# 2002 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

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.

## Legend

| | 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 |

## AP Poll

| | Preseason Preseason | Week 1 Aug 26 | Week 2 Sep 2 | Week 3 Sep 8 | Week 4 Sep 15 | Week 5 Sep 22 | Week 6 Sep 29 | Week 7 Oct 6 | Week 8 Oct 13 | Week 9 Oct 20 | Week 10 Oct 27 | Week 11 Nov 3 | Week 12 Nov 10 | Week 13 Nov 17 | Week 14 Nov 24 | Week 15 Dec 1 | Week 16 Dec 8 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 4 | |
| 1. | Miami (FL) (27) | Miami (FL) (0–0) (27) т | Miami (FL) (1–0) (34) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (68) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (68) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (69) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (71) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (73) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (65) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (61) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (59) | Oklahoma (8–0) (42) | Miami (FL) (9–0) (74) | Miami (FL) (9–0) (74) | Miami (FL) (10–0) (71) | Miami (FL) (11–0) (73) | Miami (FL) (12–0) (74) | Ohio State (14–0) (71) | 1. |
| 2. | Oklahoma (21) | Oklahoma (0–0) (27) т | Oklahoma (1–0) (21) | Oklahoma (2–0) (3) | Oklahoma (3–0) (3) | Oklahoma (3–0) (3) | Texas (4–0) (2) | Oklahoma (5–0) | Oklahoma (6–0) (9) | Oklahoma (7–0) (13) | Oklahoma (7–0) (14) | Miami (FL) (8–0) (32) | Ohio State (11–0) | Ohio State (12–0) | Ohio State (13–0) | Ohio State (13–0) | Ohio State (13–0) | Miami (FL) (12–1) | 2. |
| 3. | Florida State (10) | Texas (0–0) (13) | Texas (1–0) (10) | Texas (1–0) (3) | Texas (2–0) (3) | Texas (3–0) (2) | Oklahoma (4–0) (1) | Texas (5–0) (1) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Virginia Tech (7–0) | Virginia Tech (8–0) | Ohio State (10–0) | Washington State (9–1) | Washington State (9–1) | Oklahoma (10–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Georgia (13–1) | 3. |
| 4. | Texas (13) | Tennessee (0–0) (3) | Tennessee (1–0) (5) | Tennessee (2–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Florida State (4–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | Ohio State (7–0) | Ohio State (8–0) | Notre Dame (8–0) (1) | Texas (8–1) | Oklahoma (8–1) т | Oklahoma (9–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Georgia (11–1) | Georgia (12–1) | USC (11–2) | 4. |
| 5. | Tennessee (3) | Florida State (1–0) (4) | Florida State (2–0) (4) | Florida State (2–0) | Florida State (3–0) | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Ohio State (5–0) | Ohio State (6–0) | Georgia (6–0) | Georgia (7–0) | Georgia (8–0) | Washington State (8–1) | Texas (9–1) т | Iowa (11–1) | Georgia (10–1) | USC (10–2) | USC (10–2) | Oklahoma (12–2) | 5. |
| 6. | Florida | Florida (0–0) | Florida (1–0) | Ohio State (2–0) | Ohio State (3–0) | Ohio State (4–0) | Florida (4–1) | Georgia (5–0) | Oregon (6–0) | Notre Dame (7–0) | Ohio State (9–0) | Iowa (9–1) | Iowa (10–1) | Georgia (10–1) | USC (9–2) | Kansas State (10–2) | Kansas State (10–2) | Texas (11–2) | 6. |
| 7. | Colorado | Colorado (0–0) | Michigan (1–0) | Michigan (2–0) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Florida (3–1) | Georgia (4–0) | Oregon (5–0) | Notre Dame (6–0) | Texas (6–1) | Texas (7–1) | Georgia (8–1) | Georgia (9–1) | USC (8–2) | Notre Dame (10–1) | Washington State (9–2) | Washington State (10–2) | Kansas State (11–2) | 7. |
