AP Top 25 poll places Ohio State first, excludes Clemson
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 5:20 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
The Associated Press released its first top 25 poll for the 2026 college football season on August 17, ranking Ohio State at the top. Following Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas round out the top five., defending champions Indiana hold the sixth spot despite the departure of quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Clemson failed to make the list, receiving 112 votes but finishing outside the top 25, raising questions about Dabo Swinney's future. The season commences later this month.
- •Ohio State leads the AP Top 25 ahead of Oregon and Georgia.
- •Indiana ranks sixth after last year's national title win.
- •Clemson does not make the top 25, raising concerns for the program.
- •Texas, led by Arch Manning, is among the top five teams.
- •Ole Miss is ranked ninth, ahead of LSU at 11th.
- 5:20 PMYahoo Sports — AP Top 25 takeaways: 2026's first poll leaves CFB powerhouse off list
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