The 2019 college football season is very nearly here with the first game a little more than a week away and the first real football Saturday on August 24. Clemson and Alabama are Nos. 1 and 2 in the Coaches Poll, unsurprisingly, followed by a bunch of teams trying to prevent Part 5 of the Crimson Tide-Tigers College Football Playoff saga this year.

But rather than break down the top-25 teams, argue about who’s overrated or try to predict how they’ll live up to preseason expectations or not, we re-ranked them based on likability at this current moment going into the 2019 season.

Obviously, this list is entirely subjective and mostly debatable, but the season hasn’t started yet, so let’s debate.

1. Oklahoma (No. 4 preseason Coaches Poll, 12-2 in 2018)

The Sooners, once again, have a transfer quarterback, and he’s a player you want to see play well and carry the team the way Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield did. Jalen Hurts left Alabama when the 2018 season ended and went to Norman as a grad transfer. And after losing the starting job to Tua Tagovailoa, his departure is understandable, especially after he stuck around for a full season with limited playing time. He’s just a good dude who’s getting another chance to prove himself as a starter. Join us in being pumped to see what he can do.

With another team, Hurts is still an early Heisman favorite with a chance to lead Oklahoma’s high-powered offense to another College Football Playoff appearance. If you like huge defensive plays, this might not be the team (or conference) for you. But with Hurts leading the way, the Sooners seem likely to show up each week with deep bombs, long runs and wild touchdowns. They’re just so much fun to watch, and even though they’ve been in the College Football Playoff three of the last four seasons, they’re just not detestable like other perennial contenders. And adding an explosive player like Hurts to replace Murray only adds to their intrigue. Unless you’re from Texas, you’ve gotta love watching this team play.

2. Oregon (No. 13, 9-4 in 2018)

jumpman jumpman jumpman pic.twitter.com/9CLuupxxVY — The Oregon Duck (@TheOregonDuck) November 4, 2018

As long as The Oregon Duck is the mascot, this team will always be among the most likable. It’s not because the Ducks (or The Duck) are super threatening or particularly creative. No, this team’s mascot is among the best in sports because the mascot itself has a fantastic and fearless personality. If you disagree on this, you’re wrong.

Remember when The Duck hilariously wrecked a children’s basketball net during its entrance on the field? Or when it destroyed Washington’s Harry the Husky in a Twitter feud? How about when The Duck nailed a fan in the face with a sheet cake on national television? The Duck had a phenomenal 2018 and has a lot to live up to, but we’re confident it will.

3. Texas (No. 10, 10-4 in 2018)

This might be controversial, but… Texas being back makes college football more fun and the Big 12 more competitive. And judging by the way the Longhorns ended last season with a thrilling win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, perhaps they really are back — or at least almost back. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger has a chip on his shoulder, and Terry Bradshaw’s random and inexplicably harsh criticism made him and the team more likable. Combine Texas’ returning talent with a top-10 recruiting class, and it’s hard not to root for this team to see success.

Plus, Bevo and that hysterical video of players recently getting hypnotized.

4. Washington State (No. 21, 11-2 in 2018)

Mike Leach. Enough said.

5. UCF (T-No. 17, 12-1 in 2018)

OK, so the Knights weren’t undefeated in back-to-back seasons, but a 25-1 record over two seasons is still fantastic. With the help of a vocal fanbase, this team’s success contributes to much of the national debate about playoff teams, merit and possible expansion. They shake things up! Whether or not the current playoff format will ever open a door to UCF is still TBD, but the school, its team and its fans are having an impact on the annual playoff conversations, and that’s a good thing. Plus, as we’ve previously noted, they have an A+ space program, which is obviously cool.

6. Wisconsin (T-No. 17, 8-5 in 2018)

The Badgers have one of, if not the best running back in the country in Jonathan Taylor. He’s an absolute monster who led the country in rushing yards last season, but he doesn’t typically get the national recognition he deserves. There’s not really much to hold against Wisconsin — although it’d be nice if they’d contend for a Big Ten title and make the West division a little more threatening.

7. Georgia (No. 3, 11-3 in 2018)

First, what a great mascot. Gotta love this guy.