| 8. | Georgia | Georgia (0–0) | Ohio State (1–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Georgia (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Notre Dame (5–0) | Texas (5–1) | Michigan (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Virginia Tech (8–1) | USC (7–2) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Kansas State (10–2) | Oklahoma (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–2) | Iowa (11–2) | 8. |
| 9. | Washington | Nebraska (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Georgia (1–0) | Oregon (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Notre Dame (4–0) | Florida State (5–1) | Iowa State (6–1) | Washington State (6–1) | Iowa (8–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Alabama (9–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | Michigan (10–3) | 9. |
| 10. | Nebraska | Ohio State (1–0) | Georgia (1–0) | Washington State (2–0) | Florida (2–1) | Notre Dame (4–0) | Tennessee (3–1) | Tennessee (4–1) | Washington State (6–1) | LSU (6–1) | NC State (9–0) | USC (6–2) | Alabama (8–2) | Kansas State (9–2) | Texas (9–2) | Penn State (9–3) | Penn State (9–3) | Washington State (10–3) | 10. |
| 11. | Washington State | Washington (0–0) | Washington State (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | USC (2–0) | Tennessee (2–1) | Florida State (4–1) | Iowa State (5–1) | Michigan (5–1) | Florida State (5–2) | USC (6–2) | Alabama (7–2) | Kansas State (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Penn State (9–3) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Alabama (10–3) | 11. |
| 12. | Michigan | Washington State (0–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Florida (1–1) | Notre Dame (3–0) | Penn State (3–0) | Washington (3–1) | Washington State (5–1) | Florida State (5–2) | NC State (8–0) | Alabama (6–2) | Kansas State (7–2) | Michigan (8–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Michigan (9–3) | Colorado (9–3) | Michigan (9–3) | NC State (11–3) | 12. |
| 13. | Ohio State | Michigan (0–0) | Oregon (1–0) | Oregon (2–0) | Washington (1–1) | Washington (2–1) | Kansas State (4–0) | Michigan (4–1) | NC State (7–0) | Iowa (7–1) | Colorado (6–2) | Michigan (7–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Colorado (8–3) | Michigan (9–3) | Alabama (10–3) | Maryland (11–3) | 13. |
| 14. | LSU | LSU (0–0) | Washington (0–1) | Washington (1–1) | Michigan (2–1) | Michigan (3–1) | Michigan (4–1) | NC State (6–0) | LSU (5–1) | Oregon (6–1) | Kansas State (6–2) | NC State (9–1) | LSU (7–2) | Florida State (8–3) | Alabama (9–3) | Alabama (10–3) | Colorado (9–4) | Auburn (9–4) | 14. |
| 15. | Oregon | Oregon (0–0) | Michigan State (1–0) | Michigan State (2–0) | Penn State (2–0) | Kansas State (4–0) | Iowa State (5–1) | Penn State (4–1) | Iowa (6–1) | USC (5–2) | Michigan (6–2) | Oregon (7–2) | Florida State (7–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Florida (8–3) | West Virginia (9–3) | West Virginia (9–3) | Boise State (12–1) | 15. |
| 16. | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech (1–0) | Marshall (1–0) | Marshall (1–0) | Washington State (2–1) | Washington State (3–1) | NC State (6–0) | Florida (4–2) | Tennessee (4–2) | Tennessee (4–2) | Arizona State (7–2) | LSU (6–2) | Penn State (7–3) | Colorado (8–3) | Colorado State (10–2) | Florida State (9–4) | Florida State (9–4) | Penn State (9–4) | 16. |
| 17. | Louisville | Louisville (0–0) | Colorado (0–1) | USC (1–0) | NC State (4–0) | NC State (5–0) | Washington State (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Kansas State (5–1) | Iowa State (6–2) | LSU (6–2) | Florida State (6–3) | Colorado (7–3) | Pittsburgh (8–2) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | NC State (10–3) | NC State (10–3) | Notre Dame (10–3) | 17. |
