Ohio State opened No. 1 in the AP preseason poll with Oregon at No. 2 and Georgia at No. 3, while Texas slid to No. 5 after entering last year as the preseason favorite.
Texas' drop follows a 10-3 season that missed the College Football Playoff, even with Arch Manning returning instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Longhorns also lost 23 players to the transfer portal, though Steve Sarkisian added transfers including receiver Cam Coleman, running back Hollywood Smothers and tackle Melvin Siani.
Phil Steele ranks Texas' slate the toughest in the FBS, with games against Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma and LSU likely shaping whether the No. 5 ranking proves too low or too generous.