2003 NCAA Division I-A football rankings | |
---|---|
Season | 2003 |
Bowl season | 2003–04 bowl games |
Preseason No. 1 | |
End of season champions | |
Conference with most teams in final AP poll | Big 10, SEC (5) |
Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings are released.
Increase in ranking | ||
Decrease in ranking | ||
Not ranked previous week | ||
Selected for BCS National Championship Game | ||
(#–#) | Win–loss record | |
(Italics) | Number of first place votes | |
т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
![]() | This section may contain excessive or inappropriate references to self-published sources .(May 2023) |
Preseason | Week 1 Sep 1 | Week 2 Sep 7 | Week 3 Sep 14 | Week 4 Sep 21 | Week 5 Sep 28 | Week 6 Oct 5 | Week 7 Oct 12 | Week 8 Oct 19 | Week 9 Oct 26 | Week 10 Nov 2 | Week 11 Nov 9 | Week 12 Nov 16 | Week 13 Nov 23 | Week 14 Nov 30 | Week 15 Dec 7 | Week 16 (Final) Jan 5 | ||
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1. | Oklahoma (32) | Oklahoma (1–0) (30) | Oklahoma (2–0) (47) | Oklahoma (3–0) (50) | Oklahoma (4–0) (55) | Oklahoma (4–0) (57) | Oklahoma (5–0) (59) | Oklahoma (6–0) (61) | Oklahoma (7–0) (62) | Oklahoma (8–0) (62) | Oklahoma (9–0) (65) | Oklahoma (10–0) (65) | Oklahoma (11–0) (65) | Oklahoma (12–0) (65) | Oklahoma (12–0) (65) | USC (11–1) (42) | USC (12–1) (48) | 1. |
2. | Ohio State (27) | Ohio State (1–0) (25) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (2) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (1) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (3) | USC (8–1) | USC (8–1) | USC (9–1) | USC (10–1) | USC (10–1) | LSU (12–1) (21) | LSU (13–1) (17) | 2. |
3. | Miami (FL) (2) | Miami (FL) (1–0) (2) | Ohio State (2–0) (8) | Michigan (3–0) (4) | USC (3–0) (2) | Ohio State (5–0) (5) | Ohio State (5–0) (5) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | USC (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | LSU (8–1) | LSU (9–1) | LSU (10–1) | LSU (11–1) | Oklahoma (12–1) (2) | Oklahoma (12–2) | 3. |
4. | Michigan (2) | USC (1–0) (6) | USC (2–0) (4) | USC (3–0) (2) | Ohio State (4–0) (5) | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | Georgia (5–1) | Georgia (6–1) | Georgia (7–1) | LSU (8–1) | Ohio State (9–1) | Ohio State (10–1) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Ohio State (11–2) | 4. |
5. | Texas | Michigan (1–0) (2) | Michigan (2–0) (2) | Ohio State (3–0) (6) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Florida State (5–0) | Florida State (5–0) | USC (5–1) | USC (6–1) | Florida State (7–1) | Virginia Tech (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Georgia (9–2) | Georgia (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | Miami (FL) (11–2) | 5. |
6. | Auburn (1) | Texas (1–0) | Texas (2–0) | Kansas State (4–0) | Florida State (4–0) | LSU (5–0) | LSU (5–0) | Washington State (5–1) | Florida State (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Miami (FL) (7–1) | Texas (8–2) | Georgia (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Michigan (10–3) | 6. |
7. | Kansas State (1) | Kansas State (2–0) | Kansas State (3–0) | Georgia (3–0) | LSU (4–0) | Tennessee (4–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | Florida State (5–1) | Washington State (6–1) | LSU (7–1) | Ohio State (8–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Texas (9–2) | Tennessee (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Georgia (11–3) | 7. |
8. | USC | Georgia (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | Georgia (4–1) | Ohio State (5–1) | Ohio State (6–1) | Ohio State (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Washington State (8–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Kansas State (11–3) | Iowa (10–3) | 8. |
9. | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | Arkansas (3–0) | Michigan (4–1) | USC (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | LSU (6–1) | Michigan State (7–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Tennessee (7–2) | Tennessee (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Washington State (10–3) | 9. |
10. | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh (0–0) | Florida State (2–0) | Florida State (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | USC (3–1) | Nebraska (5–0) | LSU (5–1) | Purdue (6–1) | Virginia Tech (6–1) | Iowa (7–2) | TCU (9–0) | TCU (10–0) | Miami (FL) (9–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Miami (OH) (13–1) | 10. |
11. | Georgia | Florida State (1–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | LSU (3–0) | Michigan (3–1) | Georgia (3–1) | Texas (4–1) | Arkansas (4–1) | Michigan State (7–1) | Michigan (7–2) | Texas (7–2) | Purdue (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida (8–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Georgia (10–3) | Florida State (10–3) | 11. |
12. | Tennessee | Tennessee (1–0) | LSU (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Georgia (3–1) | Nebraska (4–0) | Washington State (5–1) | Northern Illinois (6–0) | Northern Illinois (7–0) | Nebraska (7–1) | Washington State (7–2) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Purdue (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Texas (10–3) | 12. |
13. | Florida State | LSU (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Texas (1–1) | Iowa (4–0) | Texas (3–1) | Tennessee (4–1) | Purdue (5–1) | Michigan (6–2) | Iowa (6–2) | TCU (8–0) | Florida State (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Ole Miss (10–3) | 13. |
14. | LSU | NC State (1–0) | Wisconsin (1–0) | Arkansas (2–0) | Texas (2–1) | Washington State (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Wisconsin (6–1) | Nebraska (6–1) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Michigan State (7–2) | Miami (FL) (7–2) | Miami (FL) (8–2) | Kansas State (10–3) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | Miami (OH) (12–1) | Kansas State (11–4) | 14. |
15. | Maryland | Virginia (1–0) | Notre Dame (1–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Michigan State (6–1) | TCU (7–0) | TCU (8–0) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Florida (6–3) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Miami (OH) (10–1) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Tennessee (10–3) | 15. |
16. | NC State | Purdue (0–0) | Arizona State (1–0) | Arizona State (2–0) | Kansas State (4–1) | Kansas State (4–1) | Northern Illinois (5–0) | TCU (6–0) | Iowa (5–2) | Texas (6–2) | Purdue (7–2) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | Purdue (8–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Florida (8–4) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Boise State (13–1) | 16. |
17. | Washington | Auburn (0–1) | Colorado (2–0) | Florida (2–1) | Pittsburgh (2–1) | Northern Illinois (4–0) | Minnesota (6–0) | Michigan (5–2) | Auburn (5–2) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Florida (6–3) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Iowa (8–3) | Ole Miss (8–3) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Florida (8–4) | Maryland (10–3) | 17. |
18. | Virginia | Wisconsin (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Iowa (3–0) | Washington (2–1) | Washington (3–1) | Purdue (4–1) | Auburn (4–2) | Oklahoma State (6–1) | Purdue (6–2) | Tennessee (6–2) | Nebraska (8–2) | Miami (OH) (9–1) | Boise State (10–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Boise State (12–1) | Purdue (9–4) | 18. |
19. | Purdue | Notre Dame (0–0) | Wake Forest (2–0) | Washington (1–1) | TCU (3–0) | Oregon (4–1) | TCU (5–0) | Nebraska (5–1) | Texas (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2) | Nebraska (7–2) | Minnesota (9–2) | Kansas State (9–3) | TCU (10–1) | TCU (11–1) | TCU (11–1) | Nebraska (10–3) | 19. |
20. | Notre Dame | Arizona State (0–0) | Florida (2–0) | TCU (2–0) | Northern Illinois (3–0) | TCU (4–0) | Michigan (4–2) | Texas (4–2) | Wisconsin (6–2) | Ole Miss (6–2) | Ole Miss (7–2) | Iowa (7–3) | Boise State (9–1) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Bowling Green (10–2) | West Virginia (8–4) | Minnesota (10–3) | 20. |
