The first Associated Press Top 25 poll for the 2026 college football season just dropped, and honestly, the biggest shocker is seeing Clemson completely outside the top 25. Yeah, *that* Clemson.
Top Dogs and Buckeye Hype
Ohio State landed right at the top, and nobody should be surprised. They’re bringing back NFL-quality talent, including quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, plus they’ve got one of the best coaching staffs in the country. We expect the Buckeyes to be in the title hunt every year, right? But being at the top means everyone is gunning for you. They’ll get every team’s A-game every single week. That grind can absolutely wear a team down. In a world where a school like Indiana can reach the peak, Ohio State cannot just coast on reputation. The work is far from over.
Manning’s Make-or-Break Year and the Champs’ Fall
Then you’ve got Arch Manning’s Texas squad, landing squarely in the top five. Is this Arch’s last dance in college football? His play this season is going to have massive ripple effects across both college and professional football. If he lights it up like one of his legendary uncles, he’s basically guaranteed to be the top pick in next year’s NFL Draft, and the Longhorns will be serious title contenders. But if Manning falters? He could stick around Texas for another year, or even transfer. Steve Sarkisian’s future with the program is tied to Manning taking that big leap. It’s a huge storyline. Meanwhile, last year’s national champs, Indiana, are sitting at six, which makes sense when you remember quarterback Fernando Mendoza left for the NFL. Can Curt Cignetti pull off his magic for another College Football Playoff run? That’s a huge ask this season.
Kiffin’s Fiery Return
The poll also gave more confidence to Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss, ranking them ninth, ahead of Lane Kiffin’s LSU at eleventh. Kiffin’s messy exit from Oxford means that September 19 game when LSU plays at Ole Miss is gonna be one of the absolute marquee events of the college football season. The expectations on Kiffin in Baton Rouge are going to be absolutely astronomical. You just know Ole Miss would love nothing more than to hand their old coach a huge loss, watching his old team dominate him. You can bet your bottom dollar Kiffin is going to get a generational chorus of boos when he steps onto that field.
Clemson, a powerhouse, receiving only 112 votes and missing the cut entirely? It makes you wonder if this could be Dabo Swinney’s final stand in Death Valley. The season kicks off later this month, and we’ve got a lot to watch unfold. That Sept. 19 showdown between Ole Miss and LSU? You know where my eyes will be.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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