| 18. | Michigan State | Michigan State (0–0) | USC (0–0) | Colorado (1–1) | Nebraska (3–1) | USC (2–1) | USC (3–1) | LSU (4–1) | Air Force (6–0) | Penn State (5–2) | Florida State (5–3) | Colorado (6–3) | Pittsburgh (8–2) | Maryland (9–2) | LSU (8–3) | Virginia Tech (9–3) | Boise State (11–1) | Virginia Tech (9–4) | 18. |
| 19. | Marshall | Marshall (0–0) | Colorado State (2–0) | NC State (3–0) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Iowa State (4–1) | Wisconsin (5–0) | Kansas State (4–1) | USC (4–2) | Alabama (5–2) | Oregon (6–2) | Penn State (6–3) | Maryland (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Boise State (11–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Auburn (8–4) | Pittsburgh (9–4) | 19. |
| 20. | USC | USC (0–0) | Texas A&M (1–0) | Notre Dame (2–0) | UCLA (2–0) | Nebraska (3–1) | Penn State (3–1) | USC (3–2) | Penn State (4–2) | Kansas State (5–2) | Penn State (5–3) | Bowling Green (8–0) | Florida (7–3) | Colorado State (9–2) | Auburn (8–4) | Auburn (8–4) | Maryland (10–3) | Colorado (9–5) | 20. |
| 21. | Maryland | Maryland (0–0) | NC State (2–0) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Iowa State (3–1) | Wisconsin (5–0) | LSU (3–1) | Air Force (5–0) | Ole Miss (5–1) | Colorado (5–2) | Bowling Green (7–0) | Iowa State (7–3) | Colorado State (8–2) | LSU (7–3) | NC State (10–3) | Maryland (10–3) | Virginia Tech (9–4) | Florida State (9–5) | 21. |
| 22. | South Carolina | South Carolina (0–0) | South Carolina (1–0) | Wisconsin (3–0) | Wisconsin (4–0) | LSU (2–1) | Alabama (4–1) | Washington (3–2) | Washington (4–2) | Air Force (6–1) | Iowa State (6–3) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | NC State (9–2) | TCU (8–1) | Virginia Tech (8–3) | Arkansas (9–3) | Florida (8–4) | Virginia (9–5) | 22. |
| 23. | Texas A&M | Texas A&M (0–0) | Notre Dame (1–0) | UCLA (1–0) | California (3–0) | Oregon State (4–0) | Texas A&M (3–1) | Wisconsin (5–1) | Colorado (4–2) | Arizona State (6–2) | Minnesota (7–1) | Florida (6–3) | Oregon (7–3) | Boise State (10–1) | Florida State (8–4) | Florida (8–4) | Colorado State (10–3) | TCU (10–2) | 23. |
| 24. | Penn State | Penn State (0–0) | LSU (0–1) | Colorado State (2–1) | LSU (2–1) | Texas A&M (2–1) | Iowa (4–1) | Auburn (4–1) | Alabama (4–2) | Bowling Green (6–0) | Colorado State (7–2) | Colorado State (8–2) | Auburn (7–3) | Texas Tech (8–4) | West Virginia (8–4) | Colorado State (10–3) | Pittsburgh (8–4) | Marshall (11–2) | 24. |
| 25. | Wisconsin | NC State (1–0) | Wisconsin (2–0) | LSU (1–1) | Kansas State (3–0) | Colorado State (3–1) | Colorado State (4–1) | Ole Miss (4–1) | Bowling Green (5–0) | Minnesota (7–1) | Tennessee (4–3) | Arizona State (7–3) | TCU (8–1) | UCLA (7–3) | Maryland (9–3) | Pittsburgh (8–4) | Arkansas (9–4) | West Virginia (9–4) | 25. |
| | Preseason Preseason | Week 1 Aug 26 | Week 2 Sep 2 | Week 3 Sep 8 | Week 4 Sep 15 | Week 5 Sep 22 | Week 6 Sep 29 | Week 7 Oct 6 | Week 8 Oct 13 | Week 9 Oct 20 | Week 10 Oct 27 | Week 11 Nov 3 | Week 12 Nov 10 | Week 13 Nov 17 | Week 14 Nov 24 | Week 15 Dec 1 | Week 16 Dec 8 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 4 | |
| | | Dropped: Wisconsin | Dropped: LouisvilleMarylandPenn State | Dropped: South Carolina | Dropped: Michigan StateMarshallColoradoColorado State | Dropped: UCLACalifornia | Dropped: NebraskaOregon State | Dropped: AlabamaTexas A&MColorado State | Dropped: WisconsinAuburn | Dropped: Ole MissWashington | Dropped: Air Force | Dropped: Tennessee | Dropped: Bowling GreenIowa StateArizona State | Dropped: NC StateOregonAuburn | Dropped: Texas TechUCLA | Dropped: LSU | None | Dropped: ArkansasFloridaColorado State | |

