Ohio State Continues Preseason Ranking Streak
- Ohio State continues its preseason ranking streak for the 36th consecutive year.
- This marks their 71st overall appearance in the preseason polls, extending national records.
- The dominance of SEC and Big Ten reflect in the 2024 College Football Preseason Polls.
In a significant shift in college football dynamics, the recent top 25 polls reveal that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten Conference dominate the rankings, with both leagues occupying the top six spots. This comes on the heels of Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC, alongside Oregon, USC, and Washington becoming new members of the Big Ten. The SEC and Big Ten also feature prominently in the coaches’ poll, with 10 teams from these conferences appearing in the top 12, and 10 in the top 13 of the Associated Press (AP) poll. Florida State and Alabama are notable contenders, with Alabama experiencing its lowest preseason ranking since 2009, coming in at No. 5. This marks a significant change for the Crimson Tide, who last fell out of the top five in 2008. Meanwhile, the Kentucky Wildcats, who have struggled in previous preseason rankings, aim to improve upon their past performances after being ranked in 2015 and 1999 but failing to finish the season ranked. Missouri makes a return to the preseason rankings for the first time since 2015, while the Oklahoma Sooners continue their streak with their 66th preseason ranking, placing them second only to Ohio State. Additionally, Utah has achieved its sixth consecutive preseason ranking, a notable improvement from its earlier history. The Boise State Broncos lead the Group of Five teams, securing the 28th overall position in the AP poll.