The return of college football is almost here. In the meantime, let Yahoo Sports break down the players, coaches and teams that will decide the season.

The AP revealed the first-ever preseason Top 25 rankings ahead of the 1950 NCAA season. Notre Dame led that poll, followed by No. 2 Army, No. 3 Michigan, No. 4 Tennessee, and No. 5 Texas. Oklahoma, ranked No. 6 that preseason, won the national championship.

With Week 0 rapidly approaching and the early-August lull in the sports calendar, it's a great time for college football fans and bettors to start getting their prep work in for the 2025 season.  Some of that is getting familiar with the trends once again;