The AP top-25 preseason poll matters to LSU readers because it frames expectations for a team that nearly cracked the top five in preseason thinking. Koki Riley’s ranking — Oregon at No. 1 and LSU at No.
6 — sets a baseline for how the Tigers are viewed nationally and inside the conference.
Riley’s poll also lays out roster reasons behind those spots and maps the portal moves and returning pieces that shaped his view, as detailed by NOLA.com. That context matters for game planning, recruiting conversations and preseason narratives in Baton Rouge.
Key Takeaways
- Riley places Oregon at No. 1 because the Ducks returned quarterback Dante Moore, top receiver Evan Stewart and all four starters on the defensive front while adding safety Koi Perich.
- LSU lands at No. 6 thanks to defensive continuity under coordinator Blake Baker and high-profile portal additions on both sides of the ball.
- Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Indiana fill out Riley’s top five, with Riley singling out Texas’ elite talent but noting offensive-line concerns.
- Riley sees Georgia at No. 8 and questions the Bulldogs’ difference-making playmakers and pass-rush impact compared with other national contenders.
AP top-25 preseason poll context for Oregon and LSU
Riley’s top placement of Oregon is rooted in personnel continuity and depth. He singles out Dante Moore’s decision to return and Evan Stewart’s recovery as catalysts that preserve Oregon’s offensive ceiling.
On the defensive side, Riley highlights that all four starters across Oregon’s front are back and that the Ducks added Minnesota transfer safety Koi Perich, which he says deepens the unit under coach Dan Lanning. Riley calls Oregon the nation’s most complete combination of talent, experience and coaching while noting only coordinator inexperience as a potential flaw.
How Riley ranks LSU and the roster moves behind the slot
Riley has LSU at No. 6 and frames that placement around defensive upgrades and surgical portal work. He notes the Tigers retained defensive coordinator Blake Baker and supplemented the defense with Ole Miss edge Princewill Umanmielen, linebacker TJ Dottery and Boise State safety Ty Benefield.
Offense concerns remain a storyline; Riley points to additions intended to address last year’s struggles, including Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and Colorado left tackle Jordan Seaton. Those moves, combined with new offensive coaches who previously helped guide Ole Miss to a CFP semifinal run, inform Riley’s optimism balanced by measurable questions.
Why Texas and other SEC teams factor into LSU’s projection
Riley slots Texas at No. 2 and credits the Longhorns with elite playmakers such as Colin Simmons, Arch Manning, Cam Coleman and Trevor Gossby, yet he raises red flags about the offensive line and running game. That evaluation helps explain why LSU sits ahead of some traditional powers but behind the very top teams in Riley’s view.
Georgia at No. 8 drew skepticism for lacking obvious difference-makers in Riley’s eyes, which reshuffles SEC pecking order expectations and creates a wider path to the College Football Playoff for teams like LSU if the Tigers can stay healthy and consistent.
Returning pieces and portal additions compared
| Team | Returning QB | Key transfers and additions | Defensive continuity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Dante Moore returned | Evan Stewart back from injury; added safety Koi Perich | All four starters on the front return; defensive depth under Dan Lanning |
| LSU | Noted offensive additions to improve QB play | Princewill Umanmielen, TJ Dottery, Ty Benefield; Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton on offense | Defensive coordinator Blake Baker retained; perceived upgrade across three levels |
| Texas | Arch Manning highlighted as a top talent | Colin Simmons, Cam Coleman, Trevor Gossby cited as elite talent | Talent-rich but concerns about run game and OL cohesion |
How Riley’s poll reshapes LSU’s SEC and CFP path
Riley’s placement of LSU signals respect for roster construction that leans heavily on defensive reinforcement and targeted offensive additions. For the SEC race, that view tightens the margin between LSU and other conference contenders and suggests the Tigers are in the CFP conversation if their offense stabilizes.
On recruiting and the portal, a top-10 preseason ranking functions as leverage when engaging targets who want immediate CFP trajectories. It also raises the stakes for coach and staff to show measurable offensive progress early in the season so Riley’s projection becomes an expectation rather than a preview.
This analysis is based on reporting by Koki Riley and his AP top-25 preseason poll observations.
