Ohio State named preseason No. 1 in college football Coaches Poll

Ohio State has been named the preseason No. 1 team in the college football Coaches Poll, edging out Oregon for the top spot. The Buckeyes are expected to maintain this position in the upcoming AP poll, supported by a roster that returns 14 starters, including a deep running back rotation and a strong defensive front.

While Ohio State leads, the preseason rankings show a lack of total consensus, with several other programs receiving first-place votes. The Georgia Bulldogs remain top contenders in the SEC, while the Indiana Hoosiers emerged as a significant secondary choice in the Coaches Poll following a successful previous season.

The landscape of the college football playoffs is expected to be defined by a competitive battle between the Big Ten and the SEC. In the Big Ten, Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana are viewed as primary contenders to extend the conference's recent national championship streak.