Clemson is the preseason No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25, a poll featuring nine Big Ten and Pac-12 teams that gives a glimpse at what has already been taken by the coronavirus pandemic from an uncertain college football season.
Ohio State (1,504 points) was a close No. 2 behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Clemson (1,520), which starts atop the rankings for the second straight season. Clemson’s Tigers beat the Buckeyes in a thrilling College Football Playoff semifinal last season.
Alabama is No. 3, Southeastern Conference rival Georgia is No. 4 and 2019 Big 12 champion Oklahoma is No. 5. Reigning national champion LSU is No. 6.
The 85th edition of the AP rankings will be like none before.
When the season starts – if the season starts – the Buckeyes and 53 other Football Bowl Subdivision teams will no longer be eligible for inclusion in the Top 25 because they have postponed their seasons to the spring.