1981 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

Legend

AP Poll

|Week1-1 = Michigan (38) |Week1-2 = Oklahoma (7) |Week1-3 = Notre Dame (7) |Week1-4 = Alabama (3) |Week1-5 = USC (5) |Week1-6 = Nebraska |Week1-7 = Penn State (1) |Week1-8 = Pittsburgh |Week1-9 = Texas |Week1-10 = Georgia |Week1-11 = Ohio State (1) |Week1-12 = North Carolina |Week1-13 = UCLA |Week1-14 = Mississippi State |Week1-15 = Washington |Week1-16 = BYU |Week1-17 = Florida |Week1-18 = Stanford |Week1-19 = Florida State |Week1-20 = Arizona State |Week2-1 = Michigan (0–0) (37) |Week2-1-Color = |Week2-2 = Alabama (1–0) (11) |Week2-2-Color = u |Week2-3 = Oklahoma (0–0) |Week2-3-Color = d |Week2-4 = Notre Dame (0–0) (4) |Week2-4-Color = d |Week2-5 = USC (0–0) (3) |Week2-5-Color = |Week2-6 = Georgia (1–0) (4) |Week2-6-Color = u |Week2-7 = Nebraska (0–0) |Week2-7-Color = d |Week2-8 = Texas (0–0) |Week2-8-Color = u |Week2-9 = Penn State (0–0) |Week2-9-Color = d |Week2-10 = Pittsburgh (1–0) |Week2-10-Color = d |Week2-11 = Ohio State (0–0) |Week2-11-Color = |Week2-12 = UCLA (0–0) |Week2-12-Color = u |Week2-13 = North Carolina (0–0) |Week2-13-Color = d |Week2-14 = Mississippi State (1–0) |Week2-14-Color = |Week2-15 = BYU (1–0) |Week2-15-Color = u |Week2-16 = Miami (FL) (1–0) |Week2-16-Color = npr |Week2-17 = Washington (0–0) |Week2-17-Color = d |Week2-18 = Florida State (1–0) |Week2-18-Color = u |Week2-19 = Stanford (0–0) |Week2-19-Color = d |Week2-20 = Arizona State (0–0) |Week2-20-Color = |Week3-1 = Notre Dame (1–0) (24) |Week3-1-Color = u |Week3-2 = USC (1–0) (12) |Week3-2-Color = u |Week3-3 = Oklahoma (1–0) (12) |Week3-3-Color = |Week3-4 = Georgia (2–0) (12) |Week3-4-Color = u |Week3-5 = Penn State (1–0) (1) |Week3-5-Color = u |Week3-6 = Texas (1–0) (1) |Week3-6-Color = u |Week3-7 = Pittsburgh (1–0) |Week3-7-Color = u |Week3-8 = Ohio State (1–0) |Week3-8-Color = u |Week3-9 = UCLA (1–0) |Week3-9-Color = u |Week3-10 = North Carolina (1–0) |Week3-10-Color = u |Week3-11 = Michigan (0–1) |Week3-11-Color = d |Week3-12 = Alabama (1–1) |Week3-12-Color = d |Week3-13 = BYU (2–0) |Week3-13-Color = u |Week3-14 = Mississippi State (1–0) |Week3-14-Color = |Week3-15 = Washington (1–0) |Week3-15-Color = u |Week3-16 = Miami (FL) (1–0) |Week3-16-Color = |Week3-17 = Nebraska (0–1) |Week3-17-Color = d |Week3-18 = Arizona State (1–0) |Week3-18-Color = u |Week3-19 = Florida State (2–0) |Week3-19-Color = d |Week3-20 = Wisconsin (1–0) |Week3-20-Color = npr |Week4-1 = USC (2–0) (46) |Week4-1-Color = u |Week4-2 = Oklahoma (1–0) (15) |Week4-2-Color = u |Week4-3 = Penn State (1–0) (2) |Week4-3-Color = u |Week4-4 = Texas (2–0) (1) |Week4-4-Color = u |Week4-5 = Pittsburgh (2–0) |Week4-5-Color = u |Week4-6 = UCLA (2–0) |Week4-6-Color = u |Week4-7 = Michigan (1–1) (1) |Week4-7-Color = u |Week4-8 = Ohio State (2–0) |Week4-8-Color = |Week4-9 = North Carolina (2–0) |Week4-9-Color = u |Week4-10 = Alabama (2–1) |Week4-10-Color = u |Week4-11 = BYU (3–0) |Week4-11-Color = u |Week4-12 = Mississippi State (2–0) |Week4-12-Color = u |Week4-13 = Notre Dame (1–1) |Week4-13-Color = d |Week4-14 = Miami (FL) (2–0) |Week4-14-Color = u |Week4-15 = Nebraska (1–1) |Week4-15-Color = u |Week4-16 = Washington (2–0) |Week4-16-Color = d |Week4-17 = Georgia (2–1) |Week4-17-Color = d |Week4-18 = Arizona State (2–0) |Week4-18-Color = |Week4-19 = Clemson (3–0) |Week4-19-Color = npr |Week4-20 = SMU (3–0) |Week4-20-Color = npr |Week5-1 = USC (3–0) (57 ) |Week5-1-Color = |Week5-2 = Penn State (2–0) (5 ) |Week5-2-Color = u |Week5-3 = Texas (3–0) (1) |Week5-3-Color = u |Week5-4 = Pittsburgh (2–0) |Week5-4-Color = u |Week5-5 = Oklahoma (1–1) |Week5-5-Color = d |Week5-6 = North Carolina (3–0) |Week5-6-Color = u |Week5-7 = Ohio State (3–0) |Week5-7-Color = u |Week5-8 = Michigan (2–1) |Week5-8-Color = d |Week5-9 = Mississippi State (3–0) |Week5-9-Color = u |Week5-10 = BYU (4–0) |Week5-10-Color = u |Week5-11 = Alabama (3–1) |Week5-11-Color = d |Week5-12 = Washington (3–0) |Week5-12-Color = u |Week5-13 = Georgia (3–1) |Week5-13-Color = u |Week5-14 = Clemson (3–0) |Week5-14-Color = u |Week5-15 = SMU (4–0) |Week5-15-Color = u |Week5-16 = UCLA (2–1) |Week5-16-Color = d |Week5-17 = Miami (FL) (2–1) |Week5-17-Color = d |Week5-18 = Iowa (2–1) |Week5-18-Color = npr |Week5-19 = Arkansas (3–0) |Week5-19-Color = npr |Week5-20 = Iowa State (3–0) |Week5-20-Color = npr |Week6-1 = USC (4–0) (58) |Week6-1-Color = |Week6-2 = Penn State (3–0) (6) |Week6-2-Color = |Week6-3 = Texas (3–0) (1) |Week6-3-Color = |Week6-4 = Pittsburgh (3–0) |Week6-4-Color = |Week6-5 = North Carolina (4–0) |Week6-5-Color = u |Week6-6 = Michigan (3–1) |Week6-6-Color = u |Week6-7 = Alabama (4–1) |Week6-7-Color = u |Week6-8 = BYU (5–0) |Week6-8-Color = u |Week6-9 = Clemson (4–0) |Week6-9-Color = u |Week6-10 = Oklahoma (1–1–1) |Week6-10-Color = d |Week6-11 = Georgia (3–1) |Week6-11-Color = u |Week6-12 = Iowa State (3–0–1) |Week6-12-Color = u |Week6-13 = Missouri (4–0) |Week6-13-Color = npr |Week6-14 = SMU (4–0) |Week6-14-Color = u |Week6-15 = Iowa (3–1) |Week6-15-Color = u |Week6-16 = Miami (FL) (3–1) |Week6-16-Color = u |Week6-17 = UCLA (3–1) |Week6-17-Color = d |Week6-18 = Ohio State (3–1) |Week6-18-Color = d |Week6-19 = Mississippi State (3–1) |Week6-19-Color = d |Week6-20 = Florida State (3–1) |Week6-20-Color = npr |Week7-1 = Texas (4–0) (35) |Week7-1-Color = u |Week7-2 = Penn State (4–0) (24) |Week7-2-Color = |Week7-3 = Pittsburgh (4–0) (3) |Week7-3-Color = u |Week7-4 = North Carolina (5–0) (4) |Week7-4-Color = u |Week7-5 = Michigan (4–1) |Week7-5-Color = u |Week7-6 = Clemson (5–0) |Week7-6-Color = u |Week7-7 = USC (4–1) |Week7-7-Color = d |Week7-8 = Missouri (5–0) |Week7-8-Color = u |Week7-9 = Georgia (4–1) |Week7-9-Color = u |Week7-10 = SMU (5–0) |Week7-10-Color = u |Week7-11 = Florida State (4–1) |Week7-11-Color = u |Week7-12 = Iowa (4–1) |Week7-12-Color = u |Week7-13 = Miami (FL) (3–1) |Week7-13-Color = u |Week7-14 = Wisconsin (4–1) |Week7-14-Color = npr |Week7-15 = Alabama (4–1–1) |Week7-15-Color = d |Week7-16 = Mississippi State (4–1) |Week7-16-Color = u |Week7-17 = BYU (5–1) |Week7-17-Color = d |Week7-18 = Washington State (5–0) |Week7-18-Color = npr |Week7-19 = Nebraska (3–2) |Week7-19-Color = npr |Week7-20 = Arizona State (4–1) |Week7-20-Color = npr |Week8-1 = Penn State (5–0) (36 ) |Week8-1-Color = u |Week8-2 = Pittsburgh (5–0) (26 ) |Week8-2-Color = u |Week8-3 = North Carolina (6–0) (3) |Week8-3-Color = u |Week8-4 = Clemson (6–0) |Week8-4-Color = u |Week8-5 = USC (5–1) |Week8-5-Color = u |Week8-6 = Iowa (5–1) |Week8-6-Color = u |Week8-7 = Georgia (5–1) |Week8-7-Color = u |Week8-8 = SMU (6–0) |Week8-8-Color = u |Week8-9 = Mississippi State (5–1) |Week8-9-Color = u |Week8-10 = Texas (4–1) |Week8-10-Color = d |Week8-11 = Alabama (5–1–1) |Week8-11-Color = u |Week8-12 = Arkansas (5–1) |Week8-12-Color = npr |Week8-13 = BYU (6–1) |Week8-13-Color = u |Week8-14 = Iowa State (4–1–1) |Week8-14-Color = npr |Week8-15 = Nebraska (4–2) |Week8-15-Color = u |Week8-16 = Washington State (5–0–1) |Week8-16-Color = u |Week8-17 = Arizona State (5–1) |Week8-17-Color = u |Week8-18 = Michigan (4–2) |Week8-18-Color = d |Week8-19 = Missouri (5–1) |Week8-19-Color = d |Week8-20 = Florida State (4–2) |Week8-20-Color = d |Week9-1 = Penn State (6–0) (45) |Week9-1-Color = |Week9-2 = Pittsburgh (6–0) (19) |Week9-2-Color = |Week9-3 = Clemson (7–0) |Week9-3-Color = u |Week9-4 = USC (6–1) |Week9-4-Color = u |Week9-5 = Georgia (6–1) |Week9-5-Color = u |Week9-6 = Texas (5–1) |Week9-6-Color = u |Week9-7 = Mississippi State (6–1) |Week9-7-Color = u |Week9-8 = Alabama (6–1–1) |Week9-8-Color = u |Week9-9 = North Carolina (6–1) |Week9-9-Color = d |Week9-10 = Arizona State (6–1) |Week9-10-Color = u |Week9-11 = Iowa State (5–1–1) |Week9-11-Color = u |Week9-12 = Nebraska (5–2) |Week9-12-Color = u |Week9-13 = SMU (6–1) |Week9-13-Color = d |Week9-14 = Washington State (6–0–1) |Week9-14-Color = u |Week9-15 = Michigan (5–2) |Week9-15-Color = u |Week9-16 = Iowa (5–2) |Week9-16-Color = d |Week9-17 = Florida State (5–2) |Week9-17-Color = u |Week9-18 = Washington (6–1) |Week9-18-Color = npr |Week9-19 = Oklahoma (3–2–1) |Week9-19-Color = npr |Week9-20 = Arkansas (5–2) |Week9-20-Color = d |Week10-1 = Pittsburgh (7–0) (49) |Week10-1-Color = u |Week10-2 = Clemson (8–0) (9) |Week10-2-Color = u |Week10-3 = USC (7–1) (7) |Week10-3-Color = u |Week10-4 = Georgia (7–1) |Week10-4-Color = u |Week10-5 = Texas (6–1) |Week10-5-Color = u |Week10-6 = Penn State (6–1) |Week10-6-Color = d |Week10-7 = Alabama (7–1–1) |Week10-7-Color = u |Week10-8 = North Carolina (7–1) |Week10-8-Color = u |Week10-9 = Arizona State (6–1) |Week10-9-Color = u |Week10-10 = SMU (7–1) |Week10-10-Color = u |Week10-11 = Nebraska (6–2) |Week10-11-Color = u |Week10-12 = Michigan (6–2) |Week10-12-Color = u |Week10-13 = Miami (FL) (5–2) |Week10-13-Color = npr |Week10-14 = Florida State (6–2) |Week10-14-Color = u |Week10-15 = Mississippi State (6–2) |Week10-15-Color = d |Week10-16 = Washington (7–1) |Week10-16-Color = u |Week10-17 = Oklahoma (4–2–1) |Week10-17-Color = u |Week10-18 = Ohio State (6–2) |Week10-18-Color = npr |Week10-19 = Arkansas (6–2) |Week10-19-Color = u |Week10-20 = Southern Miss (6–0–1) |Week10-20-Color = npr |Week11-1 = Pittsburgh (8–0) (53) |Week11-1-Color = |Week11-2 = Clemson (9–0) (7) |Week11-2-Color = |Week11-3 = USC (8–1) (8) |Week11-3-Color = |Week11-4 = Georgia (8–1) |Week11-4-Color = |Week11-5 = Penn State (7–1) |Week11-5-Color = u |Week11-6 = Alabama (7–1–1) |Week11-6-Color = u |Week11-7 = Nebraska (7–2) |Week11-7-Color = u |Week11-8 = SMU (8–1) |Week11-8-Color = u |Week11-9 = Arizona State (7–1) |Week11-9-Color = |Week11-10 = Texas (6–1–1) |Week11-10-Color = d |Week11-11 = Michigan (7–2) |Week11-11-Color = u |Week11-12 = Miami (FL) (6–2) |Week11-12-Color = u |Week11-13 = North Carolina (7–2) |Week11-13-Color = d |Week11-14 = Southern Miss (7–0–1) |Week11-14-Color = u |Week11-15 = Oklahoma (5–2–1) |Week11-15-Color = u |Week11-16 = Arkansas (7–2) |Week11-16-Color = u |Week11-17 = Washington State (7–1–1) |Week11-17-Color = u |Week11-18 = UCLA (6–2–1) |Week11-18-Color = npr |Week11-19 = Hawaii (7–0) |Week11-19-Color = npr |Week11-20 = Florida State (6–3) |Week11-20-Color = d |Week12-1 = Pittsburgh (9–0) (63) |Week12-1-Color = |Week12-2 = Clemson (10–0) (5) |Week12-2-Color = |Week12-3 = Georgia (9–1) |Week12-3-Color = u |Week12-4 = Alabama (8–1–1) |Week12-4-Color = u |Week12-5 = Nebraska (8–2) |Week12-5-Color = u |Week12-6 = SMU (9–1) |Week12-6-Color = u |Week12-7 = Michigan (8–2) |Week12-7-Color = u |Week12-8 = Texas (7–1–1) |Week12-8-Color = u |Week12-9 = Southern Miss (8–0–1) |Week12-9-Color = u |Week12-10 = USC (8–2) |Week12-10-Color = d |Week12-11 = Miami (FL) (7–2) |Week12-11-Color = u |Week12-12 = North Carolina (8–2) |Week12-12-Color = u |Week12-13 = Penn State (7–2) |Week12-13-Color = d |Week12-14 = Washington State (8–1–1) |Week12-14-Color = u |Week12-15 = UCLA (7–2–1) |Week12-15-Color = u |Week12-16 = Arkansas (8–2) |Week12-16-Color = |Week12-17 = Washington (8–2) |Week12-17-Color = npr |Week12-18 = BYU (9–2) |Week12-18-Color = npr |Week12-19 = Iowa (7–3) |Week12-19-Color = npr |Week12-20 = Arizona State (7–2) |Week12-20-Color = d |Week13-1 = Pittsburgh (10–0) (60) |Week13-1-Color = |Week13-2 = Clemson (11–0) (5) |Week13-2-Color = |Week13-3 = Georgia (9–1) |Week13-3-Color = |Week13-4 = Alabama (8–1–1) |Week13-4-Color = |Week13-5 = Nebraska (9–2) |Week13-5-Color = |Week13-6 = SMU (10–1) |Week13-6-Color = |Week13-7 = Texas (8–1–1) |Week13-7-Color = u |Week13-8 = USC (9–2) |Week13-8-Color = u |Week13-9 = Miami (FL) (8–2) |Week13-9-Color = u |Week13-10 = North Carolina (9–2) |Week13-10-Color = u |Week13-11 = Penn State (8–2) |Week13-11-Color = u |Week13-12 = Washington (9–2) |Week13-12-Color = u |Week13-13 = Iowa (8–3) |Week13-13-Color = u |Week13-14 = BYU (10–2) |Week13-14-Color = u |Week13-15 = Ohio State (8–3) |Week13-15-Color = npr |Week13-16 = Michigan (8–3) |Week13-16-Color = d |Week13-17 = Southern Miss (8–1–1) |Week13-17-Color = d |Week13-18 = Arizona State (8–2) |Week13-18-Color = u |Week13-19 = UCLA (7–3–1) |Week13-19-Color = d |Week13-20 = Washington State (8–2–1) |Week13-20-Color = d |Week14-1 = Clemson (11–0) (63) |Week14-1-Color = u |Week14-2 = Georgia (10–1) (1) |Week14-2-Color = u |Week14-3 = Alabama (9–1–1) |Week14-3-Color = u |Week14-4 = Nebraska (9–2) (1) |Week14-4-Color = u |Week14-5 = SMU (10–1) (1) |Week14-5-Color = u |Week14-6 = Texas (9–1–1) |Week14-6-Color = u |Week14-7 = Penn State (9–2) (1) |Week14-7-Color = u |Week14-8 = USC (9–2) |Week14-8-Color = |Week14-9 = Miami (FL) (9–2) (1) |Week14-9-Color = |Week14-10 = Pittsburgh (10–1) |Week14-10-Color = d |Week14-11 = North Carolina (9–2) |Week14-11-Color = d |Week14-12 = Washington (9–2) |Week14-12-Color = |Week14-13 = Iowa (8–3) |Week14-13-Color = |Week14-14 = BYU (10–2) |Week14-14-Color = |Week14-15 = Ohio State (8–3) |Week14-15-Color = |Week14-16 = Michigan (8–3) |Week14-16-Color = |Week14-17 = Arizona State (9–2) |Week14-17-Color = u |Week14-18 = Southern Miss (9–1–1) |Week14-18-Color = d |Week14-19 = UCLA (7–3–1) |Week14-19-Color = |Week14-20 = Washington State (8–2–1) |Week14-20-Color = |Week15-1 = Clemson (12–0) (47) |Week15-1-Color = nc |Week15-2 = Texas (10–1–1) (1) |Week15-2-Color = u |Week15-3 = Penn State (10–2) (1) |Week15-3-Color = u |Week15-4 = Pittsburgh (11–1) |Week15-4-Color = u |Week15-5 = SMU (10–1) (1) |Week15-5-Color = |Week15-6 = Georgia (10–2) |Week15-6-Color = d |Week15-7 = Alabama (9–2–1) |Week15-7-Color = d |Week15-8 = Miami (FL) (9–2) |Week15-8-Color = u |Week15-9 = North Carolina (10–2) |Week15-9-Color = u |Week15-10 = Washington (10–2) |Week15-10-Color = u |Week15-11 = Nebraska (9–3) |Week15-11-Color = d |Week15-12 = Michigan (9–3) |Week15-12-Color = u |Week15-13 = BYU (11–2) |Week15-13-Color = u |Week15-14 = USC (9–3) |Week15-14-Color = d |Week15-15 = Ohio State (9–3) |Week15-15-Color = |Week15-16 = Arizona State (9–2) |Week15-16-Color = u |Week15-17 = West Virginia (9–3) |Week15-17-Color = npr |Week15-18 = Iowa (8–4) |Week15-18-Color = d |Week15-19 = Missouri (8–4) |Week15-19-Color = npr |Week15-20 = Oklahoma (7–4–1) |Week15-20-Color = npr

Coaches Poll

