Overview

• The Associated Press’ 2025 preseason Top 25 poll placed Texas at No. 1, Penn State at No. 2 and Ohio State at No. 3 in the closest vote margin since 1998.
• Critics including ESPN’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Paul Finebaum have dismissed Penn State’s No. 2 ranking by highlighting James Franklin’s struggles in high-profile matchups.
• Supporters counter that Penn State’s roster continuity and the return of stars like quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen justify its top-two standing.
• FanDuel lines for the Aug. 30 opener at Ohio State make Texas a 2.5-point underdog, marking the first time a preseason No. 1 has begun the season as a Week 1 underdog.
• Scheduled matchups against Oregon at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 27 and Penn State’s road trip to Ohio State on Nov. 1 are poised to serve as decisive validation points for the preseason rankings.