FAVORITE TEAMS

The AP Top 25 Preseason Poll is out. We’re closing in on Week 0 next week, and I’m pretty excited. Here are the explanations for each ranked team in a nutshell.

1) GEORGIA

Maybe South Carolina and Auburn will test the somewhat new-look Georgia team. Otherwise, see you 5-0 from Athens in October!

2) MICHIGAN

No clue what’s happening with Harbaugh’s suspension but worry later. One game to somewhat worry about is at Nebraska. Historically, Lincoln hasn’t been kind to Big Blue.

3) OHIO STATE

Let’s put 3-0 up there and move on to South Bend. One question: Who’s the starting quarterback???

4) ALABAMA

Tide fans must avoid denial. September’s the month to set the standard for their season. Hosting Texas and Ole Miss? Come out guns blazing with the right quarterback and run the God-dang ball!!!

5) LSU

The Tigers are right beside Bama in a statement-setting September. A neutral site revenge matchup with Florida State and a road game at Ole Miss will define LSU’s season before October.

6) USC

Caleb Williams, coach Lincoln Riley, and co. should steamroll through the early part of September. However, Deion “Primetime” Sanders and son awaits them in Boulder at the end of the month.

7) PENN STATE

Expectations are high for Penn State. However, four of their last five Week 1 matchups were decided by seven points or less, so don’t overlook West Virginia. Also, Illinois or Iowa will look to upset the Nittany Lions in September.

8) FLORIDA STATE

FSU better be ready because LSU hasn’t forgotten about the game-winning blocked extra point. More importantly, they face Clemson towards the end of the month. Good luck taking down them Tigers in September.

9) CLEMSON

New season, new quarterback, new opportunity. At Duke may be tricky, but not much. Florida State and at Syracuse in back-to-back last weeks of the month? Now that’s tricky!

10) WASHINGTON

Michael Penix, coach Kalen DeBoer, and co. runs into a tricky game somewhere on their September schedule. They haven’t won in East Lansing yet, their last four meetings against Cal were decided by seven points or less, and playing in Tuscon is never a cakewalk for the Huskies.

11) TEXAS

Texas hasn’t defeated Alabama since 1982 and their last two losses in that span involved Bama knocking out their starting quarterbacks early. Texas haven’t won in Waco since 2017 and Sark is 0-2 there. Kansas put a scare in them at Austin twice and won one there two seasons ago. Are the Longhorns back, yet…🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣…We’ll find out after September.

12) TENNESSEE

The Gators will greet Tennessee with open jaws, but how will the Volunteer’s defense fare against UTSA, South Carolina, and even Virginia in neutral site (I’m curious about the Cavs quarterback Tony Muskett)?

13) NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame should be 1-0 in August, but their loss to Marshall last season leaves a bit of skepticism when they play Navy in Ireland. As for September, NC State can’t wait to host Sam Hartman’s return in Raleigh, and Ohio State hopes to have a quarterback for a potential dogfight at South Bend.

14) UTAH

Utah hopes to avenge their loss against Florida at home. However, Baylor, UCLA, and at Oregon State are no easy feat. It’s scary to think an L comes before October…

15) OREGON

At Texas Tech will be known as the Tyler Shough bowl (the Tech QB used to play for Oregon). They should eventually punish Deion Sanders and Colorado, but be careful not to underestimate Stanford, knowing the Ducks travel to play Washington the next week (in October).

16) KANSAS STATE

At Missouri is an early trap game. Newcomer UCF is no slouch either. Ready up current Big 12 champ Wildcats!

17) TCU

Colorado will determine if TCU runs it back or if they decline. Be careful not to underestimate Houston nor West Virginia (last home win against W.V.: 2017). SMU has a roster looking to end TCU’s playoff hopes early.

18) OREGON STATE

Oregon State’s primed for a special season, but they have a choppy history against Mountain West foes. Recently, they lost a few and won close matchups against them. Then, they travel to Washington State and host Utah in back-to-back last weeks of September.

19) WISCONSIN

Road games at Washington State and Purdue is tricky, but winnable. Hopefully, new coach Luke Fickell has them ready for it.

20) OKLAHOMA

They conquered the September schedule under coach Brent Venables last season. But let’s see how they fare in back-to-back road games against a current AAC team (Tulsa) and a former AAC and current Big 12 team (Cincinnati) before hosting Iowa State, who’s been a pain in their rears since 2016. OU hasn’t separated themselves by more than 14 points in the last eight meetings with the Cyclones. You gotta be kidding me!!!

21) NORTH CAROLINA

South Carolina at a neutral site, home games against Appalachian State and Minnesota, and at Pitt. Yeah, nothing to worry about. Let’s hope the defense finally comes to play. Otherwise…………………..

22) OLE MISS

Ole Miss has a brutal September schedule. Three ranked teams in the next four weeks: at Tulane, and at Alabama and home against LSU in back-to-back weeks. Look away Rebel fans. Look away.

23) TEXAS A&M

A&M has early tests at Miami and then host Auburn before traveling three hours up to Arlington to battle Arkansas. This is the time for Jimbo Fisher’s squad to step up!

24) TULANE

Tulane played well last season, but don’t underestimate South Alabama, Frank Gore Jr. and Southern Miss, and UAB. A home date with Ole Miss will determine how strong the Green Wave look before October.

25) IOWA

At Iowa State, at Penn State, and home against Michigan State can go either way for the Hawkeyes. Defense and special teams will get it done, but it all comes down to an improved run game and Michigan quarterback transfer Cade McNamara managing the offense.

10 TEAMS LIKELY TO BE RANKED BY OCTOBER

TEXAS TECH

SOUTH CAROLINA

UCLA

KENTUCKY

LOUISVILLE

LIBERTY

SOUTH ALABAMA

FRESNO STATE

OKLAHOMA STATE

MARYLAND