AP college football preseason poll reaction: What's next for each Top 25 team

Recent media coverage highlights the release and immediate aftermath of the 2026 college football preseason polls, featuring prominent positioning for top-tier programs alongside notable omissions. According to reporting from outlets such as KATU, WLWT, and The Boston Globe, Ohio State and Oregon secure the top two positions in the AP preseason Top 25 poll. Specifically, WLWT notes that Ohio State occupies the No. 1 spot for the first time since the year 2015. Concurrently, Division II polls have also been released, with coverage from sources like FootballScoop.com, d2football.com, and morningsun.net tracking rankings such as the AFCA Division II Preseason Poll, where the Golden Bears are ranked No. 3 and the Gorillas hold positions at No. 4 and No. 5. Substantial commentary across sports journalism focuses on the programs missing from the major polls and the broader implications for the sport.

Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated, and WYFF report that Clemson fails to make the AP Preseason Top 25, marking what Yahoo Sports terms a historic fall for Dabo Swinney. WYFF adds that South Carolina is likewise unranked in the preseason poll. Meanwhile, outlets including CBS Sports, Dallas News, and USA Today analyze the broader list by parsing the AP Top 25, evaluating overrated and underrated teams, and debating the overall relevance of preseason ranking procedures. Contextual analysis provided by The Seattle Times suggests that the release of the preseason AP Top 25 poll serves as yet another sign of an expanding competitive gap within college football. This theme runs alongside institutional reactions from individual athletic departments and regional news providers.

For instance, gobuffsgo.com reports that the Buffs are receiving votes in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, while kubears.com outlines the Golden Bears' standing in the same ranking structure, illustrating how teams across different divisions monitor their initial placement. As the season approaches, coverage does not yet specify how the teams will perform once actual games commence, leaving observers to monitor how these initial rankings align with eventual on-field results. Outlets such as KETV have published specific breakdowns, including Andy Kendeigh's preseason AP Top 25 rankings, contributing to an ongoing dialogue about roster expectations. Readers and analysts alike continue to parse the various AFCA and AP lists for early indicators of team trajectories as the first scheduled matchups draw nearer.