21. | Wisconsin | Florida (1–0) | Washington (1–1) | Alabama (2–1) | Washington State (3–1) | Minnesota (5–0) | Michigan State (5–1) | Tennessee (4–2) | Arkansas (4–2) | Missouri (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Michigan State (7–3) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Virginia Tech (8–3) | West Virginia (8–4) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Utah (10–2) | 21. |
22. | Arizona State | Washington (0–1) | TCU (2–0) | Oregon (3–0) | Purdue (2–1) | Purdue (3–1) | Kansas State (4–2) | Oregon State (5–1) | Tennessee (4–2) | Northern Illinois (7–1) | Missouri (6–2) | Northern Illinois (9–1) | Bowling Green (8–2) | Bowling Green (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Clemson (9–4) | 22. |
23. | Colorado State | Nebraska (1–0) | Iowa (2–0) | Missouri (3–0) | Missouri (4–0) | Iowa (4–1) | Wisconsin (5–1) | Oklahoma State (5–1) | Bowling Green (6–1) | Florida (5–3) | Northern Illinois (8–1) | Miami (OH) (8–1) | Nebraska (8–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Maryland (9–3) | Bowling Green (11–3) | 23. |
24. | Oklahoma State | Colorado (1–0) | NC State (1–1) | Washington State (2–1) | Minnesota (4–0) | Florida (3–2) | Oregon State (5–1) | Missouri (5–1) | Utah (6–1) | Minnesota (7–2) | Minnesota (8–2) | Boise State (8–1) | Oklahoma State (8–3) | West Virginia (7–4) | Maryland (9–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Florida (8–5) | 24. |
25. | TCU | TCU (0–0) | South Carolina (2–0) | Purdue (1–1) | Florida (2–2) | Michigan State (4–1) | Virginia (4–1) | Minnesota (6–1) | Florida (5–3) | Pittsburgh (5–2) | Pittsburgh (6–2) | Bowling Green (7–2) | West Virginia (6–4) | Nebraska (8–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Utah (9–2) | TCU (11–2) | 25. |
Preseason | Week 1 Sep 1 | Week 2 Sep 7 | Week 3 Sep 14 | Week 4 Sep 21 | Week 5 Sep 28 | Week 6 Oct 5 | Week 7 Oct 12 | Week 8 Oct 19 | Week 9 Oct 26 | Week 10 Nov 2 | Week 11 Nov 9 | Week 12 Nov 16 | Week 13 Nov 23 | Week 14 Nov 30 | Week 15 Dec 7 | Week 16 (Final) Jan 5 | ||
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Preseason | Week 1 Aug 24 | Week 2 Sep 1 | Week 3 Sep 7 | Week 4 Sep 14 | Week 5 Sep 21 | Week 6 Sep 28 | Week 7 Oct 5 | Week 8 Oct 12 | Week 9 Oct 19 | Week 10 Oct 26 | Week 11 Nov 2 | Week 12 Nov 9 | Week 13 Nov 16 | Week 14 Nov 23 | Week 15 Nov 30 | Week 16 Dec 7 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 5 | ||
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1. | Oklahoma (29) | Oklahoma (0–0) (37) | Oklahoma (1–0) (32) | Oklahoma (2–0) (41) | Oklahoma (3–0) (46) | Oklahoma (4–0) (51) | Oklahoma (4–0) (49) | Oklahoma (5–0) (53) | Oklahoma (6–0) (58) | Oklahoma (7–0) (57) | Oklahoma (8–0) (58) | Oklahoma (9–0) (63) | Oklahoma (10–0) (63) | Oklahoma (11–0) (63) | Oklahoma (12–0) (63) | Oklahoma (12–0) (63) | USC (11–1) (37) | LSU (13–1) (60) | 1. |
2. | Ohio State (28) | Ohio State (0–0) (23) | Ohio State (1–0) (26) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (8) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (8) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (8) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (4) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (5) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (5) | USC (7–1) | USC (8–1) | USC (9–1) | USC (10–1) | USC (10–1) | LSU (12–1) (18) | USC (12–1) (3) | 2. |
3. | Miami (FL) (5) | Miami (FL) (0–0) (2) | Miami (FL) (1–0) (5) | Ohio State (2–0) (13) | USC (3–0) (1) | USC (3–0) (1) | Ohio State (5–0) (6) | Ohio State (5–0) (6) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | USC (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | LSU (8–1) | LSU (9–1) | LSU (10–1) | LSU (11–1) | Oklahoma (12–1) (8) | Oklahoma (12–2) | 3. |
4. | Texas | Texas (0–0) | Texas (1–0) | USC (2–0) (1) | Ohio State (3–0) (7) | Ohio State (4–0) (5) | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | USC (5–1) | USC (6–1) | Georgia (6–1) | LSU (8–1) | Ohio State (9–1) | Ohio State (10–1) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Ohio State (11–2) | 4. |
