Georgia defends top spot, starts atop Preseason AP Poll 

Kirby Smart

The Bulldogs have the top preseason spot secured. 

Georgia began the Preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll receiving 60 of the 63 first-place votes to land at No. 1. The Bulldogs have claimed the College Football Playoff National Championship in each of the past two seasons. 

Michigan, Ohio State and Alabama round out the top four. The Rolling Tide will begin the season with their lowest preseason AP ranking since 2009. 

The Southeastern Conference leads the way with six selections, including three in the top 10. The Big Ten and Pac-12 follow with five picks apeice while the Big 12 has four and ACC has three. 

Notre Dame came in at No. 13 in both the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll which released Aug. 7 and the preseason AP poll. The Fighting Irish will begin the 2023 season against Navy on Aug. 26 in Dublin, Ireland. 

Compared to the coaches poll, Iowa is the only differing program to appear on the AP poll at No. 25. Texas Tech made the cut in the coaches poll at No. 24 but was the first team off the AP poll while receiving votes. 

Georgia has a chance to become the first three-peat national champion in the AP poll era this season. 

Here is the full preseason AP poll: 

Georgia 

Michigan 

Ohio State 

Alabama 

LSU 

USC 

Penn State 

Florida State 

Clemson 

Washington 

Texas 

Tennessee 

Notre Dame 

Utah 

Oregon 

Kansas State 

TCU 

Oregon State 

Wisconsin 

Oklahoma 

North Carolina 

Ole Miss 

Texas A&M 

Tulane 

Iowa