And second, once again, the Bulldogs look like the team with the best chance to take down Alabama, which just about everyone is cheering for. They lost a heartbreaker in the SEC championship game last year to the Crimson Tide, making them even more likable because of, well, pity mostly.

One of these days, Georgia is going to take down the Crimson Tide — we can only hope they’ll meet again in the SEC title game and deliver another thriller — and college football fans everywhere will rejoice. But should the Bulldogs suffer another heartbreaking defeat, we’ll probably be out of sympathy by then.

8. Northwestern (No. 25, 9-5 in 2018)

The Wildcats took advantage of the weak Big Ten West last year and ran with it all the way to the conference championship game. They capitalized on big moments, they had some solid almosts and it’s fun to see a team do well when college football fans don’t have particularly high expectations for it. Everyone loves a surprise underdog.

Plus, how could we forget about “shmedium” shirt-wearing strength coach Alex Spanos? This dude is outrageous, regularly wore short sleeves in winter and pumped up his players like no one else.

9. Texas A&M (No. 11, 9-4 in 2018)

After a successful 9-4 first season with the Aggies, Jimbo Fisher has his team on the right path. Expectations could be a bit too high and they might be a little overrated in the preseason, but the programs appears to be on its way to giving Alabama some competition in the SEC West — whether that’s this year or next. They have a daunting schedule with Alabama at home and Clemson, Georgia and LSU on the road, but we’re pulling for a couple upsets here to keep the postseason conversation fresh.

10. Iowa State (No. 24, 8-5 in 2018)

The Cyclones have been putting together some of the best/most ridiculous halftime performances in the country, and we certainly hope this continues. Without Hakeem Butler, these nostalgic and quirky halftime shows might be the most entertaining thing about this team in 2019. So, more dancing dinosaurs, please.

what is happening pic.twitter.com/ISaR6k4XwQ — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2018

11. Stanford (No. 23, 9-4 in 2018)

Stanford’s gorgeous campus will always give it a boost on this list, but the Cardinal had a disappointing four-loss season last year. After that, we don’t really have strong feelings about them either way, but they do have that lovable goofy tree mascot.

12. Penn State (No. 14, 9-4 in 2018)

The most likable thing about the Nittany Lions is still Keegan Michael Key’s spot-on impression of coach James Franklin, and we’re really hoping the actor and comedian revives this role sometime this season. It’s just so good!

13. Auburn (No. 16, 8-5 in 2018)

SEC Shorts: SEC Network 5th Anniversary Edition This might be their best work 😂 😂 pic.twitter.com/IvOIcLeGMF — SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 14, 2019

In an unexpected performance from Gus Malzahn, the head coach appeared in an SEC Network anniversary video, spoofing The Bachelor with “The Quarterback” and handing out a wristband instead of a rose to an actor and not a real member of the team. It’s weird and awkward but kind of funny and we keep rewatching it.

14. Michigan State (No. 20, 7-6 in 2018)

The Spartans’ offense last year was beyond painful to watch — it ended the season with a 7-6 loss to Oregon in the Redbox Bowl — but its forceful defense was among the best in the nation. So maybe for the sake of the Big Ten, their offense will be a little more palatable and try to keep Ohio State from waltzing to another conference title. Also, inexplicably, Michigan State follows up mostly mediocre/terrible seasons in even-numbered years with double-digit wins in odd years. Since 2011, it’s 46-9 in odd years and 28-23 in even years. So for the sake of competition in the Big Ten, so perhaps this will be a competitive team to look forward to.

15. Iowa (No. 19, 9-4 in 2018)

The Hawkeyes have a rocking defense that was No. 6 in the nation last year. But they need to figure out how to replace the two tight ends that were selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. We don’t really have anything against Iowa, but it needs to put up a better fight for a spot in the Big Ten championship game.

16. LSU (No. 6, 10-3 in 2018)

"Hey guys! I'm having a press conference!" Twice Wednesday night #LSU Coach O had to shut some people up. pic.twitter.com/yvt2u42i1Q — Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) December 20, 2018

In the SEC West, LSU is college football’s best chance to keep Alabama from dominating the conference again, and, if you haven’t noticed, we’re all about that. Also, Ed Orgeron’s voice.