## Coaches Poll

| | Preseason Preseason | Week 1 Aug 26 | Week 2 Sep 2 | Week 3 Sep 8 | Week 4 Sep 15 | Week 5 Sep 23 | Week 6 Sep 30 | Week 7 Oct 6 | Week 8 Oct 13 | Week 9 Oct 20 | Week 10 Oct 27 | Week 11 Nov 3 | Week 12 Nov 10 | Week 13 Nov 17 | Week 14 Nov 24 | Week 15 Dec 1 | Week 16 Dec 8 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 5 | |
| 1. | Miami (FL) (34) | Miami (FL) (0–0) (42) | Miami (FL) (1–0) (49) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (58) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (58) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (59) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (59) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (60) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (58) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (55) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (53) | Miami (FL) (8–0) (47) | Miami (FL) (9–0) (61) | Miami (FL) (9–0) (61) | Miami (FL) (10–0) (60) | Miami (FL) (11–0) (60) | Miami (FL) (12–0) (61) | Ohio State (14–0) (61) | 1. |
| 2. | Texas (9) | Texas (0–0) (10) | Texas (1–0) (5) | Texas (1–0) (2) | Texas (2–0) (2) | Texas (3–0) (2) | Texas (4–0) (2) | Texas (5–0) (1) | Oklahoma (6–0) (3) | Oklahoma (7–0) (6) | Oklahoma (7–0) (7) | Oklahoma (8–0) (14) | Ohio State (11–0) | Ohio State (12–0) | Ohio State (13–0) (1) | Ohio State (13–0) (1) | Ohio State (13–0) | Miami (FL) (12–1) | 2. |
| 3. | Oklahoma (11) | Oklahoma (0–0) (7) | Oklahoma (1–0) (4) | Oklahoma (2–0) | Oklahoma (3–0) (1) | Oklahoma (3–0) | Oklahoma (4–0) | Oklahoma (5–0) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Virginia Tech (7–0) | Virginia Tech (8–0) | Ohio State (10–0) | Texas (9–1) | Washington State (9–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Georgia (13–1) | 3. |
| 4. | Florida State (7) | Tennessee (0–0) | Tennessee (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Florida State (4–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | Ohio State (7–0) | Ohio State (8–0) | Ohio State (9–0) | Texas (8–1) | Washington State (9–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Oklahoma (10–1) | Georgia (11–1) | Georgia (12–1) | USC (11–2) | 4. |
| 5. | Tennessee | Florida State (1–0) (2) | Florida State (2–0) (2) | Florida State (2–0) (1) | Florida State (3–0) | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Ohio State (5–0) | Ohio State (6–0) | Georgia (6–0) | Georgia (7–0) | Georgia (8–0) | Washington State (8–1) | Iowa (10–1) | Oklahoma (9–1) | Georgia (10–1) | USC (10–2) | USC (10–2) | Oklahoma (12–2) | 5. |
| 6. | Colorado | Colorado (0–0) | Florida (1–0) | Michigan (2–0) | Ohio State (3–0) | Ohio State (4–0) | Georgia (4–0) | Georgia (5–0) | Oregon (6–0) | Notre Dame (7–0) | Notre Dame (8–0) (1) | Iowa (9–1) | Oklahoma (8–1) | Georgia (10–1) | USC (9–2) | Kansas State (10–2) | Kansas State (10–2) | Kansas State (11–2) | 6. |
| 7. | Florida | Florida (0–0) | Michigan (1–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Georgia (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Oregon (5–0) | Notre Dame (6–0) | Texas (6–1) | Texas (7–1) | Virginia Tech (8–1) | Georgia (9–1) | USC (8–2) | Notre Dame (10–1) | Washington State (9–2) | Washington State (10–2) | Texas (11–2) | 7. |
| 8. | Nebraska | Nebraska (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Ohio State (2–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Florida (4–1) | Notre Dame (5–0) | Texas (5–1) | Michigan (6–1) | NC State (9–0) | Georgia (8–1) | USC (7–2) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Kansas State (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–2) | Iowa (11–2) | 8. |
