| 1949 college football rankings | |
|---|---|
| Season | 1949 |
| Bowl season | 1949–50 bowl games |
| End of season champions | Notre Dame |
One human poll comprised the 1949 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
| Increase in ranking | ||
| Decrease in ranking | ||
| Not ranked previous week | ||
| National champion | ||
(#–#) | Win–loss record | |
(Italics) | Number of first place votes | |
т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
The final AP Poll was released on November 28, at the end of the 1949 regular season, weeks before the major bowls. The AP would not release a post-bowl season final poll regularly until 1968.
| Week 1 Oct 3 [1] | Week 2 Oct 10 [2] | Week 3 Oct 17 [3] | Week 4 Oct 24 [4] | Week 5 Oct 31 [5] | Week 6 Nov 7 [6] | Week 7 Nov 14 [7] | Week 8 Nov 21 [8] | Week 9 (Final) Nov 28 [9] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Michigan (2–0) (34) | Notre Dame (3–0) (67) | Notre Dame (4–0) (146) | Notre Dame (4–0) (120) | Notre Dame (5–0) (133) | Notre Dame (6–0) (137) | Notre Dame (7–0) (140) | Notre Dame (8–0) (113) | Notre Dame (9–0) (172) | 1. |
| 2. | Notre Dame (2–0) (15) | Army (3–0) (58) | Army (4–0) (10) | Army (5–0) (12) | Army (6–0) (10) | Army (7–0) (13) | Oklahoma (8–0) (15) | California (10–0) (24) | Oklahoma (10–0) (18) | 2. |
| 3. | Oklahoma (2–0) (17) | Oklahoma (3–0) (28) | Minnesota (4–0) (8) | Oklahoma (5–0) (10) | Oklahoma (6–0) (11) | Oklahoma (7–0) (9) | California (9–0) (5) | Oklahoma (9–0) (11) | California (10–0) | 3. |
| 4. | Tulane (2–0) (4) | Tulane (3–0) (1) | Oklahoma (4–0) (6) | California (6–0) | California (7–0) (4) | California (8–0) (3) | Army (8–0) (1) | Army (8–0) (1) | Army (9–0) (12) | 4. |
| 5. | Minnesota (2–0) (2) | Minnesota (3–0) (6) | California (5–0) | Rice (4–1) | Michigan (4–2) | Michigan (5–2) | Michigan (6–2) | Ohio State (6–1–2) | Rice (9–1) | 5. |
| 6. | North Carolina (2–0) (3) | North Carolina (3–0) (3) | North Carolina (4–0) (6) | Michigan (3–2) | Baylor (6–0) | Cornell (7–0) (1) | Rice (7–1) | Michigan (6–2–1) | Ohio State (6–1–2) | 6. |
| 7. | Army (2–0) (1) | Michigan (2–1) | Kentucky (5–0) (3) | Minnesota (4–1) | Cornell (6–0) (1) | Rice (6–1) | Ohio State (6–1–1) | Rice (8–1) | Michigan (6–2–1) | 7. |
| 8. | USC (2–0) | Kentucky (4–0) (8) | Cornell (4–0) | Cornell (5–0) | Rice (5–1) | Michigan State (5–2) | Minnesota (6–2) | Minnesota (7–2) | Minnesota (7–2) | 8. |
| 9. | SMU (2–0) | California (4–0) | Rice (3–1) | Penn (4–0) | SMU (4–1) | Minnesota (5–2) | Virginia (7–0) (1) | Baylor (8–1) | LSU (8–2) | 9. |
| 10. | California (3–0) | SMU (2–0) (1) | Texas (4–1) | Baylor (5–0) | Michigan State (5–1) (2) | Virginia (7–0) | SMU (5–1–1) | Tulane (7–1–1) | Pacific (10–0) (4) | 10. |
| 11. | Ohio State (2–0) | Ohio State (2–0–1) | Baylor (4–0) | SMU (3–1) | Ohio State (4–1–1) | Ohio State (5–1–1) | Kentucky (8–1) | Pacific (9–0) (2) | Kentucky (9–2) | 11. |
| 12. | Texas (3–0) | USC (2–0–1) | Michigan (2–2) | Michigan State (4–1) (1) | USC (4–1–1) | SMU (4–1–1) | Stanford (6–2–1) | Stanford (6–3–1) | Cornell (8–1) | 12. |
| 13. | Michigan State (2–0) | UCLA (4–0) | Northwestern (2–2) | North Carolina (4–1) | Kentucky (6–1) | Texas (5–3) | LSU (6–2) | LSU (7–2) | Villanova (8–1) (2) | 13. |
