The Associated Press released its preseason top 25, and while it signals we are getting closer to football Saturdays again, it’s more or less a guessing game based on what these teams did last year, who left for the NFL or the transfer portal, and who dished out the most NIL money.

Just going off what I remember from 2025 and the news I’ve heard and read in the lead-up to the new season, here’s my blind reaction to parts of the initial rankings, so don’t take it too seriously.

I know I didn’t.

No. 1 Ohio State: 1st time since 2015 that the Buckeyes have received the top spot after normally coming in No. 2 or No. 3 since then. Quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith are two big reasons why everyone is hyped about OSU. I’d be too if they were on my favorite team’s roster.

No. 2 Oregon: The annual reminder for me that Oregon is now in the Big 10 and the Pac 12 is now just the Mountain West with a better P.R. rep. The Ducks have the best mascot in college sports, btw.

No. 3 Georgia: Ranked third but no first place votes? OK, Dawg (Kirby Smart clap)

No. 4 Notre Dame: DISCLAIMER: I’m a Notre Dame fan and while I want to hop on the hype train, I’m cautiously optimistic. I like this spot for the Fighting Irish. You never want your team to be the preseason No. 1. Am I saying this to jinx Ohio State? I’ll leave that up to you.

No. 5 Texas: I’m sure what I wrote for Notre Dame would work here, too.

No. 6 Indiana: Kind of surprised the Hoosiers didn’t crack the top five, but it’s just more motivation for Curt Cignetti, as he slowly morphs into this era’s Nick Saban. They also got eight first-place votes, eight more than No. 3 Georgia.

No. 7 Miami (FL): The runner-up to Indiana right behind them in the rankings (cuts away to crowd shot of Abella Danger). Seriously, what was up with ESPN during those playoff games? Was it the same director? Did he have to scrub his internet history when he got home?

No. 8 Texas A&M: It really irritated me that Notre Dame’s defense gave up 41 points to these guys last year, and then the Aggies only score 3 at home against Miami in the first round of the playoff.

No. 9 Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin ditched them before the playoff and they still went far without him lol.

No. 10 Oklahoma: Remember when everyone thought the Sooners season was dead in late October? Yeah, then they turned back into a pumpkin against Alabama in the first round of the playoff.

No. 13 Alabama: Nothing was more infuriating than watching these guys get destroyed by Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and then be gifted a playoff berth just for being, well, 3-loss Alabama. They made me look like a fool when they beat Oklahoma in the first round, then got steamrolled by Indiana in the quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl, robbing American of a much-better game.

No. 14 USC: Lincoln Riley preferred a tune-up game against San Jose State over a late November matchup at home against Notre Dame. There is some good news: He won’t be there when the two teams renew their rivalry in 2030.

At least Notre Dame scheduled BYU in their place, and they just happen to be tied at 14th with USC.

OK, I’m done. the back-half of the rankings isn’t really worth trying to break down. I just want to believe Dabo Swinney is fuming that Missouri got five more votes than Clemson to crack the Top 25.

Can’t wait for Week 0!!!