5. | Kansas State | Kansas State (1–0) | USC (1–0) | Texas (1–0) | Michigan (3–0) (1) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Florida State (5–0) | Florida State (5–0) | Georgia (5–1) | Georgia (6–1) | Florida State (7–1) | Virginia Tech (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Georgia (9–2) | Georgia (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | Miami (FL) (11–2) | 5. |
6. | Auburn (1) | Auburn (0–0) (1) | Kansas State (2–0) | Kansas State (3–0) | Kansas State (4–0) | Florida State (4–0) | LSU (5–0) | LSU (5–0) | Washington State (5–1) | Washington State (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Ohio State (8–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Georgia (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Georgia (11–3) | 6. |
7. | Michigan | Michigan (0–0) | Michigan (1–0) | Michigan (2–0) | Georgia (3–0) | LSU (4–0) | Tennessee (4–0) | Nebraska (5–0) | Florida State (5–1) | Florida State (6–1) | Ohio State (7–1) | Miami (FL) (6–1) | Texas (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Michigan (10–3) | 7. |
8. | USC | USC (0–0) | Georgia (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | Nebraska (4–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | Ohio State (5–1) | Ohio State (6–1) | LSU (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Washington State (8–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Tennessee (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Iowa (10–3) | 8. |
9. | Georgia | Georgia (0–0) | Virginia Tech (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Florida State (3–0) | Iowa (4–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | USC (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | LSU (6–1) | Nebraska (6–1) | Georgia (6–2) | TCU (9–0) | TCU (10–0) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Washington State (10–3) | 9. |
10. | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech (0–0) | Florida State (1–0) | Florida State (2–0) | LSU (3–0) | Michigan (3–1) | USC (3–1) | Georgia (4–1) | LSU (5–1) | Purdue (6–1) | Michigan State (6–1) | Iowa (7–2) | Purdue (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Miami (FL) (9–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Kansas State (11–3) | Florida State (10–3) | 10. |
11. | Pittsburgh | Florida State (0–0) | NC State (1–0) | LSU (2–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Michigan (4–1) | Texas (4–1) | Arkansas (4–1) | Nebraska (6–1) | Virginia Tech (6–1) | Texas (6–2) | Florida State (8–2) | Tennessee (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Georgia (10–3) | Texas (10–3) | 11. |
12. | Florida State | Pittsburgh (0–0) | Pittsburgh (0–0) | Pittsburgh (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Georgia (3–1) | Georgia (3–1) | Washington State (5–1) | Wisconsin (6–1) | Michigan State (7–1) | Michigan (6–2) | TCU (8–0) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Iowa (9–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Miami (OH) (13–1) | 12. |
13. | Maryland | NC State (0–0) | LSU (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Texas (1–1) | Texas (2–1) | Texas (3–1) | Minnesota (6–0) | TCU (6–0) | TCU (7–0) | TCU (8–0) | Washington State (7–2) | Tennessee (7–2) | Miami (FL) (8–2) | Purdue (9–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Kansas State (11–4) | 13. |
14. | NC State | Maryland (0–0) | Tennessee (1–0) | Notre Dame (1–0) | Iowa (3–0) | Arkansas (3–0) | Kansas State (4–1) | Tennessee (4–1) | Nebraska (5–1) | Northern Illinois (7–0) | Iowa (6–2) | Purdue (6–2) | Miami (FL) (7–2) | Florida (8–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Ole Miss(10–3) | 14. |
15. | LSU | LSU (0–0) | Virginia (1–0) | Wisconsin (2–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Washington State (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Purdue (5–1) | Michigan (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Michigan State (6–2) | Nebraska (8–2) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Kansas State (10–3) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | Miami (OH) (12–1) | Boise State (13–1) | 15. |
