Texas, Penn State produce closest margin for No. 1 in preseason AP poll since 1998
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
The initial AP poll for the 2025 season dropped on Monday and it was extremely tight at the top. Texas is No. 1, followed by Penn State, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon, Alabama, LSU, and Miami in the top 10.
The gap between Texas (1,552 points) and Penn State (1,547 points) is the closest for the top 2 teams dating back to 1998, according to ESPN.
If Texas and Penn State meet in the College Football Playoff, it would be the first matchup between the storied programs since 1997 in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State won that game 38-15 and leads the all-time series 3-2.
Texas will get an immediate road test when it squares off with No. 3 Ohio State on Aug. 30 (noon ET/FOX). Arch Manning is going into his first season as Texas’s starting quarterback. In 12 college games, Manning has passed for 939 yards, 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while also rushing for 115 yards and 4 scores.
Penn State will once again be powered by the rushing game. Returning running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton both tallied 1,000+ yards on the ground last season. Penn State hosts Nevada on Aug. 30 (3:30 p.m./CBS) in its season opener.