Arizona State, SMU, and Miami (FL) (after a November 3, 1981 ruling) were on probation by the NCAA during the 1981 season; they were therefore ineligible to receive votes in the Coaches Poll. |Week1-1 = Michigan (22) |Week1-2 = Oklahoma (3) |Week1-3 = Alabama (3) |Week1-4 = Notre Dame (5) |Week1-5 = USC (2) |Week1-6 = Nebraska |Week1-7 = Penn State (2) |Week1-8 = Georgia (4) |Week1-9 = Pittsburgh (1) |Week1-10 = Texas |Week1-11 = Ohio State |Week1-12 = UCLA |Week1-13 = Florida State |Week1-14 = North Carolina |Week1-15 = Mississippi State |Week1-16 = Florida |Week1-17 = Washington |Week1-18 = Houston |Week1-19 = BYU |Week1-20 = Baylor |Week2-1 = Notre Dame (1–0) (11) |Week2-1-Color = u |Week2-2 = USC (1–0) (10) |Week2-2-Color = u |Week2-3 = Oklahoma (1–0) (14) |Week2-3-Color = d |Week2-4 = Georgia (2–0) (7) |Week2-4-Color = u |Week2-5 = Penn State (1–0) |Week2-5-Color = u |Week2-6 = Texas (1–0) |Week2-6-Color = u |Week2-7 = Pittsburgh (1–0) |Week2-7-Color = u |Week2-8 = Ohio State (1–0) |Week2-8-Color = u |Week2-9 = North Carolina (1–0) |Week2-9-Color = u |Week2-10 = UCLA (1–0) |Week2-10-Color = u |Week2-11 = Alabama (1–1) |Week2-11-Color = d |Week2-12 = Michigan (0–1) |Week2-12-Color = d |Week2-13 = BYU (2–0) |Week2-13-Color = u |Week2-14 = Mississippi State (1–0) |Week2-14-Color = u |Week2-15 = Miami (FL) (1–0) |Week2-15-Color = npr |Week2-16 = Florida State (2–0) |Week2-16-Color = d |Week2-17 = Washington (1–0) |Week2-17-Color = |Week2-18 = Purdue (1–0) |Week2-18-Color = npr |Week2-19 = Nebraska (0–1) |Week2-19-Color = d |Week2-20 = Wisconsin (1–0) |Week2-20-Color = npr |Week3-1 = USC (2–0) (28) |Week3-1-Color = u |Week3-2 = Oklahoma (1–0) (10) |Week3-2-Color = u |Week3-3 = Penn State (1–0) (1) |Week3-3-Color = u |Week3-4 = Texas (2–0) (1) |Week3-4-Color = u |Week3-5 = Pittsburgh (2–0) |Week3-5-Color = u |Week3-6 = Michigan (1–1) |Week3-6-Color = u |Week3-7 = UCLA (2–0) |Week3-7-Color = u |Week3-8 = Ohio State (2–0) |Week3-8-Color = |Week3-9 = North Carolina (2–0) |Week3-9-Color = |Week3-10 = Alabama (2–1) |Week3-10-Color = u |Week3-11 = Notre Dame (1–1) |Week3-11-Color = d |Week3-12 = Nebraska (1–1) |Week3-12-Color = u |Week3-13 = BYU (3–0) |Week3-13-Color = |Week3-14 = Mississippi State (2–0) |Week3-14-Color = |Week3-15 = Miami (FL) (2–0) |Week3-15-Color = |Week3-16 = Georgia (2–1) |Week3-16-Color = d |Week3-17 = Washington (2–0) |Week3-17-Color = |Week3-18 = Clemson (3–0) |Week3-18-Color = npr |Week3-19 = Florida State (2–1) |Week3-19-Color = d |Week3-20 = Arkansas (2–0) West Virginia (2–0) |Week3-20-Color = npr |Week4-1 = USC (3–0) (39) |Week4-1-Color = |Week4-2 = Penn State (2–0) (2) |Week4-2-Color = u |Week4-3 = Texas (3–0) |Week4-3-Color = u |Week4-4 = Pittsburgh (2–0) |Week4-4-Color = u |Week4-5 = North Carolina (3–0) (1) |Week4-5-Color = u |Week4-6 = Oklahoma (1–1) |Week4-6-Color = d |Week4-7 = Ohio State (3–0) |Week4-7-Color = u |Week4-8 = Michigan (2–1) |Week4-8-Color = d |Week4-9 = Mississippi State (3–0) |Week4-9-Color = u |Week4-10 = Alabama (3–1) |Week4-10-Color = |Week4-11 = BYU (4–0) |Week4-11-Color = u |Week4-12 = Georgia (3–1) |Week4-12-Color = u |Week4-13 = Washington (3–0) |Week4-13-Color = u |Week4-14 = Clemson (3–0) |Week4-14-Color = u |Week4-15 = Miami (FL) (2–1) |Week4-15-Color = |Week4-16 = Arkansas (3–0) |Week4-16-Color = u |Week4-17 = Missouri (3–0) |Week4-17-Color = npr |Week4-18 = UCLA (2–1) |Week4-18-Color = d |Week4-19 = Nebraska (1–2) |Week4-19-Color = d |Week4-20 = Iowa (2–1) |Week4-20-Color = npr |Week5-1 = USC (4–0) (40) |Week5-1-Color = |Week5-2 = Penn State (3–0) (1) |Week5-2-Color = |Week5-3 = Texas (3–0) |Week5-3-Color = |Week5-4 = Pittsburgh (3–0) |Week5-4-Color = |Week5-5 = North Carolina (4–0) |Week5-5-Color = |Week5-6 = Michigan (3–1) |Week5-6-Color = u |Week5-7 = Alabama (4–1) |Week5-7-Color = u |Week5-8 = BYU (5–0) |Week5-8-Color = u |Week5-9 = Georgia (3–1) |Week5-9-Color = u |Week5-10 = Clemson (4–0) |Week5-10-Color = u |Week5-11 = Missouri (4–0) |Week5-11-Color = u |Week5-12 = Oklahoma (1–1–1) |Week5-12-Color = d |Week5-13 = Miami (FL) (3–1) |Week5-13-Color = u |Week5-14 = Iowa State (3–0–1) |Week5-14-Color = npr |Week5-15 = Iowa (3–1) |Week5-15-Color = u |Week5-16 = UCLA (3–1) |Week5-16-Color = u |Week5-17 = Ohio State (3–1) |Week5-17-Color = d |Week5-18 = Nebraska (2–2) |Week5-18-Color = u |Week5-19 = Florida State (3–1) |Week5-19-Color = npr |Week5-20 = Mississippi State (3–1) |Week5-20-Color = d |Week6-1 = Texas (4–0) (23) |Week6-1-Color = u |Week6-2 = Penn State (4–0) (19) |Week6-2-Color = |Week6-3 = Pittsburgh (4–0) |Week6-3-Color = u |Week6-4 = North Carolina (5–0) |Week6-4-Color = u |Week6-5 = Michigan (4–1) |Week6-5-Color = u |Week6-6 = USC (4–1) |Week6-6-Color = d |Week6-7 = Clemson (5–0) |Week6-7-Color = u |Week6-8 = Missouri (5–0) |Week6-8-Color = u |Week6-9 = Georgia (4–1) |Week6-9-Color = |Week6-10 = Florida State (4–1) |Week6-10-Color = u |Week6-11 = Miami (FL) (3–1) |Week6-11-Color = u |Week6-12 = Iowa (4–1) |Week6-12-Color = u |Week6-13 = Wisconsin (4–1) |Week6-13-Color = npr |Week6-14 = Alabama (4–1–1) |Week6-14-Color = d |Week6-15 = BYU (5–1) |Week6-15-Color = d |Week6-16 = Mississippi State (4–1) |Week6-16-Color = u |Week6-17 = Iowa State (3–1–1) |Week6-17-Color = d |Week6-18 = Nebraska (3–2) |Week6-18-Color = |Week6-19 = Washington State (5–0) |Week6-19-Color = npr |Week6-20 = Oklahoma (1–2–1) |Week6-20-Color = d |Week7-1 = Penn State (5–0) (36) |Week7-1-Color = u |Week7-2 = Pittsburgh (5–0) (6) |Week7-2-Color = u |Week7-3 = North Carolina (6–0) |Week7-3-Color = u |Week7-4 = USC (5–1) |Week7-4-Color = u |Week7-5 = Clemson (6–0) |Week7-5-Color = u |Week7-6 = Georgia (5–1) |Week7-6-Color = u |Week7-7 = Iowa (5–1) |Week7-7-Color = u |Week7-8 = Texas (4–1) |Week7-8-Color = d |Week7-9 = Alabama (5–1–1) |Week7-9-Color = u |Week7-10 = Mississippi State (5–1) |Week7-10-Color = u |Week7-11 = Nebraska (4–2) |Week7-11-Color = u |Week7-12 = Iowa State (4–1–1) |Week7-12-Color = u |Week7-13 = Arkansas (5–1) |Week7-13-Color = npr |Week7-14 = Washington State (5–0–1) |Week7-14-Color = u |Week7-15 = BYU (6–1) |Week7-15-Color = |Week7-16 = Missouri (5–1) |Week7-16-Color = d |Week7-17 = Oklahoma (2–2–1) |Week7-17-Color = u |Week7-18 = Washington (5–1) |Week7-18-Color = npr |Week7-19 = Michigan (4–2) |Week7-19-Color = d |Week7-20 = Florida State (4–2) |Week7-20-Color = d |Week8-1 = Penn State (6–0) (40) |Week8-1-Color = |Week8-2 = Pittsburgh (6–0) (2) |Week8-2-Color = |Week8-3 = USC (6–1) |Week8-3-Color = u |Week8-4 = Clemson (7–0) |Week8-4-Color = u |Week8-5 = Georgia (6–1) |Week8-5-Color = u |Week8-6 = Texas (5–1) |Week8-6-Color = u |Week8-7 = Alabama (6–1–1) |Week8-7-Color = u |Week8-8 = Mississippi State (6–1) |Week8-8-Color = u |Week8-9 = Nebraska (5–2) |Week8-9-Color = u |Week8-10 = Iowa State (5–1–1) |Week8-10-Color = u |Week8-11 = North Carolina (6–1) |Week8-11-Color = d |Week8-12 = Washington State (6–0–1) |Week8-12-Color = u |Week8-13 = Oklahoma (3–2–1) |Week8-13-Color = u |Week8-14 = Michigan (5–2) |Week8-14-Color = u |Week8-15 = Washington (6–1) |Week8-15-Color = u |Week8-16 = Iowa (5–2) |Week8-16-Color = d |Week8-17 = Florida State (5–2) |Week8-17-Color = u |Week8-18 = Ohio State (5–2) |Week8-18-Color = npr |Week8-19 = Miami (FL) (4–2) |Week8-19-Color = npr |Week8-20 = Arkansas (5–2) |Week8-20-Color = d |Week9-1 = Pittsburgh (7–0) (35) |Week9-1-Color = u |Week9-2 = USC (7–1) (4) |Week9-2-Color = u |Week9-3 = Clemson (8–0) (2) |Week9-3-Color = u |Week9-4 = Georgia (7–1) (1) |Week9-4-Color = u |Week9-5 = Texas (6–1) |Week9-5-Color = u |Week9-6 = Penn State (6–1) |Week9-6-Color = d |Week9-7 = Alabama (7–1–1) |Week9-7-Color = |Week9-8 = Nebraska (6–2) |Week9-8-Color = u |Week9-9 = North Carolina (7–1) |Week9-9-Color = u |Week9-10 = Michigan (6–2) |Week9-10-Color = u |Week9-11 = Miami (FL) (5–2) |Week9-11-Color = u |Week9-12 = Washington (7–1) |Week9-12-Color = u |Week9-13 = Oklahoma (4–2–1) |Week9-13-Color = |Week9-14 = Florida State (6–2) |Week9-14-Color = u |Week9-15 = Mississippi State (6–2) |Week9-15-Color = d |Week9-16 = Ohio State (6–2) |Week9-16-Color = u |Week9-17 = Arkansas (6–2) |Week9-17-Color = u |Week9-18 = Southern Miss (6–0–1) |Week9-18-Color = npr |Week9-19 = Washington State (6–1–1) |Week9-19-Color = d |Week9-20 = Iowa State (5–2–1) |Week9-20-Color = d |Week10-1 = Pittsburgh (8–0) (38) |Week10-1-Color = |Week10-2 = Clemson (9–0) (1) |Week10-2-Color = u |Week10-3 = USC (8–1) (3) |Week10-3-Color = d |Week10-4 = Georgia (8–1) |Week10-4-Color = |Week10-5 = Penn State (7–1) |Week10-5-Color = u |Week10-6 = Alabama (7–1–1) |Week10-6-Color = u |Week10-7 = Nebraska (7–2) |Week10-7-Color = u |Week10-8 = Michigan (7–2) |Week10-8-Color = u |Week10-9 = Texas (6–1–1) |Week10-9-Color = d |Week10-10 = Southern Miss (7–0–1) |Week10-10-Color = u |Week10-11 = Oklahoma (5–2–1) |Week10-11-Color = u |Week10-12 = North Carolina (7–2) |Week10-12-Color = d |Week10-13 = Arkansas (7–2) |Week10-13-Color = u |Week10-14 = UCLA (6–2–1) |Week10-14-Color = npr |Week10-15 = Washington State (7–1–1) |Week10-15-Color = u |Week10-16 = Hawaii (7–0) |Week10-16-Color = npr |Week10-17 = BYU (8–2) |Week10-17-Color = npr |Week10-18 = Iowa (6–3) |Week10-18-Color = npr |Week10-19 = Florida State (6–3) |Week10-19-Color = d |Week10-20 = Minnesota (6–3) |Week10-20-Color = npr |Week11-1 = Pittsburgh (9–0) (40) |Week11-1-Color = |Week11-2 = Clemson (10–0) (2) |Week11-2-Color = |Week11-3 = Georgia (9–1) |Week11-3-Color = u |Week11-4 = Alabama (8–1–1) |Week11-4-Color = u |Week11-5 = Nebraska (8–2) |Week11-5-Color = u |Week11-6 = Michigan (8–2) |Week11-6-Color = u |Week11-7 = Texas (7–1–1) |Week11-7-Color = u |Week11-8 = Southern Miss (8–0–1) |Week11-8-Color = u |Week11-9 = USC (8–2) |Week11-9-Color = d |Week11-10 = Arkansas (8–2) |Week11-10-Color = u |Week11-11 = North Carolina (8–2) |Week11-11-Color = u |Week11-12 = Washington State (8–1–1) |Week11-12-Color = u |Week11-13 = UCLA (7–2–1) |Week11-13-Color = u |Week11-14 = Penn State (7–2) |Week11-14-Color = d |Week11-15 = BYU (9–2) |Week11-15-Color = u |Week11-16 = Washington (8–2) |Week11-16-Color = npr |Week11-17 = Iowa (7–3) |Week11-17-Color = u |Week11-18 = Ohio State (7–3) |Week11-18-Color = npr |Week11-19 = West Virginia (8–2) |Week11-19-Color = npr |Week11-20 = Missouri (7–3) |Week11-20-Color = npr |Week12-1 = Pittsburgh (10–0) (39) |Week12-1-Color = |Week12-2 = Clemson (11–0) (3) |Week12-2-Color = |Week12-3 = Georgia (9–1) |Week12-3-Color = |Week12-4 = Alabama (8–1–1) |Week12-4-Color = |Week12-5 = Nebraska (9–2) |Week12-5-Color = |Week12-6 = Texas (8–1–1) |Week12-6-Color = u |Week12-7 = USC (9–2) |Week12-7-Color = u |Week12-8 = North Carolina (9–2) |Week12-8-Color = u |Week12-9 = Penn State (8–2) |Week12-9-Color = u |Week12-10 = Washington (9–2) |Week12-10-Color = u |Week12-11 = Iowa (8–3) |Week12-11-Color = u |Week12-12 = BYU (10–2) |Week12-12-Color = u |Week12-13 = Michigan (8–3) |Week12-13-Color = d |Week12-14 = Ohio State (8–3) |Week12-14-Color = u |Week12-15 = Southern Miss (8–1–1) |Week12-15-Color = d |Week12-16 = UCLA (7–3–1) |Week12-16-Color = d |Week12-17 = Arkansas (8–3) |Week12-17-Color = d |Week12-18 = Washington State (8–2–1) |Week12-18-Color = d |Week12-19 = Houston (6–3–1) |Week12-19-Color = npr |Week12-20 = San Jose State (8–2) |Week12-20-Color = npr |Week13-1 = Clemson (11–0) |Week13-1-Color = u |Week13-2 = Georgia (10–1) |Week13-2-Color = u |Week13-3 = Alabama (9–1–1) |Week13-3-Color = u |Week13-4 = Nebraska (9–2) |Week13-4-Color = u |Week13-5 = Texas (9–1–1) |Week13-5-Color = u |Week13-6 = Penn State (9–2) |Week13-6-Color = u |Week13-7 = USC (9–2) |Week13-7-Color = |Week13-8 = Pittsburgh (10–1) |Week13-8-Color = d |Week13-9 = North Carolina (9–2) |Week13-9-Color = d |Week13-10 = Washington (9–2) |Week13-10-Color = |Week13-11 = Iowa (8–3) |Week13-11-Color = |Week13-12 = BYU (10–2) |Week13-12-Color = |Week13-13 = Michigan (8–3) |Week13-13-Color = |Week13-14 = Ohio State (8–3) |Week13-14-Color = |Week13-15 = Southern Miss (9–1–1) |Week13-15-Color = |Week13-16 = UCLA (7–3–1) |Week13-16-Color = |Week13-17 = Arkansas (8–3) |Week13-17-Color = |Week13-18 = Washington State (8–2–1) |Week13-18-Color = |Week13-19 = Houston (7–3–1) |Week13-19-Color = |Week13-20 = San Jose State (9–2) |Week13-20-Color = |Week14-1 = Clemson (12–0) (35) |Week14-1-Color = nc |Week14-2 = Pittsburgh (11–1) |Week14-2-Color = u |Week14-3 = Penn State (10–2) (1) |Week14-3-Color = u |Week14-4 = Texas (10–1–1) (1) |Week14-4-Color = u |Week14-5 = Georgia (10–2) |Week14-5-Color = d |Week14-6 = Alabama (9–2–1) |Week14-6-Color = d |Week14-7 = Washington (10–2) |Week14-7-Color = u |Week14-8 = North Carolina (10–2) |Week14-8-Color = u |Week14-9 = Nebraska (9–3) |Week14-9-Color = d |Week14-10 = Michigan (9–3) |Week14-10-Color = u |Week14-11 = BYU (11–2) |Week14-11-Color = u |Week14-12 = Ohio State (9–3) |Week14-12-Color = u |Week14-13 = USC (9–3) |Week14-13-Color = d |Week14-14 = Oklahoma (7–4–1) |Week14-14-Color = npr |Week14-15 = Iowa (8–4) |Week14-15-Color = d |Week14-16 = Arkansas (8–4) |Week14-16-Color = u |Week14-17 = Mississippi State (8–4) |Week14-17-Color = npr |Week14-18 = West Virginia (9–3) |Week14-18-Color = npr |Week14-19 = Southern Miss (9–2–1) |Week14-19-Color = d |Week14-20 = Missouri (8–4) |Week14-20-Color = npr

References

References

1. (January 3, 1982). "Final AP Top 20". Detroit Free Press.
2. (August 29, 1981). "Michigan ranked No.1 in UPI preseason poll". [[Arizona Republic]].
3. (September 15, 1981). "Irish take over top spot in both polls". [[Indianapolis Star]].
4. (September 23, 1981). "Tigers 18th, 19th". The Greenville News (Greenville, SC).
5. (September 29, 1981). "Polls rank Iowa among college football's top 20". [[The Daily Iowan]].
6. (October 6, 1981). "The United Press International board of coaches major-college football rankings". [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]].
7. (October 13, 1981). "Texas Is Number One". Logansport Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, IN).
8. (October 20, 1981). "Penn State No. 1". The Daily Reporter (Greenfield, IN).
9. (October 27, 1981). "Hawks fall to 16th; Lions stay at No. 1". [[The Daily Iowan]].
10. (November 3, 1981). "Pitt Panthers take hot seat". Ukiah Daily Journal (Ukiah, CA).
11. (November 17, 1981). "Pittsburgh retains top ranking". [[The Salina Journal]].
12. (January 3, 1982). "Final UPI Top 20". Detroit Free Press.