On Monday, the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 Poll was released, and there weren’t many surprises. The Alabama Crimson Tide claimed the No. 1 ranking, while Clemson followed at No. 2. The Georgia Bulldogs also enters the preseason in the top five at No. 3. The Auburn Tigers were also ranked inside the top 10 at No. 9. The Mississippi State Bulldogs enter the season ranked inside the top 20 at No. 18, and the LSU Tigers enter at No. 25, barely beating out the South Carolina Gamecocks. Here’s the full AP Preseason Top 25: 1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. Georgia 4. Wisconsin 5. Ohio State 6. Washington 7. Oklahoma 8. Miami 9. Auburn 10. Penn State 11. Michigan State 12. Notre Dame 13. Stanford 14. Michigan 15. USC 16. TCU 17. West Virginia 18. Mississippi State 19. FSU 20. Virginia Tech 21. UCF 22. Boise State 23. Texas 24. Oregon 25. LSU Earlier this month, the USA Today Coaches Preseason Top 25 was also unveiled. Much like the AP Top 25, the Coaches Poll ranked Alabama and Clemson Nos. 1 and 2, while Georgia will open at No. 4, one spot lower than the AP. Auburn (No. 10), Mississippi State (No. 18) and LSU (No. 24) all open season the ranked in the top 25. Here’s the full Coaches Preseason Top 25: 1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. Ohio State 4. Georgia 5. Oklahoma 6. Washington 7. Wisconsin 8. Miami 9. Penn State 10. Auburn 11. Notre Dame 12. Michigan State 13. Stanford 14. Michigan 15. USC 16. TCU 17. Virginia Tech 18. Mississippi State 19. FSU 20. West Virginia 21. Texas 22. Boise State 23. UCF 24. LSU 25. Oklahoma State. How much will these top 25 polls change after Week 1? Things will certainly be interesting.<doc-sep>The preseason Amway Coaches Poll, with outlooks for the top 25: 1. Alabama (13-1) Points: 1,621 (61 first-place votes). Previous ranking: 1. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Louisville in Orlando (ABC, 8) Outlook: Coming off their fifth title in nine seasons, the Crimson Tide have more questions than usual with an unsettled quarterback situation, major losses on defense and changes at both coordinator positions. Still, this is a team full of talent, and Nick Saban knows how to navigate this type of challenge. TIDE RISING:Alabama in familiar spot at No. 1 to start season SNUBS:Five teams that should have been part of the preseason poll MISSING MARK:Overrated and underrated teams in the Top 25 2. Clemson (12-2) Points: 1,547 (3). Previous ranking: 4. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Furman Outlook: If defense wins championships, then the Tigers are well-positioned to make their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Christian Wilkins heads a dominant defensive line. QB Kelly Bryant led Clemson to 12 wins in his first year as a starter, but his job status is tenuous with incoming freshman Trevor Lawrence in the mix. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: ACC 3. Ohio State (12-2) Points: 1,458 (1). Previous ranking: 5. This week: Sept. 1 vs. Oregon State (ABC, noon) Outlook: On the field, the Buckeyes have enough talent to repeat as Big Ten champions with RB J.K. Dobbins and DL Nick Bosa among their standouts. The chief concern is off the field. Head coach Urban Meyer is on leave as the school investigates his possible knowledge of alleged abuse by a former assistant. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big Ten 4. Georgia (13-2) Points: 1,452. Previous ranking: 2. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Austin Peay (ESPN, 3:30) Outlook: The sting of losing to Alabama in overtime in the championship game will provide motivation. QB Jake Fromm looks to avoid a sophomore slump. The defense should again be one of the top units in the country. Deandre Baker and J.R. Reed lead the secondary. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: SEC 5. Oklahoma (12-2) Points: 1,288. Previous ranking: 3. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Florida Atlantic (Fox, noon) Outlook: Replacing Heisman winner Baker Mayfield isn’t the team’s biggest concern. Kyler Murray should be fine at QB with RB Rodney Anderson and a talented group of wide receivers as support. The defense, last seen being torched by Georgia in the Rose Bowl, has to improve. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big 12 6. Washington (10-3) Points: 1,245. Previous ranking: 15. Opens: Sept 1 vs. No. 10 Auburn in Atlanta (ABC, 3:30) Outlook: The Huskies have QB Jake Browning and RB Myles Gaskin returning to its offense as they bid to reach the playoff for the second time in three seasons. The season opener against Auburn should tell a lot about whether they’re a contender or just the best team in the Pac-12. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Pac-12 7. Wisconsin (13-1) Points: 1,243. Previous ranking: 6. Opens: Aug. 31 vs. Western Kentucky (ESPN, 9) Outlook: Known more for being vanilla on offense and stingy on defense, the Badgers may flip the script this season. Backed by one of the nation’s top offensive lines and RB Jonathan Taylor, they should be explosive. Another unbeaten regular season is possible if the defense can overcome some key losses. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big Ten 8. Miami (Fla.) (10-3) Points: 1,091. Previous ranking: 13. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. No. 24 LSU in Arlington, Texas (ABC, 7:30) Outlook: The Hurricanes had a dream start last season with 10 consecutive wins before ending with a thud. LB Shaq Quarterman is part of an athletic defense that should be improved. The question is if the offense can do its part. Better play from QB Malik Rosier is pivotal. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: ACC 9. Penn State (11-2) Points: 1,050. Previous ranking: 8. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Appalachian State (BTN, 3:30) Outlook: Gone are RB Saquon Barkley and three of the top four receivers. That’s the bad news. QB Trace McSorley and a veteran offensive line provide optimism that the Nittany Lions still will be good enough to make a run at the Big Ten title and possibly a College Football Playoff berth. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big Ten 10. Auburn (10-4) Points: 1,004. Previous ranking: 12. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. No. 6 Washington in Atlanta (ABC, 3:30) Outlook: The only team to beat Alabama last year, the Tigers start this season focused on repeating as SEC West champs. QB Jarrett Stidham looks to be more comfortable in his second season as the starter. The success of the season likely comes down to November trips to Georgia and Alabama. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: SEC 11. Notre Dame (10-3) Points: 892. Previous ranking: 11. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. No. 14 Michigan (NBC, 7:30). Outlook: With some key losses on the offensive line, the success of the Irish likely will fall to whether QB Brandon Wimbush can be more consistent throwing the ball. The defense will be better, but a tough schedule, starting with Michigan, will be difficult to manage without support from the offense. IRISH OUTLOOK:Notre Dame has strong team but difficult schedule 12. Michigan State (10-3) Points: 870. Previous ranking: 16. Opens: Aug. 31 vs. Utah State (BTN, 7) Outlook: After missing a bowl game in 2016, the Spartans have 19 starters back from last year’s team that won 10 games. QB Brian Lewerke provides a running and passing threat. The defense, led by DL Kenny Willekes, is good enough to have them contend in the Big Ten. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big Ten 13. Stanford (9-5) Points: 768. Previous ranking: 19. Opens: Aug. 31 vs. San Diego State (FS1, 9) Outlook: RB Bryce Love decided to skip the NFL draft, giving the Cardinal one of the top weapons in college football. QB K.J. Costello, who welcomes back his top four receivers, has to do his part to take some pressure off Love. The defense was down a notch last year and is expected to be better. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Pac-12 14. Michigan (8-5) Points: 752. Previous ranking: not ranked. Opens: Sept. 1 at No. 11 Notre Dame (NBC, 7:30) Outlook: The pressure is officially on Jim Harbaugh, who is 1-5 against rivals Ohio State and Michigan State in his three seasons. Shea Patterson, a transfer from Mississippi, is expected solve the team’s problems at quarterback. The defense was inexperienced last year and still ranked second in the Big Ten. That’s a good sign for this season. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big Ten 15. Southern California (11-3) Points: 691. Previous ranking: 10. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. UNLV (Pac-12, 4) Outlook: It likely will be the defense, led by DL Christian Rector and LB Cameron Smith, that becomes the strength of the Trojans after the departure of QB Sam Darnold. With no significant experience at the position, true freshman J.T. Daniels could win the starting job which could mean some early growing pains. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Pac-12 16. TCU (11-3) Points: 530. Previous ranking: 9. