ATHENS — Here come the “Way-too-Early” Top 25 lists, triggering a degree of curiosity as to first impressions on the 2025 college football season.
Georgia has been an AP Top 5-preseason fixture the past seven years under Kirby Smart, and early indications are that the Bulldogs will extend that streak to eight preseason AP polls.
The perception of Georgia football is amazing and earned, with two national titles and three SEC championships in that span.
It is also unprecedented.
The great Vince Dooley did not have any preseason Top 5-ranked teams during his coaching tenure.
In fact, prior to Smart taking over the UGA program in 2016, the Bulldogs had only three teams ranked in the Top 5 of the AP preseason Top polls in school history — Coach Mark Richt’s teams in 2004, 2008 and 2013.
Georgia has had the finishes, too, with an active string of eight straight seasons ranked in the Top 7 of the AP Poll -- a streak no other program can claim entering the 2025 season.
ESPN released its Way-Too-Early Top 25 on Tuesday and Georgia came in at No. 5, behind some suddenly familiar (via the CFP playoff) names.
It’s worth noting there will be updated Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings after the spring transfer portal season, as rosters can and will shift:
• Ohio State, the winner of the first-ever, newly-expanded College Football Playoffs, was listed at the preseason No. 1 team.
• Texas, with Arch Manning taking over as starting quarterback, is ESPN’s preseason No. 2 team.
• Penn State returns starting quarterback and early projected No. 1 NFL pick Drew Allar, and is No. 3.
• Notre Dame, despite losing quarterback Riley Leonard, is the preseason No. 4 ahead of Georgia.
• The Bulldogs are No. 5, even with former starting quarterback Carson Beck off to Miami, Fla., and Butkus Award-winner and team leader Jalon Walker leaving for the NFL.
The rest:
6. Oregon
7. Clemson
8. LSU
9.BYU
10. South Carolina
11. Iowa State
12. Alabama
13. Illinois
14. Arizona State
15. SMU
16. Kansas State
17. Indiana
18. Florida
19. Tennessee
20. Louisville
21. Michigan
22. Texas A&M
23. Miami
24. Boise State
25. Ole Miss
