Folks have something to sell whether mags or media outlets. It gets clicks. I guess folks pay extra for ESPN plus or whatever it is.
I can't think of a sport where rankings really mean much today. I guess if your team ends up ranked top ten, that's a thing for you, maybe, or ranked at all. Preseason rankings are "OK" to me for thinking about those teams ranked 15 and down that surprise you, as you weren't thinking about them as being decent.
UGA likely will stay ranked #1 until at least November, barring large upset, and what does that mean? Not much really.