Texas and Arch Manning top preseason coaches' poll

Field Level Media|published: Mon 4th August, 13:32 2025

NCAA Football: Peach Bowl-Texas at Arizona State

Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

With Arch Manning set to take over as the full-time starting quarterback, Texas was voted atop the first college football coaches' poll of the 2025 season.

After finishing 13-3 last season and advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals, the Longhorns earned 28 first-place votes (1,606 points) from a panel of Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches.

Ohio State was in second place with 20 first-place votes, followed by Penn State (14), Georgia (three) and Notre Dame in the top five. Clemson, Oregon, Alabama, LSU and Miami (FL) round out the top 10, in that order.

Ohio State won the CFP championship game last season with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame. Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14 in the semifinals.

Each team voted into the top five of the first coaches' poll participated in last season's CFP playoffs.

The full preseason college football coaches' poll:

1. Texas

2. Ohio State

3. Penn State

4. Georgia

5. Notre Dame

6. Clemson

7. Oregon

8. Alabama

9. LSU