Alabama, Clemson lead the way in AP preseason Top 25

The preseason Associated Press Top 25 dropped Monday, which means college football is right around the corner.

Unsurprisingly, defending champion Alabama leads the way at No. 1 with ACC favorite Clemson and national runner-up Georgia coming in at Nos. 2 and 3.

Two Big Ten teams follow with Wisconsin at No. 4 and Ohio State at No. 5. Pac-12 favorite Washington is No. 6 and, despite losing Heisman winner Baker Mayfield to the NFL, Big 12 champion Oklahoma comes in at No. 7 while Miami, Auburn and Penn State round out the top 10.

Alabama (42) and Clemson (18) received the bulk of the first-place votes. Wisconsin (1) was the only other team to top a ballot. Alabama begins the season ranked No. 1 for the third consecutive season.

The Top 25 includes five representatives from the SEC and Big Ten, four from the Big 12, ACC, and Pac-12, one independent, one from the AAC and one from the Mountain West.

Here is the full poll:

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. Florida State
20. Virginia Tech
21. UCF
22. Boise State
23. Texas
24. Oregon
25. LSU

Others receiving votes: South Carolina (96), Florida (68), Utah (60), Oklahoma State (51), FAU (38), Arizona (28), NC State (22), Texas A&M (21), Boston College (18), Northwestern (13), Kansas State (10), Iowa State (8), Houston (6), Memphis (3), Troy (2), Iowa (2), Kentucky (1), Arkansas State (1), Fresno State (1).

To listen to the Yahoo Sports College Podcast, visit Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Google Play. (Interview segment with Houston’s Ed Oliver begins at the 37:20 mark.)

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