| 14. | Duke (2–0) (3) | Cornell (3–0) | Penn (3–0) | Kentucky (5–1) | Tennessee (4–1–1) | Kentucky (7–1) | Dartmouth (6–1) | Santa Clara (7–2–1) | Maryland (7–1) | 14. |
| 15. | Kentucky (3–0) (1) | Pittsburgh (3–0) | Michigan State (3–1) | USC (3–1–1) | Iowa (4–2) | Boston (6–0) | Baylor (7–1) | Maryland (6–1) | Santa Clara (7–2–1) | 15. |
| 16. | Villanova (3–0) | Texas (3–1) | Pittsburgh (4–0) | Missouri (3–2) | Duke (5–1) | LSU (5–2) | Maryland (6–1) | Villanova (8–1) | North Carolina (7–3) | 16. |
| 17. | Cornell (2–0) | Villanova (4–0) | SMU (2–1) | LSU (3–2) | LSU (4–2) | Stanford (5–2–1) | Cornell (7–1) | USC (5–2–1) | Tennessee (7–2–1) | 17. |
| 18. | UCLA (3–0) | Navy (2–1) | Missouri (2–2) | Ohio State (3–1–1) | Boston University (5–0) | Wake Forest (4–4) | Michigan State (5–3) | Tennessee (6–2–1) | Princeton (6–3) | 18. |
| 19. | Pittsburgh (2–0) | Michigan State (2–1) | USC (2–1–1) | Texas (4–2) | Virginia (6–0) | Pacific (7–0) | Santa Clara (7–1–1) т | North Carolina (6–3) | Michigan State (6–3) | 19. |
| 20. |
| Baylor (3–0) | Tulane (3–1) | UCLA (5–1) |
| Santa Clara (6–1–1) | Tulane (6–1–1) т |
|
| 20. |
| Week 1 Oct 3 [10] | Week 2 Oct 10 [11] | Week 3 Oct 17 [12] | Week 4 Oct 24 [13] | Week 5 Oct 31 [14] | Week 6 Nov 7 [15] | Week 7 Nov 14 [16] | Week 8 Nov 21 [17] | Week 9 (Final) Nov 28 [18] | ||
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The final Litkenhous Ratings released in December 1949 ranked the following as the top 100 teams: [19]
1. Notre Dame (10–0)
2. California (10–1)
3. Oklahoma (11–0)
4. Minnesota (7–2)
5. Stanford (7–3–1)
6. Army (9–0)
7. Michigan (6–2–1)
8. Ohio State (7–1–2)
9. Michigan State
10. USC (5–3–1)
11. Wisconsin (5–3–1)
12. Rice (10–1)
13. Kentucky (9–3)
14. LSU (8–3)
15. Texas (6–4)
16. UCLA (6–3)
17. SMU (5–4–1)
18. Baylor (8–2)
19. Tulane (7–2–1)
20. Illinois (3–4–2)
21. Maryland (9–1)
22. Purdue (4–5)
23. Missouri (7–4)
24. Northwestern (4–5)
25. Pacific (11–0)
26. Oregon State (7–3)
27. Tennessee (7–2–1)
28. Villanova (8–1)
29. Iowa (4–5)
30. Santa Clara (8–2–1)
31. Duke (6–3)
32. San Francisco (7–3)
33. TCU (6–3–1)
34. Oregon (4–6)
35. Georgia Tech (7–3)
36. Alabama (6–3–1)
37. Pittsburgh (6–3)
38. Arkansas (5–5)
39. North Carolina (7–4)
40. Miami (FL) (6–3)
41. Kansas (5–5)
42. Xavier (10–1)
43. Miami (OH) (5–4)
44. Penn (4–4)
45. Georgia (4–6–1)
46. Vanderbilt (5–5)
47. Boston University (6–2)
48. Washington (3–7)
49. Iowa State (5–3–1)
50. William & Mary (6–4)
51. Virginia (7–2)
52. Dayton (6–3)
53. Cincinnati (7–4)
54. Cornell (8–1)
55. Indiana (1–8)
56. Ole Miss (4–5–1)
57. Navy (3–5–1)
58. Wyoming (9–1)
59. Boston College (4–4–1)
60. Penn State (5–4)
61. Wake Forest (4–6)
62. St. Bonaventure (6–3)
63. Princeton (6–3)
64. San Jose State (9–4)
65. Washington State (3–6)
66. Nebraska (4–5)
67. Nevada (5–5)
68. Oklahoma A&M (4–4–2)
69. Texas A&M (1–8–1)
70. Auburn (2–4–3)
71. Florida (4–5–1)
72. Texas Tech (7–5)
73. Hardin Simmons (6–4–1)
74. Brown (8–1)
75. South Carolina (4–6)
76. Rutgers (6–3)
77. Texas Western (8–2–1)
78. Dartmouth (6–2)
79. McMurry
80. Louisville (8–3)
81. Hardin (10–1)
82. North Texas (8–4)
83. Saint Mary's (3–6–1)
84. Detroit (5–4)
85. Houston (5–4–1)
86. Fordham (5–3)
87. Tulsa (5–5–1)
88. Marquette (4–5)
89. Memphis State (9–1)
90. Loyola [Los Angeles] (6–4)
