounce back from disappointing seasons?

Year one without Nick Saban coaching Alabama was unremarkable for the historically dominant Crimson Tide, which finished No. 6 in the SEC with a 9-4 overall record and 5-3 conference record.

All eyes are on the Tide this year as Coach Kalen DeBoer enters year two in Tuscaloosa and Alabama prepares for a new offensive identity post-Jalen Milroe.

The Bulldogs, too, are entering a new era at signal caller with Gunner Stockton taking full reign of the offense. Georgia’s previous back-to-back title wins are far in the rearview mirror after more recent consecutive Big Ten national championship victories.

But unlike Alabama, Georgia has the stability that its longtime head coach Kirby Smart brings to the table.

Heisman hopefuls: Early favorites to win the award

It’s never too early to talk about the Heisman Trophy, the most coveted award in college sports.

Quarterbacks Arch Manning (Texas), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith headline early conversations.

Smith, the sole receiver on the list of favorites, is expected to have another huge season for the Buckeyes after leading the team with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns during his freshman campaign.

Klubnik finished the 2024 season with 3,639 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, the third-most in the FBS behind first-overall pick Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. Nussmeier boasted a higher completion percentage (64.2), and threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.