On Friday, as the season nears, ESPN updated those rankings. Although nothing has changed, ACC schools Miami and Clemson both fell to No. 17 and No. 16, respectively. SMU actually moved up a spot, to No. 19. So, what changed, you may ask?

Rhett Lashlee criticized ESPN's Football Power Index after SMU rose just one spot to No. 19, while ACC rivals Miami and Clemson dropped in latest rankings.

Five Big 12 teams landed in the top 25, led by defending champion Arizona State (No. 11). Kansas State (No. 20), Iowa State (tied for 21st), BYU (No. 23) and Texas Tech (No. 24) joined the Sun Devils. The Wildcats and Cyclones open the season on Aug. 23 in Dublin, Ireland.

For the first time in history, Texas football is ranked No. 1 in one of the major preseason polls. The Longhorns sit atop the Preseason Coaches Poll, edging out reigning national champion Ohio State for the No. 1 spot.

It's not that he doesn't see the value in the coaches poll, and for that matter, the Associated Press Top 25, but since neither are used to help determine the national champion anymore, they've lost their luster in his eyes.

College football season kicks off August 23 with a Big 12 matchup between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland.

Five Big 12 teams were included in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, which released Aug. 4. The preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday, Aug. 11. Here's a look at where Big 12 teams fell in both major top-25 polls ahead of the 2025 season.

Many teams, including the LSU Tigers and their coach Brian Kelly, are aiming to qualify for the College Football Playoff this season and secure a national championship. The Tigers have not made it to the playoffs since 2019, when they won the national championship with Joe Burrow as their quarterback.