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The preseason AP Top 25 poll is officially out, with roughly two weeks until the college football season gets underway.
Unsurprisingly, the top 25 is dominated by the SEC (9) and the Big Ten (6), who combined represent 15 of the 25 teams on the list. The Big 12 was next with five while the ACC had four. Notre Dame was the only non P4 team in the top 25 while they remain independent.
Four of the Big Ten’s six ranked teams were inside the top ten, while the other two just snuck in to the back of the rankings. Three other conference teams received votes, meaning nine of the 18 Big Ten schools earned recognition from the AP here in mid-August.
Below is a look at all six ranked teams – and the others receiving votes – as the season draws near:
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
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This is arguably Ryan Day’s strongest Ohio State roster, giving him the best chance of winning the Big Ten and making a deep playoff run.
It also ups the pressure, as anything less than a CFP appearance, a win over Michigan, and arguably a national title could be considered a disappointment in Columbus.
3. Oregon Ducks
Syndication: The Register Guard
Dan Lanning and the Ducks narrowly missed the CFP last year thanks to a loss to Washington, but this year they are primed to make the jump even after migrating to the Big Ten.
A star-studded transfer portal class, led by former Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, should have this Ducks team pouring on the points all season long, and 10 or 11 wins feels attainable for this club out of Eugene.
8. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Penn State has finished in the top 12 six times under coach James Franklin, but has never made the top four – making CFP expansion a critical development for the Nittany Lions.
New OC Andy Kotelnicki needs to get the most out of quarterback Drew Allar, and if that comes together don’t be surprised to see Franklin and the Lions in the playoffs this year.
9. Michigan Wolverines
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Most teams that lose 13 players to the NFL draft – a program record – and also lose their coach to the NFL don’t end up in the preseason top ten the following year.
However, Michigan is expected to remain excellent under new coach Sherrone Moore, and the return of stars Will Johnson, Mason Graham, and Colston Loveland make this team very dangerous – especially if the right quarterback replacement for JJ McCarthy shows up.
23. USC Trojans
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Lincoln Riley didn’t win the Pac-12 in either season in the conference, and he’ll still have to compete with Oregon and Washington – and now Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and others – in order to do so in the Big Ten.
To make that a reality, USC will need to show significant improvement on the defensive side of the ball. If DC D’Anton Lynn can get this team on track, the Trojans could be a dark horse Big Ten winner.
25. Iowa Hawkeyes
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Tim Lester comes to Iowa City with the hopes of reviving a doormat (to put it politely) offense for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa has made the Big Ten championship game in three of the past four years, and while that’s a tall order with Oregon in the mix and strong squads ahead of them in the AP poll, this program remains in great shape and could really surprise with a new offense and a relatively easy schedule.
Others Receiving Votes
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/big-ten-football-ap-top-25-poll/