Few programs in college football carry a wider range of outcomes than the USC Trojans in 2025. Depending on the projection, the Trojans could finish 11–1 and push for a Big Ten title or stumble to 6–6 and spark questions about USC coach Lincoln Riley.

At the AP, my job was to administer the poll, so I knew that as a first-time voter I'd be undertaking a challenge with no perfect answer.

Five Big 12 teams were included in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, which released Aug. 4. The preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday, Aug. 11. Here's a look at where Big 12 teams fell in both major top-25 polls ahead of the 2025 season.

Rece Davis Snubs Two Major College Football Programs In Preseason Top 25 Ballot originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Longtime ESPN "College GameDay" host Rece Davis submitted his AP Top 25 ballot for the 2025 college football season and its reveal draws immediate attention for leaving two SEC powers off his list.

The Longhorns received 25 first-place votes and 1,552 points in the rankings released Monday to edge past No. 2 Penn State in the closest preseason vote since 1998. The Nittany Lions have their best preseason ranking since they started No. 1 in 1997. Penn State received 23 first-place votes and 1,547 points.

The Big Ten conference has six teams listed in the first AP poll of 2025. Here's how they should fare in the regular season.

Historic College Football Program Named Most Overrated Team In CFP Era originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The USC Trojans are back in the national conversation this summer, but perhaps for the wrong reasons.