However, the school still has a live tiger, an endangered species, as a mascot. There are more captive tigers in the U.S. than wild in the rest of the world — despite that number slowly increasing — and that’s problematic for a number of reasons.

17. Washington (No. 12, 10-4 in 2018)

The Huskies are talented but likely will need no more than one loss to return to the College Football Playoff. Do that many people — alumni aside — really love or hate these guys? We’re kind of indifferent about this team, so it’s in the middle.

18. Michigan (No. 7, 10-3 in 2018)

The Wolverines haven’t done much in Jim Harbaugh’s first four seasons, although maybe that will change with the team’s offense having a more modern approach — or at least it will be more enjoyable to watch. But Mr. Khakipants is transitioning from oddly likable to kind of annoying, between recruiting middle-schoolers and his unnecessary and seemingly petty public spat with Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell over a transfer. The team’s annual international trips — it went to South Africa this offseason — are awesome, but as long as Michigan continues proving it’s overrated, it loses points in likability.

19. Utah (No. 15, 9-5 in 2018)

The Utes have a solid defense and could make another run at the Pac-12 championship. They’ve also been described as a dark horse College Football Playoff team, which seems like a bit of a stretch but would be cool if it becomes a realistic possibility. The school’s campus also has a beautiful mountainous backdrop, and that’s always a bonus.

20. Syracuse (No. 22, 10-3 in 2018)

If the Orange can pull off an upset against Clemson like it did a couple years ago, they could end up being the heros for teams hoping to make the College Football Playoff. And another 10-win season would be awesome for them. But if not, we’ll just be waiting for basketball season.

21. Alabama (No. 2, 14-1 in 2018)

Are the Crimson Tide beatable? Yes. In the national championship game last season, Clemson absolutely wrecked a team that looked unstoppable for most of the season. The Tigers are transforming into powerhouse program, but Alabama is college football equivalent of the Death Star. Perennially good, perennially unlikable, and GOAT Nick Saban is showing zero signs of slowing down.

22. Clemson (No. 1, 15-0 in 2018)

Everyone wants to dethrone a defending champion, which won’t be easy with Trevor Lawrence at quarterback. He’s spectacular to watch, and there’s no denying that. However, the ACC isn’t exactly the most competitive conference, and Clemson will probably steamroll is schedule, making the games unwatchable.

Additionally, when coach Dabo Swinney — who just signed a 10-year, $93 million contract extension and is building a dynasty — previously said he’ll “go do something else” if college players ever get paid, he makes this team decidedly less likable. Plus, Swinney took an unnecessarily petty stance against giving former quarterback Kelly Bryant a championship ring, rather than simply citing the NCAA rule that would have prevented it anyway.

23. Florida (No. 8, 10-3 in 2018)

In Dan Mullen’s first season with the Gators, he appeared to have the team immediately turned around with a 10-win season punctuated by a decisive win over Michigan in the Peach Bowl. It’s OK to be excited about the team’s potential this season season in the easier SEC division. But whatever the expectations are for Florida in season No. 2, we can’t ignore the concerning issues this team is having off the field. Already in Mullen’s tenure, five people on the team have been accused of violence or threatening violence against women. That is unacceptable.

24. Ohio State (No. 5, 13-1 in 2018)

The Buckeyes were going to be higher on this list because without Urban Meyer, they’re a bit more likable. But since we learned the school is attempting to trademark the word “The” — as in the ever-obnoxious THE Ohio State University — back to the bottom they go.

25. Notre Dame (No. 9, 12-1 in 2018)

For this list last year, we argued the Fighting Irish need to join a conference, and that is still unquestionably our position going into the 2019 season — especially if they’d like another trip to the College Football Playoff. Last year, they were undefeated in the regular season with not the toughest schedule and generally deserved a playoff appearance. And then they blew it, getting wrecked by Clemson in the semifinals.

They don’t have a grueling conference schedule to survive, they don’t have a conference title game to play in — a loss will almost always keep a team out of the playoff — and they shouldn’t get another shot at the playoff until they join a conference or win with a tougher schedule.