Each week, our sports editorial team will select the Top 25 FBS college football teams for student media voting.
The SMP is a national poll involving 97 student journalists from schools across the country.
Post Sports will analyze the results of the poll each week. Here are the top five, items removed from the top 25 and items added:
Robert Keegan III, Sports Editor
TOP 5:
Ohio State University
Oregon
Georgia
Texas
Alabama
National Champion: Oregon
Oregon isn't my number one team in all of college football, but I believe they are the team most prepared for a national championship this season. I don't expect the Ducks to be Big Ten champions, but the new 12-team playoff format gives the team a great chance to slide into the tournament and make a splash.
I'm a big believer in the Big Ten this year and I don't think it matters which team the conference represents in the national championship game, whether it's Oregon, Ohio State or Penn State.
Sleeper Team: Memphis
For me, it's pretty clear that come playoff time, Memphis will be the team to represent in Group 5. The Tigers boast the best defense in the American Athletic Conference and are led by returning quarterback Seth Hennigan, so there's no doubt they will be the team to beat at the Group 5 level.
Charlie Fadell, sports writer
TOP 5:
Georgia
Ohio State University
Texas
Oregon
Alabama
National Champion: Ohio State University
This season is a win-or-lose year for the Buckeyes, and I expect the Buckeyes to win the National Championship. Ohio State spent a lot of money on the NIL to bring back key defensive starters such as Jack Sawyer, Dezell Burke and Tyreik Williams. The Buckeyes could also go into the portal and acquire players such as Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin from Alabama, as well as SEC Offensive Player of the Year Quinsion Judkins.
This year's Buckeyes are loaded with talent, and they should not only be the Big Ten Conference champions by the end of the year, but national champions as well.
Sleeper: Arizona
Arizona is one of the most intriguing teams in college football this year. The Wildcats are fresh off a successful season in which they won 10 games and ended the season with a win in the Alamo Bowl. Last season's head coach, Jedd Fisch, left the team to take the head coaching job at Washington, but new head coach Brett Brennan will take over from San Jose State University.
The team is anchored by returning quarterback Noah Fifita and returning wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, both of whom are Heisman Trophy front-runners.
Logan Adams, Sports Editor
TOP 5:
Georgia
Ohio State University
Texas
Michigan
Oregon
National Champion: Georgia
This is an obvious choice, but too often the obvious choice gets overlooked. Offensively, the Bulldogs are anchored by one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Carson Beck and a fun group of skill players surrounding him. Of course, Georgia is known for its incredible defensive talent that has been nearly impenetrable the past few seasons. After losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last season and missing the playoffs the season before that for the national championship, Georgia is poised for a bounce back.
Sleeper: Nebraska
Once a Big Ten powerhouse, Nebraska has struggled over the past decade. The Cornhuskers finished under .500 in former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Lue's first season at the helm and failed to even produce a 1,000-yard passing player in a season. But with five-star true freshman Dylan Raiola taking the reins as the Cornhuskers' starting quarterback in Week 1, change is clear. The top of the Big Ten is still filled with powerhouses, but Nebraska has a chance to be a really fun and successful team in the second tier.
Robert Keegan
Charlie Fadell
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