| 9. | Washington | Washington (0–0) | Ohio State (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Oregon (3–0) | Florida (3–1) | Notre Dame (4–0) | Tennessee (4–1) | Michigan (5–1) | NC State (8–0) | Washington State (7–1) | USC (6–2) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Michigan (9–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Oklahoma (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | Michigan (10–3) | 9. |
| 10. | Michigan | Michigan (0–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Georgia (1–0) | Florida (2–1) | Notre Dame (4–0) | Tennessee (3–1) | Michigan (4–1) | NC State (7–0) | LSU (6–1) | Iowa (8–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Kansas State (9–2) | Texas (9–2) | Penn State (9–3) | Penn State (9–3) | Washington State (10–3) | 10. |
| 11. | Georgia | Ohio State (1–0) | Georgia (1–0) | Washington State (2–0) | USC (2–0) | Tennessee (2–1) | Florida State (4–1) | NC State (6–0) | Washington State (6–1) | Washington State (6–1) | USC (6–2) | Michigan (7–2) | Kansas State (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Florida (8–3) | Michigan (9–3) | Michigan (9–3) | NC State (11–3) | 11. |
| 12. | Ohio State | Georgia (0–0) | Washington State (1–0) | Oregon (2–0) | Notre Dame (3–0) | Penn State (3–0) | Washington (3–1) | Florida State (5–1) | LSU (5–1) | Oregon (6–1) | Colorado (6–2) | Kansas State (7–2) | LSU (7–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Penn State (9–3) | Colorado (9–3) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Boise State (12–1) | 12. |
| 13. | LSU | Washington State (0–0) | Oregon (1–0) | Florida (1–1) | Washington (1–1) | Washington (2–1) | Michigan (4–1) | Washington State (5–1) | Iowa State (6–1) | Florida State (5–2) | Michigan (6–2) | NC State (9–1) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Colorado State (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | West Virginia (9–3) | Maryland (11–3) | 13. |
| 14. | Washington State | LSU (0–0) | Washington (0–1) | Washington (1–1) | Michigan (2–1) | Michigan (3–1) | NC State (6–0) | Iowa State (5–1) | Florida State (5–2) | Iowa (7–1) | Kansas State (6–2) | LSU (6–2) | Florida (7–3) | Florida State (8–3) | Michigan (9–3) | Virginia Tech (9–3) | Colorado (9–4) | Virginia Tech (10–4) | 14. |
| 15. | Oregon | Oregon (0–0) | Michigan State (1–0) | Michigan State (2–0) | Penn State (2–0) | NC State (5–0) | Wisconsin (5–0) | LSU (4–1) | Air Force (6–0) | Tennessee (4–2) | LSU (6–2) | Oregon (7–2) | Florida State (7–3) | Colorado State (9–2) | Colorado (8–3) | Boise State (11–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Penn State (9–4) | 15. |
| 16. | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech (1–0) | USC (0–0) | USC (1–0) | NC State (4–0) | Wisconsin (5–0) | Kansas State (4–0) | Florida (4–2) | Iowa (6–1) | USC (5–2) | Oregon (6–2) | Bowling Green (8–0) | Penn State (7–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Boise State (11–1) | West Virginia (9–3) | Florida State (9–4) | Auburn (9–4) | 16. |
| 17. | Louisville | Michigan State (0–0) | Colorado (0–1) | Marshall (1–0) | Wisconsin (4–0) | Kansas State (4–0) | Washington State (4–1) | Penn State (4–1) | Washington (4–2) | Penn State (5–2) | Arizona State (7–2) | Florida (6–3) | Colorado State (8–2) | Colorado (8–3) | LSU (8–3) | NC State (10–3) | NC State (10–3) | Notre Dame (10–3) | 17. |