16. | Tennessee | Tennessee (0–0) | Notre Dame (0–0) | Arizona State (1–0) | Arizona State (2–0) | Kansas State (4–1) | Minnesota (5–0) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Northern Illinois (6–0) | Iowa (5–2) | Texas (5–2) | Nebraska (6–2) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | Purdue (8–3) | Miami (OH) | Florida (8–4) | Boise State (12–1) | Tennessee (10–3) | 16. |
17. | Virginia | Virginia (0–0) | Wisconsin (1–0) | Colorado (2–0) | Florida (2–1) | TCU (3–0) | Washington (3–1) | TCU (5–0) | Michigan (5–2) | Wisconsin (6–2) | Purdue (5–2) | Tennessee (6–2) | Minnesota (9–2) | Iowa (8–3) | TCU (10–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Florida (8–4) | Minnesota (10–3) | 17. |
18. | Notre Dame | Notre Dame (0–0) | Florida (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Arkansas (2–0) | Washington (2–1) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Northern Illinois (5–0) | Michigan State (6–1) | Texas (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2) | Minnesota (7–2) | Florida (7–3) | Kansas State (9–3) | Boise State (10–1) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Nebraska (10–3) | 18. |
19. | Washington | Washington (0–0) | Auburn (0–1) | Iowa (2–0) | TCU (2–0) | Pittsburgh (2–1) | Iowa (4–1) | Michigan (4–2) | Minnesota (6–1) | Oklahoma State (6–1) | Minnesota (6–2) | Florida (6–3) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Miami (OH) (9–1) | Ole Miss (8–3) | TCU (11–1) | TCU (11–1) | Purdue (9–4) | 19. |
20. | Wisconsin | Wisconsin (0–0) | Purdue (0–0) | Florida (1–1) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Minnesota (4–0) | Northern Illinois (4–0) | Purdue (4–1) | Texas (4–2) | Arkansas (4–2) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Iowa (7–3) | Boise State (9–1) | Virginia Tech (8–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Maryland (10–3) | 20. |
21. | Florida | Florida (0–0) | Arizona State (0–0) | Wake Forest (2–0) | Washington (1–1) | Washington State (3–1) | TCU (4–0) | Kansas State (4–2) | Oregon State (5–1) | Auburn (4–2) | Florida (5–3) | Pittsburgh (5–2) | Northern Illinois (9–1) | Minnesota (9–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Utah (10–2) | 21. |
22. | Purdue | Purdue (0–0) | Colorado (1–0) | NC State (1–1) | Oregon (3–0) | Northern Illinois (3–0) | Oregon (4–1) | Wisconsin (5–1) | Tennessee (4–2) | Tennessee (4–2) | Northern Illinois (7–1) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Michigan State (7–3) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Clemson (9–4) | 22. |
23. | Arizona State | Arizona State (0–0) | Iowa (1–0) | TCU (2–0) | Notre Dame (1–1) | Missouri(4–0) | Purdue (3–1) | Michigan State (5–1) | Texas Tech (5–1) | Utah | Pittsburgh (4–2) | Northern Illinois (8–1) | Boise State (8–1) | Nebraska (8–3) | Nebraska (8–3) | Bowling Green (10–2) | West Virginia (8–4) | Bowling Green (11–3) | 23. |
24. | Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State (0–0) | Nebraska (1–0) | Washington (1–1) | Minnesota (3–0) | Arizona State (2–1) | Florida (3–2) | Virginia (4–1) | Oklahoma State (5–1) | Minnesota (6–2) | Missouri (6–2) | Ole Miss (7–2) | Miami (OH) (8–1) | Oklahoma State (7–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | West Virginia (8–4) | Maryland (9–3) | TCU (11–2) | 24. |
25. | Iowa (0–0) | Penn State (1–0) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Washington State (2–1) | Florida (2–2) | Air Force (5–0) | Oregon State (5–1) | Auburn (4–4) | Florida (5–3) | Louisville (7–1) | Louisville (7–1) | Kansas State (8–3) | Bowling Green (8–2) | Bowling Green (9–2) | Maryland (9–3) | Utah (9–2) | Florida (8–5) | 25. | |
Preseason | Week 1 Aug 24 | Week 2 Sep 1 | Week 3 Sep 7 | Week 4 Sep 14 | Week 5 Sep 21 | Week 6 Sep 28 | Week 7 Oct 5 | Week 8 Oct 12 | Week 9 Oct 19 | Week 10 Oct 26 | Week 11 Nov 2 | Week 12 Nov 9 | Week 13 Nov 16 | Week 14 Nov 23 | Week 15 Nov 30 | Week 16 Dec 7 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 5 | ||
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The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) determined the two teams that competed in the BCS National Championship Game, the 2004 Sugar Bowl.
