Each week, the Sports' editorial team selects its Top 25 FBS college football teams for the Student Media Poll.
The SMP is a nationwide poll featuring 97 student journalists from schools nationwide.
The Post Sports will break down its ballots each week. Here are the top five, those dropped from the Top 25 and those added.
Robert Keegan III, sports editor
Top 5:
Ohio State
Oregon
Georgia
Texas
Alabama
National Champion: Oregon
Though not my No. 1 team in all of college football, I believe Oregon is the most prepared for a national championship this season. I don't predict that the Ducks will come out as champions of the Big 10 but in the new 12-team playoff format the team has a great chance to sneak into the bracket and make some noise.
I am a firm believer in this year's Big 10 and think that no matter what that conference will represent in the national championship game whether it be Oregon, Ohio State or even Penn State.
Sleeper Team: Memphis
Memphis is a clear favorite for me to be the group-of-five representative come playoff time. The Tigers will feature maybe the best defense in the American Athletic Conference, and led by returning quarterback Seth Hennigan, there’s little doubt that they will be the team to beat at the group-of-five level.
Charlie Fadel, sports staff writer
Top 5:
Georgia
Ohio State
Texas
Oregon
Alabama
National Champion: Ohio State
The Buckeyes are my pick for the national championship this season in what is a title or bust year for them. Ohio State invested lots of money into NIL to be able to bring back key defensive starters such as Jack Sawyer, Dezel Burke and Tyleik Williams. The Buckeyes were also able to go out into the portal and get players like Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin from Alabama and SEC Offensive Player of the Year Quinshon Judkins.
The Buckeyes are absolutely loaded with talent this year. They should not only be Big Ten champs by the end of the year, but national champs as well.
Sleeper: Arizona
Arizona is one of the most intriguing teams in the college football landscape this year. The Wildcats are coming off a successful season that saw them win 10 games and end the season with a win in the Alamo Bowl. Their head coach from last season, Jedd Fisch, left to take the Washington head coaching job, but new head coach Brett Brennan comes in from San Jose State to take over.
The team is headlined by returning quarterback Noah Fifita and returning wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Both Fifita and McMillan are amongst the favorites for the Heisman.
Logan Adams, sports editor
Top 5:
Georgia
Ohio State
Texas
Michigan
Oregon
National Champion: Georgia
It’s an obvious pick, but too often does the obvious pick get overlooked. Offensively, the Bulldogs are manned by one of the best quarterbacks in the country, Carson Beck, and a fun group of skill players surrounding him. Of course, Georgia’s calling card is its immense defensive talent, which has been near impenetrable the past few seasons. After losing the SEC Championship game to Alabama last season and missing the Playoffs after a National Championship the season prior, Georgia is primed for a bounceback.
Sleeper: Nebraska
Nebraska, a former Big 10 powerhouse, has fallen into purgatory over the last decade. The Cornhuskers finished under .500 in former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule’s first season at the helm, and even failed to get a 1,000 yard passer for the season. However, change is seemingly evident as five-star true freshman Dylan Raiola will take the reins as the Cornhuskers’ starting quarterback in week one. While the Big 10 remains stacked at the top, Nebraska has a chance to be a really fun and successful team in that second tier.
