AP Preseason Top-25

08/15/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Georgia Begins 3-Peat Quest at Near-Unanimous Preseason No. 1 in AP Poll

It’s about that time! The 2023 college football season kicks off in just a few short weeks, and the preseason AP Top-25 is out. There’s no surprise at the top. The two-time defending champions received 60 out of 63 first-place votes, and the Bulldogs will open 2023 as the No. 1 team despite having 25 players drafted in the past two years, including QB Stetson Bennett. The CFB dynasty shifted in the SEC, and Alabama (No. 4) begins 2023 at their lowest preseason starting point in more than a decade. Two Big Ten powers — Michigan and Ohio State — come in at No. 2 and No. 3 before a list of the usual suspects round out the top-10. Zero Big 12 schools were present near the top. The SEC (3), Big Ten (3), ACC (2) and Pac-12 (2) make up the top-10. That would be five Big Ten programs following the Pac-12 shakeup with USC and Washington switching conferences next season.

Fun Fact: No team has won three consecutive national titles during the AP Poll era (1936-present). Georgia has a chance to do something extra special.

AP Top-25 (1st-Place Votes)

1. Georgia (60)

2. Michigan (2)

3. Ohio State (1)

4. Alabama

5. LSU

6. USC

7. Penn State

8. Florida State

9. Clemson

10. Washington

The 2023 college football season kicks off in just 12 days (Saturday, Aug. 26).

CBS Sports: AP Top-25 Poll Reactions: Alabama, Tennessee Overrated, Oregon Underrated

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images