The Great College Football Poll Debate is missing one thing: debate
College football coaches and the media who cover them agree — on a lot, apparently. At least, they do when it comes to preseason rankings.
The AP this week released its preseason poll, and the media’s rankings closely reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll, published two weeks previously.
The top 10 is nearly identical in the two polls, with just a slight differentiation.
Down ballot, a few differences of opinion emerge, although they’re relatively minor. Most teams are ranked within two spots of the same position in each poll.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest discrepancies between college football’s two major polls, with my ruling on who got it right.
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LSU
- AP: No. 11
- Coaches: No. 13
- Who got it right? AP
I’d take it one additional step and put LSU in the top 10. LSU spent big to hire Lane Kiffin and his offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis Jr. It also spent tens of millions to assemble a very talented roster that can win immediately. So what if a lot of that talent came from the transfer portal? Kiffin proved at Mississippi he knows how to blend transfers from all over the country. His latest transfer haul includes a who’s who of the portal. LSU just needs transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt to recover his 2024 form, after a 2025 slump that included a foot injury.
- AP: No. 13
- Coaches: No. 11
- Who got it right?: Coaches
Skepticism hovers over Alabama. These Tide are not the indomitable Alabama of old, but the media’s ranking comes off as being too heavy handed and overly influenced by Indiana routing Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Don’t forget, Indiana smashed Oregon in the playoff, too. Alabama’s secondary overflows with talent, headlining a defense that should rank among the SEC’s best. The biggest question centers on an offensive line marked by youth and transfers. That group must jell. Alabama hasn’t named a starting quarterback, but the position features upside, particularly in Keelon Russell, a former blue-chip recruit.
Washington
- AP: No. 17
- Coaches: No. 19
- Who got it right? Coaches
Demond Williams Jr. is one of the Big Ten’s best quarterbacks, so it’s easy to understand why some voters are bullish on the Huskies. Williams enjoys the luxury of playing behind a familiar offensive line. The defense will determine how high Washington climbs. A defense that helped UW win nine games last season returned just a few starters. The Huskies also lost some top skill-position talent to the NFL. Betting handicappers set Washington’s over/under win total at 7½. I’d take the over, but 8-4 would come up short of a No. 17 ranking.
Tennessee
- AP: No. 20
- Coaches: No. 18
- Who got it right? AP
Tennessee finished last season unranked and didn’t beat any opponent that finished with a winning record. The Vols should be improved, but the coaches poll ranking seems too lofty for a program transitioning to a young starting quarterback, whether freshman Faizon Brandon or sophomore George MacIntyre wins the job. Tennessee made a strong hire of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. He brought in a wave of transfers. Historically, Knowles’ impact becomes particularly noticeable in his second year on staff. Tennessee fits into that category of Top 25 teams that fall short of being playoff contenders.
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Sports Seriously
- AP: Unranked
- Coaches: No. 23
- Who got it right? AP
Clemson has no business being ranked. The coaches’ ranking for Clemson amounts to lifetime achievement recognition for Dabo Swinney. Yes, he’s had a remarkable career, but, in the here and now, Clemson had to replace many of the defensive starters off a team that flopped its way to 7-6. It’s also transitioning to a new starting quarterback, Christopher Vizzina. As usual, Swinney didn’t accomplish enough in the portal.
Louisville
- AP: No. 24
- Coaches: Unranked
- Who got it right? AP
If Clemson shouldn’t be ranked, then which team should replace it in the Top 25? Louisville makes a fine choice. The Cardinals will have transfers starting all over. That’s OK, because Jeff Brohm signed one of the best portal hauls of any ACC team. Louisville boasts a really strong backfield, led by star tailback Isaac Brown. He rushed for more than 100 yards in Louisville’s takedown of Miami last season. Brohm must demonstrate his quarterback development skills with transfer Lincoln Kienholz, the former Ohio State backup.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.