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Southern Outlook: This should be another overachieving season for the Horned Frogs. Again, defense will be the team’s backbone. DL Ben Banogu is a dominant pass rusher, and LB Ty Summers patrols the middle. QB Shawn Robinson is young, but he will have two outstanding receivers in KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Reagor. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big 12 17. Virginia Tech (9-4) Points: 524. Previous ranking: 25. This week: Sept. 3 at No. 19 Florida State (ESPN, 8) Outlook: QB Josh Jackson looks to blossom in his second season as the starter, especially if a No. 1 option steps up at wide receiver. The defense, always good under coordinator Bud Foster, will have DL Ricky Walker up front. There are major holes to fill in the secondary with several significant departures. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: ACC 18. Mississippi State (9-4) Points: 407. Previous ranking: 20. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Stephen F. Austin (ESPNU, 7:30) Outlook: New coach Joe Moorhead is blessed with one of the most-talented rosters in the SEC. QB Nick Fitzgerald appears to be a perfect fit in former Penn State coordinator’s offense. DL Jeffrey Simmons is one of the conference’s top defenders. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: SEC 19. Florida State (7-6) Points: 328. Previous ranking: not ranked. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. No. 17 Virginia Tech (ESPN, 8) Outlook: Willie Taggart’s first big decision as Seminoles coach will picking between Deondre Francois and James Blackman at quarterback. RB Cam Akers is set for a breakout season as a sophomore. The defense is young and talented. It will need to grow up fast. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: ACC 20. West Virginia (7-6) Points: 310. Previous ranking: not ranked. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Tennessee in Charlotte (CBS, 3:30) Outlook: The Mountaineers should be one of the more entertaining teams in the country with QB Will Grier throwing and wideouts David Sills V and Gary Jennings catching. LB David Long and DB Dravon Askew-Henry provide two leaders in the back seven of the defense. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big 12 21. Texas (7-6) Points: 265. Previous ranking: not ranked. Opens: Sept. 1 at Maryland (FS1, noon) Outlook: After leading the program to its first winning season since 2013, Tom Herman is looking to make the next step toward having the Longhorns back among the elite. Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buechele likely will share time at quarterback. Improved play at running back and the offensive line is essential. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big 12 22. Boise State (11-3) Points: 261. Previous ranking: 22. Opens: Sept. 1 at Troy (ESPNews, 6) Outlook: The Broncos are blessed with senior QB Brett Rypien, a deep backfield, options at wide receiver and depth on both lines. They’ll make another run at the Group of Five berth in one of the major bowls. 23. Central Florida (13-0) Points: 259. Previous ranking: 7. Opens: Aug. 30 at Connecticut (ESPNU, 7) Outlook: Under new head coach Josh Heupel, the Knights are primed for another successful season after being the lone unbeaten in FBS in 2017. QB McKenzie Milton will head a prolific offense. How quickly the defense develops will determine if UCF can avoid a loss. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: American 24. LSU (9-4) Points: 254. Previous ranking: 18. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. No. 8 Miami (Fla.) in Arlington, Texas (ABC, 7:30) Outlook: Ed Orgeron changed offensive coordinators and brought in Ohio State QB transfer Joe Burrow to help remedy the program’s difficulty throwing the ball. Those changes must to be successful as expectations for the Tigers are to contend in the SEC West, which it has not won since 2011. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: SEC 25. Oklahoma State (10-3) Points: 168. Previous ranking: 14. Opens: Aug. 30 vs. Missouri State (FS1, 8) Outlook: The Cowboys mostly lived on the arm of QB Mason Rudolph last year, but with his departure RB Justice Hill should carry the load of the offense. Most of the key contributors return on defense. DL Jordan Brailford has the potential to break out after six sacks last year. CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Big 12 Dropped out: No. 17 Northwestern (10-3), No. 21 South Florida (10-2), No. 23 North Carolina State (9-4), No. 24 Memphis (10-3). Other receiving votes: South Carolina (9-4) 138; Florida (4-7) 135; Oregon (7-6) 105; Utah (7-6) 81; Northwestern (10-3) 67; Texas A&M (7-6) 67; Kansas State (8-5) 35; Florida Atlantic (11-3) 27; Boston College (7-6) 23; Memphis (10-3) 23; North Carolina State (9-4) 22; Arkansas State (7-5) 19; Troy (11-2) 19; Appalachian State (9-4) 16; San Diego State (10-3) 15; Iowa (8-5) 8; Iowa State (8-5) 8; Kentucky (7-6) 8; Washington State (9-4) 7; South Florida (10-2) 6; Duke (7-6) 5; Fresno State (10-4) 4; Louisville (8-5) 3; Arizona (7-6) 2; Houston (7-5) 2; Army (10-3) 1; Northern Illinois (8-5) 1. The Amway Board of Coaches is made up of 65 head coaches at Bowl Subdivision schools. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association. The board for the 2018 season: Blake Anderson, Arkansas State; Major Applewhite, Houston; Dino Babers, Syracuse; Mike Bloomgren, Rice; John Bonamego, Central Michigan; Terry Bowden, Akron; Jeff Brohm, Purdue; Neal Brown, Troy; Troy Calhoun, Air Force; Rod Carey, Northern Illinois; Bill Clark, Alabama-Birmingham; Dave Clawson, Wake Forest; Geoff Collins, Temple; David Cutcliffe, Duke; Mark Dantonio, Michigan State; Bob Davie, New Mexico; Butch Davis, Florida International; Dana Dimel, Texas-El Paso; DJ Durkin, Maryland; Herm Edwards, Arizona State; Luke Fickell, Cincinnati; Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&amp;M; P.J.<doc-sep>
Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press After ending the 2017 season as the No. 1 team in the Amway Coaches Poll, the Alabama Crimson Tide will begin the 2018 campaign in the same position. In addition to Alabama at No. 1, here is a rundown of the other 24 teams included in the poll, courtesy of USA Today: 1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. Ohio State 4. Georgia 5. Oklahoma 6. Washington 7. Wisconsin 8. Miami (Fla.) 9. Penn State 10. Auburn 11. Notre Dame 12. Michigan State 13. Stanford 14. Michigan 15. USC 16. TCU 17. Virginia Tech 18. Mississippi State 19. Florida State 20. West Virginia 21. Texas 22. Boise State 23. UCF Video Play Button Videos you might like 24. LSU 25. Oklahoma State The Crimson Tide will open the season as the No. 1 team in the poll for the third consecutive year. They garnered 61 first-place votes, while Clemson got three and Ohio State took one. Since coming from behind to beat the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last season, the Crimson Tide have undergone some significant changes. Gone to the NFL are key players such as defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne, linebacker Rashaan Evans, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Bo Scarbrough and several others. Additionally, Alabama has some unanswered questions at quarterback since head coach Nick Saban has yet to announce whether Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa will be his starter in 2018. Hurts started each of the past two seasons to great success, but Tagovailoa replaced him during the CFP title game and was the primary reason why 'Bama managed to come back and win. After coming agonizingly close to winning it all last season, the Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart will begin 2018 as the No. 4 team in the Amway Coaches Poll. Like Alabama, Georgia will have a much different roster in 2018 due to the sheer amount of talent that left for the NFL. Among the departed players are linebacker Roquan Smith, offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn and running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. Perhaps the biggest key to Georgia's success in 2018 will be the play of sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm. Fromm threw for 2,615 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season as a freshman. If he can take another step in his development, Georgia will again be a force with which to be reckoned during the upcoming season. Other potential national title contenders include the Clemson Tigers, who will open the season ranked second. Clemson has reached the CFP in each of the past three seasons, and it will benefit from a group of experienced returning starters on defense, including defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Although quarterback J.T. Barrett graduated, Ohio State comes in at No. 3, with Dwayne Haskins ready to take the reins under center. Perhaps the biggest key to the Buckeyes' success in 2018 will be sophomore running back J.K. Dobbins, who rushed for over 1,400 yards last season. The 2018 college football season will officially open on Aug. 25, and No. 1 Alabama will kick off its schedule against Louisville on Sept. 1.