| 18. | Michigan State | Louisville (0–0) | Marshall (1–0) | Wisconsin (3–0) | Washington State (2–1) | Washington State (3–1) | Iowa State (5–1) | Washington (3–2) | Tennessee (4–2) | Iowa State (6–2) | Bowling Green (7–0) | Florida State (6–3) | Colorado (7–3) | Maryland (9–2) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Florida State (9–4) | Maryland (10–3) | Pittsburgh (9–4) | 18. |
| 19. | USC | USC (0–0) | South Carolina (1–0) | Colorado (1–1) | Nebraska (3–1) | Nebraska (3–1) | LSU (3–1) | Air Force (5–0) | Kansas State (5–1) | Air Force (6–1) | Minnesota (7–1) | Penn State (6–3) | Maryland (8–2) | Pittsburgh (8–2) | Virginia Tech (8–3) | Maryland (10–3) | Virginia Tech (9–4) | Marshall (11–2) | 19. |
| 20. | Maryland | Maryland (0–0) | Colorado State (2–0) | NC State (3–0) | LSU (2–1) | LSU (2–1) | USC (3–1) | Iowa (5–1) | USC (4–2) | Colorado (5–2) | Florida State (5–3) | Colorado State (8–2) | NC State (9–2) | LSU (7–3) | NC State (10–3) | Florida (8–4) | Florida (8–4) | West Virginia (9–4) | 20. |
| 21. | Marshall | South Carolina (0–0) | Wisconsin (2–0) | Notre Dame (2–0) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Iowa State (4–1) | Penn State (3–1) | Auburn (4–1) | Penn State (4–2) | Kansas State (5–2) | Penn State (5–3) | Colorado (6–3) | Pittsburgh (8–2) | Boise State (10–1) | West Virginia (8–3) | Colorado State (10–3) | Colorado State (10–3) | Colorado (9–5) | 21. |
| 22. | South Carolina | Marshall (0–0) | NC State (2–0) | LSU (1–1) | UCLA (2–0) | USC (2–1) | Colorado State (4–1) | Wisconsin (5–1) | Ole Miss (5–1) | Bowling Green (6–0) | Florida (5–3) | Iowa State (7–3) | Oregon (7–3) | TCU (8–1) | Florida State (8–4) | Arkansas (9–3) | Auburn (8–4) | TCU (10–2) | 22. |
| 23. | Wisconsin | Penn State (0–0) | LSU (0–1) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Kansas State (3–0) | Colorado State (3–1) | Texas A&M (3–1) | Kansas State (4–1) | Bowling Green (5–0) | Florida (5–3) | Iowa State (6–3) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | Boise State (9–1) | Texas Tech (8–4) | Maryland (9–3) | Auburn (8–4) | Pittsburgh (8–4) | Florida State (9–5) | 23. |
| 24. | Penn State | NC State (1–0) | Notre Dame (1–0) | BYU (2–0) | Iowa State (3–1) | Oregon State (4–0) | Auburn (4–1) | USC (3–2) | Florida (4–3) | Minnesota (7–1) | Colorado State (7–2) | Arizona State (7–3) | TCU (8–1) | UCLA (7–3) | Hawaii (9–2) | Pittsburgh (8–4) | Marshall (10–2) | Florida (9–5) | 24. |
| 25. | NC State | Wisconsin (1–0) | Penn State (1–0) | Penn State (1–0) | Colorado State (3–1) | Auburn (3–1) | Air Force (4–0) | UCLA (4–1) | Colorado (4–2) | Arizona State (6–2) | Marshall (6–1) | Maryland (7–2) | Bowling Green (8–1) | Hawaii (8–2) | Auburn (8–4) | LSU (8–4) | LSU (8–4) | Virginia (9–5) | 25. |
| | Preseason Preseason | Week 1 Aug 26 | Week 2 Sep 2 | Week 3 Sep 8 | Week 4 Sep 15 | Week 5 Sep 23 | Week 6 Sep 30 | Week 7 Oct 6 | Week 8 Oct 13 | Week 9 Oct 20 | Week 10 Oct 27 | Week 11 Nov 3 | Week 12 Nov 10 | Week 13 Nov 17 | Week 14 Nov 24 | Week 15 Dec 1 | Week 16 Dec 8 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 5 | |
| | | None | Dropped: LouisvilleMaryland | Dropped: South CarolinaColorado State | Dropped: Michigan StateMarshallColoradoBYU | Dropped: Texas A&MUCLA | Dropped: Oregon StateNebraska | Dropped: Colorado StateTexas A&M | Dropped: AuburnWisconsinUCLA | Dropped: WashingtonOle Miss | Dropped: TennesseeAir Force | Dropped: MinnesotaMarshall | Dropped: Iowa StateArizona State | Dropped: NC StateOregonBowling Green | Dropped: TCUTexas TechUCLA | Dropped: Hawaii | Dropped: Arkansas | Dropped: Colorado StateLSU | |

## BCS standings

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) determined the two teams that competed in the BCS National Championship Game, the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.