Week 8 Oct 20 | Week 9 Oct 27 | Week 10 Nov 3 | Week 11 Nov 10 | Week 12 Nov 17 | Week 13 Nov 24 | Week 14 Dec 1 | Week 15 (Final) Dec 7 | ||
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1. | Oklahoma (7–0) | Oklahoma (8–0) | Oklahoma (9–0) | Oklahoma (10–0) | Oklahoma (11–0) | Oklahoma (12–0) | Oklahoma (12–0) | Oklahoma (12–1) | 1. |
2. | Miami (FL) (7–0) | Miami (FL) (7–0) | USC (8–1) | USC (8–1) | Ohio State (10–1) | USC (10–1) | USC (10–1) | LSU (12–1) | 2. |
3. | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Florida State (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | Ohio State (9–1) | USC (9–1) | LSU (10–1) | LSU (11–1) | USC (11–1) | 3. |
4. | Georgia (6–1) | USC (7–1) | Miami (FL) (7–1) | LSU (8–1) | LSU (9–1) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | 4. |
5. | Florida State (6–1) | Georgia (7–1) | Ohio State (8–1) | Texas (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | 5. |
6. | Ohio State (6–1) | Ohio State (7–1) | Virginia Tech (7–1) | TCU (9–0) | Georgia (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | 6. |
7. | USC (6–1) | LSU (7–1) | LSU (8–1) | Tennessee (7–2) | Tennessee (8–2) | Georgia (9–2) | Georgia (10–2) | Florida State (10–2) | 7. |
8. | Purdue (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Michigan (8–2) | TCU (10–0) | Tennessee (9–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | 8. |
9. | Washington State (6–1) | Nebraska (7–1) | TCU (8–0) | Georgia (7–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | 9. |
10. | Northern Illinois (7–0) | Michigan State (7–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Washington State (8–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Miami (FL) (9–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Kansas State (11–3) | 10. |
11. | Nebraska (6–1) | Iowa (6–2) | Iowa (7–2) | Purdue (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida (8–3) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | 11. |
12. | LSU (6–1) | TCU (8–0) | Texas (7–2) | Miami (FL) (7–2) | Miami (FL) (8–2) | Iowa (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Georgia (10–3) | 12. |
13. | Michigan State (7–1) | Michigan (7–2) | Tennessee (6–2) | Florida State (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Miami (OH) (10–1) | Purdue (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | 13. |
14. | TCU (7–0) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Purdue (7–2) | Florida (6–3) | Miami (OH) (9–1) | Purdue (9–3) | Florida (8–4) | Purdue (9–3) | 14. |
15. | Iowa (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2) | Washington State (7–2) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Washington State (9–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Florida (8–4) | 15. |
16. | — | Virginia Tech (6–1) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Miami (OH) (8–1) | Purdue (8–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | 16. |
17. | — | Bowling Green (7–1) | Florida (6–3) | Nebraska (8–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | TCU (10–1) | TCU (11–1) | Boise State (12–1) | 17. |
18. | — | Purdue (6–2) | Nebraska (7–2) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Iowa (8–3) | Ole Miss (8–3) | Bowling Green (10–2) | TCU (11–1) | 18. |
19. | — | Miami (OH) (7–1) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | Kansas State (9–3) | Boise State (10–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Ole Miss (9–3) | 19. |
20. | — | Missouri (6–2) | Michigan State (7–2) | Iowa (7–3) | Bowling Green (8–2) | Bowling Green (9–2) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | 20. |
21. | — | Florida (5–3) | Miami (OH) (7–1) | Northern Illinois (9–1) | Oklahoma State (8–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | 21. |
22. | — | Texas (6–2) | Northern Illinois (8–1) | Minnesota (9–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | Utah (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Utah (9–2) | 22. |
23. | — | Northern Illinois (7–1) | Ole Miss (7–2) | Bowling Green (7–2) | Boise State (9–1) | Nebraska (8–3) | Utah (9–2) | Maryland (9–3) | 23. |
24. | — | Minnesota (7–2) | Missouri (6–2) | Michigan State (7–3) | Utah (8–2) | Arkansas (8–3) | Maryland (9–3) | Bowling Green (10–3) | 24. |
25. | — | UCLA (6–2) | Pittsburgh (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–3) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | 25. |
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) was a selection system that created four or five bowl game match-ups involving eight or ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of American college football, including an opportunity for the top two teams to compete in the BCS National Championship Game. The system was in place for the 1998 through 2013 seasons and in 2014 was replaced by the College Football Playoff.
