Ohio State is AP No. 1 (40 of 69 first-place votes). Oregon No. 2. First time in 65 years the Big Ten occupies the top two preseason spots. Indiana, 16–0 national champion, is AP 6; HASHMARK has them 11th. Alabama is AP 13, first preseason outside the top 10 since 2008; HX has the Tide 9th. LSU is AP 11 / HX 20. Only USC among the 25 plays Saturday. First ranked-on-ranked game is Week 1: No. 9 Ole Miss vs No. 24 Louisville, Sept. 6. HX: Ole Miss 5, Louisville 25.
Why it matters
The ranking the sport plays under until Sept. 8, and HX’s running argument with it.
Sources