| | Week 9 Oct 21 | Week 10 Oct 28 | Week 11 Nov 4 | Week 12 Nov 11 | Week 13 Nov 18 | Week 14 Nov 25 | Week 15 Dec 2 | Week 16 (Final) Dec 8 | |
| 1. | Oklahoma (7–0) | Oklahoma (7–0) | Oklahoma (8–0) | Ohio State (11–0) | Miami (FL) (9–0) | Miami (FL) (10–0) | Miami (FL) (11–0) | Miami (FL) (12–0) | 1. |
| 2. | Miami (FL) (6–0) | Miami (FL) (7–0) | Ohio State (10–0) | Miami (FL) (9–0) | Ohio State (12–0) | Ohio State (13–0) | Ohio State (13–0) | Ohio State (13–0) | 2. |
| 3. | Notre Dame (7–0) | Notre Dame (8–0) | Miami (FL) (8–0) | Washington State (9–1) | Washington State (9–1) | Oklahoma (10–1) | Georgia (11–1) | Georgia (12–1) | 3. |
| 4. | Virginia Tech (7–0) | Georgia (8–0) | Texas (8–1) | Oklahoma (8–1) | Oklahoma (9–1) | Georgia (10–1) | USC (10–2) | USC (10–2) | 4. |
| 5. | Georgia (7–0) | Ohio State (9–0) | Washington State (8–1) | Texas (9–1) | Georgia (10–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Iowa (11–1) | Iowa (11–1) | 5. |
| 6. | Ohio State (8–0) | Virginia Tech (8–0) | Georgia (8–1) | Georgia (9–1) | Notre Dame (9–1) | USC (9–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Washington State (10–2) | 6. |
| 7. | Washington State (6–1) | Texas (7–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Iowa (10–1) | Notre Dame (10–1) | Oklahoma (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–2) | 7. |
| 8. | Michigan (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Iowa (9–1) | Iowa (10–1) | USC (8–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Kansas State (10–2) | Kansas State (10–2) | 8. |
| 9. | LSU (6–1) | NC State (9–0) | USC (6–2) | USC (7–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | 9. |
| 10. | Texas (6–1) | Iowa (8–1) | Virginia Tech (8–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Kansas State (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | 10. |
| 11. | NC State (8–0) | USC (6–2) | Michigan (7–2) | Florida State (7–3) | Kansas State (9–2) | Michigan (9–3) | Michigan (9–3) | Michigan (9–3) | 11. |
| 12. | Florida State (5–2) | Colorado (6–2) | NC State (9–1) | Kansas State (8–2) | Florida State (8–3) | Colorado (8–3) | Colorado (9–3) | Penn State (9–3) | 12. |
| 13. | Iowa (7–1) | Michigan (6–2) | Florida State (6–3) | LSU (7–2) | Colorado (8–3) | Florida (8–3) | Penn State (9–3) | Colorado (9–4) | 13. |
| 14. | USC (5–2) | LSU (6–2) | Florida (6–3) | Florida (7–3) | Florida (8–3) | Penn State (9–3) | Florida State (9–4) | Florida State (9–4) | 14. |
| 15. | Oregon (6–1) | Kansas State (6–2) | Kansas State (7–2) | Penn State (7–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Colorado State (10–2) | West Virginia (9–3) | West Virginia (9–3) | 15. |
| | Week 9 Oct 21 | Week 10 Oct 28 | Week 11 Nov 4 | Week 12 Nov 11 | Week 13 Nov 18 | Week 14 Nov 25 | Week 15 Dec 2 | Week 16 (Final) Dec 8 | |
| | | Dropped: Florida StateOregon | Dropped: ColoradoLSU | Dropped: NC State | Dropped: LSU | Dropped: Florida State | Dropped: FloridaColorado State | None | |