2022 college football poll: Alabama tops preseason AP poll, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Notre Dame Top 5

The Associated Press released its first poll for the 2022 college football and to no surprise, a familiar face will start out on top.

Alabama will enter the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the country and this matches up with the team being the preseason favorite to win the College Football Playoff championship on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Crimson Tide fell to Georgia in the national title game this past January and returns several key players, mostly notably reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at quarterback and elite edge rusher Will Anderson JR. at outside linebacker.

The usual suspects of Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson immediately follow the Crimson Tide by rounding out the top four. The Buckeyes open the season with a high profile home game against Notre Dame and will have three preseason Heisman candidates in quarterback C.J. Stroud, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Meanwhile, UGA will be looking to replace the boatload of talent it lost from last year's title team while Clemson will be looking to get back into the CFP race after a “down” 10-3 campaign last season.

Other notable rankings include USC checking in at 14 under the guidance of first-year head coach Lincoln Riley and Miami checking in at 16 under the guidance of first-year head coach Mario Cristobal. Cincinnati will start the season at 23 coming off its run to the College Football Playoff while fellow AAC/future Big 12 conference mate Houston immediately follows them at 24.

  
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