91. Tyler (10–1)
92. John Carroll (6–3)
93. Kansas State (2–8)
94. West Texas (5–4)
95. Clemson (4–4–2)
96. Syracuse (4–5)
97. Mississippi Southern (0–8–1)
98. Bucknell (6–2)
99. Idaho (3–5)
100. Delaware (8–1)
The Pittsburgh Courier , a leading African American newspaper, ranked the top 1949 teams from historically black colleges and universities using the Dickinson System in an era when college football was largely segregated. The rankings were published on December 10. [20]
The college football rankings for the 1936 college football season included the first AP Poll, the Toledo Cup rankings based on input from a judge's committee of 250 sports editors, and the Litkenhous Ratings. The 1936 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was ranked as the national champion in all three rankings.
The following polls and rankings composed the 1937 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different selectors.
One human poll comprised the 1939 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1940 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1941 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1942 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1943 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1944 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1945 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1946 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
One human poll comprised the 1947 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies.
One human poll comprised the 1948 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Coaches' Poll began operation in 1950; in addition, the AP Poll did not begin conducting preseason polls until that same year.
Two human polls and several math systems comprised the 1950 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.
Two human polls comprised the 1952 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.
Two human polls comprised the 1953 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.
Two human polls comprised the 1954 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.
Two human polls comprised the 1955 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.
The 1956 college football rankings were an effort to rank the American football teams participating in the 1956 college football season. College football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), did not issue rankings or conduct a championship game or playoffs to determine a national champion. The most widely-reported rankings were published by two of the major news agencies based on polling conducted on a weekly basis during the season.
The 1957 college football rankings were an effort to rank the American football teams participating in the 1957 college football season. College football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), did not issue rankings or conduct a championship game or playoffs to determine a national champion. The most widely-reported rankings were published by two of the major news agencies based on weekly polling conducted during the season and at the end of the regular season.
Two human polls comprised the 1958 NCAA University Division football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.