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, was a postseason college football bowl game, used to determine a national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), first played in the 1998 college football season as one of four designated bowl games, and beginning in the 2006 season as a standalone event rotated among the host sites of the aforementioned bowls.
The Associated Press poll provides weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling 62 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the nation. Each voter provides their own ranking of the top 25 teams, and the individual rankings are then combined to produce the national ranking by giving a team 25 points for a first place vote, 24 for a second place vote, and so on down to 1 point for a twenty-fifth place vote. Ballots of the voting members in the AP poll are publicized.
The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in the claim of a split national championship. This was the first claimed split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate. Due to on-field circumstances, the BCS becoming a means of having a single champion going forward, and finally the four-team title playoff system's institution in 2014, as of 2024 this is the most recent Division 1-A season to end with split national champions.
Three human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season, two additional polls are released; the Harris Interactive Poll and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings.
Three human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season, two additional polls are released, the Harris Interactive Poll and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS standings. At the end of the season, the BCS standings determine who plays in the BCS bowl games as well as the BCS National Championship Game.
The Coaches Poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football, Division I college basketball, and Division I college baseball teams. The football version of the poll has been known officially as the US LBM Coaches Poll since 2023.
The Harris Interactive College Football Poll was a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football teams. The rankings were compiled by Harris Interactive, a market research company that specializes in Internet research.
Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings are released.
Three polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season, two additional polls are released, the Harris Interactive Poll and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS standings. At the end of the season, the BCS standings determine who plays in the BCS bowl games as well as the BCS National Championship Game.
Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings are released.
Three human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season, two additional polls are released, the Harris Interactive Poll and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS standings. At the end of the season, the BCS standings determine who plays in the BCS bowl games as well as the BCS National Championship Game.
A national championship in the highest level of college football in the United States, currently the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), is a designation awarded annually by various organizations to their selection of the best college football team. Division I FBS football is the only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sport for which the NCAA does not host a yearly championship event. As such, it is sometimes referred to as a "mythical national championship".
Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings made their debut in 1998, and began being released about halfway through the season.
Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings are released.
Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings are released.
Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings are released.
Three human polls and one formula ranking make up the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Two additional polls are released midway through the season; the Harris Interactive Poll is released after the fourth week of the season and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings is released after the seventh week. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS standings. At the end of the season, on Sunday, December 6, 2009, the BCS standings determines who plays in the BCS bowl games as well as the 2010 BCS National Championship Game on January 7, 2010 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.
Three human polls and one formula ranking make up the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Two additional polls are released midway through the season; the Harris Interactive Poll is released after the sixth week of the season and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings is released after the seventh week. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS standings. At the end of the season, on Sunday, December 5, 2010, the BCS standings determines who plays in the BCS bowl games as well as the 2011 BCS National Championship Game on January 10, 2011 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Three human polls and one formula ranking make up the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Two additional polls are released midway through the season; the Harris Interactive Poll is released after the sixth week of the season and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings is released after the seventh week. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS standings. At the end of the season, on Sunday, December 4, 2011, the BCS standings determines who plays in the BCS bowl games as well as the 2012 BCS National Championship Game on January 9, 2012 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.