Georgia is set to embark on an extraordinary quest for an unprecedented college football championship three-peat, beginning as the No. 1 team in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 rankings.
The Bulldogs secured an overwhelming lead with 60 out of 63 first-place votes in the poll released on Monday. This positioned them well ahead of the No. 2 team, Michigan, which received two first-place votes and achieved its best preseason ranking since 1991 when it held the No. 2 spot. Ohio State, another formidable contender from the Big Ten, landed at No. 3 with one first-place vote.
The top five positions were dominated by Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams, with Alabama claiming the No. 4 spot – the lowest preseason ranking for the Crimson Tide in over a decade – and LSU coming in at No. 5, marking its best preseason ranking since 2016.
Georgia’s achievement is notable as they have clinched the last two national titles and maintained a remarkable record of 29 wins and 2 losses. This season marks only the second time in the program’s history that they have begun as the preseason No. 1 team, the first instance being in 2008.
The Bulldogs’ consecutive national titles in 2021 and 2022 have solidified their powerhouse status. The team has also experienced an influx of talent with 25 players drafted into NFL teams over the past two years. Head Coach Kirby Smart has established a formidable program, leading to comparisons with Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty.
Georgia’s ascent to the top of the preseason AP Top 25 rankings for the first time in 15 years signifies their prowess and ambition in the college football landscape. As they strive for a historic three-peat, the Bulldogs will undoubtedly be closely watched throughout the season.
AP Top 25:
Georgia (60) – 1572
Michigan (2) – 1490
Ohio State (1) – 1400
Alabama – 1398
LSU – 1276
USC – 1245
Penn State – 1177
Florida State – 1147
Clemson – 1032
Washington – 977
Texas – 882
Tennessee – 868
Notre Dame – 863
Utah – 811
Oregon – 732
Kansas State – 501
TCU – 416
Oregon State – 406
Wisconsin – 386
Oklahoma – 296
North Carolina – 292
Ole Miss – 281
Texas A&M – 227
Tulane – 224
Iowa – 131
Others Receiving Votes – Texas Tech 101, South Carolina 73, UCLA 66, UTSA 64, Arkansas 22, Boise State 17, Pittsburgh 16, Kentucky 14, Louisville 10, Troy 10, Kansas 10, Auburn 7, Minnesota 6, Toledo 4, Duke 4, Mississippi State 4, Florida 4, Illinois 3, Baylor 3, Coastal Carolina 3, South Alabama 1, North Carolina State 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1
