Football: The Post’s preseason student media survey results

Each week, the Sports Editor selects the top 25 FBS college football teams for the Student Media Poll.

The SMP is a nationwide survey of 97 student journalists from across the country.

The Post Sports will break down its ballots each week. Here are the top five, those who fell out of the top 25 and those who joined.

Robert Keegan III, sports editor

Top 5:

1. Ohio State

2. Oregon

3. Georgia

4. Texas

5. Alabama

National Champion: Oregon

While Oregon isn’t my No. 1 team in all of college football, I believe it’s the most prepared team for a national championship this season. I don’t expect the Ducks to emerge as champions of the Big 10, but in the new 12-team playoff format, the team has a great chance to sneak in and make a splash.

I am a big fan of the Big 10 this year and think this conference will definitely be represented in the national championship game, be it Oregon, Ohio State or even Penn State.

Insider tip: Memphis

For me, Memphis is the clear favorite when it comes to the playoffs. The Tigers will likely have the best defense in the American Athletic Conference, and led by returning quarterback Seth Hennigan, there is little doubt that they will be the team to beat in the Group of Five.

Charlie Fadel, Sports Editor

Top 5:

1. Georgia

2. Ohio State

3. Texas

4. Oregon

5. Alabama

National Champion: Ohio State

The Buckeyes are my favorite to win the national championship this season in a make or break year for them. Ohio State has invested heavily in NIL to bring back key defensive players like Jack Sawyer, Dezel Burke and Tyleik Williams. The Buckeyes have also acquired players like Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin from Alabama and Quinshon Judkins, the SEC’s offensive player of the year.

The Buckeyes are loaded with talent this year. By the end of the year, they should not only be Big Ten champions, but national champions as well.

Sleeper: Arizona

Arizona is one of the most exciting teams in college football this year. The Wildcats are coming off a successful season in which they won 10 games and ended the season with a victory in the Alamo Bowl. Their head coach from last season, Jedd Fisch, left the team to take the head coaching job at Washington, but new head coach Brett Brennan comes from San Jose State to take over.

The team is led by returning quarterback Noah Fifita and returning wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Both Fifita and McMillan are among the favorites for the Heisman Trophy.

Logan Adams, Sports Editor

Top 5:

1. Georgia

2. Ohio State

3. Texas

4. Michigan

5. Oregon

National Champion: Georgia

It’s an obvious choice, but all too often the obvious choice is overlooked. On offense, the Bulldogs are manned by one of the best quarterbacks in the country, Carson Beck, and an entertaining group of talented players around him. Georgia’s trademark, of course, is its immense talent on defense, which has been nearly impenetrable over the past few seasons. After losing the SEC championship game to Alabama last season and missing the playoffs after a national championship the season before that, Georgia is ready for a comeback.

Sleeper: Nebraska

A former Big 10 heavyweight, Nebraska has fallen into purgatory over the past decade. The Cornhuskers were under .500 in former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule’s first season and failed to even get a 1,000-yard passer this season. But change seems to be on the horizon, with five-star freshman Dylan Raiola set to take the reins as the Cornhuskers’ starting quarterback in Week 1. While the Big 10 remains well-positioned at the top, Nebraska has a chance to be a really fun and successful team in this second tier.

@robertkeegan_

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@CharlieFadel

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@LoganA_NBA

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